Springbrook HS Staff Letter

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter and I attended an open house for the SpringBrook IB program. The principal and PTSA president spoke. I just got a bad vibe from the two off them. I am glad we chose the Blair Magnet for my child instead of the IB program at her home school.
I applaud the staff for putting together this letter and putting up with these despicable creatures to say the least. I hope MCPS does takes action against this bully. She needs to be removed. Can someone deliver this letter to the news channels please?

It’s so sad that the principal is driving students away from the school’s signature program. I wonder if she is trying to dismantle the IB program. Anyone know if there’s been turn over in staff in that program?

My child is in Springbrook IB, I’m saddened to read this letter. I will be demanding action from central office and the board this week.

As for staff, my kid loves the two coordinators. One was their chemistry teacher and the other was their math teacher. They report seeing them abnormally stressed since December this school year. Wouldn’t be surprised if they try to leave, but it would be a huge loss for the program. They also said their favorite English teacher no longer teaches IB and several other teachers either leaving or retiring this year.

[b]
Boy, it’s really bad if the kids are picking up on it. Teachers work very hard to put on a brave face for their class and never want to give the impression that there is something wrong. She needs to be exposed and lose any power to do more damage. Thank you to the parents who speak up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have no affiliation with Springbrook HS but everything mentioned in the letter seems so minor. It is as if the principals before were very relaxed and then she comes in and puts rules and practices in place. Observations are a given, it does not matter how many times a year. You can have one every day…. I don’t understand how teachers hate her and then expect a glowing reference from her when they try to leave. Nicknames to students is not unheard of and unless a child stated it made them uncomfortable, then it’s not a big deal. I was expecting her to call people crackers and the n word as a nickname. Transfer out teachers. There is a teacher shortage.

Central office Troll.

There was no wiggle room under Durso. He was no slacker. She worked with him. I can recognize some of her behaviors when she was my colleague. I liked her a lot. She was no nonsense.

I'm another poster. I think times have changed. People have gotten very sensitive. I had people walk in and out of my class all the time - from all levels. We keep our doors open and unlocked.

Maybe I'm a different person. I left MCPS in 2018. Things have changed, I suppose.

just offering another perspective as a teacher

When she was at Key Middle School, she went off on a teacher, who is quite excellent, and put her on probation for something inconsequential. At the end of the year, she left for Springbrook, and the probationary case for the affected teacher was never mentioned again. It was very unsettling. Some people manage up well (as towards Durso) and the manage down poorly with those who report to them.

[Anonymous]

To the PP, what do you mean by probation? Was the teacher in their evaluation year and determined not to meet standards or were they placed on PAR? Or does probation mean there was increased formal scrutiny on their teaching?
I’m asking only to better understand how principals weaponize the evaluation system against teachers whose only offense is that they disagree with them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the PP, what do you mean by probation? Was the teacher in their evaluation year and determined not to meet standards or were they placed on PAR? Or does probation mean there was increased formal scrutiny on their teaching?
I’m asking only to better understand how principals weaponize the evaluation system against teachers whose only offense is that they disagree with them.

I'm glad this question was asked because in reality a principal alone cannot make that decision. There needs to be multiple observations by different administrators in the building and then a request needs to be made by a deadline to have another observer come and agree with the principal's concerns. If there is agreement , then the teacher is put on PAR with opportunities to improve. Most likely this teacher was put on a simple improvement plan that doesn't even leave the school. That's the principal's right. It's really important to not spread rumors when we don't have all the facts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the PP, what do you mean by probation? Was the teacher in their evaluation year and determined not to meet standards or were they placed on PAR? Or does probation mean there was increased formal scrutiny on their teaching?
I’m asking only to better understand how principals weaponize the evaluation system against teachers whose only offense is that they disagree with them.

I'm glad this question was asked because in reality a principal alone cannot make that decision. There needs to be multiple observations by different administrators in the building and then a request needs to be made by a deadline to have another observer come and agree with the principal's concerns. If there is agreement , then the teacher is put on PAR with opportunities to improve. Most likely this teacher was put on a simple improvement plan that doesn't even leave the school. That's the principal's right. It's really important to not spread rumors when we don't have all the facts.

