Taylor Elem — Reading specialist change petition

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does a reading specialist have the qualifications to be principal?

How do you think any former teacher has the qualifications to be principal? They get an additional degree in administrative leadership....

Sure. But having the degree does not mean you have the experience. You cannot jump from being a reading specialist to a principal. A reading specialist is not an administrative position. Therefore, she would not be qualified.

Usually they go to assistant principal first. Ashlawn current principal was teaching reading at WMS for 3 yrs, went to ashlawn as assistant then after 2 years principal.
https://www.apsva.us/post/breonna-mcclain-named-principal-ashlawn-elementary-school/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How does a reading specialist have the qualifications to be principal?

I agree that all sides of this debate look cray cray

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does a reading specialist have the qualifications to be principal?

How do you think any former teacher has the qualifications to be principal? They get an additional degree in administrative leadership....

Sure. But having the degree does not mean you have the experience. You cannot jump from being a reading specialist to a principal. A reading specialist is not an administrative position. Therefore, she would not be qualified.

Usually they go to assistant principal first. Ashlawn current principal was teaching reading at WMS for 3 yrs, went to ashlawn as assistant then after 2 years principal.
https://www.apsva.us/post/breonna-mcclain-named-principal-ashlawn-elementary-school/

These are minimum requirements to become a principal. See the second bullet:

QUALIFICATIONS:
MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
• Completion of a master's degree in school administration.
• Extensive or progressively more responsible experience in elementary school teaching and as an elementary school principal or assistant principal or any equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Possession of or eligible for the Postgraduate Professional License issued by the Virginia State Board of Education indicating endorsement for elementary principal, or eligible for the same.
• Experience working with students, families and staff from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does a reading specialist have the qualifications to be principal?

How do you think any former teacher has the qualifications to be principal? They get an additional degree in administrative leadership....

Sure. But having the degree does not mean you have the experience. You cannot jump from being a reading specialist to a principal. A reading specialist is not an administrative position. Therefore, she would not be qualified.

Usually they go to assistant principal first. Ashlawn current principal was teaching reading at WMS for 3 yrs, went to ashlawn as assistant then after 2 years principal.
https://www.apsva.us/post/breonna-mcclain-named-principal-ashlawn-elementary-school/

These are minimum requirements to become a principal. See the second bullet:

QUALIFICATIONS:
MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
• Completion of a master's degree in school administration.
• Extensive or progressively more responsible experience in elementary school teaching and as an elementary school principal or assistant principal or any equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Possession of or eligible for the Postgraduate Professional License issued by the Virginia State Board of Education indicating endorsement for elementary principal, or eligible for the same.
• Experience working with students, families and staff from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Exactly, she could have been a school lead instructional coach, or other in-house title that is "equivealent combination of training and experience"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does a reading specialist have the qualifications to be principal?

How do you think any former teacher has the qualifications to be principal? They get an additional degree in administrative leadership....

Sure. But having the degree does not mean you have the experience. You cannot jump from being a reading specialist to a principal. A reading specialist is not an administrative position. Therefore, she would not be qualified.

Usually they go to assistant principal first. Ashlawn current principal was teaching reading at WMS for 3 yrs, went to ashlawn as assistant then after 2 years principal.
https://www.apsva.us/post/breonna-mcclain-named-principal-ashlawn-elementary-school/

These are minimum requirements to become a principal. See the second bullet:

QUALIFICATIONS:
MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
• Completion of a master's degree in school administration.
• Extensive or progressively more responsible experience in elementary school teaching and as an elementary school principal or assistant principal or any equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Possession of or eligible for the Postgraduate Professional License issued by the Virginia State Board of Education indicating endorsement for elementary principal, or eligible for the same.
• Experience working with students, families and staff from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Exactly, she could have been a school lead instructional coach, or other in-house title that is "equivealent combination of training and experience"

And further, she was the lead reading specialist, thus a leadership role

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does a reading specialist have the qualifications to be principal?

How do you think any former teacher has the qualifications to be principal? They get an additional degree in administrative leadership....

Sure. But having the degree does not mean you have the experience. You cannot jump from being a reading specialist to a principal. A reading specialist is not an administrative position. Therefore, she would not be qualified.

