Diane Wiley wrote:
In response to Pam Taylor's post: What I don't get is what do people think
Dr. Peebles has done that's so great? The schools under her direct
supervision did not do as well as the rest of the district -- so why do we
think that district employees should have to put up with her "abrasive" and
demoralizing style. What has she accomplished that's so wonderful?
What did you expect during the first 9 months of her tenure? She didn't
show up in tights and a cape. Her direct supervision schools were the
ones failing by the largest percentage; do you think anyone could have
turned that around in 9 months? Was there a numeric goal set? Did Dr.
Peebles fail to reach a specific goal?
She's abrasive. Get used to it. Lots of the world is abrasive. Our ears
are not so virgin that they have never heard an abrasive word. She's not
from MN, she's only been here 9 months, and it is even possible that she
may not think that MN Nice is all that effective a style to use to shake
up complacent troops to start with. We also haven't heard from Dr.
Peebles whether or not she has been on the receiving end of some rather
nasty stuff, even when couched in MN Nice. The board's behavior, leaking
the nuclear option to the press being an outstanding example of the
nasty way to treat the superintendent of schools.
I think it's great that the board stood up to her and did what they are
supposed to do --- supervise the superintendent. I'm not saying she should
be fired, I'm saying she should be supervised by the board and not let run
amuck making people "uncomfortable" for nothing.
This particular fantasy is way over the top. This is jacking up the
issue into the red zone on the "terrorist alert" scale.
If the "discomfort" was
resulting in some great change and advancement, it might be worth it, and if
it was only "discomfort", not bullying and demoralizing.
And if she were white and from Minnesota.
Pamela and others who feel she's been mistreated by the board, I would like
to know what it is that Dr. Peeble's has done that somehow excuses how she
has treated people.
We have absolutely no information that gives us the gist of any
particular instance of any questionable behavior. We have heard the
conclusions inherent in "abrasive" and "uncomfortable." If she is
instructed to make changes, she is going to challenge staff; it will be
uncomfortable for both parties.
If this Dr. Peebles has any kind of backbone at all, she will definitely
improve the cultural literacy of the staff. Further, the staff, if they
have any backbone at all, can also say, for example, "Dr. Peebles, I
think you have something important to tell me, but I'm having a hard
time hearing it." Or even, heaven forfend, "Dr. Peebles, I don't know
what you're asking of me. Help me with this."
The stupidity of the school board in this situation--leaking the story
to Steve Brandt at the Strib and rumor mongering a firing through
Brandt's article--is institutionalized racism as we practice it here in
MN. It is not pretty.
Any board member who thought this first year was not going to be rocky
was a fool. None of the board members seem to have made the obvious step
to be her advocate so as to avoid some problems. But damn it to hell and
back, if we want to change outcomes, WE are going to have to do the
changing. Teachers, other staff, board, public, and kids. We are looking
for a paradigm shift here and that's a bumpy ride. Peebles will change
as she gets more comfortable with the job, but we do owe the woman the
courtesy to make challenging statements, particularly those that make us
uncomfortable.
.
Let's keep our eyes on the prize, educated kids.
Afterthought: Dr. James Meredith, who broke the color line at Old Miss,
gave a lecture at Hosmer on educating Mississippi AfAm children that's a
real eye opener. It was taped and you can go to Hosmer and watch it, I
believe, though it's not a circulating item.
WizardMarks, Central
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