AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds? What's it like to be an AUSL resident these days? A little bit like a roller-coaster ride, I'm guessing. The residents signed up for one thing -- a high-quality residency and then placement in teams in low-performing CPS schools -- and then halfway into the year find out that they may get assigned to (or have to stay at) a CPS turnarounds, with all the emphasis on tests and accountability -- and, some would say, bad karma -- that comes with that.
Why so? Well, AUSL needs residents for its turnaround schools -- can't have AUSL turnarounds without AUSL teachers. [They took over Sherman, and then Harvard, and have now
agreed to take on a slew of additional schools (Morton, Howe and Orr, I
think).] Principals who want AUSL grads can't have them since AUSL is shifting partner schools.
According to a spokesperson, "AUSL’s cohort of specially trained new teachers are an important component of staffing new turnaround schools. They are complemented by other staff with longer teaching experience...AUSL’s placement decisions are made with input from the teachers being placed; but the final decision on placement lies with AUSL."
What do you think? Should AUSL residents have to teach where AUSL tells them -- even if that's a shifting set of schools -- or should they be able to go where they want as long as it's a low-performing school?
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Mon May 12, 2008 at 6:04 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
And what does AUSL stand for, pray tell?
Mon May 12, 2008 at 6:07 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Academy for Urban School Leadership... one of the leaders of the pack of Chicago turnarounds.
Mon May 12, 2008 at 6:31 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
As a concerned friend of a current resident, there's a lot more roller-coaster riding than just the turn-around process. S/he has been devastated by the change in his/her organization over the last couple of months. 4 elementary residents were fired 2 months before the end of the training year with no warning. They were called into meetings and told they were being 'let go' for not meeting expectations, although no one (not their mentor teachers, not their university supervisors, not AUSL management) had told them that they were not performing anything at or above expectations. They were all parents, with families.
This was a result of AUSL needing to fill their turn-arounds with a certain percentage of AUSL grads. In order to hit the 60-70% of each turn-around being filled with AUSL graduating residents, 4 needed to be prevented from graduating. Now they won't be able to receive their master's degrees until NEXT May.
AUSL's mission has changed from teaching, training and retaining exceptional teachers to teaching, training and forcing teachers to work ONLY in AUSL turn-around schools. Although this was not in the contract a resident has signed with AUSL, s/he is told that s/he must either work in the turn-around or pay back the $32,000 training year salary.
AUSL residents have become nothing more than indentured servants, and are being treated as little more than that. Their opinions, needs or thoughts are of no concern to the new management. This may be an indication of the type of students these schools will start to turn out. Only time will tell.
This was a result of AUSL needing to fill their turn-arounds with a certain percentage of AUSL grads. In order to hit the 60-70% of each turn-around being filled with AUSL graduating residents, 4 needed to be prevented from graduating. Now they won't be able to receive their master's degrees until NEXT May.
AUSL's mission has changed from teaching, training and retaining exceptional teachers to teaching, training and forcing teachers to work ONLY in AUSL turn-around schools. Although this was not in the contract a resident has signed with AUSL, s/he is told that s/he must either work in the turn-around or pay back the $32,000 training year salary.
AUSL residents have become nothing more than indentured servants, and are being treated as little more than that. Their opinions, needs or thoughts are of no concern to the new management. This may be an indication of the type of students these schools will start to turn out. Only time will tell.
Mon May 12, 2008 at 6:38 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
As a concerned citizen of Chicago and colleague to a former resident, I feel I should help speak on behalf of their residents. AUSL residents have been given the shaft. Not just this year's bunch, but for years prior too. People come from all over the country to work in this program with dreams of helping children and gaining vast experience with a caring organization. However, once they do become involved, they see a horse of a different color. AUSL residents are treated as any intern in a Fortune 500 corporation... They are told that they are half the mission, but are treated as nothing more then man power for a growing power-hungry organization. Many residents are blackballed into agreeing to work at places they do not wish to be at (their contract states they will be placed in a school that best suits them), and some if they refuse are threatened with lawsuits. Once they are out in the field, AUSL promises over two years of field coaching help to assist them in their own independent classrooms. However, many residents are forgotten about and don't continue to receive the help that some of they need. Others find that with AUSL out of their hair, they are doing much better and are much more relaxed without AUSL breathing down their necks.
AUSL residents who attempt to join in with the new turnarounds are turned away without any reason. Most AUSL residents are not given clear reasons for being fired or not accepted into positions, but are rather coached to reflect on what they think they did wrong in an interview, etc.
AUSL is an organization that shows a message that's too good to be true. The upper hands of AUSL boast idle threats to its residents (both current and former) in order to keep them in line, and when the residents ask for clarification and clear answers they get nothing.
It was expressed to me that most of these residents are active in fighting for social justice and wanting a better education than what NCLB has been giving our children, but AUSL has now turned into a standardized testing machine. Clearing way for data statistics in order to gobble up more fund raising dollars and earmarks from the government and private donors.
Is this what AUSL boasted itself to be? Why would they consider their residents to be half of their mission, yet fail to treat them with the simplest amount of respect?
AUSL residents who attempt to join in with the new turnarounds are turned away without any reason. Most AUSL residents are not given clear reasons for being fired or not accepted into positions, but are rather coached to reflect on what they think they did wrong in an interview, etc.
AUSL is an organization that shows a message that's too good to be true. The upper hands of AUSL boast idle threats to its residents (both current and former) in order to keep them in line, and when the residents ask for clarification and clear answers they get nothing.
It was expressed to me that most of these residents are active in fighting for social justice and wanting a better education than what NCLB has been giving our children, but AUSL has now turned into a standardized testing machine. Clearing way for data statistics in order to gobble up more fund raising dollars and earmarks from the government and private donors.
Is this what AUSL boasted itself to be? Why would they consider their residents to be half of their mission, yet fail to treat them with the simplest amount of respect?
Mon May 12, 2008 at 8:15 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
i get why AUSL might need or want residents to go to turnarounds, but i don't get why the would need residents to fail out of the program like you say:
"In order to hit the 60-70% of each turn-around being filled with AUSL graduating residents, 4 needed to be prevented from graduating."
would there be too MANY residents at the turnarounds then? if so, why not just send them to other AUSL-affiliated schools?
-- alexander
"In order to hit the 60-70% of each turn-around being filled with AUSL graduating residents, 4 needed to be prevented from graduating."
would there be too MANY residents at the turnarounds then? if so, why not just send them to other AUSL-affiliated schools?
-- alexander
Mon May 12, 2008 at 8:29 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Rounding out the AUSL CPS portfolio: Chicago Academy elementary school, Chicago Academy high school, and Dodge, I think
Mon May 12, 2008 at 9:18 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
I worked with a few AUSL teachers for a year. They were arrogant, and assumed that veteran teachers had no idea how to teach. I have little sympathy for them.
Mon May 12, 2008 at 9:42 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
They aren't allowed to fill the turn-arounds with ONLY ausl residents, for the obvious reason that they need experienced teachers. But they require a certain percentage of the turn-arounds be filled with AUSL grads, and they also want to say that they placed a certain percentage of each graduating class in turn-arounds. In order to accomplish this, they had to get rid of some of the graduating class.
Mon May 12, 2008 at 9:46 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
thanks, marquis --
that explanation still doesn't make total sense to me -- that they'd ding some of their own candidates (and lower their persistence and success rates) to inflate the percentage in turnarounds. but maybe i'm just not getting it.
anyone else from the program, or from a school that's worked with AUSL, have anything to say?
-- alexander
that explanation still doesn't make total sense to me -- that they'd ding some of their own candidates (and lower their persistence and success rates) to inflate the percentage in turnarounds. but maybe i'm just not getting it.
anyone else from the program, or from a school that's worked with AUSL, have anything to say?
-- alexander
Mon May 12, 2008 at 9:55 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
It looks bad for AUSL to have teachers try and find jobs at other schools... I'm sure they get asked "why weren't you accepted to the turnaround?" I bet many schools don't want them for that reason.
Mon May 12, 2008 at 10:41 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Because it doesn't affect their success rate if the resident is dropped before s/he has graduated from the program. All of the success rates are based upon residents who have completed the program. Like a non e mouse said, certain people aren't wanted in turn-arounds for unclear reasons. From what I've heard from my friend, it sounds like AUSL is in a transition phase. Ideally, I don't think they will accept residents to the incoming classes if they don't look like turn-around material. By next year, there'll be enough new turn-arounds for them to be filled with 60-70% grads without any residents needing to be removed from the program.
Mon May 12, 2008 at 10:52 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Also AUSL is gearing up with CPS and started a new initiative to find teachers JUST for the turnarounds. Check out the Teach Chicago Turnarounds site.. I think it's teachchicagoturnarounds.org ... I found that out by searching around Craigslist.
Mon May 12, 2008 at 11:11 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
I was recently interviewed by AUSL to retain my job at the new Orr Academy. I have worked at AASTA. The process was a joke. I had a 10 minute pre-interview in which my person was barely paying attention to me (she was more interested in her cell phone)-she then observed my classroom for 3 1/2 minutes, which then led to a 10 minute post interview. After barely 25 minutes she was in a position to judge my teaching ability. They will have such an enormous problem in attempting to fill the 115 positions that they will need to run the school. They have also treated their own people in such a unprofessional way that I will not work with them under any conditions....The entire process(CPS) (Rufus and Mayor Daley's talking chimp Arne) combined with our dismal union have left me speechless and bitter....Don't come to ORR!
Mon May 12, 2008 at 11:15 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
great find, non e mouse --
it looks like those are the in-house CPS turnaround schools, but maybe AUSL is helping them recruit and select teachers for those schools as well as taking over the others. or, based on this from the site, maybe they're just looking for more teachers for their "training site" schools?
"AUSL manages six other CPS schools (two high schools and four elementary schools) as training sites for its Urban Teacher Residency program."
it looks like those are the in-house CPS turnaround schools, but maybe AUSL is helping them recruit and select teachers for those schools as well as taking over the others. or, based on this from the site, maybe they're just looking for more teachers for their "training site" schools?
"AUSL manages six other CPS schools (two high schools and four elementary schools) as training sites for its Urban Teacher Residency program."
Mon May 12, 2008 at 11:57 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Well in the land of "Pay to Play" politics... sleeping around is key.
Tue May 13, 2008 at 1:50 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Wonder why AUSL is putting the pressure on its cadre to strike up the band and announce its latest three ring circus?
By the way, we'd sure like to hear from the kids trying to get an MA and do some urban teaching at AUSL. I'm especially interested in how Koldyke and company lost control of that "high school" thingy they installed at 3400 S. Austin and how those problems were then covered up, but every little bit is of interest. We're also interested in how one of AUSL's star tall guys (they love these tall guys in major suits, ties, and shoes, you've got to have noticed) showed his loyalty to Chicago by chasing the Oak Park River Forest job until they didn't want him out there because of some serious questions about the difference between his hype and his actual praxis...
Get in touch...
Back to reality, this week's iteration...
Consider:
On February 27, the Board voted to pay AUSL nearly $900,000 for "turnaround" work at Howe, Morton, and Orr. Public attention that day was, and rightly, focused on the schools that were being screwed (18 out of the 19 on Arne's hit list) and so there was less attention on who was being hired to help with the screwing. Now AUSL comes into closer focus.
But that's getting ahead of the latest iteration of this story.
At the February 27, 2008, meeting of the Chicago Board of Education, the Board was preoccupied with voting to screw the 18 schools on this year's hit list and avoid anyone making public the fact that on every "fact" the Board claimed as a reason for closing or "turnarounding" the schools on this year's bulls eye. It turned out the "facts" were either lies, half-truths, or the result of such incompetent work as to be a joke. The closer you look, the more kinky every single one of those hit jobs is, but then nobody was given a fair hearing, let alone the right to cross examination during February when the rush to destroy all of those schools was being railroaded through.
AUSL was in the middle of it all, with the blessings of Mayor Daley and some of the richest people on earth (Gates; the people who control the Renaissance Schools Fund -- i.e., the Civic Committee).
