New Haven Independent

Posted by: lance | May 12, 2009 8:55 AM

you all elected a president with no experience, so I don't see what the big deal is.........

Posted by: Just one note about writers | May 12, 2009 9:08 AM

Actually Mr. Cicarella makes a meaningless point when he says:

"My members don't want to hear what the superintendent said today," said Cicarella. "You're a writer," he said to a reporter. "You want someone to determine if you're good or bad at what you do, and they haven't been a writer. Really."

Or actually it has a lot of meaning. Writers, like most of us, are judged by people who are not in their line of work. Writers, at least those who do it for a living, are judged by those who read, not by those who write. If you can't write well, you don't sell books.

It's the same for carpenters who don't make nice cabinets, elected officials who are not popular, and coaches of NY teams who don't make the playoffs (except Torre who actually did make the playoffs). They are judged by the people buying (or voting for) their services, not by their peers or co-workers.

It's time for education to work the same way. If teachers, or principals, or superintendents don't perform up to basic but high standards, they should go. You don't need to be a teacher to understand a high standard or to hold someone accountable to it.

Teaching is hard, and teachers should be well paid. But they should not live in a fantasy land where a failure to educate children is allowed to pass. If we pay for their work, and their work does not deliver the desired result, then we need to change strategies, and possibly change staff.

If I paid you to build a cabinet and the door won't close, I'm not inviting you back to repair my porch. And I have never been to carpentry school.

Posted by: East Shore Guy | May 12, 2009 11:18 AM

sounds to me like someone is afraid of change and reform. I agree with just one note. if a school or a teacher isn't working then why cant the superintendent or principle close the school or fire the teacher. makes sense to me.

Posted by: robn | May 12, 2009 12:53 PM

LANCE,

Do you mean George W Bush???

Oh I forgot, he had lots of experience...running every business he ever owned into the ground.

Posted by: City Hall Watch | May 12, 2009 2:11 PM

Why would a job so important, so vital for the future of children in the school system, one that supposedly is key to the DeStefano re-election rationale, be delegated off to an assistant? Reform begins with the head cheese in charge, doesn't it?

Posted by: lance | May 12, 2009 3:27 PM

no robn, I mean obama. the bush years were very good to me. Didn't need or demand 'free' government money or programs like people under obama.

it's no secret that most nh teachers voted for obama, and he has no experience, so why is experience so important all of a sudden?

Posted by: stpitia | May 12, 2009 4:14 PM

Mayo needs to resign! Why do we need to pay 2 people to do the job that the head person should be doing all along?

Taxpayers deserve better!

And in the end if this new person does the job then Mayo is obviously AGAIN redundant and he's gotta go.

The buck stops with him now and he needs to face the music. He has failed his job and failed our kids!

New Haven deserves better!

Posted by: END The WASTE | May 12, 2009 4:22 PM

Maybe I missed it, but who is the person to be hired? We have his/her qualifications, but no name? A polically connected person?

[Ed: They haven't hired anyone yet. They just created the position.]

Posted by: Care4Students | May 12, 2009 11:45 PM

Be careful how you use that stimulus money. Remember its only good for two years. Make sure you are able to sustain any programs you create with the money, beyond the initial two years or you will lose the ground you gained. This is one time money.

Posted by: FIX THE SCHOOLS | May 13, 2009 8:46 AM

JUST ONE NOTE said it very well. To add to the comment, we need an experienced REFORMER. Someone who has a successful track record of influencing district wide performance in a very significant positive direction. If they find someone with that resume, it matters not whether that person has had classroom experience.

And Mr. Nast, yes we are asking for the moon - and the stars! You would be better off not trying to minimize the inevitable changes that will occur. Instead, preach about how much progress we can make in student outcomes, teacher accomplishments, teacher pride, prestige, and pay. If we do this right, the entire profession can be lifted and occupy a place on a pedestal of respect - where we need it to be.

And finally, to all the folks who think that they'll hire another crony, I'll take that bet.

So if they hire another kid without experience, or someone's cousin - I'll say I was wrong.

But if they hire someone with real reform chops and bonafides, all of us sceptics should acknowledge it - then give Mayo and DeStefano some credit for starting to change the rules of the game.

