Antiracist System Audit

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And if she was so serious about fixing issues, her inbox was chock full of Complaints from the Public, Department of Education OCR complaints, lawsuits - why didn't she start there?

Yes, I think this is all for show as well.

+1 The mom at Northwest complained her son was being bullied at school. She asked for a change of school assignment to protect her son. What did MCPS including Dr. McKnight and the Board do? Nothing.

What happened to the child? He was found murdered in January.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:And if she was so serious about fixing issues, her inbox was chock full of Complaints from the Public, Department of Education OCR complaints, lawsuits - why didn't she start there?

Yes, I think this is all for show as well.

+1 The mom at Northwest complained her son was being bullied at school. She asked for a change of school assignment to protect her son. What did MCPS including Dr. McKnight and the Board do? Nothing.

What happened to the child? He was found murdered in January.

The MCPS knee jerk reaction to ignore complaints, fail to protect students, and fail to teach students is reprehensible. Look at how MCPS use their attorneys in Resolution and Compliance, their General Counsel Office, and millions of tax payer dollars that MCPS spends on outside attorneys just to deny students a Free Appropriate Public Education. They treat parents and students like the enemy instead of showing a willingness to teach a child.

This corporate culture of attacking families instead of collaborating with families has expanded under Dr. McKnight. These actions by MCPS are at a time many students have gaps and needs because of the inadequacy of six quarters of online learning.

Teachers have the same complaints of retaliation under Dr. McKnight. What happens when teachers are unhappy with the school climate and they are attacked or watch coworkers attacked. Teachers quit in droves.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

What happens when teachers are unhappy with the school climate and they are attacked or watch coworkers attacked. Teachers quit in droves.

I'm a relatively new teacher, but please don't quit. Find a different school among the 100+ out there in our county. I've worked at several schools in a variety of roles and at my second one they taunted me stating that if I file a bullying complaint--no one will care! Yes, they attacked me every time I raised an issue that either affected student learning or professionalism between staff. I just switched to survival mode for a few months and got outta there as soon as I could (literally to the hour). Subsequently, I found a much better school.

There are some amazing schools in MCPS that truly have a positive work climate. You'll find that school--just get an involuntary transfer and don't look back!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What happens when teachers are unhappy with the school climate and they are attacked or watch coworkers attacked. Teachers quit in droves.

I'm a relatively new teacher, but please don't quit. Find a different school among the 100+ out there in our county. I've worked at several schools in a variety of roles and at my second one they taunted me stating that if I file a bullying complaint--no one will care! Yes, they attacked me every time I raised an issue that either affected student learning or professionalism between staff. I just switched to survival mode for a few months and got outta there as soon as I could (literally to the hour). Subsequently, I found a much better school.

There are some amazing schools in MCPS that truly have a positive work climate. You'll find that school--just get an involuntary transfer and don't look back!

DP. You're new, so maybe you didn't read the full statements? McKnight is the Interim Superintendent of Schools.

This corporate culture of attacking families instead of collaborating with families has expanded under Dr. McKnight. These actions by MCPS are at a time many students have gaps and needs because of the inadequacy of six quarters of online learning.

Teachers have the same complaints of retaliation under Dr. McKnight. What happens when teachers are unhappy with the school climate and they are attacked or watch coworkers attacked. Teachers quit in droves.

Where can the teachers go within MCPS if it's all under McKnight?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What happens when teachers are unhappy with the school climate and they are attacked or watch coworkers attacked. Teachers quit in droves.

I'm a relatively new teacher, but please don't quit. Find a different school among the 100+ out there in our county. I've worked at several schools in a variety of roles and at my second one they taunted me stating that if I file a bullying complaint--no one will care! Yes, they attacked me every time I raised an issue that either affected student learning or professionalism between staff. I just switched to survival mode for a few months and got outta there as soon as I could (literally to the hour). Subsequently, I found a much better school.

There are some amazing schools in MCPS that truly have a positive work climate. You'll find that school--just get an involuntary transfer and don't look back!