Of course, the Board got away with the February 27 destructions, and 18 schools are now in their death throes.
The ones that are actually being closed (Andersen, DeLaCruz, Duprey, Irving Park Middle, etc.) have to be distinguished from the six that are being "turnarounded" (I just can't resist using that as a verb, now that Arne and Mayor Daley have put it into play). This is about how "turnaround" becomes a verb in Chicago and how ridiculous that whole concept has been. This should have been true with "turnaround" since nearly a decade ago, when a guy named "Chainsaw" Al Dunlap was the corporate America "turnaround" master -- until he bankrupted Sunbeam but escaped more scrutiny because Enron and Kenny Boy Lay -- not "Λ‡The Sunbeam Turnaround" and "Al Dunlap" became the metaphor for corporate crookedness and thievery on the grand scale. You don't have to take my word for the sordid corporate history of "turnarund" -- Google "Sunbeam" and "Al Dunlap". Savor especially those hagiographic "news" stories that ran in the business section of the Chicago Tribune. But I digress...
Behind the scenes on April 27, 2008, at the Chicago Board of Education, what was really going on was the promotion of AUSL -- and taxpayers additions to an enormous funding stream to AUSL.
At the Sherman school dog-and-pony show (January 31, 2008), Mayor Daley, Arne Duncan, and the Gates Foundation promoted the "turnaround model" and AUSL -- with millions of dollars flowing into AUSL's coffers. Daley, Duncan and the Gates and AUSL guys refused (as usual) to answer any real questions (that was the media event that prompted an anonymous Communications myrmidon here to criticize me for asking the mayor a rude question; honest...).
The January 31, 2008 thing at Sherman was staged as a prelude to turning over millions of dollars from CPS and private sources to AUSL and to scamming the "turnaround" thingy as the laterest iteration of corporate teacher bashing. It was the prelude to all of the nastiness of February (the hearings; the demonstrations; the vote to destroy all those schools). Key to the Sherman thing was to masque the actual realities at Sherman (they wouldn't even let the press into the south building, which is still relatively out of control; as you know, Sherman has two buildings!) and hype AUSL and this "turnaround" stuff. (Arne had already established the Office of Turnaround, remember, with a "Chief Turnaround Officer" and all the rest of that stuff...).
In addition to the private funding going to AUSL, however, the Board is also spending public dollars on AUSL's version of reality.
On February 27, 2008, through Board Reports 08-0227-EX33, EX34, and EX35, the Chicago Board of Education voted to pay AUSL a total of $885,920 for "turnaround" services at Howe elementary (EX33), Morton (EX34) and Orr (EX35).
Amazingly, the "turnaround" of the three north side schools they are destroying this month has more substance than what's being done at the three south side schools (Copernicus, Fulton, Harper). Out there, the "turnaround" guys are some outfit from Virginia with absolutely no Chicago record, public or private. But trust us, "turnarounding" is definitely the way to go for corporate Chicago and its lapdog media.
This month, at least...
By the way, we'd sure like to hear from the kids trying to get an MA and do some urban teaching at AUSL. I'm especially interested in how Koldyke and company lost control of that "high school" thingy they installed at 3400 S. Austin and how those problems were then covered up, but every little bit is of interest. We're also interested in how one of AUSL's star tall guys (they love these tall guys in major suits, ties, and shoes, you've got to have noticed) showed his loyalty to Chicago by chasing the Oak Park River Forest job until they didn't want him out there because of some serious questions about the difference between his hype and his actual praxis...
Get in touch...
Back to reality, this week's iteration...
Consider:
On February 27, the Board voted to pay AUSL nearly $900,000 for "turnaround" work at Howe, Morton, and Orr. Public attention that day was, and rightly, focused on the schools that were being screwed (18 out of the 19 on Arne's hit list) and so there was less attention on who was being hired to help with the screwing. Now AUSL comes into closer focus.
But that's getting ahead of the latest iteration of this story.
At the February 27, 2008, meeting of the Chicago Board of Education, the Board was preoccupied with voting to screw the 18 schools on this year's hit list and avoid anyone making public the fact that on every "fact" the Board claimed as a reason for closing or "turnarounding" the schools on this year's bulls eye. It turned out the "facts" were either lies, half-truths, or the result of such incompetent work as to be a joke. The closer you look, the more kinky every single one of those hit jobs is, but then nobody was given a fair hearing, let alone the right to cross examination during February when the rush to destroy all of those schools was being railroaded through.
AUSL was in the middle of it all, with the blessings of Mayor Daley and some of the richest people on earth (Gates; the people who control the Renaissance Schools Fund -- i.e., the Civic Committee).
Of course, the Board got away with the February 27 destructions, and 18 schools are now in their death throes.
The ones that are actually being closed (Andersen, DeLaCruz, Duprey, Irving Park Middle, etc.) have to be distinguished from the six that are being "turnarounded" (I just can't resist using that as a verb, now that Arne and Mayor Daley have put it into play). This is about how "turnaround" becomes a verb in Chicago and how ridiculous that whole concept has been. This should have been true with "turnaround" since nearly a decade ago, when a guy named "Chainsaw" Al Dunlap was the corporate America "turnaround" master -- until he bankrupted Sunbeam but escaped more scrutiny because Enron and Kenny Boy Lay -- not "Λ‡The Sunbeam Turnaround" and "Al Dunlap" became the metaphor for corporate crookedness and thievery on the grand scale. You don't have to take my word for the sordid corporate history of "turnarund" -- Google "Sunbeam" and "Al Dunlap". Savor especially those hagiographic "news" stories that ran in the business section of the Chicago Tribune. But I digress...
Behind the scenes on April 27, 2008, at the Chicago Board of Education, what was really going on was the promotion of AUSL -- and taxpayers additions to an enormous funding stream to AUSL.
At the Sherman school dog-and-pony show (January 31, 2008), Mayor Daley, Arne Duncan, and the Gates Foundation promoted the "turnaround model" and AUSL -- with millions of dollars flowing into AUSL's coffers. Daley, Duncan and the Gates and AUSL guys refused (as usual) to answer any real questions (that was the media event that prompted an anonymous Communications myrmidon here to criticize me for asking the mayor a rude question; honest...).
The January 31, 2008 thing at Sherman was staged as a prelude to turning over millions of dollars from CPS and private sources to AUSL and to scamming the "turnaround" thingy as the laterest iteration of corporate teacher bashing. It was the prelude to all of the nastiness of February (the hearings; the demonstrations; the vote to destroy all those schools). Key to the Sherman thing was to masque the actual realities at Sherman (they wouldn't even let the press into the south building, which is still relatively out of control; as you know, Sherman has two buildings!) and hype AUSL and this "turnaround" stuff. (Arne had already established the Office of Turnaround, remember, with a "Chief Turnaround Officer" and all the rest of that stuff...).
In addition to the private funding going to AUSL, however, the Board is also spending public dollars on AUSL's version of reality.
On February 27, 2008, through Board Reports 08-0227-EX33, EX34, and EX35, the Chicago Board of Education voted to pay AUSL a total of $885,920 for "turnaround" services at Howe elementary (EX33), Morton (EX34) and Orr (EX35).
Amazingly, the "turnaround" of the three north side schools they are destroying this month has more substance than what's being done at the three south side schools (Copernicus, Fulton, Harper). Out there, the "turnaround" guys are some outfit from Virginia with absolutely no Chicago record, public or private. But trust us, "turnarounding" is definitely the way to go for corporate Chicago and its lapdog media.
This month, at least...
Tue May 13, 2008 at 1:58 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
THE SORDID HISTORY OF TURNAROUND is widely available (except in Chicago and at CPS)...
By the way, "turnaround" as one of many corporate scams needs a bit of scrutiny here in Chicago, now that corporate Chicago, Arne Duncan, CPS and Mayor Daley are promoting it again.
There is still a lot through Google on "Chainsaw Al Dunlap" (and what he did to Sunbeam), but the following is just one example. Also worth noting is that Forbes magazine was dubbing Paul Vallas "Chainsaw Paul" until Dunlap's frauds were exposed.
"9/4/02... Chainsaw Al cut loose... Before Jeff Skilling, Ken Lay, Scott Sullivan, or Dennis Kozlowski, there was "Chainsaw Al." Whispers learned early today that the Securities and Exchange Commission has settled its civil case against Albert Dunlap, the former CEO of Sunbeam Corp., who was charged in 1998 with orchestrating one of the biggest financial frauds before Enron. Two sources close to the case confirmed that the court papers
were filed Wednesday morning and a litigation release from the SEC is forthcoming. Nicknamed 'Chainsaw Al' for his ruthless downsizing in an attempt to turn around the troubled appliance maker, Dunlap has agreed to pay $500,000 to settle the suit. The commission claimed that Dunlap attempted to inflate Sunbeam's value by falsifying revenues and using a host of other illegal accounting schemes, which eventually resulted in the loss of billions of dollars in shareholder value. In January,
Dunlap paid $15 million to settle his portion of a class action suit
filed by Sunbeam shareholders. Whispers also learns that Sunbeam's former financial officer Russell Kersh has agreed to pay $200,000 to settle his case with the SEC. Under the terms of the settlement, both men are barred from serving as corporate officers or directors. Three other former Sunbeam officials and an auditor from Arthur Andersen who allegedly helped cook the books are the remaining defendants in the
SEC's civil case."
By the way, "turnaround" as one of many corporate scams needs a bit of scrutiny here in Chicago, now that corporate Chicago, Arne Duncan, CPS and Mayor Daley are promoting it again.
There is still a lot through Google on "Chainsaw Al Dunlap" (and what he did to Sunbeam), but the following is just one example. Also worth noting is that Forbes magazine was dubbing Paul Vallas "Chainsaw Paul" until Dunlap's frauds were exposed.
"9/4/02... Chainsaw Al cut loose... Before Jeff Skilling, Ken Lay, Scott Sullivan, or Dennis Kozlowski, there was "Chainsaw Al." Whispers learned early today that the Securities and Exchange Commission has settled its civil case against Albert Dunlap, the former CEO of Sunbeam Corp., who was charged in 1998 with orchestrating one of the biggest financial frauds before Enron. Two sources close to the case confirmed that the court papers
were filed Wednesday morning and a litigation release from the SEC is forthcoming. Nicknamed 'Chainsaw Al' for his ruthless downsizing in an attempt to turn around the troubled appliance maker, Dunlap has agreed to pay $500,000 to settle the suit. The commission claimed that Dunlap attempted to inflate Sunbeam's value by falsifying revenues and using a host of other illegal accounting schemes, which eventually resulted in the loss of billions of dollars in shareholder value. In January,
Dunlap paid $15 million to settle his portion of a class action suit
filed by Sunbeam shareholders. Whispers also learns that Sunbeam's former financial officer Russell Kersh has agreed to pay $200,000 to settle his case with the SEC. Under the terms of the settlement, both men are barred from serving as corporate officers or directors. Three other former Sunbeam officials and an auditor from Arthur Andersen who allegedly helped cook the books are the remaining defendants in the
SEC's civil case."
Tue May 13, 2008 at 7:23 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
I temporarily got caught up in the Sherman hype. It was probably all the media attention they're given. I had a long interview with the principal--Mr. A--and his A.P. (the one who is NBCT) for a teaching position over there last year.
His mantra was, "the kids, the kids". But interestingly, he said he didn't think something like NB status (which I've been working on for a while) was all that important, because "the kids don't think that cert. is important". Interesting insight coming from an "instructional leader" I thought! His NBCT A.P. didn't give a response verbally (or non verbally that I could recall).
I was really concerned about the discipline and school climate amongst the kids. I asked questions and you could see from their faces that the kids had many, many, social issues that were front and center for the Sherman admins. I didn't get the sense that these folks were even able to identify some of the probable issues for the kids' behaviors, i.e. cataclysmic change, feelings of betrayal, distrust of authority, disingenuosness, etc. I am shocked that there is so little discussion around the sentiments of the students at these "turnaround" or "restructured" sites. Its as if they are mere objects to "do something" with or "change into something". I rarely sense that the kids themselves are regarded as subjects, as sentient beings in all the policy discussions.
