Anonymous wrote:^^^ That's too bad how you feel. Her race will have nothing to do with how good a job she'll do. Hopefully she's a good administrator and fair, and will be a Hill resident committed to the community. The Cluster blows.

If her race doesn't matter, why does it matter if she is a hill resident? Do you think that teachers and administrators should live in the neighborhoods where they work in order to be effective?

^^^ That's too bad how you feel. Her race will have nothing to do with how good a job she'll do. Hopefully she's a good administrator and fair, and will be a Hill resident committed to the community. The Cluster blows.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just saw a picture of the new candidate. My confidence is renewed that LT is headed in the right direction.

Because she's older and white??

PP here. My confidence is renewed because she is white, age has nothing to do with it. The leadership at LT needs to reflect the community.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just saw a picture of the new candidate. My confidence is renewed that LT is headed in the right direction.

Because she's older and white??

Yeah, this "confidence" is something that makes me wonder if the race/class hurdle was erected more by the parents than the former principal.

How long will she be around? Did she come out of retirement?

Anonymous wrote:I just saw a picture of the new candidate. My confidence is renewed that LT is headed in the right direction.

Because she's older and white??

I just saw a picture of the new candidate. My confidence is renewed that LT is headed in the right direction.

Who the f cares about the race or ethnic background of the principal? It's about goals, competency and attitude.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:...read in another thread a refence to an alleged 'PTA coup' at LT some time ago and could not find info despite having read almost all the LT post on here. Can someone enlighten me?

Also, when will we know who the new principal is? Last I have heard there were 5 candidates being considered but I have no info on who they might be.

Think the PTA coup was Payne. I'm not independently confirming, that's just what I recall from DCUM.

PTA coup was indeed at Payne, in the spring of 2012. Payne teachers turned up in force for the first time at a meeting and voted out the entire gentrifier leadership, which was comprised of in-boundary parents of preschool kids, with the principal raising no resistance. These parents had started the PTA and done a great job raising money. L-T's PTA hasn't been down that road and seems to be growing more inclusive (and in-bounds).

Not a bad thing that the new L-T principal is white, like Maury's, like Brent's, like SWS', like the majority of in-boundary parents of little kids.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She sounds promising at any rate. Is she old, young, AA, white, Asian, Latino, DC or Hill resident at any stage...? Anybody met her? Anybody else a tad annoyed that the appointment was made at the speed of light? There couldn't have been a lot of community input.

Actually, the community/parent/teacher panel is the one who makes the recommendation to the chancellor on whom to hire. I was on another principal panel and felt like there was a real effort to engage us--we were the ones that worked through what questions to ask and what priorities we had for hiring. The new L-T principal I'm sure will be a reflection of the priorities from the principal panel.

Yes, and she was the panel's #1 recommendation, from what I heard. That was not the case with the hiring of the last principal.

So glad to hear it! She sounds like she has some excellent experience. Congrats to Ludlow-Taylor!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:She sounds promising at any rate. Is she old, young, AA, white, Asian, Latino, DC or Hill resident at any stage...? Anybody met her? Anybody else a tad annoyed that the appointment was made at the speed of light? There couldn't have been a lot of community input.

Actually, the community/parent/teacher panel is the one who makes the recommendation to the chancellor on whom to hire. I was on another principal panel and felt like there was a real effort to engage us--we were the ones that worked through what questions to ask and what priorities we had for hiring. The new L-T principal I'm sure will be a reflection of the priorities from the principal panel.

Yes, and she was the panel's #1 recommendation, from what I heard. That was not the case with the hiring of the last principal.

Did anyone (from the hiring panel or DCPS) prepare the new principal for the community? LT discussions have been a highly charged so I hope she goes into the school totally aware.

Anonymous wrote:She sounds promising at any rate. Is she old, young, AA, white, Asian, Latino, DC or Hill resident at any stage...? Anybody met her? Anybody else a tad annoyed that the appointment was made at the speed of light? There couldn't have been a lot of community input.

Actually, the community/parent/teacher panel is the one who makes the recommendation to the chancellor on whom to hire. I was on another principal panel and felt like there was a real effort to engage us--we were the ones that worked through what questions to ask and what priorities we had for hiring. The new L-T principal I'm sure will be a reflection of the priorities from the principal panel.

The new LT principal's last job was as an instructional coach for DC. This is great because it requires a lot of personal one-to-one skills, mentoring and community-building.

Read more about instructional coaches below...

Who are the coaches?

Coaches are experienced, highly accomplished, and well-respected educators. Coaches must have credibility with teachers and administrators, the ability to juggle several roles, and the skills needed to work one-on-one with teachers as well as to oversee a wider professional development effort in the school.

How does instructional coaching work?

The key to a successful coaching program is a trusting relationship between teachers and coaches, but training and support from administrators are vital as well. Coaching is confidential, non-evaluative, and supportive. Coaches work one-on-one and in small groups with teachers on specific teaching strategies or problems, focusing on practical changes they can make in their classrooms. This ongoing one-on-one work is supplemented by other professional development activities, and skillful mentors often help support and extend the work of coaches.

Here's a link to a description and photo of her from a previous job she had...

http://www.fcps1.org/education/components/whatsnew/default.php?sectiondetailid=26896&id=2997&viewType=detail&PHPSESSID=e95bdff74b6f03c5ca530b9177a81c15

“I believe the principal is responsible for team building and is a school’s biggest cheerleader, supporter and fan,” she said. “The principal is the bridge that a lot of people cross in the community and the first person in a school that they see. I see the principal as being the steward of their precious children and of the building.”