I envy the optimism of new teachers. I've been teaching for nearly 20 years and there are things I like about MCPS but a lot more that I dislike. I do think we get paid well and have good benefits in comparison to other school districts. What I can't stand is the disorganization of central office and the trickle down effect it has at the school level. It's ridiculous that we are still expected to have our kids meet certain targets by the end of the year when we've been in a pandemic. Let's not forget we are expected to solve all of societal problems and teach at the same time. Kids have so many more SEL needs than they did ten years ago. There's so much more mobility and poverty in MCPS than there was ten years ago. I have my students seven hours a day and work my butt off but if they're not getting support at home, there's not much else I can do to get them on grade level. It's an asinine system and is only getting worse by the year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What happens when teachers are unhappy with the school climate and they are attacked or watch coworkers attacked. Teachers quit in droves.

I'm a relatively new teacher, but please don't quit. Find a different school among the 100+ out there in our county. I've worked at several schools in a variety of roles and at my second one they taunted me stating that if I file a bullying complaint--no one will care! Yes, they attacked me every time I raised an issue that either affected student learning or professionalism between staff. I just switched to survival mode for a few months and got outta there as soon as I could (literally to the hour). Subsequently, I found a much better school.

There are some amazing schools in MCPS that truly have a positive work climate. You'll find that school--just get an involuntary transfer and don't look back!

DP. You're new, so maybe you didn't read the full statements? McKnight is the Interim Superintendent of Schools.

This corporate culture of attacking families instead of collaborating with families has expanded under Dr. McKnight. These actions by MCPS are at a time many students have gaps and needs because of the inadequacy of six quarters of online learning.

Teachers have the same complaints of retaliation under Dr. McKnight. What happens when teachers are unhappy with the school climate and they are attacked or watch coworkers attacked. Teachers quit in droves.

Where can the teachers go within MCPS if it's all under McKnight?

I'm a relatively new teacher, but also in my forties with a teenager in MCPS. I'm fully aware of who McKnight is and her current role in MCPS. My point is to encourage teachers to research different schools and principals. McKnight is not a huge stormcloud hanging over MCPS--it is more so at a micro/per school level.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What happens when teachers are unhappy with the school climate and they are attacked or watch coworkers attacked. Teachers quit in droves.

I'm a relatively new teacher, but please don't quit. Find a different school among the 100+ out there in our county. I've worked at several schools in a variety of roles and at my second one they taunted me stating that if I file a bullying complaint--no one will care! Yes, they attacked me every time I raised an issue that either affected student learning or professionalism between staff. I just switched to survival mode for a few months and got outta there as soon as I could (literally to the hour). Subsequently, I found a much better school.

There are some amazing schools in MCPS that truly have a positive work climate. You'll find that school--just get an involuntary transfer and don't look back!

DP. You're new, so maybe you didn't read the full statements? McKnight is the Interim Superintendent of Schools.

This corporate culture of attacking families instead of collaborating with families has expanded under Dr. McKnight. These actions by MCPS are at a time many students have gaps and needs because of the inadequacy of six quarters of online learning.

Teachers have the same complaints of retaliation under Dr. McKnight. What happens when teachers are unhappy with the school climate and they are attacked or watch coworkers attacked. Teachers quit in droves.

Where can the teachers go within MCPS if it's all under McKnight?

I'm a relatively new teacher, but also in my forties with a teenager in MCPS. I'm fully aware of who McKnight is and her current role in MCPS. My point is to encourage teachers to research different schools and principals. McKnight is not a huge stormcloud hanging over MCPS--it is more so at a micro/per school level.

At our school, we have a new principal who is constantly micromanage by the Director. Honey, you can’t run to another school for greener pastures when the problem is Central Office who dreams up new initiatives that are impossible to implement.

You know what would make the difference in doing everything that teachers are expected by Central Office to do? SMALLER CLASS SIZES.

How do you attract more teachers? HIGHER SALARIES AND SMALLER CLASS SIZES.

How do you pay for more teachers? CUT CENTRAL OFFICE STAFF. So much waste and nonsense at the Director level. That whole department can get scrubbed with principals answering to Associate Superintendents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What happens when teachers are unhappy with the school climate and they are attacked or watch coworkers attacked. Teachers quit in droves.

I'm a relatively new teacher, but please don't quit. Find a different school among the 100+ out there in our county. I've worked at several schools in a variety of roles and at my second one they taunted me stating that if I file a bullying complaint--no one will care! Yes, they attacked me every time I raised an issue that either affected student learning or professionalism between staff. I just switched to survival mode for a few months and got outta there as soon as I could (literally to the hour). Subsequently, I found a much better school.

