Anonymous wrote:Email the principal, thanking him/her for hiring and retaining great teachers (assuming that particular teacher is still at the same location).

After being in a school for several years, most teachers do not like changing schools unless they are making a career change. IF they just moved a few miles away, and are doing the same thing, then they were somehow forced out. This happens mostly a year or two after new principal assignments. There is so much happening behind closed doors that even the most involved PTA members who think they know the ins and outs of a small school remain clueless concerning the internal politics.

+1000

Email the principal, thanking him/her for hiring and retaining great teachers (assuming that particular teacher is still at the same location).

After being in a school for several years, most teachers do not like changing schools unless they are making a career change. IF they just moved a few miles away, and are doing the same thing, then they were somehow forced out. This happens mostly a year or two after new principal assignments. There is so much happening behind closed doors that even the most involved PTA members who think they know the ins and outs of a small school remain clueless concerning the internal politics.

NP here. How do the logistics of this work? I have sometimes written thank-you letters to teachers, but they have always been handwritten on stationery. Do I photocopy and send the copy to the principal? Do I type instead, so I can write "cc: Principal," like a business letter? That seems weird. Email is so much more casual than a handwritten letter.

One more, and I think I know the answer: if I didn't get around to writing a letter for a really great teacher a year ago, is now too late? I would seem weird, right? What about two years ago? Great teachers, both, but my seeming weird might not help them. (I'm not too weird IRL, just have had a lot going on.)

Thanks!

pp, go to MCPS website, search for Dept of Recruitment and Staffing, go down and then click on staff team subject/position assignment.

Depending on what level and where your school is located, you'll find the staffer.

Anonymous wrote:Also please CC the staffer (you can find it through the website).
It is not uncommon for stellar and popular teachers to be harrassed for no apparent reason.
Just today, a few of us, MCPS music teachers had lunch together. The thing which we all crave for in our profession, is human dignity.
Your child's teacher is lucky to have a thoughtful parent like you.

what is a staffer? I don't see this on the main website for the school

Anonymous wrote:I recall reading on a forum that there are certain people in MCPS who should be copied on a letter of praise to a teacher, so that it goes into her personnel file. I'm ccing the principal and assistant principals. Should I also cc the staff development teacher? Anyone in central office? Thanks!

I would like to do this for my LO. What did you highlight and write mostly about? TIA

Also please CC the staffer (you can find it through the website).
It is not uncommon for stellar and popular teachers to be harrassed for no apparent reason.
Just today, a few of us, MCPS music teachers had lunch together. The thing which we all crave for in our profession, is human dignity.
Your child's teacher is lucky to have a thoughtful parent like you.

Anonymous wrote:Usually if you send it to the principal, he/she will make sure it goes into the teacher's personnel file.

But not always. CC superintendent just in case!

Usually if you send it to the principal, he/she will make sure it goes into the teacher's personnel file.

Anonymous wrote:Ben Franklin is never bad.

Uh oh...the Parents Coalition will launch an "Exclusive" investigation into the bribing of teachers. I can hear the click click click of a keyboard in Potomac right now...

Ben Franklin is never bad.

This is OP. Thanks, I cc'd the superintendent, principal and vice principal.

I think I remember ccing our community superintendent.

I recall reading on a forum that there are certain people in MCPS who should be copied on a letter of praise to a teacher, so that it goes into her personnel file. I'm ccing the principal and assistant principals. Should I also cc the staff development teacher? Anyone in central office? Thanks!