And she hasn't been officially sworn in yet

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers arent leaving because of McKnight-they are leaving because of parents like Smelkinson, Reesman, Dawn Iannaco-Hahn, etc.

yep - that complain and complain and complain about anything and everything

The problem with this group is they stalk the sign-up for speaking during the public forum portion of the BOE meetings preventing anyone else with differing or opposing opinions from speaking. They bully their way and repeat their opinions, over, and over, and over until they get their way. Their voices don’t represent the majority yet they accounted for probably 3/4 of the public input at the meetings.

Imagine how they are about other things and that is why teachers are leaving. They bully admin to get their way, regardless if it’s in the best interest of the children. For some reason some parents think because they were in school once or they have children, they know better than the teachers.

I don't know who you are (I suspect though), but I need to correct you on this. The group to which you are referring were 100% about opening schools last September. When that didn't happen, they pushed to get schools to open sooner than later. If the BOE and Smith had taken their advice (and many of these were health care professionals in the medical and mental health fields as well as scientists familiar with immunology), we wouldn't be in nearly the mess we are in now with misbehavior, learning loss, and mental health issues. I will go back as far as the first testimony by a pediatrician who said right up front how her patients were suffering. But instead of listening, the BOE and union all chimed in that children were thriving in virtual learning. Oh how they were wrong. I could go back and read every single op ed that was written by Smelkinson and see how very right she was all along. It is amazing to me that some of you just don't want to recognize just how on target they were about everything.

Lol, this is probably Margery herself, knowing her...Anyway, she used the pandemic to do nothing more than further her career. She absolutely WANTED kids to fail during virtual learning in order to prove her narrative correct. Everyone who has spoken with her (besides her lackeys) knows this....most people can see right through her nonsense and see her for what she truly is. Dawn did nothing more than berate and belittle teachers during the pandemic but now that shes running for BOE, she's pretending she cares about teachers and their needs. Again, anyone who listened to her vile vitriol the past two years, can see right through her. They only care about what benefits them and they will change their tune to fit whatever bill they need to in the moment. Truly disgusting people.

Nope not Margery, but I do have a high level of respect for her as she managed to recommend strategies to deal with keeping schools opened that eventually came to be the approach other school systems used successfully, and which MCPS eventually adopted (although too late). She was extremely forward thinking, unlike the BOE and MCPS administrators. Too bad she didn't run for BOE

But you must admit, she was right about pretty much everything. And those of you who claimed virtual would be just fine failed our kids significantly. Should have taken her advice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I cannot stress enough how little the superintendent has to do with this massive exodus. You all have no idea how hateful parents have been over the last 2 years. I don’t know any teacher who is happy in the classroom right now. Between the online (and in real life) abuse from parents last year and the behaviors in the classroom this year, teachers are done. It’s not the superintendent, it’s not the union, it’s the parents. I’m sure you will flame away but when you do, know that you are illustrating my point better than I can.

I appreciate your perspective. Do you think the parents are different people from in past years? If so, what made them change?

I am the teacher this reply was for. I actually work in a program that serves predominantly immigrant families. Prior to that I worked with affluent families. My colleagues who work with affluent families suffered the worst of the hateful treatment last year. They are also experiencing the worst of the behavior issues this year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Special ed para here. It's been a truly awful couple years at school. Tons of stress, exhaustion, burnout amongst the staff. Subs are rarely available, so everyone has to cover for each other during what would otherwise be time for planning, grading, IEP meetings, and replying to parents' questions.

The kids are stressed and struggling, too, feeling it from all directions. They're wandering halls, fighting, and disrupting classes. We have so many kids misbehaving that we have a para slot regularly assigned to covering in-school suspensions.

The culture warriors have schools in their crosshairs, trying to control how we can talk with students.

And all we hear is how badly we're failing their kids.

No one should be surprised staff is saying "F*** it!" and moving on.

It's going to get worse before it gets better. Try supporting your schools even when it's not all sweetness and light.

I was a special ed para in a different district and 100% this. Also, like someone said, we're now responsible for not only the educational needs but also the management of mental health issues that were traditionally handled in inpatient settings. It's not reasonable to expect schools to be able to handle students who are showing signs of paranoid schizophrenia, untreated bipolar disorder, conduct disorders, etc. Hell, regular pediatricians refer these cases to specialists because they know it's beyond their realm. Schools, meanwhile, provide a couple hours of professional development and expect the staff is going to be able to keep these students and their classmates safe and also teach them grade level standards. It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.

