Shake Up at SSMA?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Has anyone seen this job posting on Indeed?

https://www.indeed.com/company/Education-Talent-Recruiters/jobs/Montessori-Elementary-School-Principal-e10875423b75af45?fccid=0aecfacb292e62d2&vjs=3

It's from "Education Talent Recruiters" which I Googled and couldn't find anywhere on the Internet. I think it's an advertisement for the SSMA job. It sounds like the way SSMA phrases stuff. But it's UNBELIEVABLY long... to the point of being bonkers.

And notice it was posted 14 days ago, which is May 3rd, 6 days before the departing principal's last day. I guarantee you the SSMA ED wrote this job posting.

Crazy stuff, really.

That has got to be SSMA. All that for $75k, good luck!

It definitely is SSMA. See this SSMA job posting for the Principal from 2015 http://www.shiningstarspcs.org/images/pdf/career/principal_15.pdf

The same Education Talent Recruiters company is now advertising for Guide positions too using the same terms https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Education-Talent-Recruiters/jobs/Montessori-Lead-Guide-f23d71fbc81d357f?sjdu=QwrRXKrqZ3CNX5W-O9jEvQeryoiJaXlQSJ8TMgRxAZWbSXxRNghoZfu0yAhfrJIuU0wpLVkh0eycywzsFxp0yseZy3Xgf4LdIXbncJNvdNghkT4USyYBsfFZJZ98SahIvAXFwtOydFY9lCSgNQPVwQ&tk=1cdqa3794414rdua&vjs=3

Some of the phrases in the Guide job are identical to the 2015 Principal opening: "A passion for growing independent, confident and intellectually curious children" "A love of children and a sense of humor"

So some Guides might be getting fired too?

The Principal position also now says "This job posting is no longer available on Indeed." So maybe they found someone

Also notice the 2015 Principal opening: "A passion for growing independent, confident and intellectually curious children" has been replaced with "A demonstrated passion for advancing educational opportunities in low-income communities" in the now defunct 2018 position description.

That's a clear signal if you ask me

Basically, after hiring two white principals, she has decided she wants someone of color to be the principal. That's what this is all about.

Nope, it's about subpar perfermance in all areas of management!

[Anonymous]

The Board meeting is now over. From what I've been told, the board proved itself a rubber stamping machine and has basically backed the ED. Expect no change.

Here's what will happen next:

the hostile work environment at SSMA will continue
People who spoke out will be fired or will leave
Parents who are upset with all of the problems with facilities and operations that leaked out will leave
But they will be replaced by people on the waitlist, dying to get into SSMA
Meanwhile, word will leak out into the Montessori community that SSMA is a toxic workplace and no self-respecting Montessorian will interview there unless desperate
The quality of instruction will sink and SSMA will limp forward as damaged goods
But it will continue

FYI: This is how politics work in any organization. The people in power like the ED marshal a group of decision-making allies who will support them come hell or high water. And unless they do something criminal, they know they are safe. It takes serious under-preformance to dislodge them. And SSMA is not there quite yet.

Good luck. I'm out

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Basically, after hiring two white principals, she has decided she wants someone of color to be the principal. That's what this is all about.

Nope, it's about subpar perfermance in all areas of management!

FYI: A man at the board meeting today shouted down one of the SSMA employees who was making her case by accusing her of racial bias. IT IS ABOUT RACE. And that's a fact

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Nope, it's about subpar perfermance in all areas of management!

AGREE 100%!

Ask the ED these questions:

Have you ever worked in a school with pre-school aged children before SSMA?
Have you ever worked in a school with elementary school before SSMA?
Have you worked in a Montessori School anytime in the last 15 years before SSMA?
Have you spent more time in actual urban schools than in academia researching urban schools and theorizing about them?

I guarantee you the answers to every one of these questions is no.

And remember, the ED oversaw the facilities fiasco of 2014 too.
https://focusdc.org/content/focus-dc-news-wire-862014
https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/shining-stars-under-enrolled-after-scramble-for-location/2014/08/28/dc3dcd6a-2e08-11e4-9b98-848790384093_story.html

It's ALL about subpar performance. The ED has never worked with small children. She doesn't know what she's doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Basically, after hiring two white principals, she has decided she wants someone of color to be the principal. That's what this is all about.

Nope, it's about subpar perfermance in all areas of management!

FYI: A man at the board meeting today shouted down one of the SSMA employees who was making her case by accusing her of racial bias. IT IS ABOUT RACE. And that's a fact

You shouting on social media doesn't make it a fact. Tell you what, do any of the following:

1. Check the staff turnover year to year

2. PMF evaluation

3. Tenure of principals

4. Instructional support provided

5. Money allocated to consulting fees

6. Board of Trustees

The man that shouted always thinks it's about race. Look at facts and performance and you'll come to a different conclusion. I'm no fan of the former principal and properly would have let her go in November. If you're going to claim racial basis, you better provide real examples. Oh yeah, "Show up at the parent meeting and advocate for your concerns." That's of course you're an actual parent at the school. Stop claiming racism based on surface level optics. The kids are the ones suffering. I've been AA, Black, or whatever term is political correct today a long time. Every time I've experience racism I've produced concrete evidence. We anxiously await your "racism" presentation on Wednesday. Don't worry childcare and food will be provided.