But when the APs and RTs are also fearful of the principal, they will do as she says. It’s not uncommon in these situations for observers to “find” what the Principal wants them to see or for the Principal to rewrite observations.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:To the PP, what do you mean by probation? Was the teacher in their evaluation year and determined not to meet standards or were they placed on PAR? Or does probation mean there was increased formal scrutiny on their teaching?
I’m asking only to better understand how principals weaponize the evaluation system against teachers whose only offense is that they disagree with them.

I'm glad this question was asked because in reality a principal alone cannot make that decision. There needs to be multiple observations by different administrators in the building and then a request needs to be made by a deadline to have another observer come and agree with the principal's concerns. If there is agreement , then the teacher is put on PAR with opportunities to improve. Most likely this teacher was put on a simple improvement plan that doesn't even leave the school. That's the principal's right. It's really important to not spread rumors when we don't have all the facts.

I think this is what many are missing from the letter. Yes, things are SUPPOSED to happen a certain way. There are supposed to be certain checks and balances in place to ensure equity and equality. But these things don’t happen. Everything sounds like some sort of conspiracy theory until you really experience this stuff first-hand. Principals in MCPS have almighty power in our contracts.

[Anonymous]

When I was in college working volunteer with staff from mcps I got rave reviews and a 4.0 at UM whole working 1000 hours double time. When I was hired I pushed my 70 hours per week and couldn't get a positive review to save my life. Violence everyday and one of my students was raped by a sports team so some victims, rapists, and gang members were students. I felt powerless, unsupported, and retaliated for trying to help. Admin got promotions for covering up. Many teachers got fired for trying to help 😭. I will not return to education in America. Seems to be a money making fraud.

[Anonymous]

Hey if Admin can be promoted when the cover up rape and violence from being reported, certainly they can maneuver in a corrupted system to do what ever they want consequence free.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter and I attended an open house for the SpringBrook IB program. The principal and PTSA president spoke. I just got a bad vibe from the two off them. I am glad we chose the Blair Magnet for my child instead of the IB program at her home school.
I applaud the staff for putting together this letter and putting up with these despicable creatures to say the least. I hope MCPS does takes action against this bully. She needs to be removed. Can someone deliver this letter to the news channels please?

It’s so sad that the principal is driving students away from the school’s signature program. I wonder if she is trying to dismantle the IB program. Anyone know if there’s been turn over in staff in that program?

My child is in Springbrook IB, I’m saddened to read this letter. I will be demanding action from central office and the board this week.

As for staff, my kid loves the two coordinators. One was their chemistry teacher and the other was their math teacher. They report seeing them abnormally stressed since December this school year. Wouldn’t be surprised if they try to leave, but it would be a huge loss for the program. They also said their favorite English teacher no longer teaches IB and several other teachers either leaving or retiring this year.

Parents, please, please, please bring this letter and your personal observations/complaints to the superintendent, BoE and local news. I'm another Springbrook teacher and we all feel completely powerless to speak out and improve our working conditions without leaving the school. I fear that unless the community mobilizes and there's a negative press storm for Valentine & MCPS, nothing will actually happen in response to this letter. Get angry and get loud-- we will support you however we can.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter and I attended an open house for the SpringBrook IB program. The principal and PTSA president spoke. I just got a bad vibe from the two off them. I am glad we chose the Blair Magnet for my child instead of the IB program at her home school.
I applaud the staff for putting together this letter and putting up with these despicable creatures to say the least. I hope MCPS does takes action against this bully. She needs to be removed. Can someone deliver this letter to the news channels please?

It’s so sad that the principal is driving students away from the school’s signature program. I wonder if she is trying to dismantle the IB program. Anyone know if there’s been turn over in staff in that program?

My child is in Springbrook IB, I’m saddened to read this letter. I will be demanding action from central office and the board this week.