Posted by: Tom Burns | May 13, 2009 9:10 PM

Here we go fix--
So far there are no successful reformers in urban education-----So how about original thought and not copying other losers who only do it for the money---We need to do it from the inside and we plan on doing just that---As VP of the union and a twenty year veteran I believe we can be the best in urban education with our own ideas---we know the problems and we alone can fix them---I want to be accountable for what I do----but no one ever holds the KIDS accountable anymore and that is a crying shame-----Our union and our teachers want what is best for the kids and are ready for real change---Dr. Mayo and Mayor Destefano are as competent people as I have ever met and are always open to suggestions--well now is the time----let's get it done--Tom

Posted by: Real in the City | May 13, 2009 9:55 PM

As a New Haven teacher from a low-performing school, I applaud and welcome and reforms that work to bring success for all our students. The missing addends are strong leadership and parental involvement in our low performing schools. We are just spinning our wheels if the new asst. superintendent appointee does not address these challenges head on. Parents are the first teachers and have a huge impact on what goes on in the classroom. For a variety of societal reasons, many parents show little concern toward the education of their children. A movement needs to be made to address this issue! We also need the best of the best principals in our low performing schools who can inspire teachers and students with their own example of good citizenship in and outside the school.

Posted by: FIX THE SCHOOLS | May 14, 2009 8:16 AM

Folks, Whenever you hear an educator say (or write) that it is someone ELSE'S responsibility to improve educational outcomes, you have found someone who is at the root of the problem.

Among other interesting conclusions he makes (teachers and unions "alone" are the answer), TOM BURNS blames the victims, the children! Its all their fault, right Tom?

Keep writing, Tom. You're a one-man union-buster. I think Cicarella should take you aside and have a little talk.

REAL IN THE CITY (a teacher) puts the blame on the more popular scapegoat, poor parents.

With some teachers (not all), its always about everyone else! As long as they hang onto their 6 1/2 hour school day, 2 months off during the summer, and ludicrous tenure plan, they'll be happy to help when they can.

Teachers with this attitude need to go.

So I'd like to know where are some of New Haven's great teachers, the No Excuses teachers, The Do-Whatever-it-takes teachers? Please sign on and let BURNS and REAL know what you think! Are you going to let these two speak for you?

Posted by: Tom Burns | May 14, 2009 10:51 PM

Fix---I have no excuses for myself as I am a champion--and plan to help all of our students to be champions too---ask some of the parents or students that I have served over the years what I am about----not money, not accolade---they will certainly tell you--but you hide behind a fake name---who are you?? you can't really care cause your arguments are simple and can only serve someone who benefits from vouchers--please tell me who you are so we can get together and FIX this problem---thats all I want---we wouldn't need unions if we had responsible politicians and good leaders---but you know how that goes---seriously fix, give me a call at 860-227-6668 so we can get together and help our children---Will you call me? I doubt it--please prove me wrong--Tom

Posted by: Jeremiah | May 15, 2009 8:06 AM

Who intimidated the Independent to remove my comments? Was it the NHPS, was it Yale, was it the Churches who are so influental in hiring school personnel? So much for objective, brave, investigative, free, watchdog journalism! All is lost.

Posted by: Rose | May 27, 2009 7:20 PM

As a former student of the NHPS and a current teacher in a different district, I am surprised by some of the comments presented. It is fair that the union wants to make sure the new position has a qualified person in such a high level position. To use the analogy by the "Writer", you wouldn't have the lousy carpenter back to fix your porch so why would a school district hire someone who might not even know what it means to be a teacher or administrator? In addition, the public schools are not failing because of teachers, administrators or children. Parents must be held accountable because we are the first teacher. You do not need to work at Yale, come from a lot of money, or even be well educated (although education helps), you simply need to be invested in your child. Spend quality time with your children, let them know how important school is, show them you support the teacher by making sure work is completed, and stress that getting an education is more important than hanging out with your friends.
Also, to "Fix" who thinks teachers work only 6 1/2 hours then have 2 months off, please become a teacher and do the job. I can tell you that since becoming a teacher I have never worked a 6 1/2 hour day (nor has any teacher). I start my day at work at 7:15 a.m. and don't end it until 6:00 p.m. on a good day (also while eating lunch at my desk in a matter of 12 minutes...no breaks for us). A lot goes into teaching every day. As for the 2 months off, I spend that time prepping for the next year...re-evaluating what worked, what I want to change, etc. In addition, teachers are NOT paid for those 2 months off (which is more like 6 weeks). We are only paid for our contracted 188 days of work. I love my job and sadly teachers are not respected or paid what they deserve. Teachers do this job because we love it and want to help children develop a love of learning (not just pass some standardized test even though that is what teachers are judged by these days). So, "fix" please become a teacher and fix the problems you see in the system. We are always looking for dedicated people to join us.