The next few years are going to be really tough.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers arent leaving because of McKnight-they are leaving because of parents like Smelkinson, Reesman, Dawn Iannaco-Hahn, etc.

yep - that complain and complain and complain about anything and everything

The problem with this group is they stalk the sign-up for speaking during the public forum portion of the BOE meetings preventing anyone else with differing or opposing opinions from speaking. They bully their way and repeat their opinions, over, and over, and over until they get their way. Their voices don’t represent the majority yet they accounted for probably 3/4 of the public input at the meetings.

Imagine how they are about other things and that is why teachers are leaving. They bully admin to get their way, regardless if it’s in the best interest of the children. For some reason some parents think because they were in school once or they have children, they know better than the teachers.

I don't know who you are (I suspect though), but I need to correct you on this. The group to which you are referring were 100% about opening schools last September. When that didn't happen, they pushed to get schools to open sooner than later. If the BOE and Smith had taken their advice (and many of these were health care professionals in the medical and mental health fields as well as scientists familiar with immunology), we wouldn't be in nearly the mess we are in now with misbehavior, learning loss, and mental health issues. I will go back as far as the first testimony by a pediatrician who said right up front how her patients were suffering. But instead of listening, the BOE and union all chimed in that children were thriving in virtual learning. Oh how they were wrong. I could go back and read every single op ed that was written by Smelkinson and see how very right she was all along. It is amazing to me that some of you just don't want to recognize just how on target they were about everything.

Lol, this is probably Margery herself, knowing her...Anyway, she used the pandemic to do nothing more than further her career. She absolutely WANTED kids to fail during virtual learning in order to prove her narrative correct. Everyone who has spoken with her (besides her lackeys) knows this....most people can see right through her nonsense and see her for what she truly is. Dawn did nothing more than berate and belittle teachers during the pandemic but now that shes running for BOE, she's pretending she cares about teachers and their needs. Again, anyone who listened to her vile vitriol the past two years, can see right through her. They only care about what benefits them and they will change their tune to fit whatever bill they need to in the moment. Truly disgusting people.

Nope not Margery, but I do have a high level of respect for her as she managed to recommend strategies to deal with keeping schools opened that eventually came to be the approach other school systems used successfully, and which MCPS eventually adopted (although too late). She was extremely forward thinking, unlike the BOE and MCPS administrators. Too bad she didn't run for BOE

But you must admit, she was right about pretty much everything. And those of you who claimed virtual would be just fine failed our kids significantly. Should have taken her advice.

+1 million

We have only just begun to see the negative effects of virtual learning. Anyone who pushed to keep school buildings closed last school year should be ashamed of themselves.

[Anonymous]

Is anyone truly arguing that virtual learning wasn’t an abject failure resulting in overwhelming learning loss and behavioral regression? I don’t think anyone credible is taking an opposite position. But the problem is that we can’t undo the past. What is done is done. And while I understand the fury of people subjected in particular to the overt misogyny put forth by union leaders and the administration, the fact is that fury does not do any good now. Teachers need more money, more support, and the ability to discipline with consequences. Rehashing the past isn’t going to solve the problem of the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers arent leaving because of McKnight-they are leaving because of parents like Smelkinson, Reesman, Dawn Iannaco-Hahn, etc.

yep - that complain and complain and complain about anything and everything

The problem with this group is they stalk the sign-up for speaking during the public forum portion of the BOE meetings preventing anyone else with differing or opposing opinions from speaking. They bully their way and repeat their opinions, over, and over, and over until they get their way. Their voices don’t represent the majority yet they accounted for probably 3/4 of the public input at the meetings.

Imagine how they are about other things and that is why teachers are leaving. They bully admin to get their way, regardless if it’s in the best interest of the children. For some reason some parents think because they were in school once or they have children, they know better than the teachers.