They have a few really well-regarded teachers over there. They also have a pretty high-teacher turn over rate which is hard to figure because the pay is good there (1.2)! Alot of $ have gone into the place (well-appointed classrooms--at least the ones I saw on an aspiring NBCT's video in our cohort class).
Sherman didn't seem like it was trying to build a staff that has the instructional aptitude to serve its unique population (i.e. "ghetto"). And the whole scene over there is somewhat reminiscent of NTA--under its first principal-- Ford (can't even compare her to Sherman's guy!) But isn't that the essence of "instructional leadership"? If you can't do this when you have political clout, and 1.2 positions, can it be done anywhere?
Needless to say, I found a position elsewhere.
His mantra was, "the kids, the kids". But interestingly, he said he didn't think something like NB status (which I've been working on for a while) was all that important, because "the kids don't think that cert. is important". Interesting insight coming from an "instructional leader" I thought! His NBCT A.P. didn't give a response verbally (or non verbally that I could recall).
I was really concerned about the discipline and school climate amongst the kids. I asked questions and you could see from their faces that the kids had many, many, social issues that were front and center for the Sherman admins. I didn't get the sense that these folks were even able to identify some of the probable issues for the kids' behaviors, i.e. cataclysmic change, feelings of betrayal, distrust of authority, disingenuosness, etc. I am shocked that there is so little discussion around the sentiments of the students at these "turnaround" or "restructured" sites. Its as if they are mere objects to "do something" with or "change into something". I rarely sense that the kids themselves are regarded as subjects, as sentient beings in all the policy discussions.
They have a few really well-regarded teachers over there. They also have a pretty high-teacher turn over rate which is hard to figure because the pay is good there (1.2)! Alot of $ have gone into the place (well-appointed classrooms--at least the ones I saw on an aspiring NBCT's video in our cohort class).
Sherman didn't seem like it was trying to build a staff that has the instructional aptitude to serve its unique population (i.e. "ghetto"). And the whole scene over there is somewhat reminiscent of NTA--under its first principal-- Ford (can't even compare her to Sherman's guy!) But isn't that the essence of "instructional leadership"? If you can't do this when you have political clout, and 1.2 positions, can it be done anywhere?
Needless to say, I found a position elsewhere.
Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:46 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Lies and con-artism.
Lets see what the kids will learn?
Lying.
Tricksterism.
Looserism.
How to make money from the public without accountability.
Lets see what the kids will learn?
Lying.
Tricksterism.
Looserism.
How to make money from the public without accountability.
Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:48 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
TURNAROUND BULLYING AND STUPIDITY
Like most of the corporate fairy tales of the Age of Greed, the "turnaround" stuff is mostly fiction with a lot of arrogant and really cruel bullying thrown in. That's been Chicago's public schools "business model" for more than a decade, but now that Chicago is promoting the "turnaround" fraud at the expense of the teachers in the victim schools and at the expense of the teachers in AUSL itself, isn't it time somebody told the truth about the public education iteration of this nonsense?
When the first generation of "turnaround experts" crashed and burned ten years ago, it was good reporters from the business press that dragged out the truth. The puffery had long dominated, but finally the fact matters.
Consider how Business Week, July 6, 1998, recounted what happened after the Board of Directors at Sunbeam began to question "Chainsaw Al Dunlap" about the way he was "turning around" Sunbeam:
"In four days [after the tumultuous directors' meeting where Dunlap walked out], however, the directors voted to fire the man who has made a phenomenal business career out of firing others. Rarely does anyone express joy at another's misfortune, but Dunlap's ouster elicited unrestrained glee from many quarters.
"Former employees who had been victims of his legendary chainsaw nearly danced in the streets of Coshatta, La., where Dunlap shuttered a plant. Says David M. Friedson, CEO of Windmere-Durable Holdings Inc.(WND), a competitor of Sunbeam: ''He is the logical extreme of an executive who has no values, no honor, no loyalty, and no ethics. And yet he was held up as a corporate god in our culture. It greatly bothered me.'
"Other chief executives, many of whom considered him an extremist, agreed that Dunlap's demise was a welcome relief.
"Even members of his own family--long estranged from the man--seemed ebullient. Upon hearing the news of his father's sacking on CNBC at 6:20 a.m. in Seattle, Troy Dunlap chortled. 'I laughed like hell,' says Dunlap's 35-year-old son and only child. 'I'm glad he fell on his ass. I told him Sunbeam would be his Dunkirk.' Dunlap's sister, Denise, his only sibling, heard the news from a friend in New Jersey. Her only thought: 'He got exactly what he deserved.'"
The arrogant history of "turnaround" has already been written in corporate America. Only in a place like Chicago could such bad old ideas be brushed off and hyped again in both the corporate media and in a gullible press. Remember the Labor Day 2007 series in the Chicago Tribune hyping the "Sherman School of Excellence" after it had been in AUSL's hands for only one year? Typical, also, of the way the Tribune covered Al Dunlap until he destroyed Sunbeam, once one of Chicago's top companies, and cost Sunbeam shareholders billions of dollars.
These corporate models are generally inappropriate for something as complex as teaching in the inner city, and all the hype and mythologizing won't change any of that. Sadly, now, the teachers from AUSL, most of whom have their hearts in the right place, are being forced to dance on the graves of the teachers from Sherman, Harvard, Orr, Howe and Morton.
Isn't it about time that some of the AUSL cadre came out of the closet and told the truth, week by week and lie by lie?
Like most of the corporate fairy tales of the Age of Greed, the "turnaround" stuff is mostly fiction with a lot of arrogant and really cruel bullying thrown in. That's been Chicago's public schools "business model" for more than a decade, but now that Chicago is promoting the "turnaround" fraud at the expense of the teachers in the victim schools and at the expense of the teachers in AUSL itself, isn't it time somebody told the truth about the public education iteration of this nonsense?
When the first generation of "turnaround experts" crashed and burned ten years ago, it was good reporters from the business press that dragged out the truth. The puffery had long dominated, but finally the fact matters.
Consider how Business Week, July 6, 1998, recounted what happened after the Board of Directors at Sunbeam began to question "Chainsaw Al Dunlap" about the way he was "turning around" Sunbeam:
"In four days [after the tumultuous directors' meeting where Dunlap walked out], however, the directors voted to fire the man who has made a phenomenal business career out of firing others. Rarely does anyone express joy at another's misfortune, but Dunlap's ouster elicited unrestrained glee from many quarters.
"Former employees who had been victims of his legendary chainsaw nearly danced in the streets of Coshatta, La., where Dunlap shuttered a plant. Says David M. Friedson, CEO of Windmere-Durable Holdings Inc.(WND), a competitor of Sunbeam: ''He is the logical extreme of an executive who has no values, no honor, no loyalty, and no ethics. And yet he was held up as a corporate god in our culture. It greatly bothered me.'
"Other chief executives, many of whom considered him an extremist, agreed that Dunlap's demise was a welcome relief.
"Even members of his own family--long estranged from the man--seemed ebullient. Upon hearing the news of his father's sacking on CNBC at 6:20 a.m. in Seattle, Troy Dunlap chortled. 'I laughed like hell,' says Dunlap's 35-year-old son and only child. 'I'm glad he fell on his ass. I told him Sunbeam would be his Dunkirk.' Dunlap's sister, Denise, his only sibling, heard the news from a friend in New Jersey. Her only thought: 'He got exactly what he deserved.'"
The arrogant history of "turnaround" has already been written in corporate America. Only in a place like Chicago could such bad old ideas be brushed off and hyped again in both the corporate media and in a gullible press. Remember the Labor Day 2007 series in the Chicago Tribune hyping the "Sherman School of Excellence" after it had been in AUSL's hands for only one year? Typical, also, of the way the Tribune covered Al Dunlap until he destroyed Sunbeam, once one of Chicago's top companies, and cost Sunbeam shareholders billions of dollars.
These corporate models are generally inappropriate for something as complex as teaching in the inner city, and all the hype and mythologizing won't change any of that. Sadly, now, the teachers from AUSL, most of whom have their hearts in the right place, are being forced to dance on the graves of the teachers from Sherman, Harvard, Orr, Howe and Morton.
Isn't it about time that some of the AUSL cadre came out of the closet and told the truth, week by week and lie by lie?
Tue May 13, 2008 at 4:45 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
It sounds like AUSL makes everyone involved with it too scared to ever talk, or come out with the truth. Money and reputation are held over everyone's heads, so I wish you luck in getting to the down and dirty.
Tue May 13, 2008 at 5:22 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
AUSL sounds like Scientology. Any couch-jummpers care to comment???
Tue May 13, 2008 at 5:40 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Well you are right former AUSL Sherman teachers are scared to talk. Trashing the school will in turn get you trashed when you apply for a new teaching position. Several current Sherman teachers are packing it in at the end of the school year, I know one and he has told me of several others.
This teacher had very limited experience before Sherman, was progressive and meant well by his students from what I can tell. By this point in the year I am hearing things from this teacher like "these children are not teachable." "I am so completely burned out." I really wonder whether he will actually ever teach again.
This teacher had very limited experience before Sherman, was progressive and meant well by his students from what I can tell. By this point in the year I am hearing things from this teacher like "these children are not teachable." "I am so completely burned out." I really wonder whether he will actually ever teach again.
Tue May 13, 2008 at 5:52 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
It is ironic that I am reading this tonight. I have an interview at one of the new AUSL schools tomorrow for next year. I am really starting to rethink about accepting the position. Another question: Will I lose my tenure, benefits, etc. if I were to work at an AUSL school?
Tue May 13, 2008 at 6:48 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Funny isn't it that when we are blogging on real issues that effect our communities the hacks stay away.
Oh we know you have nothing you can say about the charters because you all support the charter expansion.
Just you play like you what to organize charters and bring in union charters.
What a real union would do that did not sell its members out.
1. STOP ALL CHARTER EXPANSION IMMEDIATELY!
2. Close down all existing charters.
3. All schools within the city limits are to be open enrollment union schools that serve all stakeholders.
Just like in the suburbs. How come suburbs can have one high school and they serve all the students that go to that one school?
Why because they have to. The people do not allow their children to be used a lab rats and let their tax dollars go to waste so easily.
Oh we know you have nothing you can say about the charters because you all support the charter expansion.
Just you play like you what to organize charters and bring in union charters.
What a real union would do that did not sell its members out.
1. STOP ALL CHARTER EXPANSION IMMEDIATELY!
2. Close down all existing charters.
3. All schools within the city limits are to be open enrollment union schools that serve all stakeholders.
Just like in the suburbs. How come suburbs can have one high school and they serve all the students that go to that one school?
Why because they have to. The people do not allow their children to be used a lab rats and let their tax dollars go to waste so easily.
Tue May 13, 2008 at 10:08 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
At least that was true a while back. I met the union delegate at Chicago Academy (elementary) some years ago.
If someone has more recent information on this, please share, especially to correct me if I'm wrong.
If someone has more recent information on this, please share, especially to correct me if I'm wrong.
Tue May 13, 2008 at 11:06 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Before you could ever talk about AUSL, you need to fix that organization you call a union. I am an AUSL teacher in my 2nd year and I applaud them for staying the course. You idiots allowed your schools to be closed and blame AUSL for doing something your dumb a s s couldn't do. Clean your own house before looking into ours.
Tue May 13, 2008 at 11:10 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Is an AUSL resident still in training or have they graduated? Are they MA prepared or BS?
Tue May 13, 2008 at 11:15 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Mon May 12, 2008 at 9:18 PMBy: Too bad
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
I worked with a few AUSL teachers for a year. They were arrogant, and assumed that veteran teachers had no idea how to teach. I have little sympathy for them.