There are some amazing schools in MCPS that truly have a positive work climate. You'll find that school--just get an involuntary transfer and don't look back!

I envy the optimism of new teachers. I've been teaching for nearly 20 years and there are things I like about MCPS but a lot more that I dislike. I do think we get paid well and have good benefits in comparison to other school districts. What I can't stand is the disorganization of central office and the trickle down effect it has at the school level. It's ridiculous that we are still expected to have our kids meet certain targets by the end of the year when we've been in a pandemic. Let's not forget we are expected to solve all of societal problems and teach at the same time. Kids have so many more SEL needs than they did ten years ago. There's so much more mobility and poverty in MCPS than there was ten years ago. I have my students seven hours a day and work my butt off but if they're not getting support at home, there's not much else I can do to get them on grade level. It's an asinine system and is only getting worse by the year.

X 1,000 - ALL of this! I teach third grade and of my four reading groups, two are below. That's normal for me. However, my lowest group this year reads on a kindergarten level. They're so lost in any whole group instruction. Even when the boring Benchmark text is read aloud they're completely checked out. I can't blame them. They have absolute chaos going on at home and are in pure survival mode on the days that they are able to attend school. Yet during our team's data chat with the principal she was wondering why they still hadn't made more progress. I can't move a kid who is three years behind a full year in just 4 months. It's insane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What happens when teachers are unhappy with the school climate and they are attacked or watch coworkers attacked. Teachers quit in droves.

I'm a relatively new teacher, but please don't quit. Find a different school among the 100+ out there in our county. I've worked at several schools in a variety of roles and at my second one they taunted me stating that if I file a bullying complaint--no one will care! Yes, they attacked me every time I raised an issue that either affected student learning or professionalism between staff. I just switched to survival mode for a few months and got outta there as soon as I could (literally to the hour). Subsequently, I found a much better school.

There are some amazing schools in MCPS that truly have a positive work climate. You'll find that school--just get an involuntary transfer and don't look back!

I envy the optimism of new teachers. I've been teaching for nearly 20 years and there are things I like about MCPS but a lot more that I dislike. I do think we get paid well and have good benefits in comparison to other school districts. What I can't stand is the disorganization of central office and the trickle down effect it has at the school level. It's ridiculous that we are still expected to have our kids meet certain targets by the end of the year when we've been in a pandemic. Let's not forget we are expected to solve all of societal problems and teach at the same time. Kids have so many more SEL needs than they did ten years ago. There's so much more mobility and poverty in MCPS than there was ten years ago. I have my students seven hours a day and work my butt off but if they're not getting support at home, there's not much else I can do to get them on grade level. It's an asinine system and is only getting worse by the year.

Hey no place is perfect but MCPS is like paradise compared to other places.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What happens when teachers are unhappy with the school climate and they are attacked or watch coworkers attacked. Teachers quit in droves.

I'm a relatively new teacher, but please don't quit. Find a different school among the 100+ out there in our county. I've worked at several schools in a variety of roles and at my second one they taunted me stating that if I file a bullying complaint--no one will care! Yes, they attacked me every time I raised an issue that either affected student learning or professionalism between staff. I just switched to survival mode for a few months and got outta there as soon as I could (literally to the hour). Subsequently, I found a much better school.

There are some amazing schools in MCPS that truly have a positive work climate. You'll find that school--just get an involuntary transfer and don't look back!

I envy the optimism of new teachers. I've been teaching for nearly 20 years and there are things I like about MCPS but a lot more that I dislike. I do think we get paid well and have good benefits in comparison to other school districts. What I can't stand is the disorganization of central office and the trickle down effect it has at the school level. It's ridiculous that we are still expected to have our kids meet certain targets by the end of the year when we've been in a pandemic. Let's not forget we are expected to solve all of societal problems and teach at the same time. Kids have so many more SEL needs than they did ten years ago. There's so much more mobility and poverty in MCPS than there was ten years ago. I have my students seven hours a day and work my butt off but if they're not getting support at home, there's not much else I can do to get them on grade level. It's an asinine system and is only getting worse by the year.