I don't know who you are (I suspect though), but I need to correct you on this. The group to which you are referring were 100% about opening schools last September. When that didn't happen, they pushed to get schools to open sooner than later. If the BOE and Smith had taken their advice (and many of these were health care professionals in the medical and mental health fields as well as scientists familiar with immunology), we wouldn't be in nearly the mess we are in now with misbehavior, learning loss, and mental health issues. I will go back as far as the first testimony by a pediatrician who said right up front how her patients were suffering. But instead of listening, the BOE and union all chimed in that children were thriving in virtual learning. Oh how they were wrong. I could go back and read every single op ed that was written by Smelkinson and see how very right she was all along. It is amazing to me that some of you just don't want to recognize just how on target they were about everything.

Lol, this is probably Margery herself, knowing her...Anyway, she used the pandemic to do nothing more than further her career. She absolutely WANTED kids to fail during virtual learning in order to prove her narrative correct. Everyone who has spoken with her (besides her lackeys) knows this....most people can see right through her nonsense and see her for what she truly is. Dawn did nothing more than berate and belittle teachers during the pandemic but now that shes running for BOE, she's pretending she cares about teachers and their needs. Again, anyone who listened to her vile vitriol the past two years, can see right through her. They only care about what benefits them and they will change their tune to fit whatever bill they need to in the moment. Truly disgusting people.

Nope not Margery, but I do have a high level of respect for her as she managed to recommend strategies to deal with keeping schools opened that eventually came to be the approach other school systems used successfully, and which MCPS eventually adopted (although too late). She was extremely forward thinking, unlike the BOE and MCPS administrators. Too bad she didn't run for BOE

But you must admit, she was right about pretty much everything. And those of you who claimed virtual would be just fine failed our kids significantly. Should have taken her advice.

Not the poster you're replying to, but you lost me and pretty much everyone I know in this county at "I have a high level of respect for her." I can absolutely see why teachers would leave with hateful parents like her leading the helm. She hasn't done anything positive for this community. None of those parents have. They just continually try and find new things to complain about to keep their names relevant. I know people personally at Fox 5 who were completely sick of them begging for airtime.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone truly arguing that virtual learning wasn’t an abject failure resulting in overwhelming learning loss and behavioral regression? I don’t think anyone credible is taking an opposite position. But the problem is that we can’t undo the past. What is done is done. And while I understand the fury of people subjected in particular to the overt misogyny put forth by union leaders and the administration, the fact is that fury does not do any good now. Teachers need more money, more support, and the ability to discipline with consequences. Rehashing the past isn’t going to solve the problem of the future.

Just responding to the poster here who constantly bashes the group who advocated getting schools opened as if they are some fringe group. This was just to point out that they were so very wrong to attack that group and to consider that it turns out that they were so very right about what virtual learning was doing to students. Too bad people didn't listen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers arent leaving because of McKnight-they are leaving because of parents like Smelkinson, Reesman, Dawn Iannaco-Hahn, etc.

yep - that complain and complain and complain about anything and everything

The problem with this group is they stalk the sign-up for speaking during the public forum portion of the BOE meetings preventing anyone else with differing or opposing opinions from speaking. They bully their way and repeat their opinions, over, and over, and over until they get their way. Their voices don’t represent the majority yet they accounted for probably 3/4 of the public input at the meetings.

Imagine how they are about other things and that is why teachers are leaving. They bully admin to get their way, regardless if it’s in the best interest of the children. For some reason some parents think because they were in school once or they have children, they know better than the teachers.

I don't know who you are (I suspect though), but I need to correct you on this. The group to which you are referring were 100% about opening schools last September. When that didn't happen, they pushed to get schools to open sooner than later. If the BOE and Smith had taken their advice (and many of these were health care professionals in the medical and mental health fields as well as scientists familiar with immunology), we wouldn't be in nearly the mess we are in now with misbehavior, learning loss, and mental health issues. I will go back as far as the first testimony by a pediatrician who said right up front how her patients were suffering. But instead of listening, the BOE and union all chimed in that children were thriving in virtual learning. Oh how they were wrong. I could go back and read every single op ed that was written by Smelkinson and see how very right she was all along. It is amazing to me that some of you just don't want to recognize just how on target they were about everything.

Lol, this is probably Margery herself, knowing her...Anyway, she used the pandemic to do nothing more than further her career. She absolutely WANTED kids to fail during virtual learning in order to prove her narrative correct. Everyone who has spoken with her (besides her lackeys) knows this....most people can see right through her nonsense and see her for what she truly is. Dawn did nothing more than berate and belittle teachers during the pandemic but now that shes running for BOE, she's pretending she cares about teachers and their needs. Again, anyone who listened to her vile vitriol the past two years, can see right through her. They only care about what benefits them and they will change their tune to fit whatever bill they need to in the moment. Truly disgusting people.