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
I worked with a few AUSL teachers for a year. They were arrogant, and assumed that veteran teachers had no idea how to teach. I have little sympathy for them.
Tue May 13, 2008 at 11:26 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Is AUSL a not for profit?
Tue May 13, 2008 at 11:26 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
You can check out their site for more info... but a "resident" is a college graduate who spends a year training with a mentor teacher while pursuing a masters and certification.
Tue May 13, 2008 at 11:29 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Yes AUSL is a non profit organization...
And as for this:
By: maybe this post is right AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds? Mon May 12, 2008 at 9:18 PMBy: Too bad
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
I worked with a few AUSL teachers for a year. They were arrogant, and assumed that veteran teachers had no idea how to teach. I have little sympathy for them.
.... I would have to say that this only represents a small number of graduates from AUSL, as with any profession or organization.
And as for this:
By: maybe this post is right AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds? Mon May 12, 2008 at 9:18 PMBy: Too bad
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
I worked with a few AUSL teachers for a year. They were arrogant, and assumed that veteran teachers had no idea how to teach. I have little sympathy for them.
.... I would have to say that this only represents a small number of graduates from AUSL, as with any profession or organization.
Fri May 16, 2008 at 10:54 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Cry me a river.....so give back the 32,000 and the MAT and move on!
Fri May 16, 2008 at 12:27 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
There is a justice...wait and see..Latin school lost already
Fri May 16, 2008 at 2:38 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
With the Latin school precedent.
It is now time to mobilize legal activism by systematically acting the legitimacy of charters being given public buildings and public money for private use.
Have to start testing the waters and flood the halls of justice with the right of the people to ownership of the education of our children.
http://coalitionsdu.org
Our goal is to refocus the unions direction on that of protecting its membership while enhancing its profession.
It is now time to mobilize legal activism by systematically acting the legitimacy of charters being given public buildings and public money for private use.
Have to start testing the waters and flood the halls of justice with the right of the people to ownership of the education of our children.
http://coalitionsdu.org
Our goal is to refocus the unions direction on that of protecting its membership while enhancing its profession.
Fri May 16, 2008 at 3:56 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Board Action 08-0326-PO1 adopted March 28, 2008, ADOPT A CHARTER SCHOOL CAPITAL AND FACILITY BUDGET POLICY: "Pursuant to 105 ILCS 5/27A-5, Charter Schools may negotiate or contract with a school district for."(i) the use of a school building and grounds or any other real property or facilities that the charter school desires to use or convert for use as a charter school site; and (ii) the operation and maintenance thereof". Under this statute "a school district may charge a charter school reasonable rent for the use of the district's buildings, grounds and facilities." This policy is guided by two essential goals for providing schools support: (1) An interest in providing capital and other financial assistance to Charter Schools; and (2) Strategic planning for the allocation of Board physical and budgetary resources. LEGAL REFERENCES: Illinois Charter Schools Law, Illinois School Code, 105 ILCS 5/27A.
Fri May 16, 2008 at 4:12 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
the law might be illegal.
hey an illegal law.
wow to opposites now I know why I went to school.
hey an illegal law.
wow to opposites now I know why I went to school.
Sun May 18, 2008 at 1:26 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
this is Chicago!
machine politics that began with Daley Sr., continue today.
Unfortunately it all has very little to do with education and everything to do with politics.
for those interested in applying with ausl...DONT
unless you consider yourself a "yes man"
If you have a mind of your own and have a tendency to speak out on behalf of what's right, stay away...they will fire you eventually.
They can lure you in, get you pumped up about CHANGE, but all they want to do is turn schools into corporations ( and you know how much corporations care about their employers, regardless of how hard they work, or how much they give up in order to live up to standards)
From someone who was inside and is now outside...take my advice and stay away from ausl, it is just not worth it! I do not speak out of anger or spite, simply as a human being who gave everything only to get nothing. I would give anything to keep others from feeling how they have made me feel!
machine politics that began with Daley Sr., continue today.
Unfortunately it all has very little to do with education and everything to do with politics.
for those interested in applying with ausl...DONT
unless you consider yourself a "yes man"
If you have a mind of your own and have a tendency to speak out on behalf of what's right, stay away...they will fire you eventually.
They can lure you in, get you pumped up about CHANGE, but all they want to do is turn schools into corporations ( and you know how much corporations care about their employers, regardless of how hard they work, or how much they give up in order to live up to standards)
From someone who was inside and is now outside...take my advice and stay away from ausl, it is just not worth it! I do not speak out of anger or spite, simply as a human being who gave everything only to get nothing. I would give anything to keep others from feeling how they have made me feel!
Sun May 18, 2008 at 2:39 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
sounds almost exactly the same as traditional public schools when the principal has it in for you. the only difference might be a union rep on your side.
isn't a turnaround school still part of the chicago teachers union?
isn't a turnaround school still part of the chicago teachers union?
Sun May 18, 2008 at 3:31 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
I am an AUSL resident and no one is being forced to work in a turnaround. When applicants apply, they know about the mission of AUSL. Taking on the most critically ill schools. Something CTU or CPS failed to do. The residents understand that they will more than likely work in turnarounds. That's what we do. If a residents decides that they don't want this, give back the stipend and move on. It's that easy.
I would never want to work with someone who wants to walk the easy path. Our children deserve better. And to set the record straight, all AUSL schools are staffed 100% with card carrying members.
I would never want to work with someone who wants to walk the easy path. Our children deserve better. And to set the record straight, all AUSL schools are staffed 100% with card carrying members.
Sun May 18, 2008 at 3:50 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
recent graduate
sounds like you all have a lot of energy and new ideas plus the dedication to make change.
give me an email if you or anyone else wants to get involved to fix the union.
you can stay anonymous if you would like. I do not share any contact information.
csdu@live.com
sounds like you all have a lot of energy and new ideas plus the dedication to make change.
give me an email if you or anyone else wants to get involved to fix the union.
you can stay anonymous if you would like. I do not share any contact information.
csdu@live.com
Sun May 18, 2008 at 5:06 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Is it true that turnaround schools managed by the AUSL are CONTRACT schools?
Is it true that you must waive contractual(CTU) rights in order to be hired?
Is it true that current AUSL administrators are not qualified to be placed on the CPS principal's eligibility list because of lack of education?
Is it true that they never obtained the REGULAR IL type 75 certificates(General Administrative endosement)
Is it true that it is illegal for private parties to own/use a public land?
Is it true that you must waive contractual(CTU) rights in order to be hired?
Is it true that current AUSL administrators are not qualified to be placed on the CPS principal's eligibility list because of lack of education?
Is it true that they never obtained the REGULAR IL type 75 certificates(General Administrative endosement)
Is it true that it is illegal for private parties to own/use a public land?
Sun May 18, 2008 at 5:14 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
The three schools AUSL is currently dumping the staff from (Howe, Morton, and Orr) are being "reconstituted" this year. Although "Turnaround" was the buzz word (and has become yet another expensive dysfunctional department at Arne's CPS), the actual Board vote was to "reconstitute" those schools (and the three on the South Side that are supposed to be turnarounded by some outfit from Virginia).
The whole thing's a sham, with nothing but raw power and silly public relations puffery to back it up. In this town, those two, in combination, are enough to screw any group of teachers and screw up any school. To pretend that AUSL can bring in a group of hyper caffeinated FNGs to "save" a ghetto school with some patented snake oil outside stuff is only possible in the brainwashed version of reality that's passed along as school reform here.
AUSL can't even keep its own house in order on Austin Blvd. without massive corporate and public subsidies. Anyone who is willing to follow their other properties -- dollar for dollar over time -- will see the same shammery. Marketing and hype.
The whole thing's a sham, with nothing but raw power and silly public relations puffery to back it up. In this town, those two, in combination, are enough to screw any group of teachers and screw up any school. To pretend that AUSL can bring in a group of hyper caffeinated FNGs to "save" a ghetto school with some patented snake oil outside stuff is only possible in the brainwashed version of reality that's passed along as school reform here.
AUSL can't even keep its own house in order on Austin Blvd. without massive corporate and public subsidies. Anyone who is willing to follow their other properties -- dollar for dollar over time -- will see the same shammery. Marketing and hype.
Sun May 18, 2008 at 5:53 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Let me answer the questions that I do know tha answers to:
Is it true that turnaround schools managed by the AUSL are CONTRACT schools? All AUSL schools are Performance Schools.
Is it true that you must waive contractual(CTU) rights in order to be hired? There is no truth to this statement. All AUSL schools have 100% union membership.
Is it true that current AUSL administrators are not qualified to be placed on the CPS principal's eligibility list because of lack of education? Not true. Name them.
Is it true that they never obtained the REGULAR IL type 75 certificates(General Administrative endosement) Whats a irregular Type 75. All our principals have a Type 75 and on the Principals List.
Is it true that it is illegal for private parties to own/use a public land? I don't know this one.
Is it true that turnaround schools managed by the AUSL are CONTRACT schools? All AUSL schools are Performance Schools.
Is it true that you must waive contractual(CTU) rights in order to be hired? There is no truth to this statement. All AUSL schools have 100% union membership.
Is it true that current AUSL administrators are not qualified to be placed on the CPS principal's eligibility list because of lack of education? Not true. Name them.
Is it true that they never obtained the REGULAR IL type 75 certificates(General Administrative endosement) Whats a irregular Type 75. All our principals have a Type 75 and on the Principals List.
Is it true that it is illegal for private parties to own/use a public land? I don't know this one.
Sun May 18, 2008 at 9:42 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Thank you for your info.
1.Not regular type 75 is an alternative way to obtain ALTERNATIVE administrative certificate.
Interview
Second interview
couple weeks of training
residency as a "resident principal"(see Fenger)
than placement in school
How about Mr Pool the former resident principal at Fenger?
Where is he now?
1.Not regular type 75 is an alternative way to obtain ALTERNATIVE administrative certificate.
Interview
Second interview
couple weeks of training
residency as a "resident principal"(see Fenger)
than placement in school
How about Mr Pool the former resident principal at Fenger?
Where is he now?
Mon May 19, 2008 at 8:41 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
He is the new principal of Orr......
Mon May 19, 2008 at 9:33 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
According to the Chicago Public Schools "Principal Eligibility List" prepared by the Office of Principal Preparation and Developement, Lionel E. Allen, Principal of Sherman School of Excellence and Mr. Poole, new Principal of Orr High School, THEY ARE NOT ON THE LIST! P.S.- "only OPPD can officially verify a candidate eligibility"!
Mon May 19, 2008 at 11:40 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
I agree with where is the CTU - All charter schools need to be closed immediately - anyone in the legislature who voted for them needs to receive 0 dollars from CTU. CTU needs to go on strike to stop the madness any further, but since they have so much at stake (all their goodies and perks that no teacher gets, AUSL or not) we won't see anything like that until we get real unionists and not political hacks.