Usually they go to assistant principal first. Ashlawn current principal was teaching reading at WMS for 3 yrs, went to ashlawn as assistant then after 2 years principal.
https://www.apsva.us/post/breonna-mcclain-named-principal-ashlawn-elementary-school/

These are minimum requirements to become a principal. See the second bullet:

QUALIFICATIONS:
MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
• Completion of a master's degree in school administration.
• Extensive or progressively more responsible experience in elementary school teaching and as an elementary school principal or assistant principal or any equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Possession of or eligible for the Postgraduate Professional License issued by the Virginia State Board of Education indicating endorsement for elementary principal, or eligible for the same.
• Experience working with students, families and staff from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Exactly, she could have been a school lead instructional coach, or other in-house title that is "equivealent combination of training and experience"

And further, she was the lead reading specialist, thus a leadership role

Sure it’s a leadership role, but you’re not supervising anyone in that role. You’re not evaluating anyone. You have no experience being responsible for the operations of the school. Absolutely unqualified.

The description says AND principal or assistant principal OR any EQUIVALENT combination. What that means is that they could hire a headmaster from a private school. They could hire someone who doesn’t have the title of Asst principal or principal but who had EQUIVALENT experience. Being a reading specialist or lead instructional coach is NOT equivalent.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does a reading specialist have the qualifications to be principal?

How do you think any former teacher has the qualifications to be principal? They get an additional degree in administrative leadership....

Sure. But having the degree does not mean you have the experience. You cannot jump from being a reading specialist to a principal. A reading specialist is not an administrative position. Therefore, she would not be qualified.

Usually they go to assistant principal first. Ashlawn current principal was teaching reading at WMS for 3 yrs, went to ashlawn as assistant then after 2 years principal.
https://www.apsva.us/post/breonna-mcclain-named-principal-ashlawn-elementary-school/

These are minimum requirements to become a principal. See the second bullet:

QUALIFICATIONS:
MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
• Completion of a master's degree in school administration.
• Extensive or progressively more responsible experience in elementary school teaching and as an elementary school principal or assistant principal or any equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Possession of or eligible for the Postgraduate Professional License issued by the Virginia State Board of Education indicating endorsement for elementary principal, or eligible for the same.
• Experience working with students, families and staff from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Exactly, she could have been a school lead instructional coach, or other in-house title that is "equivealent combination of training and experience"

And further, she was the lead reading specialist, thus a leadership role

Sure it’s a leadership role, but you’re not supervising anyone in that role. You’re not evaluating anyone. You have no experience being responsible for the operations of the school. Absolutely unqualified.

The description says AND principal or assistant principal OR any EQUIVALENT combination. What that means is that they could hire a headmaster from a private school. They could hire someone who doesn’t have the title of Asst principal or principal but who had EQUIVALENT experience. Being a reading specialist or lead instructional coach is NOT equivalent.

Really no point in arguing with you about this. It seemed she was interviewed, and therefor someone in APS thought her experience matched. They don't interview folks who don't meet the requirements.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does a reading specialist have the qualifications to be principal?

How do you think any former teacher has the qualifications to be principal? They get an additional degree in administrative leadership....

Sure. But having the degree does not mean you have the experience. You cannot jump from being a reading specialist to a principal. A reading specialist is not an administrative position. Therefore, she would not be qualified.

Usually they go to assistant principal first. Ashlawn current principal was teaching reading at WMS for 3 yrs, went to ashlawn as assistant then after 2 years principal.
https://www.apsva.us/post/breonna-mcclain-named-principal-ashlawn-elementary-school/

These are minimum requirements to become a principal. See the second bullet:

QUALIFICATIONS:
MINIMUM EDUCATION, TRAINING AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS
• Completion of a master's degree in school administration.
• Extensive or progressively more responsible experience in elementary school teaching and as an elementary school principal or assistant principal or any equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Possession of or eligible for the Postgraduate Professional License issued by the Virginia State Board of Education indicating endorsement for elementary principal, or eligible for the same.
• Experience working with students, families and staff from various cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Exactly, she could have been a school lead instructional coach, or other in-house title that is "equivealent combination of training and experience"

And further, she was the lead reading specialist, thus a leadership role

Sure it’s a leadership role, but you’re not supervising anyone in that role. You’re not evaluating anyone. You have no experience being responsible for the operations of the school. Absolutely unqualified.