X 1,000 - ALL of this! I teach third grade and of my four reading groups, two are below. That's normal for me. However, my lowest group this year reads on a kindergarten level. They're so lost in any whole group instruction. Even when the boring Benchmark text is read aloud they're completely checked out. I can't blame them. They have absolute chaos going on at home and are in pure survival mode on the days that they are able to attend school. Yet during our team's data chat with the principal she was wondering why they still hadn't made more progress. I can't move a kid who is three years behind a full year in just 4 months. It's insane.

There’s only so much a general education teacher can do when there are wide gaps between the abilities of 30 students. MCPS needs smaller class sizes and support staff to help meet the needs of the students in a situation they are 3 grades behind. Where’s the Reading Specialist? Is there a PPW for the home issues interfering with attending school and learning?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What happens when teachers are unhappy with the school climate and they are attacked or watch coworkers attacked. Teachers quit in droves.

I'm a relatively new teacher, but please don't quit. Find a different school among the 100+ out there in our county. I've worked at several schools in a variety of roles and at my second one they taunted me stating that if I file a bullying complaint--no one will care! Yes, they attacked me every time I raised an issue that either affected student learning or professionalism between staff. I just switched to survival mode for a few months and got outta there as soon as I could (literally to the hour). Subsequently, I found a much better school.

There are some amazing schools in MCPS that truly have a positive work climate. You'll find that school--just get an involuntary transfer and don't look back!

I envy the optimism of new teachers. I've been teaching for nearly 20 years and there are things I like about MCPS but a lot more that I dislike. I do think we get paid well and have good benefits in comparison to other school districts. What I can't stand is the disorganization of central office and the trickle down effect it has at the school level. It's ridiculous that we are still expected to have our kids meet certain targets by the end of the year when we've been in a pandemic. Let's not forget we are expected to solve all of societal problems and teach at the same time. Kids have so many more SEL needs than they did ten years ago. There's so much more mobility and poverty in MCPS than there was ten years ago. I have my students seven hours a day and work my butt off but if they're not getting support at home, there's not much else I can do to get them on grade level. It's an asinine system and is only getting worse by the year.

X 1,000 - ALL of this! I teach third grade and of my four reading groups, two are below. That's normal for me. However, my lowest group this year reads on a kindergarten level. They're so lost in any whole group instruction. Even when the boring Benchmark text is read aloud they're completely checked out. I can't blame them. They have absolute chaos going on at home and are in pure survival mode on the days that they are able to attend school. Yet during our team's data chat with the principal she was wondering why they still hadn't made more progress. I can't move a kid who is three years behind a full year in just 4 months. It's insane.

There’s only so much a general education teacher can do when there are wide gaps between the abilities of 30 students. MCPS needs smaller class sizes and support staff to help meet the needs of the students in a situation they are 3 grades behind. Where’s the Reading Specialist? Is there a PPW for the home issues interfering with attending school and learning?

PP here - our reading specialist is great but she has to pull intervention groups for K - 5 so she can only see so many kids. My class isn't an anamoly....kids across the nation lost a lot of time being virtual. I work at a Focus school so while we do have a PPW there are many families struggling right now. I'm not even sure how many schools each PPW services.

[Anonymous]

Just another example of why there’s not enough boots on the ground in schools to tackle the reality facing teachers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What happens when teachers are unhappy with the school climate and they are attacked or watch coworkers attacked. Teachers quit in droves.

I'm a relatively new teacher, but please don't quit. Find a different school among the 100+ out there in our county. I've worked at several schools in a variety of roles and at my second one they taunted me stating that if I file a bullying complaint--no one will care! Yes, they attacked me every time I raised an issue that either affected student learning or professionalism between staff. I just switched to survival mode for a few months and got outta there as soon as I could (literally to the hour). Subsequently, I found a much better school.

There are some amazing schools in MCPS that truly have a positive work climate. You'll find that school--just get an involuntary transfer and don't look back!

Very few schools have 30 students in K except maybe the rich schools.

And, how many kids were behind before covid?

I envy the optimism of new teachers. I've been teaching for nearly 20 years and there are things I like about MCPS but a lot more that I dislike. I do think we get paid well and have good benefits in comparison to other school districts. What I can't stand is the disorganization of central office and the trickle down effect it has at the school level. It's ridiculous that we are still expected to have our kids meet certain targets by the end of the year when we've been in a pandemic. Let's not forget we are expected to solve all of societal problems and teach at the same time. Kids have so many more SEL needs than they did ten years ago. There's so much more mobility and poverty in MCPS than there was ten years ago. I have my students seven hours a day and work my butt off but if they're not getting support at home, there's not much else I can do to get them on grade level. It's an asinine system and is only getting worse by the year.