Tue May 20, 2008 at 7:48 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
According to the Chicago Public Schools "Principal Eligibility List-2007", prepared by the Office of Principal Preparation and Development, there are 651 people on this list. THESE CHARTER SCHOOL PRINCIPALS ARE NOT ON THIS LIST!!!!!!!!!! 1.Terri Milsap-ACT, 2.Geri Harston-ACE, 3.Jose Velazquez-Aspira Haugan, 4.Michael Neis-Catalyst, 5.Anthony Chalmers-CICS Avalon, 6.Gloria Hall-CICS Basil, 7.Eboni Wilson-CICS Ellison, 8.Robert Lang-CICS Longwood, 9.Loren Stillwell-CICS Norttown, 10.Aisha Strong-CICS Prairie, 11.Kristin Baldino-CICS West Belden, 12.Eva Wilson-CICS Wrightwood, 13.Salim Ucan-CMSA, 14.Jeanne Busch-Chicago Virtual, 15.Elaine Mosley-DuSable Leadership, 16.Jane Montes-Erie Elem., 17.Michael Lane-GalapagosElem., 18.Jim O'Conner-KIPP Ascend, 19.Courtney Francis-LEARN, 20.Lisa Kenner-Legacy, 21.Lennie Jones-Alvain Locke, 22.Allison Slade-Namaste, 23.William Olsen-Noble Street, 24.Eric Thomas-Noble Street Rauner, 25.Joseph Tenbusch-Noble Street Rowe, 26.Robert Karpinski-North Lawndale, 27.Sally Ewing-Passages, 28.Traci Wright-Perspectives Loop, 29.Glennese Ray-Perspectives Calumet, 30.Tony Pajakowski-Perspectives Calumet Tech, 31.Tamara Davis-Perspectives Middle, 32.Tracy Kwock-Polaris, 33.Angela Johnson-Providence Englewood, 34.Makita Kheperu-Betty Shabazz, 35.Soyini Walton-Barbara Sizemore, 36.Nicole Woodard-UOC Donoghue, 37. Stacy Beardsley-UOC North Kenwood, 38.Barbara Cook-UOC Woodlawn, 39.Catherine Rich-UNO las Casas, 40.Thomas Dennean-UNO Fuentes, 41.Vanessa McNorton-UNO Paz, 42.Dan Goodwin-UNO Paz, 43.Anik Zapini-UNO Marquez, 44.Lori Sweeney-UNO Tamayo, 45.Dennis Lacewell-Urban Prep Englewood, 46.Margaret Small-Young Women Leadership and 47.Shelia Venson-Youth connection. P.S.-"ONLY OPPD CAN OFFICIALLY VERIFY A CANDIDATE ELIGIBILITY."
Tue May 20, 2008 at 12:28 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
According to administrators at the Austin PolyTech school, AUSL fought them tooth and nail when they attempted to hire AUSL residents for 2008-2009. It was only when CPS legal intervened that AUSL relented, but up until that point they were very hostile and antagonistic. This is the same outfit that the CTU has accepted advertisements for in the Chicago Union Teacher.
While AUSL schools are technically "union" they are responsible for maligning the reputation of veteran teachers throughout the system and promoting phony miracles like Sherman. A group of teachers are trying to challenge the school closings, privatization and expansion of charters. Please get involved - email teachersunitedinaction@gmail.com
While AUSL schools are technically "union" they are responsible for maligning the reputation of veteran teachers throughout the system and promoting phony miracles like Sherman. A group of teachers are trying to challenge the school closings, privatization and expansion of charters. Please get involved - email teachersunitedinaction@gmail.com
Tue May 20, 2008 at 12:28 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
According to administrators at the Austin PolyTech school, AUSL fought them tooth and nail when they attempted to hire AUSL residents for 2008-2009. It was only when CPS legal intervened that AUSL relented, but up until that point they were very hostile and antagonistic. This is the same outfit that the CTU has accepted advertisements for in the Chicago Union Teacher.
While AUSL schools are technically "union" they are responsible for maligning the reputation of veteran teachers throughout the system and promoting phony miracles like Sherman. A group of teachers are trying to challenge the school closings, privatization and expansion of charters. Please get involved - email teachersunitedinaction@gmail.com
While AUSL schools are technically "union" they are responsible for maligning the reputation of veteran teachers throughout the system and promoting phony miracles like Sherman. A group of teachers are trying to challenge the school closings, privatization and expansion of charters. Please get involved - email teachersunitedinaction@gmail.com
Tue May 20, 2008 at 4:32 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
PEOPLE....AUSL IS NOT A CHARTER SCHOOL!!!!!!! So all of you anti-charter school bloggers need to understand that. AUSL runs CPS PUBLIC schools with 100% CTU members.
Tue May 20, 2008 at 4:41 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
You are right .The AUSL is a typical CONTRACT concept.They have a very bad reputation in term of:1.Non qualified administrators
2.For treating their own people as a s.....t.
Use them and dispose.Exactly.Contact people from Chicago Academy and Orr.
Union members are forced to waive their contractual right as a condition for employment.As you know it is too late to vote for any waiver...but.....
So Get It Right Ni..k C..la nasty fella
2.For treating their own people as a s.....t.
Use them and dispose.Exactly.Contact people from Chicago Academy and Orr.
Union members are forced to waive their contractual right as a condition for employment.As you know it is too late to vote for any waiver...but.....
So Get It Right Ni..k C..la nasty fella
Tue May 20, 2008 at 8:46 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Dear Get It right, my first comment shows the AUSL (contract or performance schools) principals who are not on the "Principal Eligibility List-2007", according to the Office of Principal Preparation and Development. My second comment shows the charter school principals who are not on the "Principal Eligibility List-2007", according to the Office of Principal Preparation and Development. YOU SAID NAME THEM!!!!!!! Have a nice night.
Wed May 21, 2008 at 5:21 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
The root of AUSL go all the way back to Mike Koldyke's days as head of the Chicago School Finance Authority (which also became the Chicago School Reform Authority). Among other blessings to Chicago, Koldyke had Chester Finn paid to be the chief "school reform" consultant during the years running up to the imposition of Mayoral Control. AUSL is firmly a part of that tradition. Anyone want to share what it's like being a "union" delegate at the Academy or at Dodge, Sherman or Harvard?
These people are privatizers and free market nut cases. The fact that they get a partial blessing from some of the brain dead in the current leadership of the CTU doesn't change any of that. They are anti union free market and "choice" (always, that in quotation marks) of the lowest but most well heeled order.
These people are privatizers and free market nut cases. The fact that they get a partial blessing from some of the brain dead in the current leadership of the CTU doesn't change any of that. They are anti union free market and "choice" (always, that in quotation marks) of the lowest but most well heeled order.
Thu May 22, 2008 at 7:58 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Is it true that principals at Orr and Sherman are not on the Principal Eligibility List due to lack of education?
Thu May 22, 2008 at 7:38 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
I hear they only have GED's. Be smarter than this folks. You have bigger fish to fry.
Thu May 22, 2008 at 8:21 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
The new Principal at Orr went through the New Leaders for New Schools program...
Thu May 22, 2008 at 10:17 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Charter School principals are not required to be on that long irrelevant list. Your name on a list does not qualify you to lead a school The charter school principals that I know have a type 75.
Thu May 22, 2008 at 10:21 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
More details about the program...interview,2nd interview weeks of training during the summer break,resident principal at Fenger(check the report card)and now the principal at Orr..does not qualified to be placed on the eligibility list,
At the same time fully qualified ,experienced people can not find a job...not funny
At the same time fully qualified ,experienced people can not find a job...not funny
Fri May 23, 2008 at 6:14 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Mr.Poole is not the principal of Orr. He is the principal in planning for Orr. He will not officially lead Orr until July 1, 2008. The principal in planning is not required to be on the list. Additionally, please know that everyone on the list is not qualified to lead a school. If a qualified person who has all this vast experience can't find a job, it's possible they haven't connected with the right opportunity.
Fri May 23, 2008 at 6:24 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
The principal in planning was able to have a public expose at Orr ,criticizing current staff openly in the presence of students and employees.Also,he actively recruits his own teams regardless.
Do you think he attempts to be placed on the list before July ?
Do you think he attempts to be placed on the list before July ?
Fri May 23, 2008 at 6:50 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
He will be on the list soon. He should be recruiting his own team for next year. Everyone at Orr had the opportunity to reapply for a position there.
Fri May 23, 2008 at 7:11 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
It is not quite true.The CTU activists were rejected without the interview.Some people who advocated for AUSL(!) received the rejection letters.It is not a good impression.Betrayal is not a honest practice.
Fri May 23, 2008 at 5:53 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
I never said they interviewed. They were given the opportunity. Resume submission is an opportunity. I will work at Orr next year. I am glad that some of the people who work with me now will not be here with me. Some are truly awful.
Fri May 23, 2008 at 6:08 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
According to the Office Of Principal Preparation And Development aspiring candidates to become principals in the Chicago Public Schools MUST COMPLETE THIS PROCESS!: Step 1- Application, Step 2- Online writing assessment, Step 3-CPS Principal Competencies Portfolio, Step 4- Board Policy Exam, Step 5-Oral interview, and Step 6- Eligible for CPS. "When a candidate meets the standard of each requirement in the CPS principal eligibility process, his/her name is posted on the CPS Principal Eligibility List available on this site's home page. The aspiring principal can then apply for CPS principal positions." P.S.- LSC'S CAN ONLY HIRE PRINCIPALS WHO ARE ON THE PRINCIPAL ELIGIBILITY LIST!!!!!!!!!!
Fri May 23, 2008 at 7:06 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Hm..unusual..People at Orr are known as friendly and helpful.Some of them are very surprised that betrayal is an accepted method of manipulation..by the way AUSL teachers are very well known as arrogants..you never know whom do you work with......but again ..life is a circle...maybe you are going to cry when get kicked by people you trust .
Fri May 23, 2008 at 7:14 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
All of us are very happy not to be with you....You need specialized services .You will not be able to repair your personality....unfortunately.Enjoy..we prefer to be with ours families or loved ones.You are alone..Truly alone..
Fri May 23, 2008 at 7:18 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
I know..I am alone ,getting older and gain weight..thats why I am nasty..
Fri May 23, 2008 at 7:29 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Yes.Thank you for info.At this point the process will be simple.
1.Application -I will be able to do that on my own I hope
2.Writing assessment-No problem the reading teacher is looking for a job.
3.Portfolio-no problem with a little help of my friends..
4.Board Policy Exam..hmm.I am recommended therefore...
5.Oral interview-piece of the cake..I know my name can spell it.
6I am already eligible So what?
1.Application -I will be able to do that on my own I hope
2.Writing assessment-No problem the reading teacher is looking for a job.
3.Portfolio-no problem with a little help of my friends..
4.Board Policy Exam..hmm.I am recommended therefore...
5.Oral interview-piece of the cake..I know my name can spell it.
6I am already eligible So what?
Fri May 23, 2008 at 7:43 PM
To Retired Principal AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Thank heavens you are retired. Our children did so poorly under your leadership for years. You bark at the same process your l a m e a s s could never get through. To all of you at Orr who would rather not be with me. Thank you for moving on and making room for talent. Did I say unemployed. Ha Ha Ha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sat May 24, 2008 at 4:30 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
You are demonstrating high amount of hate toward your brothers and sisters.I told you before the life is a circle.
Watch out when you are going to be unemployed-you are only a small part in the machine.You will be gone sooner than you think .
Watch out when you are going to be unemployed-you are only a small part in the machine.You will be gone sooner than you think .
Sat May 24, 2008 at 7:41 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Well it's obvious that you need some counseling. Many teachers at Orr have been hard working professionals who have been unfairly characterized by our a-hole Mayor, unfairly treated by his twin chimps Arne and Rufus, and completely sabotaged by small school administrations that were unfocused, incompetent, and unorganized. Another nail in our coffin was supplied by our non-existent Union, which managed to give us a lame contract and DO NOTHING to stop the plans by Dr.Evil (Lil Richie) and Mini Me (Marilyn “I don’t care about you-I’m in Power for another 3 years!”)
Many of us have families to support-now normally I think I would be really pissed off by your comments, but I realize the HELL that Orr will turn into next year and simply laugh at your predicament. If you really believe that Poole is going to bring in 80 to 90 brand new teachers and have them able to handle the students is beyond laughable, you and your future colleagues will have little or no effect in turning Orr around. Maybe it will be difficult for me to find a new job-I will (hopefully out of CPS). However, you will be stuck in an unending discipline nightmare. The organizational skills shown by AUSL during the interview process are a grim harbinger of what is going to happen when school starts in September. You can laugh now dickhead....but I will be laughing at you in September!
Many of us have families to support-now normally I think I would be really pissed off by your comments, but I realize the HELL that Orr will turn into next year and simply laugh at your predicament. If you really believe that Poole is going to bring in 80 to 90 brand new teachers and have them able to handle the students is beyond laughable, you and your future colleagues will have little or no effect in turning Orr around. Maybe it will be difficult for me to find a new job-I will (hopefully out of CPS). However, you will be stuck in an unending discipline nightmare. The organizational skills shown by AUSL during the interview process are a grim harbinger of what is going to happen when school starts in September. You can laugh now dickhead....but I will be laughing at you in September!
