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The Duncan Diaspora Continues
Xavier Botana, who worked at both CPS and at ISBE, is headed to Portland, according to this report in the Oregonian which notes that Botana worked for CPS since 2002, started as a bilingual teacher, and -- my favorite part -- got his BA and MA from Chicago State.
I'm sure many of you will say good riddance, and I don't have much firsthand knowledge to share, but I sort of liked the guy. He made some mistakes, sure, and I suppose could have resigned or done something heroic rather than continuing to take a paycheck but who does that, really? He was responsive, not particularly secretive (though he avoided my calls and ignored my emails), didn't seem obviously self-aggrandizing, and he had this low and rushed way of talking -- a speed mumble -- that made everything sound boring and important at the same time. Not an easy trick. Plus, you gotta like the shirt and tie combination here (he's the one on the left).
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Thu Jul 9, 2009 at 10:28 AM
The Duncan Diaspora Continues
So responsiveness to a blogger of middling relevance translates into deceny and quality? Interesting.
Thu Jul 9, 2009 at 10:28 AM
The Duncan Diaspora Continues
Botana is no loss. Only that Huberman will hire a non-certified MBA to take over
Thu Jul 9, 2009 at 10:31 AM
The Duncan Diaspora Continues
what specifically are botana's sins, besides the original sin of having worked for the board?
how would you differentiate him from anyone else there?
how would you differentiate him from anyone else there?
Thu Jul 9, 2009 at 10:38 AM
The Duncan Diaspora Continues
"During his tenure, the district has shown increases in the percentage of students meeting or exceeding benchmarks, particularly at the elementary and middle school levels.
In making her announcement, Smith said, "Xavier has a strong record of building shared ownership of school improvement among parents, teachers and the community. He doesn't believe that there is one formula for student success. Instead, he has demonstrated the ability to use many tools to improve outcomes for students."
> Was this your impression, CPS folk?
> Not sure exactly what Smith's referring to.
In making her announcement, Smith said, "Xavier has a strong record of building shared ownership of school improvement among parents, teachers and the community. He doesn't believe that there is one formula for student success. Instead, he has demonstrated the ability to use many tools to improve outcomes for students."
> Was this your impression, CPS folk?
> Not sure exactly what Smith's referring to.
Thu Jul 9, 2009 at 12:34 PM
The Duncan Diaspora Continues
Not sure if that was a dig - are you smirking about Chicago State?
Thu Jul 9, 2009 at 2:41 PM
The Duncan Diaspora Continues
I think Xavier is great. I'm sure he made plenty of mistakes but he was also very dedicated to improving instruction, and when he took over IDA that office was on-the-ball about their programs. They actually knew what the programs were supposed to accomplish (they had defined theories of actions, unlike many CPS offices), they kept records of who was involved in their programs (again, I challenge you to find this in most offices), and he took data seriously. Xavier committed himself to evaluating the programs in his portfolio long before it was popular, and he was one of the few administrators who could actually tell you exactly how he used the data to improve the program. He wasn't perfect, but in my experience he was one of the better ones. I'll be sorry to see him go.
Thu Jul 9, 2009 at 3:21 PM
The Duncan Diaspora Continues
What is the issue with him having attended Chicago State?
Thu Jul 9, 2009 at 3:29 PM
The Duncan Diaspora Continues
Doesn't seem like there's any issue related to his degree from CSU on this post of Alexander's. It's just that earlier posts and comments were discussing the value of various schools, their degree programs, and the type of people who graduation (effective or not).
Thu Jul 9, 2009 at 4:44 PM
The Duncan Diaspora Continues
some of you might be surprised to read that the PURE blog contains some kind words about botana, calling him one of the few good guys at the CO:
http://pureparents.org/index.php?blog/show/Breaking_news__Xavier_Botana_moves_to_Portland_
http://pureparents.org/index.php?blog/show/Breaking_news__Xavier_Botana_moves_to_Portland_
Thu Jul 9, 2009 at 5:43 PM
The Duncan Diaspora Continues
Just remember, PLEASE get detailed input from principals first before you bring in all these instructional programs, if you will have to dot his in your new position.
He is a great data guy and Ronnie want data--so why not keep Javier? Will he take anyone else with?
he is next in line per say to BEW--is she next?
He is a great data guy and Ronnie want data--so why not keep Javier? Will he take anyone else with?
he is next in line per say to BEW--is she next?