X 1,000 - ALL of this! I teach third grade and of my four reading groups, two are below. That's normal for me. However, my lowest group this year reads on a kindergarten level. They're so lost in any whole group instruction. Even when the boring Benchmark text is read aloud they're completely checked out. I can't blame them. They have absolute chaos going on at home and are in pure survival mode on the days that they are able to attend school. Yet during our team's data chat with the principal she was wondering why they still hadn't made more progress. I can't move a kid who is three years behind a full year in just 4 months. It's insane.

There’s only so much a general education teacher can do when there are wide gaps between the abilities of 30 students. MCPS needs smaller class sizes and support staff to help meet the needs of the students in a situation they are 3 grades behind. Where’s the Reading Specialist? Is there a PPW for the home issues interfering with attending school and learning?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What happens when teachers are unhappy with the school climate and they are attacked or watch coworkers attacked. Teachers quit in droves.

I'm a relatively new teacher, but please don't quit. Find a different school among the 100+ out there in our county. I've worked at several schools in a variety of roles and at my second one they taunted me stating that if I file a bullying complaint--no one will care! Yes, they attacked me every time I raised an issue that either affected student learning or professionalism between staff. I just switched to survival mode for a few months and got outta there as soon as I could (literally to the hour). Subsequently, I found a much better school.

There are some amazing schools in MCPS that truly have a positive work climate. You'll find that school--just get an involuntary transfer and don't look back!

I envy the optimism of new teachers. I've been teaching for nearly 20 years and there are things I like about MCPS but a lot more that I dislike. I do think we get paid well and have good benefits in comparison to other school districts. What I can't stand is the disorganization of central office and the trickle down effect it has at the school level. It's ridiculous that we are still expected to have our kids meet certain targets by the end of the year when we've been in a pandemic. Let's not forget we are expected to solve all of societal problems and teach at the same time. Kids have so many more SEL needs than they did ten years ago. There's so much more mobility and poverty in MCPS than there was ten years ago. I have my students seven hours a day and work my butt off but if they're not getting support at home, there's not much else I can do to get them on grade level. It's an asinine system and is only getting worse by the year.

Mom here and I agree. But what is the best way to help teach kids who are at so many different levels of progress? You are right; there are many more families who are lower-income and not well resourced.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

What happens when teachers are unhappy with the school climate and they are attacked or watch coworkers attacked. Teachers quit in droves.

I'm a relatively new teacher, but please don't quit. Find a different school among the 100+ out there in our county. I've worked at several schools in a variety of roles and at my second one they taunted me stating that if I file a bullying complaint--no one will care! Yes, they attacked me every time I raised an issue that either affected student learning or professionalism between staff. I just switched to survival mode for a few months and got outta there as soon as I could (literally to the hour). Subsequently, I found a much better school.

There are some amazing schools in MCPS that truly have a positive work climate. You'll find that school--just get an involuntary transfer and don't look back!

I envy the optimism of new teachers. I've been teaching for nearly 20 years and there are things I like about MCPS but a lot more that I dislike. I do think we get paid well and have good benefits in comparison to other school districts. What I can't stand is the disorganization of central office and the trickle down effect it has at the school level. It's ridiculous that we are still expected to have our kids meet certain targets by the end of the year when we've been in a pandemic. Let's not forget we are expected to solve all of societal problems and teach at the same time. Kids have so many more SEL needs than they did ten years ago. There's so much more mobility and poverty in MCPS than there was ten years ago. I have my students seven hours a day and work my butt off but if they're not getting support at home, there's not much else I can do to get them on grade level. It's an asinine system and is only getting worse by the year.

Mom here and I agree. But what is the best way to help teach kids who are at so many different levels of progress? You are right; there are many more families who are lower-income and not well resourced.

Differentiated classrooms. Smaller class sizes for the kids who need extra help to catch up. But MCPS needs to quit throwing English language learners in with kids who are above grade level and calling the class Advanced English. That helps nobody.