Sat May 24, 2008 at 8:03 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Orr
Dear airheads missionaries and educational zealots if you think you can save Orr
Good luck. It is so much fun to watch people like you crackup. Just think in a few
Weeks from now practice will be over; you will lock yourselves in a room with the people that need you the most. Forget those old folks who just do not get it. Embrace
all the wonderful theories you learned in alternate assessment class from professors of
education. If you live to be 100 savor the kids, the room , the smells, the grease,
the Pimp Oil. It is all yours. Oh by the way I Have A Bridge in Brooklyn for your
401k to purchase.
Dear airheads missionaries and educational zealots if you think you can save Orr
Good luck. It is so much fun to watch people like you crackup. Just think in a few
Weeks from now practice will be over; you will lock yourselves in a room with the people that need you the most. Forget those old folks who just do not get it. Embrace
all the wonderful theories you learned in alternate assessment class from professors of
education. If you live to be 100 savor the kids, the room , the smells, the grease,
the Pimp Oil. It is all yours. Oh by the way I Have A Bridge in Brooklyn for your
401k to purchase.
Sat May 24, 2008 at 9:29 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Is it true that recently Mr Poole promised job to the gym teacher in exchange for White Sox ticket for himself and his family?
Is it true that the first competent Principal @Orr was reprimanded for trying to advise the new -short cut type administrator(not on the eligibility list)?
Is it true that incompetence ,stupidity and greed is a part of the New Orr Mission Statement?
Is it true that new administrators are mandated to wear white shirts in order to avoid questioning by the anti gang police forces ?
Is it true that old convicted gang members were keynote speakers for kids @Orr recently?
Is it true that the first competent Principal @Orr was reprimanded for trying to advise the new -short cut type administrator(not on the eligibility list)?
Is it true that incompetence ,stupidity and greed is a part of the New Orr Mission Statement?
Is it true that new administrators are mandated to wear white shirts in order to avoid questioning by the anti gang police forces ?
Is it true that old convicted gang members were keynote speakers for kids @Orr recently?
Sat May 24, 2008 at 9:33 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Is it true that Name withdrown..... is being investigated by yhe federal authorities?
Sat May 24, 2008 at 10:39 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Are you kidding me? You were part of the crew that let our school get to this point. I will laugh in September and June. We continue to forget, these are children. While I honor the work most have done, it is immoral to sit back and let a generation of children continue to fail. If we put the needs of the children first, this blog would not even exist. It is a haven for stupid ass comments.
Sat May 24, 2008 at 10:41 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
We recently had Ceasefire come into our school to lecture the students about gang violence. The convicted gang members delivered several lectures on violence prevention, conflict resolution, and to simply inform our students on the dead end street that gang members always fall into.....I was pleased with both the lectures and our students' responses before, during and after the lectures.....
Sat May 24, 2008 at 10:55 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
This is for "Proud to return to Orr".
Are you not part of the same crew? So you are the only teacher who cares about the students? Are you the only teacher who tries every day to engage and motivate your students? Are you the only teacher who has control over your classroom? Laugh now dickhead.....i will have the last laugh....If you really believe that Orr will become a better place-you need therapy. If it does become a real learning community (which I hope it does) it won't be because of your efforts.
Are you not part of the same crew? So you are the only teacher who cares about the students? Are you the only teacher who tries every day to engage and motivate your students? Are you the only teacher who has control over your classroom? Laugh now dickhead.....i will have the last laugh....If you really believe that Orr will become a better place-you need therapy. If it does become a real learning community (which I hope it does) it won't be because of your efforts.
Sat May 24, 2008 at 11:01 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Dear proud to return to Orr
Where to start? What is immoral are the sexual practices of too many Orr students not me. The only Children running around are the offspring of Orr Students. Kids
at Orr must have a ball with some of the airheads and water walkers who teach in
Its venerable halls. Like I said it is a real blast to watch them crackup My personal
Best was the missionary who snapped when she found out the Mother of three kids
She was teaching, and giving $ 20.00 for diapers, was actually making more in aid
Than she was teaching. Perhaps you haven’t noticed but maybe the kids at Orr don’t
Want or need you .Finally if you are so worried about the “ Children “ at Orr
What do you call them after graduation. I bet you will call them Uncle .
Where to start? What is immoral are the sexual practices of too many Orr students not me. The only Children running around are the offspring of Orr Students. Kids
at Orr must have a ball with some of the airheads and water walkers who teach in
Its venerable halls. Like I said it is a real blast to watch them crackup My personal
Best was the missionary who snapped when she found out the Mother of three kids
She was teaching, and giving $ 20.00 for diapers, was actually making more in aid
Than she was teaching. Perhaps you haven’t noticed but maybe the kids at Orr don’t
Want or need you .Finally if you are so worried about the “ Children “ at Orr
What do you call them after graduation. I bet you will call them Uncle .
Sat May 24, 2008 at 11:01 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Dear proud to return to Orr
Where to start? What is immoral are the sexual practices of too many Orr students not me. The only Children running around are the offspring of Orr Students. Kids
at Orr must have a ball with some of the airheads and water walkers who teach in
Its venerable halls. Like I said it is a real blast to watch them crackup My personal
Best was the missionary who snapped when she found out the Mother of three kids
She was teaching, and giving $ 20.00 for diapers, was actually making more in aid
Than she was teaching. Perhaps you haven’t noticed but maybe the kids at Orr don’t
Want or need you .Finally if you are so worried about the “ Children “ at Orr
What do you call them after graduation. I bet you will call them Uncle .
Where to start? What is immoral are the sexual practices of too many Orr students not me. The only Children running around are the offspring of Orr Students. Kids
at Orr must have a ball with some of the airheads and water walkers who teach in
Its venerable halls. Like I said it is a real blast to watch them crackup My personal
Best was the missionary who snapped when she found out the Mother of three kids
She was teaching, and giving $ 20.00 for diapers, was actually making more in aid
Than she was teaching. Perhaps you haven’t noticed but maybe the kids at Orr don’t
Want or need you .Finally if you are so worried about the “ Children “ at Orr
What do you call them after graduation. I bet you will call them Uncle .
Sat May 24, 2008 at 12:34 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Lets just drop this.
I only write this to get you fired up. It's kind of fun. I know you care about your students. I have never stepped foot in Orr and probably never will. If your great union allowed this to happen, you should be upset with them for their lack of fight. AUSL is only taking over the schools they were given. Your folks are to blame for talking a great battle, yet your fight does not match your words. I again am sorry to offend you. I just question your fight.
I only write this to get you fired up. It's kind of fun. I know you care about your students. I have never stepped foot in Orr and probably never will. If your great union allowed this to happen, you should be upset with them for their lack of fight. AUSL is only taking over the schools they were given. Your folks are to blame for talking a great battle, yet your fight does not match your words. I again am sorry to offend you. I just question your fight.
Sat May 24, 2008 at 12:46 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
The situation at Orr, and all over the city of chicago is much bigger than the union. we have a mayor, school board, ceo, and city council who developed a master plan of deprivitization 20 years ago. Now, you are watching it play out. this started when daley took over control of the school system, and placed people in the role of ceo who were not educators. they were business people who saw children and buildings as commadities. staff was a necessary item but weren't treated as such. union busting occurred citywide, not just ctu. united airlines took a major hit. look around this city; look at the changes, the shifting; drive down state street between 35th and 55th. this was the plan. what daley wants daley gets.
Sat May 24, 2008 at 3:02 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Yes
I am not really mad just happy to vent.
I am the Chicago Public Schools for better or worst
What I do not get are the young teachers who somehow
Got the idea inner city service is some kind of ticket
punching rite of passage. It is so sad when one who
Has common sense cracks up we see it coming but are
helpless to stop it. At least they do not suffer alone.
Also the training these NFG alternate certification
People get is not only useless but dangerously naïve.
I am not really mad just happy to vent.
I am the Chicago Public Schools for better or worst
What I do not get are the young teachers who somehow
Got the idea inner city service is some kind of ticket
punching rite of passage. It is so sad when one who
Has common sense cracks up we see it coming but are
helpless to stop it. At least they do not suffer alone.
Also the training these NFG alternate certification
People get is not only useless but dangerously naïve.
Sat May 24, 2008 at 5:13 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Look.The CTU is a 32millions strong organization with the 30 millions budget.
Use the power wisely and definitely you could make a change.
Do not let incompetent and dishonest people run the business.
Would you put a sharp razor in the monkey hands?
Use the power wisely and definitely you could make a change.
Do not let incompetent and dishonest people run the business.
Would you put a sharp razor in the monkey hands?
Sun May 25, 2008 at 5:26 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Hahaha I recognized you...yes ..you know Orr very well...
Sun May 25, 2008 at 9:40 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Have a Happy Holiday intellectually disabled.
Mon May 26, 2008 at 7:24 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
I am here,at Orr and you are fired.Good for you.
Tue May 27, 2008 at 6:06 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Is it true that as a result of the internal disagreement the former Principal @AASTA/Orr get fired?
Wed May 28, 2008 at 12:55 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
I may not know much about AUSL, but it hurts to see teachers bashing noe another on this thread. If a teacher is "truly awful", (a) what does that mean? (b) who is there to mentor, help or remediate said teacher? We should help each other - no one "hit's the ground running" and is an amazing teacher immediately. I know some of you may think you are, but it takes at least 3 years to hit one's stride.
This sniping is beyond counter-productive. Those of you who think a corporate-based education model is best should hope that your "principal" always thinks the best of you. If this model is so fantastic, then why isn't it used at places like New Trier? The Latin School???
While I agree that teaching may not be the field for everyone, there are some people whose talents will be lost because they were never properly mentored and instructed. Others will take their experience in CPS and traipse to the suburbs where they will garner huge wage increases and teach kids who do not "need" them. Either way, in a profession that is primarily solitary, we need each other to make the lives of our students that much better.
Stop the nastiness. No one is a perfect teacher. The school closings are based on the faulty assumption that all children - no matter their issues should perform on high stakes tests uniformly. Children are not widgets - let's get real.
This sniping is beyond counter-productive. Those of you who think a corporate-based education model is best should hope that your "principal" always thinks the best of you. If this model is so fantastic, then why isn't it used at places like New Trier? The Latin School???
While I agree that teaching may not be the field for everyone, there are some people whose talents will be lost because they were never properly mentored and instructed. Others will take their experience in CPS and traipse to the suburbs where they will garner huge wage increases and teach kids who do not "need" them. Either way, in a profession that is primarily solitary, we need each other to make the lives of our students that much better.
Stop the nastiness. No one is a perfect teacher. The school closings are based on the faulty assumption that all children - no matter their issues should perform on high stakes tests uniformly. Children are not widgets - let's get real.
Wed May 28, 2008 at 1:18 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
According to several well placed sources-Mr.Little was let go last week. It's too bad they need his help to turnaround the toxic enviroment. The complete lack of organizational skills that exists within AUSL will destroy both the students and community trust level
and will ensure that the 1st semester will be a nightmare. Too bad so sad....
and will ensure that the 1st semester will be a nightmare. Too bad so sad....
Wed May 28, 2008 at 4:21 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Chris, WHAT HAPPENED TO MR. LITTLE!!!!!!!!!!
Wed May 28, 2008 at 4:35 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Hard to believe.According to unofficial sources Mr.L departure was related to disagreement with the new principal(currently Principal "in planning).
It is very bad for the whole campus .AUSL really needs people experienced working with the existing population.
It is very bad for the whole campus .AUSL really needs people experienced working with the existing population.
Wed May 28, 2008 at 7:47 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
"...The complete lack of organizational skills that exists within AUSL will destroy both the students and community trust level
and will ensure that the 1st semester will be a nightmare. Too bad so sad...." (Tired of Orr, earlier today).