The description says AND principal or assistant principal OR any EQUIVALENT combination. What that means is that they could hire a headmaster from a private school. They could hire someone who doesn’t have the title of Asst principal or principal but who had EQUIVALENT experience. Being a reading specialist or lead instructional coach is NOT equivalent.

Really no point in arguing with you about this. It seemed she was interviewed, and therefor someone in APS thought her experience matched. They don't interview folks who don't meet the requirements.

It’s an anonymous listserv. The only known fact here is the qualifications listed for the job. You have no idea what she interviewed for.

[Anonymous]

Dr. G was an AP for four years at Drew Elementary. It doesn’t really matter though as she’s not trying to get the job of principal at the moment. She just wants her reading specialist job back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How does a reading specialist have the qualifications to be principal?

How do you think any former teacher has the qualifications to be principal? They get an additional degree in administrative leadership....

Sure. But having the degree does not mean you have the experience. You cannot jump from being a reading specialist to a principal. A reading specialist is not an administrative position. Therefore, she would not be qualified.

She was previously an assistant principal and had returned to teaching. Keep up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like she was enforcing policy on minor infractions that were previously ignored — that may not be a bad thing.

And why are they upset they called an ambulance for a teacher? I assume there was some medical distress and someone in that state may not be a reliable decision maker for what is “frivolous”. That seems like a principal that is somewhat interested in their well being?

I am the first to be skeptical of her, as I disliked her focus on immersion, but at same time this seems more like a labor dispute chaffing at new managing in an already heightened environment rather than whole sale toxic principal.

I’m on a board of a non profit and I have seen heightened tension between staff and managers as well

Disagree on the first point about minor infractions being written up. I am an administrator and I am letting those go because teachers have too much on their plate and everyone is stressed. As long as those are not impacting children I am letting it go. This is not the year to be policing people for minor things. If you do it right, a simple conversation asking if everything is all right will do. Sometimes I find out there were babysitting issues…boy, I am glad they eventually showed up, even if a bit late, and the kids have a teacher and not a sub. Micromanaging is exhausting and futile.

[Anonymous]

Why the focus on whether she was qualified for the principal position? Feels like a way to deflect from the issue of whether the current Principal and AP have created a hostile environment by bullying and intimidating staff.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like she was enforcing policy on minor infractions that were previously ignored — that may not be a bad thing.

And why are they upset they called an ambulance for a teacher? I assume there was some medical distress and someone in that state may not be a reliable decision maker for what is “frivolous”. That seems like a principal that is somewhat interested in their well being?

I am the first to be skeptical of her, as I disliked her focus on immersion, but at same time this seems more like a labor dispute chaffing at new managing in an already heightened environment rather than whole sale toxic principal.

I’m on a board of a non profit and I have seen heightened tension between staff and managers as well

Disagree on the first point about minor infractions being written up. I am an administrator and I am letting those go because teachers have too much on their plate and everyone is stressed. As long as those are not impacting children I am letting it go. This is not the year to be policing people for minor things. If you do it right, a simple conversation asking if everything is all right will do. Sometimes I find out there were babysitting issues…boy, I am glad they eventually showed up, even if a bit late, and the kids have a teacher and not a sub. Micromanaging is exhausting and futile.

Who knows what “minor” means. But just because previous administration turned a blind eye doesn’t mean if necessarily should carry on.

[Anonymous]

Who knows what “minor” means. But just because previous administration turned a blind eye doesn’t mean if necessarily should carry on.

Sure but this is the same person that has doors propped open to various doors to the school so the front office doesn't have to be bothered, which is a serious violation of PIP and means anyone can get into the building during school hours...

[Anonymous]

Not surprising that a school with a completely new administration (both the principal and VP are new this year), with a population changed due to boundary changes that took effect fall 2021, restarting after a pandemic, is facing these kinds of culture issues among staff/teachers. Disappointing but not surprising.

I will tune into the PTA mtg tonight (regularly scheduled).