Thu Jul 9, 2009 at 5:51 PM
The Duncan Diaspora Continues
I know he made some mistakes, but he really knew his stuff and invited dialogue. I am a lowly teacher, but at big meetings he and his staff took time to discuss and explain what was coming from the office of instruction. He was an advocate for the expertise of the teacher and the local school. I will really miss him. Does this mean BEW is next? I dread having to report to business folks who have little understanding, but an inflated sense of their understanding, of educational issues. Blehhh!
Thu Jul 9, 2009 at 6:21 PM
The Duncan Diaspora Continues
if BEW is out, time to guess who could be the new CEdO--Alexander, no time like the present.
Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 9:56 AM
The Duncan Diaspora Continues
I've worked with Xavier over the years, back to when he was at ISBE. He actually tries to make things work and is respectful to people in the process. I wish him well in Portland, just gotta be a better environment than CPS, imo.
Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 9:46 PM
The Duncan Diaspora Continues
Too bad Huberman couldn't appreciate the talent that he had right before him. Xavier Botana is a genuinely nice guy. You know what they say about nice guys. However, I think he'll do really well out in Portland, hopefully he is appreciated. I wonder who he is taking from CPS?
Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 9:58 PM
The Duncan Diaspora Continues
Are MSD's getting Pink Slips as well??? I knew the AIOs were in hot water, but what about the MSDs, I though they were okay.
Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 8:39 AM
The Duncan Diaspora Continues
MSD's have to be rehired by the new AEO's!
Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 1:54 PM
The Duncan Diaspora Continues
They all have until the end of August to work. There will be some MSD loss since area offices will be reduced/closing.
Reminder: track E starts for teachers 8/3.
RP- have you heard that there are some schools without an IL certified principal in them right now? What is up with that? School code requires this...
Reminder: track E starts for teachers 8/3.
RP- have you heard that there are some schools without an IL certified principal in them right now? What is up with that? School code requires this...
Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 11:12 PM
The Duncan Diaspora Continues
Can they get rid of ineffective principals, too (ineffective as in overall test scores at a school tanking more than 10 pounts)? Or if they are under contract they can stay until they get the boot by the LSC?
And WHAT on earth is an "at will" employee???
And WHAT on earth is an "at will" employee???
Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 11:12 PM
The Duncan Diaspora Continues
Can they get rid of ineffective principals, too (ineffective as in overall test scores at a school tanking more than 10 pounts)? Or if they are under contract they can stay until they get the boot by the LSC?
And WHAT on earth is an "at will" employee???
And WHAT on earth is an "at will" employee???
Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 11:30 PM
The Duncan Diaspora Continues
You may be one soon if you're a CTU member, so you should know. At will = "at the will of the employer." No job protection, no questions asked. You can be fired at any moment, no process.
Turnarounders, charterers ... sound familiar?
Turnarounders, charterers ... sound familiar?
Sun Jul 12, 2009 at 3:37 AM
The Duncan Diaspora Continues
I am still on the road and so not posting with all of my materials at hand. But the Action Agenda of the June Board meeting is now up, and the Personnel Actions cover most of the new people Ron Huberman has brought in.
Of all of them, the most experienced in Chicago schools stuff is David Pickens (whose most recent morphing is back to "Chief of Staff"-- this time to the Board of Education).
Most of the top dogs Huberman has put into power are anti-teachers and know nothing about public education. I'll be posting on them when I get back to Chicago, but anyone here can make the list and leave it here. I'm on the road tomorrow and won't be able to compile anythng dcent for three more days.
Somebody else could easily. It will make the discussion here a lot more precise.
Of all of them, the most experienced in Chicago schools stuff is David Pickens (whose most recent morphing is back to "Chief of Staff"-- this time to the Board of Education).
Most of the top dogs Huberman has put into power are anti-teachers and know nothing about public education. I'll be posting on them when I get back to Chicago, but anyone here can make the list and leave it here. I'm on the road tomorrow and won't be able to compile anythng dcent for three more days.
Somebody else could easily. It will make the discussion here a lot more precise.
Sun Jul 12, 2009 at 7:51 AM
The Duncan Diaspora Continues
Charter schools do not require principals to have Illinois State certification!
Sun Jul 12, 2009 at 3:38 PM
The Duncan Diaspora Continues
this is why charters cannot call their leaders 'principal' they are called directors, since they are NOT certified.
Would parents send their children to an uncertified dentist?
But they let charters experiment on their children.
Would parents send their children to an uncertified dentist?
But they let charters experiment on their children.
Sun Jul 12, 2009 at 6:44 PM
The Duncan Diaspora Continues
management support directors--every area has one. In the beginning a support to the school, really to the principal and AP on management issues, esp. suspensions and expulsions. However, they ended up being a support to the aios--secretarial and at times, doing the aios job by telling the principals what to do, when to do it and how to improve instruction.