For the next four weeks, we'll be adding to our roster of people who can help us report -- month by month -- the mess that will begin unfolding on July 1 as "Turnaround" begins at Orr, Harper and the four elementary schools. This job will require weekly input, and some ability to call out (cell phone) when the turmoil reaches the point where Pulaski is lined with police vehicles, as will happen.
Why?
The arrogance of the AUSL miracle workers and their political sponsor (Mayor Daley) is about the meet the rubber and road of reality at Orr, Harper, Copernicus, Fulton, Howe, and Morton. The difference between this year and the last couple of iterations of this nonsensical fairy tale (Dodge; Sherman; Harvard) is that just about everyone now has a camera phone and other instant communications -- and we are ready to cover these stories like fresh paint on a wall in Spring.
Please stay in contact. This time, even without organized help from CTU's sellout administration, it will be easily possible to document, month after month, the sheer idiocy of that corporate "model" that AUSL has pushed from the beginning, praxis at ground level.
There will be four layers of sourcing:
1. Students.
2. Former teachers and other former staff.
3. Current staff.
4. Informed outside observers.
Thanks for staying in touch.
It is long overdue that we documented, feature length if necessary, just how ridiculous this entire (and enormously expensive) teacher bashing charade is, and how AUSL and the multi-million dollar corporate largess behind it functions.
A group of FNGs cannot run Orr or Harper unless they are allowed to eliminate 90 percent of the current students and replace them with sheep. They should also be held to holding on to the students they have, and to a full deployment of all of the special education students that have been served by the staff the Board voted to fire because of this Arne Duncan and corporate Chicago fantasy spasm.
and will ensure that the 1st semester will be a nightmare. Too bad so sad...." (Tired of Orr, earlier today).
For the next four weeks, we'll be adding to our roster of people who can help us report -- month by month -- the mess that will begin unfolding on July 1 as "Turnaround" begins at Orr, Harper and the four elementary schools. This job will require weekly input, and some ability to call out (cell phone) when the turmoil reaches the point where Pulaski is lined with police vehicles, as will happen.
Why?
The arrogance of the AUSL miracle workers and their political sponsor (Mayor Daley) is about the meet the rubber and road of reality at Orr, Harper, Copernicus, Fulton, Howe, and Morton. The difference between this year and the last couple of iterations of this nonsensical fairy tale (Dodge; Sherman; Harvard) is that just about everyone now has a camera phone and other instant communications -- and we are ready to cover these stories like fresh paint on a wall in Spring.
Please stay in contact. This time, even without organized help from CTU's sellout administration, it will be easily possible to document, month after month, the sheer idiocy of that corporate "model" that AUSL has pushed from the beginning, praxis at ground level.
There will be four layers of sourcing:
1. Students.
2. Former teachers and other former staff.
3. Current staff.
4. Informed outside observers.
Thanks for staying in touch.
It is long overdue that we documented, feature length if necessary, just how ridiculous this entire (and enormously expensive) teacher bashing charade is, and how AUSL and the multi-million dollar corporate largess behind it functions.
A group of FNGs cannot run Orr or Harper unless they are allowed to eliminate 90 percent of the current students and replace them with sheep. They should also be held to holding on to the students they have, and to a full deployment of all of the special education students that have been served by the staff the Board voted to fire because of this Arne Duncan and corporate Chicago fantasy spasm.
Wed May 28, 2008 at 8:19 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Chris, was the AIO involved?
Wed May 28, 2008 at 8:46 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
I spoke to Mr. Little yesterday and we discussed AUSL and he made no mention of being fired. As a matter of fact, he indicated that he is preparing for the next AUSL school. So someone is lying on the blog again.
Wed May 28, 2008 at 9:27 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
first off, can someone explain who mr. little is and give some background?
second, the method of gathering information that george describes a couple of comments above is what this blog already does -- you see it, you write it, we all share what we know.
that's how we've explored things like the marilyn stewart mess, the craziness at ravenswood and washington, and several other breaking events.
thanks!
-- alexander
second, the method of gathering information that george describes a couple of comments above is what this blog already does -- you see it, you write it, we all share what we know.
that's how we've explored things like the marilyn stewart mess, the craziness at ravenswood and washington, and several other breaking events.
thanks!
-- alexander
Wed May 28, 2008 at 10:49 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Mr. Terrance Little --- former principal of AASTA-Orr.... never originally had "teaching" experience but worked as a school accountant...
While many teachers at Aasta-Orr disliked Mr. Little, AUSL and the new principal decided to keep him around as a Dean...
Supposedly he never listened to teachers' complaints at the school and allowed the security guards to hit students, etc.
Last I knew he was still on. But if he was fired, good riddance.
While many teachers at Aasta-Orr disliked Mr. Little, AUSL and the new principal decided to keep him around as a Dean...
Supposedly he never listened to teachers' complaints at the school and allowed the security guards to hit students, etc.
Last I knew he was still on. But if he was fired, good riddance.
Wed May 28, 2008 at 11:30 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Hello.I do not know if AIO played role.It is very hard to agree that A Non a Mouse is right.Many teachers/staff liked Mr Little because he was the first Principal who was able to establish some amount of organization and structure at AASTA.
I am not aware about his past.As a Union Delegate I had a chance to negotiate with him.He was knowledgeable regarding existing rules and policies -it was the nice part of our conversation.He never jumped on me because of my attempts to protect teachers.
Also,I have no idea who Mr Poole is.For students at AASTA the most important things are structure and follow-up.
Any amount of disorganization will have a sure negative impact on whole school.
I am not aware about his past.As a Union Delegate I had a chance to negotiate with him.He was knowledgeable regarding existing rules and policies -it was the nice part of our conversation.He never jumped on me because of my attempts to protect teachers.
Also,I have no idea who Mr Poole is.For students at AASTA the most important things are structure and follow-up.
Any amount of disorganization will have a sure negative impact on whole school.
Thu May 29, 2008 at 7:57 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Terrance A. Little: 2007-2008- Principal of AASTA, 2004-2007- Assistant Principal/Lead Teacher at BEST High School, 2003-2004- Principal Intern/7th Grade Teacher at Northwest Middle School, 2002-2003- career Specialist at Carver Military/Farragut Career Academy, 2001-2002- Business Education/Computer Teacher at Tilden Career Academy High School, 2000-2001- Principal Intern/Math Teacher at Yazoo City High School.
Thu May 29, 2008 at 8:00 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
hey, retired P --
that's cool. where'd you get that info?
is it available to everyone?
show us the link.
thanks!
-- alexander
that's cool. where'd you get that info?
is it available to everyone?
show us the link.
thanks!
-- alexander
Thu May 29, 2008 at 9:33 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
I really don't understand how Mr. Little could or would let a security member (or any adult for that matter) stike a student. Now, what I will say is that he was the first principal I have ever had that had an idea of how to deal with inner city students. He had no nonsesene approach and always left his door open for any staff members to ask questions.
If you were an experienced teacher you would know Mr. Little had been in the classroom because he really understood how difficult the job was. We saw more progress as a school in the short time he was there than we had seen the entire time AASTA had been open.
Things were actually getting done around the school. It was being cleaned up and starting to look like a real learning institution. I really hope he is staying because if he could move us that quick in a couple of months I would love to see what he could do in a year.
After talking to the BEST High School Staff Members they also echoed how great a leader Mr. Little was. There principal retired and they had a petition out to have Mr. Little return as their principal. Members of the LSC said that the AIO wanted him to stay with AUSL because they really needed his help. So before you go out and bad talk somebody because you might didn't like how he did things on a personal level. Remeber we are professional and as far as that is concerned I will follow Mr. Little anywhere.
If you were an experienced teacher you would know Mr. Little had been in the classroom because he really understood how difficult the job was. We saw more progress as a school in the short time he was there than we had seen the entire time AASTA had been open.
Things were actually getting done around the school. It was being cleaned up and starting to look like a real learning institution. I really hope he is staying because if he could move us that quick in a couple of months I would love to see what he could do in a year.
After talking to the BEST High School Staff Members they also echoed how great a leader Mr. Little was. There principal retired and they had a petition out to have Mr. Little return as their principal. Members of the LSC said that the AIO wanted him to stay with AUSL because they really needed his help. So before you go out and bad talk somebody because you might didn't like how he did things on a personal level. Remeber we are professional and as far as that is concerned I will follow Mr. Little anywhere.
Thu May 29, 2008 at 11:08 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
In 1997, seven high schools were "reconstituted" because of "low" TAP scores. At that time, 188 full-time teachers and principals were forced out of their jobs at those schools. Two years later, the Board of Education successfully fended off a legal challenge to the termination of those teachers and was given a green light by the federal court to fire 137 tenured teachers, most of whom had been dropped from the "reconstituted" high schools. The seven high schools that were reconstituted in July and August 1997 were DuSable, Englewood, Harper, King, Orr, Phillips, and Robeson. Since July 1997, one of the reconstituted high schools (King) has been closed as a general high school and has been converted into a selective enrollment "college prep" high school. In 2000, five high schools were placed on "intervention" because of "low" TAP scores. The high schools that went through intervention in the 2000-2001 school year were Bowen, Collins, DuSable, Orr and South Shore. In a voice vote without discussion on August 22, 2001, the board approved Board report #01-0822-PO1 ("Amended Policy on School Intervention"). The thrust of intervention is that firing bad teachers and principals will improve "failing" schools. Both the new policy and the original policy emphasize the responsibility of the "appointed principal" to oversee intervention to evaluate all teachers and to terminate, reassign or otherwise discipline teachers for the failures at these schools. Arne Duncan claims that the new intervention can attract the best and brightest teachers. During his remarks on August 22, 2001, Duncan repeatedly stated that the new school board intervention plan would attract what he is sometimes calling "world class" teachers to help revitalize the schools that are supposedly failing. According to Duncan the new intervention plan would enable Chicago to bring in teachers with national certification, advanced degrees, and credentials from prestigious schools to assit their colleagues at Bowen, Collins, DuSable, South Shore and Orr!!!!!!!!!! P.S.- THOSE WHO DO NOT KNOW THEIR HISTORY ARE DOOMED TO REPEAT IT!!!!!!!!!!
Thu May 29, 2008 at 10:41 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
My sources must have been wrong... But I was told from an insider that Mr. Little was promising positions to people without taking resumes. I don't know if that was the entire reason of his departure, but it might have caused some problems.
Fri May 30, 2008 at 12:36 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
AUSL is already a mess, only surviving because they can control the marketing silliness they conjure up. Their standard media event is like that media event with the Gates Foundation, Mayor Daley, the alderpeople, and Arne's entourage at Sherman last January. In order to continue promoting their nonsense, they have to keep everyone away from their schools except when they can absolutely control message -- much like the Bush White House.
At the Gates/Daley media event, they had the media bottled up in the "library" of the north building (Sherman has two buildings) and wouldn't let reporters even enter the south building. Why? The south building houses the upper grade students and is still partly out of control, the place where you're likely to hear the "F___" word fired often in anger and find fresh graffiti in the washroom. The Sherman "miracle" couldn't even sustain itself long enough for the Tribune's nonsense last Labor Day weekend. By the time the Tribune did the miracle story at Sherman as "news", their "miracle" teacher had bailed out for an administrative job in Waukeegan ("burnt out" was supposedly why).
And by halfway through this year, AUSL was unravelling at the "top" with problems in its "high school" out here on Austin Ave. (my family and I live in the Portage Park community). AUSL is an almost neighbor. AUSL is also no longer a good neighbor in that huge facility (the old Wright College, at 3400 N. Austin) Mayor Daley gave to Martin Koldyke to protect AUSL from the hard core ghetto,where there was plenty of vacant school space.
Amazingly, as the warm weather continues, AUSL is presenting the quiet community in which its headquarters exists with more and more problems, while schools that have to take the AUSL rejects are doing better on security because they have veteran teachers and administrators with a realistic understanding of the real world of Chicago today. AUSL is a creation of Milton Friedman and Ayn Rand "free market" fanatics and of a touching faith in the management theories of Jack Welch ("Fire at least one out of every five of them after you rank and sort them somehow...").
