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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I had a candid conversation with my DD’s advisor recently, and I coaxed some details about Penny that shed insights about the school’s inner workings.  Penny is socially awkward.  She exhibits a nervous energy that may not be everyone’s cup of tea.  Penny knows the upper-school teachers are aware of her quirks, so she overcompensates.  Sadly, teachers simply do not trust her, and they are not buying into her leadership.

My DD is has had a wonderful experience at Holton thus far, so I have no big stake in this debate—at least not yet.  However, I do worry about losing star faculty who know how to balance professional relationships with high standards.

But back to the conversation with my DD’s advisor.  Faculty morale is not good right now.  And when morale tanks, so, too, does instruction inside the classroom.  For those on here touting the classic mantra, “The beatings will not cease until morale improves,” you might want to re-examine your reasoning.  Top-down business models do not work in a school.  Administration cannot fire their way out of this problem.  Ordinary teachers may be replaceable.  Good teachers are hard to find.  And they insist upon a professional culture that prioritize professional respect among all constituencies.  Penny, in her haste to establish her authority, has missed this critical point.

The Board needs to step in.  Hire an outside party to conduct an internal audit.  Interview key stakeholders.  Gather data.  And chart a plan forward.  Status quo will only bring more instability and frustration.   [/quote]

If HOS is as “vindictive” as some described, how do you think the advisors feel right now seeing this post. Please stop sharing this type of sourcing if you care about the staff and faculty.  [/quote]

NP here, I strongly disagree. The only way to take down a tyrant is to expose them. If the emperor has no clothes, someone saying it is the only thing that will break the spell. [/quote]

It would be nice to expose the troll teachers as well. [/quote]

I haven't seen a single troll teacher on this thread. The only troll seems to be the person who reflexively defends the HOS against all concerns.[/quote]

You have to improve your reading skills and scroll again the thread. One post mentioned the need to fire the HoS because she cried in public. Oh, I forgot, that’s not trolling for you. [/quote]

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