FYI: If you're posting for a "friend", tell them the same thing!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Board meeting is now over. From what I've been told, the board proved itself a rubber stamping machine and has basically backed the ED. Expect no change.

Here's what will happen next:

the hostile work environment at SSMA will continue
People who spoke out will be fired or will leave
Parents who are upset with all of the problems with facilities and operations that leaked out will leave
But they will be replaced by people on the waitlist, dying to get into SSMA
Meanwhile, word will leak out into the Montessori community that SSMA is a toxic workplace and no self-respecting Montessorian will interview there unless desperate
The quality of instruction will sink and SSMA will limp forward as damaged goods
But it will continue

FYI: This is how politics work in any organization. The people in power like the ED marshal a group of decision-making allies who will support them come hell or high water. And unless they do something criminal, they know they are safe. It takes serious under-preformance to dislodge them. And SSMA is not there quite yet.

Good luck. I'm out

You may want to check your source. This is a "long" way from being resolved. Today was the rated "G" version. It's already bad and any parent that chooses to come now is simply desperate or stupid. There may not be any teachers! This is a classic case of adults screwing over kids. They are the ones that are suffering.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The Board meeting is now over. From what I've been told, the board proved itself a rubber stamping machine and has basically backed the ED. Expect no change.

Here's what will happen next:

the hostile work environment at SSMA will continue
People who spoke out will be fired or will leave
Parents who are upset with all of the problems with facilities and operations that leaked out will leave
But they will be replaced by people on the waitlist, dying to get into SSMA
Meanwhile, word will leak out into the Montessori community that SSMA is a toxic workplace and no self-respecting Montessorian will interview there unless desperate
The quality of instruction will sink and SSMA will limp forward as damaged goods
But it will continue

FYI: This is how politics work in any organization. The people in power like the ED marshal a group of decision-making allies who will support them come hell or high water. And unless they do something criminal, they know they are safe. It takes serious under-preformance to dislodge them. And SSMA is not there quite yet.

Good luck. I'm out

This is something I've tried to raise in another thread. There is a serious problem when this is how a good number of our schools are run. We are at LAMB and have seen what it can take to get a shift! It shouldn't be like this. We need to band together and advocate for more serious oversight by the PCSB and avenues for parents to have a say. Perhaps some changes in mandatory board makeups. Or in some other way - this can't keep happening at good schools. Check threads on here and you'll see it's happening at almost all the HRCS (and probably others too).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The Board meeting is now over. From what I've been told, the board proved itself a rubber stamping machine and has basically backed the ED. Expect no change.

Here's what will happen next:

the hostile work environment at SSMA will continue
People who spoke out will be fired or will leave
Parents who are upset with all of the problems with facilities and operations that leaked out will leave
But they will be replaced by people on the waitlist, dying to get into SSMA
Meanwhile, word will leak out into the Montessori community that SSMA is a toxic workplace and no self-respecting Montessorian will interview there unless desperate
The quality of instruction will sink and SSMA will limp forward as damaged goods
But it will continue

FYI: This is how politics work in any organization. The people in power like the ED marshal a group of decision-making allies who will support them come hell or high water. And unless they do something criminal, they know they are safe. It takes serious under-preformance to dislodge them. And SSMA is not there quite yet.

Good luck. I'm out

This is something I've tried to raise in another thread. There is a serious problem when this is how a good number of our schools are run. We are at LAMB and have seen what it can take to get a shift! It shouldn't be like this. We need to band together and advocate for more serious oversight by the PCSB and avenues for parents to have a say. Perhaps some changes in mandatory board makeups. Or in some other way - this can't keep happening at good schools. Check threads on here and you'll see it's happening at almost all the HRCS (and probably others too).

Agreed! It's all DC tax dollars and at the end of the day it's adults failing kids over and over again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

This is something I've tried to raise in another thread. There is a serious problem when this is how a good number of our schools are run. We are at LAMB and have seen what it can take to get a shift! It shouldn't be like this. We need to band together and advocate for more serious oversight by the PCSB and avenues for parents to have a say. Perhaps some changes in mandatory board makeups. Or in some other way - this can't keep happening at good schools. Check threads on here and you'll see it's happening at almost all the HRCS (and probably others too).

From what I can tell, SSMA's board follows all the proper rules for DC Public Charter Schools. Yet there is still no accountability at the school. It's really frustrating. I wonder if what's happening at SSMA could happen at a normal DC public school. My guess is no.

