Wasington Episcopal School - Losing Teachers?

[Anonymous]

After reading the past few posts, it is clear that there are some people who are really, really concerned about clergy titles. I suspect you have a love for the Church which is why you are discussing the issue so vigorously. I am a priest in the Episcopal Church, and I also love the Church dearly. I spend much of my ministry reaching out and ministering to the unchurched. I would love for others to have the same meaningful experiences with the Christian faith as I have. Out of that concern, I am respectfully asking (actually begging) that this debate over clergy titles be taken elsewhere. People who are unchurched and may be considering going to church (either an Episcopal parish or other Christian parish) generally find this type of debate to be petty and off-putting. So, please, again, I respectfully ask you to take this conversation elsewhere. I am sure everyone means well and is debating out of a sincere love for the Church, but this kind of debate is not something most unchurched people are going to find meaning and attractive. Peace.

[Anonymous]

It is relevant when little kids are already dealing with "Suzy has two mommies", and all the other confusion they face when starting the early years of school and now they must call a woman chaplain "Father"? It's definitely relevant to school operation. Maybe this is OK (and I've never heard of "Father" as an address for a woman priest anywhere) at upper levels but not for a pre-k-8. Sorry. Life is too confusing and hard as it is.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is relevant when little kids are already dealing with "Suzy has two mommies", and all the other confusion they face when starting the early years of school and now they must call a woman chaplain "Father"? It's definitely relevant to school operation. Maybe this is OK (and I've never heard of "Father" as an address for a woman priest anywhere) at upper levels but not for a pre-k-8. Sorry. Life is too confusing and hard as it is.

That is fine, but please take that conversation off this thread. Again, it is not relevant to the topic of this thread which is turnover of teachers and staff at WES.

[Anonymous]

It's important to find out if Father Tim was interviewing at other local schools (he spent the day at one of them). If so, why? This IS relevant to WES turnover.

[Anonymous]

Individuals need to be left out of this and it really isn't important why they found other jobs. The fact is that they are going to work elsewhere, so good for them. The real problem is: what has and continues to be the problem at WES? Students have, do and likely will continue to leave the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Individuals need to be left out of this and it really isn't important why they found other jobs. The fact is that they are going to work elsewhere, so good for them. The real problem is: what has and continues to be the problem at WES? Students have, do and likely will continue to leave the school.

What is the evidence in your post? Is enrollment at WES going down? Please provide your underlying data.

[Anonymous]

In my opinion, the root of the problems is the Head of the ES. Rigid and mean teachers are a problem, as well as the parent-run board. At least the Head is leaving - that is a step in the right direction. Same story, different year!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's important to find out if Father Tim was interviewing at other local schools (he spent the day at one of them). If so, why? This IS relevant to WES turnover.

Before you start posting on a public forum where Father Tim chooses to interview or spend his days, why don't you post your first and last name and all the places you have interviewed for jobs. It makes sense for all organizations including schools to do exit interviews of employees who are leaving, but it is really pretty aweful to post personal information like this about someone when you have anonymity and he does not. If this is how people talk about employees at WES then I would leave too.

[Anonymous]

And now you know...people at WES do talk about employees, families and students. It's teachers talking about students and other teachers and families. It's families talking about other families and students and students. What you see in the posts about the chaplain are pretty standard behavior at WES. No wonder it's such an unhappy place with so many students and families leaving.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And now you know...people at WES do talk about employees, families and students. It's teachers talking about students and other teachers and families. It's families talking about other families and students and students. What you see in the posts about the chaplain are pretty standard behavior at WES. No wonder it's such an unhappy place with so many students and families leaving.

Unfortunately, I have to agree with this. The teacher and admin. gossip was unacceptable. The mean teachers are all still in place (the ones we left to get away from). The heads of the school either support the teachers against the parents or do nothing at all. Woe to that mom or dad who is labeled "difficult" when all they are trying to do is help their child. Once you get that label, all teachers and admin. stop supporting your kid and line up an offense against you. I saw it happen many times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And now you know...people at WES do talk about employees, families and students. It's teachers talking about students and other teachers and families. It's families talking about other families and students and students. What you see in the posts about the chaplain are pretty standard behavior at WES. No wonder it's such an unhappy place with so many students and families leaving.

Unfortunately, I have to agree with this. The teacher and admin. gossip was unacceptable. The mean teachers are all still in place (the ones we left to get away from). The heads of the school either support the teachers against the parents or do nothing at all. Woe to that mom or dad who is labeled "difficult" when all they are trying to do is help their child. Once you get that label, all teachers and admin. stop supporting your kid and line up an offense against you. I saw it happen many times.

What you just described was also our experience at WES -- a total nightmare. They do nothing and almost dare you to leave. Well, it's getting pretty empty there these days. How's that working out for them now?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And now you know...people at WES do talk about employees, families and students. It's teachers talking about students and other teachers and families. It's families talking about other families and students and students. What you see in the posts about the chaplain are pretty standard behavior at WES. No wonder it's such an unhappy place with so many students and families leaving.

Unfortunately, I have to agree with this. The teacher and admin. gossip was unacceptable. The mean teachers are all still in place (the ones we left to get away from). The heads of the school either support the teachers against the parents or do nothing at all. Woe to that mom or dad who is labeled "difficult" when all they are trying to do is help their child. Once you get that label, all teachers and admin. stop supporting your kid and line up an offense against you. I saw it happen many times.

What you just described was also our experience at WES -- a total nightmare. They do nothing and almost dare you to leave. Well, it's getting pretty empty there these days. How's that working out for them now?

Current parent here: Things are fine at WES. I read these last posts as baseless accusations from an unhappy parent or two who left WES and cannot find happiness in their new life. Well without any data on enrollment and exmissions to back their claims, these posts are mere slanders, that is all.

[Anonymous]

+1000 Current parent and could not agree more....we love the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And now you know...people at WES do talk about employees, families and students. It's teachers talking about students and other teachers and families. It's families talking about other families and students and students. What you see in the posts about the chaplain are pretty standard behavior at WES. No wonder it's such an unhappy place with so many students and families leaving.

Unfortunately, I have to agree with this. The teacher and admin. gossip was unacceptable. The mean teachers are all still in place (the ones we left to get away from). The heads of the school either support the teachers against the parents or do nothing at all. Woe to that mom or dad who is labeled "difficult" when all they are trying to do is help their child. Once you get that label, all teachers and admin. stop supporting your kid and line up an offense against you. I saw it happen many times.

What you just described was also our experience at WES -- a total nightmare. They do nothing and almost dare you to leave. Well, it's getting pretty empty there these days. How's that working out for them now?

Current parent here: Things are fine at WES. I read these last posts as baseless accusations from an unhappy parent or two who left WES and cannot find happiness in their new life. Well without any data on enrollment and exmissions to back their claims, these posts are mere slanders, that is all.

It's more than "an unhappy parent or two." You're minimizing a real problem.

[Anonymous]

We are also a current family with three kids at the shool, and we are very happy at WES.