Nope not Margery, but I do have a high level of respect for her as she managed to recommend strategies to deal with keeping schools opened that eventually came to be the approach other school systems used successfully, and which MCPS eventually adopted (although too late). She was extremely forward thinking, unlike the BOE and MCPS administrators. Too bad she didn't run for BOE

But you must admit, she was right about pretty much everything. And those of you who claimed virtual would be just fine failed our kids significantly. Should have taken her advice.

Not the poster you're replying to, but you lost me and pretty much everyone I know in this county at "I have a high level of respect for her." I can absolutely see why teachers would leave with hateful parents like her leading the helm. She hasn't done anything positive for this community. None of those parents have. They just continually try and find new things to complain about to keep their names relevant. I know people personally at Fox 5 who were completely sick of them begging for airtime.

Well I do. And I happen to know that Fox 5 was always the ones to approach people in the group. I am a member and would always see requests for anyone who wants to be interviewed. So not sure where you are getting that people "begged." Sounds like you are jealous that they got so much media attention.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.fox5dc.com/news/resignations-retirements-rise-among-montgomery-county-teachers

"787 teachers have already indicated they plan to leave at the end of this school year. They're either retiring or resigning."
"It’s you know, far and away, the highest I’ve ever seen in my time in the system"

2019: 494
2020: 444
2021: 543
2022: 787 (indicated)

"267 of the 787 teachers are retirees – meaning more than half are planning to leave for other reasons."
"We still have in the neighborhood of three or 400 positions that were never filled this year."

The McKnight stalker is back!

It's always entertaining to see how far fetched these conspiracy posts will go each week.

This poster however isn’t helping her. If you acknowledge her mistakes even as you acknowledge the bigger picture and the pieces out of her control, you’ll get better traction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone truly arguing that virtual learning wasn’t an abject failure resulting in overwhelming learning loss and behavioral regression? I don’t think anyone credible is taking an opposite position. But the problem is that we can’t undo the past. What is done is done. And while I understand the fury of people subjected in particular to the overt misogyny put forth by union leaders and the administration, the fact is that fury does not do any good now. Teachers need more money, more support, and the ability to discipline with consequences. Rehashing the past isn’t going to solve the problem of the future.

Yes it was disastrous, especially for children who were ignored by their parents for 18 months.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Teachers arent leaving because of McKnight-they are leaving because of parents like Smelkinson, Reesman, Dawn Iannaco-Hahn, etc.

yep - that complain and complain and complain about anything and everything

The problem with this group is they stalk the sign-up for speaking during the public forum portion of the BOE meetings preventing anyone else with differing or opposing opinions from speaking. They bully their way and repeat their opinions, over, and over, and over until they get their way. Their voices don’t represent the majority yet they accounted for probably 3/4 of the public input at the meetings.

Imagine how they are about other things and that is why teachers are leaving. They bully admin to get their way, regardless if it’s in the best interest of the children. For some reason some parents think because they were in school once or they have children, they know better than the teachers.

I don't know who you are (I suspect though), but I need to correct you on this. The group to which you are referring were 100% about opening schools last September. When that didn't happen, they pushed to get schools to open sooner than later. If the BOE and Smith had taken their advice (and many of these were health care professionals in the medical and mental health fields as well as scientists familiar with immunology), we wouldn't be in nearly the mess we are in now with misbehavior, learning loss, and mental health issues. I will go back as far as the first testimony by a pediatrician who said right up front how her patients were suffering. But instead of listening, the BOE and union all chimed in that children were thriving in virtual learning. Oh how they were wrong. I could go back and read every single op ed that was written by Smelkinson and see how very right she was all along. It is amazing to me that some of you just don't want to recognize just how on target they were about everything.

Lol, this is probably Margery herself, knowing her...Anyway, she used the pandemic to do nothing more than further her career. She absolutely WANTED kids to fail during virtual learning in order to prove her narrative correct. Everyone who has spoken with her (besides her lackeys) knows this....most people can see right through her nonsense and see her for what she truly is. Dawn did nothing more than berate and belittle teachers during the pandemic but now that shes running for BOE, she's pretending she cares about teachers and their needs. Again, anyone who listened to her vile vitriol the past two years, can see right through her. They only care about what benefits them and they will change their tune to fit whatever bill they need to in the moment. Truly disgusting people.