As for staff, my kid loves the two coordinators. One was their chemistry teacher and the other was their math teacher. They report seeing them abnormally stressed since December this school year. Wouldn’t be surprised if they try to leave, but it would be a huge loss for the program. They also said their favorite English teacher no longer teaches IB and several other teachers either leaving or retiring this year.

Springbrook staffer here: The last Signature Programs Coordinator at Springbrook was run out of the building by the principal's retaliatory practices, and I suspect the same thing is happening to one of our current IB coordinators. There is noticable turnover in many of the critical roles at this school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter and I attended an open house for the SpringBrook IB program. The principal and PTSA president spoke. I just got a bad vibe from the two off them. I am glad we chose the Blair Magnet for my child instead of the IB program at her home school.
I applaud the staff for putting together this letter and putting up with these despicable creatures to say the least. I hope MCPS does takes action against this bully. She needs to be removed. Can someone deliver this letter to the news channels please?

It’s so sad that the principal is driving students away from the school’s signature program. I wonder if she is trying to dismantle the IB program. Anyone know if there’s been turn over in staff in that program?

My child is in Springbrook IB, I’m saddened to read this letter. I will be demanding action from central office and the board this week.

As for staff, my kid loves the two coordinators. One was their chemistry teacher and the other was their math teacher. They report seeing them abnormally stressed since December this school year. Wouldn’t be surprised if they try to leave, but it would be a huge loss for the program. They also said their favorite English teacher no longer teaches IB and several other teachers either leaving or retiring this year.

Parents, please, please, please bring this letter and your personal observations/complaints to the superintendent, BoE and local news. I'm another Springbrook teacher and we all feel completely powerless to speak out and improve our working conditions without leaving the school. I fear that unless the community mobilizes and there's a negative press storm for Valentine & MCPS, nothing will actually happen in response to this letter. Get angry and get loud-- we will support you however we can.

You must support yourself first. If that means leaving, then leave.

[Anonymous]

Suspension rates for schools
In this area (compared to Springbrook)

Out of School Suspensions 23-24
Kennedy: 133
Paint Branch: 97
Sherwood: 75
Blake: 59
Blair: 45
Springbrook: 1

[Anonymous]

Springbrook is def underreporting !!! Im teacher here and we had several fights last year and even a kid stabbed in the neck. How have we only had one suspension?

[Anonymous]

Wow

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My daughter and I attended an open house for the SpringBrook IB program. The principal and PTSA president spoke. I just got a bad vibe from the two off them. I am glad we chose the Blair Magnet for my child instead of the IB program at her home school.
I applaud the staff for putting together this letter and putting up with these despicable creatures to say the least. I hope MCPS does takes action against this bully. She needs to be removed. Can someone deliver this letter to the news channels please?

It’s so sad that the principal is driving students away from the school’s signature program. I wonder if she is trying to dismantle the IB program. Anyone know if there’s been turn over in staff in that program?

My child is in Springbrook IB, I’m saddened to read this letter. I will be demanding action from central office and the board this week.

As for staff, my kid loves the two coordinators. One was their chemistry teacher and the other was their math teacher. They report seeing them abnormally stressed since December this school year. Wouldn’t be surprised if they try to leave, but it would be a huge loss for the program. They also said their favorite English teacher no longer teaches IB and several other teachers either leaving or retiring this year.

Parents, please, please, please bring this letter and your personal observations/complaints to the superintendent, BoE and local news. I'm another Springbrook teacher and we all feel completely powerless to speak out and improve our working conditions without leaving the school. I fear that unless the community mobilizes and there's a negative press storm for Valentine & MCPS, nothing will actually happen in response to this letter. Get angry and get loud-- we will support you however we can.

It would be helpful if the staff group that authored this email sent it officially to a media outlet so parents could reprint it. Right now, copying and pasting it from DCUM isn't terribly credible.

I would recommend the Springbrook PTSA, but unfortunately, the Springbrook PTSA seems beholden to Principal Valentine.