It seems like there's no option for parents who are dissatisfied except voting with their feet. I doubt that will hurt Shining Stars though since it offers a free Montessori education for 3, 4 and 5-year olds. Can't beat that at a daycare center.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This is something I've tried to raise in another thread. There is a serious problem when this is how a good number of our schools are run. We are at LAMB and have seen what it can take to get a shift! It shouldn't be like this. We need to band together and advocate for more serious oversight by the PCSB and avenues for parents to have a say. Perhaps some changes in mandatory board makeups. Or in some other way - this can't keep happening at good schools. Check threads on here and you'll see it's happening at almost all the HRCS (and probably others too).

From what I can tell, SSMA's board follows all the proper rules for DC Public Charter Schools. Yet there is still no accountability at the school. It's really frustrating. I wonder if what's happening at SSMA could happen at a normal DC public school. My guess is no.

It seems like there's no option for parents who are dissatisfied except voting with their feet. I doubt that will hurt Shining Stars though since it offers a free Montessori education for 3, 4 and 5-year olds. Can't beat that at a daycare center.

Well it could -- a vocal group of dissatisfied Lafayette parents have registered complaints with all levels of DCPS about their principal, and she is still there. They aren't hte only ones.

The difference is that there are more levels to lodge appeals (instructional superintendent, chancellor, DME). But the outcome may not be so different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

This is something I've tried to raise in another thread. There is a serious problem when this is how a good number of our schools are run. We are at LAMB and have seen what it can take to get a shift! It shouldn't be like this. We need to band together and advocate for more serious oversight by the PCSB and avenues for parents to have a say. Perhaps some changes in mandatory board makeups. Or in some other way - this can't keep happening at good schools. Check threads on here and you'll see it's happening at almost all the HRCS (and probably others too).

From what I can tell, SSMA's board follows all the proper rules for DC Public Charter Schools. Yet there is still no accountability at the school. It's really frustrating. I wonder if what's happening at SSMA could happen at a normal DC public school. My guess is no.

It seems like there's no option for parents who are dissatisfied except voting with their feet. I doubt that will hurt Shining Stars though since it offers a free Montessori education for 3, 4 and 5-year olds. Can't beat that at a daycare center.

Well it could -- a vocal group of dissatisfied Lafayette parents have registered complaints with all levels of DCPS about their principal, and she is still there. They aren't hte only ones.

The difference is that there are more levels to lodge appeals (instructional superintendent, chancellor, DME). But the outcome may not be so different.

Aprreciate the answer. Not encouraging though!!

How much of what we're hearing about low teacher morale and lack of autonomy at Shining Stars is true? Some people are saying it's just a few people who are disaatisfied. Other people are saying it's widespread but that people are afraid to speak up for fear of retaliation. Do you or anyone else know which is more likely true? Also why is Shining Stars seeking an asistant principal even after hiring a senior director? It seems like a lot of (unnecessary) money for admin.

[Anonymous]

To 18:42 -- I don't think there is a way to really know the answer to these questions without interviewing a bunch of teachers, parents, the board and the ED.

That's just not something any parent in a position to do.

At the end of the day, you need to decide if whatever is happening with the school administration affects your child - or not.

And even if your child is thriving, you need to decide whether you want to be part of an organization that may or may not be a little (or a lot) dysfunctional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To 18:42 -- I don't think there is a way to really know the answer to these questions without interviewing a bunch of teachers, parents, the board and the ED.

That's just not something any parent in a position to do.

At the end of the day, you need to decide if whatever is happening with the school administration affects your child - or not.

And even if your child is thriving, you need to decide whether you want to be part of an organization that may or may not be a little (or a lot) dysfunctional.

Makes sense. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

It seems like the buzz has now really died down now that the board has backed the ED. I don't expect any change at SSMA.

The PP at 18:21 yesterday gets it. As long as your DC is doing well, getting a solid Montessori education, you can stomach an admin that is totally dysfunctional.

What concerns me though is that the dysfunctional admin will affect education and safety. My top concerns are the possibility of teachers leaving and the lack of facilities maintenance in the building and on the playground.

We're going to make up our minds based on what happens on those two fronts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It seems like the buzz has now really died down now that the board has backed the ED. I don't expect any change at SSMA.

The PP at 18:21 yesterday gets it. As long as your DC is doing well, getting a solid Montessori education, you can stomach an admin that is totally dysfunctional.

What concerns me though is that the dysfunctional admin will affect education and safety. My top concerns are the possibility of teachers leaving and the lack of facilities maintenance in the building and on the playground.

We're going to make up our minds based on what happens on those two fronts.

Wake up. None of this is new. In 2014, under the same ED and when one of the board members was the Director of Operations, the same dysfunctional admin was there. SSMA has always been dysfunctional and it always will be.

Read the forum from back then and you'll see the exact same issues:

http://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/150/403167.page