Breakthrough Montessori: And so it begins...

[Anonymous]

Staffing Update
After helping to launch Breakthrough Montessori, Dr. Edwin Strickland has stepped down from the position of executive director for personal reasons.

The Breakthrough Montessori team is grateful for Dr. Strickland's leadership during the school's formative period, and we thank him for contributing his expertise and talent.

The board of directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Keith Whitescarver as interim executive director. Prior to this appointment, Dr. Whitescarver served as chair of the board for Breakthrough Montessori.

Dr. Whitescarver brings 31 years of experience to the Breakthrough Montessori team. As founding director of the National Center for Montessori in the Public Sector, Dr. Whitescarver has overseen efforts to support and expand high-quality public Montessori programs around the country. Dr. Whitescarver is a nationally recognized expert on literacy and Montessori pedagogy and has served on the faculties of the College of William and Mary, Ohio University, Wellesley College, and Lesley University in the fields of teacher education, school leadership, and sociology. In addition, he taught social studies for ten years in public high schools in Atlanta.

[Anonymous]

Wow.

Will they have a new permanent ED before opening?

[Anonymous]

Good question. And interesting how this resignation takes place after the enrollment deadline. I wonder the back story.

[Anonymous]

Who was this sent to? I'm on the WL (not a good number) but didn't receive it. It isn't on their Facebook.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like a good interim.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds like a good interim.

agree!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Who was this sent to? I'm on the WL (not a good number) but didn't receive it. It isn't on their Facebook.

It was sent to the enrolled families.

I'm still on the WL and got that email, but a friend who is enrolled sent it to me. (I'm not the OP.)

[Anonymous]

I'm behind the news here. Why is everyone waiting for Breakthrough's shoes to drop?

[Anonymous]

I think a few DCUMers think some people are a little too enthusiastic about a brand new, unproven school.

They are stirring the pot and implying that this news means there is trouble among the leadership team.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think a few DCUMers think some people are a little too enthusiastic about a brand new, unproven school.

They are stirring the pot and implying that this news means there is trouble among the leadership team.

Ah, of course. Gotcha. Carry on.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think a few DCUMers think some people are a little too enthusiastic about a brand new, unproven school.

They are stirring the pot and implying that this news means there is trouble among the leadership team.

totally. Saw the same with MV and Lee (especially Lee). Sometimes they are right (Sela comes to mind) but most times they are wrong. Where there is enthusiasm, there is fire.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a few DCUMers think some people are a little too enthusiastic about a brand new, unproven school.

They are stirring the pot and implying that this news means there is trouble among the leadership team.

totally. Saw the same with MV and Lee (especially Lee). Sometimes they are right (Sela comes to mind) but most times they are wrong. Where there is enthusiasm, there is fire.

Not sure what this means. We love Sela.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Good question. And interesting how this resignation takes place after the enrollment deadline. I wonder the back story.

The ED who has now resigned missed a few of the accepted parent meetings a month ago because of a "family emergency." My guess would be that this resignation is related.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Good question. And interesting how this resignation takes place after the enrollment deadline. I wonder the back story.

The ED who has now resigned missed a few of the accepted parent meetings a month ago because of a "family emergency." My guess would be that this resignation is related.

It looks like if you google him he started a church in Alabama in April. Did he intend to move ever?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think a few DCUMers think some people are a little too enthusiastic about a brand new, unproven school.

They are stirring the pot and implying that this news means there is trouble among the leadership team.

totally. Saw the same with MV and Lee (especially Lee). Sometimes they are right (Sela comes to mind) but most times they are wrong. Where there is enthusiasm, there is fire.

Not sure what this means. We love Sela.

sorry, I was the pp that wrote that. I am rooting for your school and do feel it too has had an unfair rep on DCUM. It was on my list of 10 when we lotteried 2 years ago. But it has struggled more than other new charters.