Nope not Margery, but I do have a high level of respect for her as she managed to recommend strategies to deal with keeping schools opened that eventually came to be the approach other school systems used successfully, and which MCPS eventually adopted (although too late). She was extremely forward thinking, unlike the BOE and MCPS administrators. Too bad she didn't run for BOE

But you must admit, she was right about pretty much everything. And those of you who claimed virtual would be just fine failed our kids significantly. Should have taken her advice.

Not the poster you're replying to, but you lost me and pretty much everyone I know in this county at "I have a high level of respect for her." I can absolutely see why teachers would leave with hateful parents like her leading the helm. She hasn't done anything positive for this community. None of those parents have. They just continually try and find new things to complain about to keep their names relevant. I know people personally at Fox 5 who were completely sick of them begging for airtime.

this

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone truly arguing that virtual learning wasn’t an abject failure resulting in overwhelming learning loss and behavioral regression? I don’t think anyone credible is taking an opposite position. But the problem is that we can’t undo the past. What is done is done. And while I understand the fury of people subjected in particular to the overt misogyny put forth by union leaders and the administration, the fact is that fury does not do any good now. Teachers need more money, more support, and the ability to discipline with consequences. Rehashing the past isn’t going to solve the problem of the future.

Virtual has been fine for our kids. Involved parents are the key.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone truly arguing that virtual learning wasn’t an abject failure resulting in overwhelming learning loss and behavioral regression? I don’t think anyone credible is taking an opposite position. But the problem is that we can’t undo the past. What is done is done. And while I understand the fury of people subjected in particular to the overt misogyny put forth by union leaders and the administration, the fact is that fury does not do any good now. Teachers need more money, more support, and the ability to discipline with consequences. Rehashing the past isn’t going to solve the problem of the future.

Yes it was disastrous, especially for children who were ignored by their parents for 18 months.

Those kids were ignored far longer than that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone truly arguing that virtual learning wasn’t an abject failure resulting in overwhelming learning loss and behavioral regression? I don’t think anyone credible is taking an opposite position. But the problem is that we can’t undo the past. What is done is done. And while I understand the fury of people subjected in particular to the overt misogyny put forth by union leaders and the administration, the fact is that fury does not do any good now. Teachers need more money, more support, and the ability to discipline with consequences. Rehashing the past isn’t going to solve the problem of the future.

Just responding to the poster here who constantly bashes the group who advocated getting schools opened as if they are some fringe group. This was just to point out that they were so very wrong to attack that group and to consider that it turns out that they were so very right about what virtual learning was doing to students. Too bad people didn't listen.

Really? All the evidence I've seen indicates otherwise. There was a deadly pandemic that took the lives of millions. Learning was virtual for a little over a year. My kids seemed to do fine so I don't really understand the problem. Sure, it wasn't always easy but under the circumstances, I can't really complain because it beats dying.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Is anyone truly arguing that virtual learning wasn’t an abject failure resulting in overwhelming learning loss and behavioral regression? I don’t think anyone credible is taking an opposite position. But the problem is that we can’t undo the past. What is done is done. And while I understand the fury of people subjected in particular to the overt misogyny put forth by union leaders and the administration, the fact is that fury does not do any good now. Teachers need more money, more support, and the ability to discipline with consequences. Rehashing the past isn’t going to solve the problem of the future.

Just responding to the poster here who constantly bashes the group who advocated getting schools opened as if they are some fringe group. This was just to point out that they were so very wrong to attack that group and to consider that it turns out that they were so very right about what virtual learning was doing to students. Too bad people didn't listen.

Really? All the evidence I've seen indicates otherwise. There was a deadly pandemic that took the lives of millions. Learning was virtual for a little over a year. My kids seemed to do fine so I don't really understand the problem. Sure, it wasn't always easy but under the circumstances, I can't really complain because it beats dying.

I rest my case. This is what we dealt with throughout the pandemic. Selfish jerks who don’t care about the majority of students who needed in person learning. And sadly people did die. There were many suicide attempts—some successful.