The whole thing is nuts, but in a controlled totalitarian environment, nuts can build careers and last a long time. Every time he get stumped at a media event, for example, Arne Duncan can nod to Andy Shaw and get five minutes of puff ball "Tell us how great you are and how evil your critics are..." questions.
Did I miss something, or wasn't that AUSL tall guy savior principal from Sherman trying desperately to get back to Oak Park River Forest (as principal!) before Oak Park told him they didn't want any more of his insubstantial hype and hoopla? It was OK for three Page One stories in the Chicago Tribune last September (his BS, now available forever on Google as the "facts"), but somehow the Tribune's Lois Lanes and Clark Kents missed the fact that the guy with the Talking Points and the thousand dollar suits and the Scott McClellan smiles was trying to bail out during those same months his "superteacher" was putting in her resume for Waukeegan.
At the Gates/Daley media event, they had the media bottled up in the "library" of the north building (Sherman has two buildings) and wouldn't let reporters even enter the south building. Why? The south building houses the upper grade students and is still partly out of control, the place where you're likely to hear the "F___" word fired often in anger and find fresh graffiti in the washroom. The Sherman "miracle" couldn't even sustain itself long enough for the Tribune's nonsense last Labor Day weekend. By the time the Tribune did the miracle story at Sherman as "news", their "miracle" teacher had bailed out for an administrative job in Waukeegan ("burnt out" was supposedly why).
And by halfway through this year, AUSL was unravelling at the "top" with problems in its "high school" out here on Austin Ave. (my family and I live in the Portage Park community). AUSL is an almost neighbor. AUSL is also no longer a good neighbor in that huge facility (the old Wright College, at 3400 N. Austin) Mayor Daley gave to Martin Koldyke to protect AUSL from the hard core ghetto,where there was plenty of vacant school space.
Amazingly, as the warm weather continues, AUSL is presenting the quiet community in which its headquarters exists with more and more problems, while schools that have to take the AUSL rejects are doing better on security because they have veteran teachers and administrators with a realistic understanding of the real world of Chicago today. AUSL is a creation of Milton Friedman and Ayn Rand "free market" fanatics and of a touching faith in the management theories of Jack Welch ("Fire at least one out of every five of them after you rank and sort them somehow...").
The whole thing is nuts, but in a controlled totalitarian environment, nuts can build careers and last a long time. Every time he get stumped at a media event, for example, Arne Duncan can nod to Andy Shaw and get five minutes of puff ball "Tell us how great you are and how evil your critics are..." questions.
Did I miss something, or wasn't that AUSL tall guy savior principal from Sherman trying desperately to get back to Oak Park River Forest (as principal!) before Oak Park told him they didn't want any more of his insubstantial hype and hoopla? It was OK for three Page One stories in the Chicago Tribune last September (his BS, now available forever on Google as the "facts"), but somehow the Tribune's Lois Lanes and Clark Kents missed the fact that the guy with the Talking Points and the thousand dollar suits and the Scott McClellan smiles was trying to bail out during those same months his "superteacher" was putting in her resume for Waukeegan.
Fri May 30, 2008 at 9:42 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Once again A Non E Mouse your sources must have gotten it wrong. All you have to do is open your eyes and stop letting you personal feelings show through your words. I was selected by AUSL to become a teacher next year and I also went through the interviewing process.
I would ask Mr. Little from time to time what was going on (due to the lack of professionalism that was being displayed by the other administrators) and he would always answer by saying "don't worry about it". I have also witnessed him telling other people this as well. It seemed to me as though he was just trying to cover up the mess and confusion that was displayed by The New Orr Administration.
What you had was a veteran principal (who I must say "knew what he was doing") and a novice principal disagreeing on things. Now, at this point I have no idea of what exactly was said nor would I even ask but I will say Mr. Little must be very valuable if AUSL still wants to keep him.
My question to Mr. Poole would be why you would not want a person of Mr. Little caliber. He took AASTA (which was out of control and in a devastating situation) and made something out of it in his short time there.
We received new books for the students, created new classrooms (which was originally storage spaces), simplified the teachers schedule, purchased new computers, and the list goes on and on. Once again I must say he did all of this in 5 months.
The culture and climate of the school sky rocketed up. Teachers and students knew that they were going to be accountable for things that didn't contribute to our new found educational climate.
You are sitting there bashing a person who came over to Orr and has done a fabulous job (not to mention his last school had a petition to bring him back as a Principal). He was the hardest working principal I had ever worked with.
Now why don't you look at Mr. Poole resume and tell me what has he done so far? Go over and talk to the Fenger teachers and ask questions. As a matter of fact, ask Mr. Poole questions and see what responses you get. I am a veteran teacher and I know the difference between somebody selling me a dream and a person who "has been there done that".
I really just want what is best for our kids. If you see Mr. Little in the building and see how the kids respond and respect him you would really understand.
At this point, all I have gotten from Mr. Poole is disorganization and speeches. You must understand the interviewing process for Orr was held at Orr by Mr. Poole's team not AUSL. So, lets start digging into the person who is going to lead Orr into the future and not was seems to already be a disappointing past.
When you ask Mr. Poole any question of substance he just looks at you with blank face. I have gone to several of his speeches about the New Orr and all I hear is talk about the band, choir, and football team. I am just trying to figure out at this point who is focusing on the educational needs of our students. I decided to stay because I could see great things in Mr. Little and as I stated before AASTA moved more in the 5 months he was here than an any school I have ever worked at.
Now, if Mr. Little is not staying at Orr it is time for me to start rethinking my commitment.
I would ask Mr. Little from time to time what was going on (due to the lack of professionalism that was being displayed by the other administrators) and he would always answer by saying "don't worry about it". I have also witnessed him telling other people this as well. It seemed to me as though he was just trying to cover up the mess and confusion that was displayed by The New Orr Administration.
What you had was a veteran principal (who I must say "knew what he was doing") and a novice principal disagreeing on things. Now, at this point I have no idea of what exactly was said nor would I even ask but I will say Mr. Little must be very valuable if AUSL still wants to keep him.
My question to Mr. Poole would be why you would not want a person of Mr. Little caliber. He took AASTA (which was out of control and in a devastating situation) and made something out of it in his short time there.
We received new books for the students, created new classrooms (which was originally storage spaces), simplified the teachers schedule, purchased new computers, and the list goes on and on. Once again I must say he did all of this in 5 months.
The culture and climate of the school sky rocketed up. Teachers and students knew that they were going to be accountable for things that didn't contribute to our new found educational climate.
You are sitting there bashing a person who came over to Orr and has done a fabulous job (not to mention his last school had a petition to bring him back as a Principal). He was the hardest working principal I had ever worked with.
Now why don't you look at Mr. Poole resume and tell me what has he done so far? Go over and talk to the Fenger teachers and ask questions. As a matter of fact, ask Mr. Poole questions and see what responses you get. I am a veteran teacher and I know the difference between somebody selling me a dream and a person who "has been there done that".
I really just want what is best for our kids. If you see Mr. Little in the building and see how the kids respond and respect him you would really understand.
At this point, all I have gotten from Mr. Poole is disorganization and speeches. You must understand the interviewing process for Orr was held at Orr by Mr. Poole's team not AUSL. So, lets start digging into the person who is going to lead Orr into the future and not was seems to already be a disappointing past.
When you ask Mr. Poole any question of substance he just looks at you with blank face. I have gone to several of his speeches about the New Orr and all I hear is talk about the band, choir, and football team. I am just trying to figure out at this point who is focusing on the educational needs of our students. I decided to stay because I could see great things in Mr. Little and as I stated before AASTA moved more in the 5 months he was here than an any school I have ever worked at.
Now, if Mr. Little is not staying at Orr it is time for me to start rethinking my commitment.
Fri May 30, 2008 at 11:15 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Dear AASTA Teacher, the answer to your question is EGO!
Fri May 30, 2008 at 5:12 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
People let's get a grip. First, there are too many people in this school system that have ties to the Daley machine.2, Secondly, there are too many young inexperienced administrators being put in charge of these schools.Third, You cnanot treat students as if they are products on an assembly line. Fourth, Instead of griping so much about Marilyn Stewart,every teacher should flood the union meetings and let his/her voice be heard. There are some things that we have forgotten to demand like respect from our adminsitrators,parents, and of course, the students.
Fifth We should be asking Mayor Daley and Arne Duncan where are they getting the money to open up new schools (Ren2010)when they can hardly finance the schools already in place. We should also ask what qualifications Arne Duncan brings to allow him to over see the school system( Parents involvement with UC perhaps?) because he has not taught one day in any body's school. Sixth, Since we teachers are failing the students before us,why don'twe have Arne and Mayor Daley and all those wonderful folks at 125 south Clark come down and do one week in the so called turn arouond schools.
Seventh, I think that those of you who shout aout praise for Mr. Little should do a little more investigation. There were some things that occured while he was at Bowen that I don't think he would want any one to know about. Eight, Someone on this blog previously stated " Stop all Charter Schools. I agree-theyare nothing but a device to break the unions. The teaching profession is an honorable one; if people really want to teach they should not enter through the back door like they do in Charter schools (alternative certification). You don't see surgeons getting their medical liscenses while practicing on patients before getting the appropriate training. Charter chools should not be excempt from the standards that regular schools must operate in and they should not expect public funds.
Now let me be your union presisdent (just kidding but sick of the mess just the same).
Fifth We should be asking Mayor Daley and Arne Duncan where are they getting the money to open up new schools (Ren2010)when they can hardly finance the schools already in place. We should also ask what qualifications Arne Duncan brings to allow him to over see the school system( Parents involvement with UC perhaps?) because he has not taught one day in any body's school. Sixth, Since we teachers are failing the students before us,why don'twe have Arne and Mayor Daley and all those wonderful folks at 125 south Clark come down and do one week in the so called turn arouond schools.
Seventh, I think that those of you who shout aout praise for Mr. Little should do a little more investigation. There were some things that occured while he was at Bowen that I don't think he would want any one to know about. Eight, Someone on this blog previously stated " Stop all Charter Schools. I agree-theyare nothing but a device to break the unions. The teaching profession is an honorable one; if people really want to teach they should not enter through the back door like they do in Charter schools (alternative certification). You don't see surgeons getting their medical liscenses while practicing on patients before getting the appropriate training. Charter chools should not be excempt from the standards that regular schools must operate in and they should not expect public funds.
Now let me be your union presisdent (just kidding but sick of the mess just the same).
Fri May 30, 2008 at 5:15 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Please forgive any spelling errors; I think I need a new key board!
Fri May 30, 2008 at 7:33 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Well Bee, I did my research and the Bowen Staff was literally fighting to get him back. That information with what I have seen and experienced first hand is enough for me. I am sure if you dig down deep enough you will find a ton of skeletons in everybody's closet.
I am just giving you a point of view from a previous employee and not second hand knowledge like you are doing. If you scroll up and read what Chris (another teacher at AASTA) wrote about Mr. Little you can start to draw a realistic point of view.
Now once again I ask for everyone here to stop looking in the past and try to focus on the future of Orr (Mr. Poole). Is there anyone willing to do some real research (not gossip) and come up with some facts about our new leader?
I am really looking forward to some solid information so I can make a very critical career decision.
I am just giving you a point of view from a previous employee and not second hand knowledge like you are doing. If you scroll up and read what Chris (another teacher at AASTA) wrote about Mr. Little you can start to draw a realistic point of view.
Now once again I ask for everyone here to stop looking in the past and try to focus on the future of Orr (Mr. Poole). Is there anyone willing to do some real research (not gossip) and come up with some facts about our new leader?
I am really looking forward to some solid information so I can make a very critical career decision.
Fri May 30, 2008 at 7:35 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Not trying to be funny but is the EGO answer a fact? If so, who's EGO and why?
Fri May 30, 2008 at 7:53 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
I agree with you in 100%.I understand that some personal issues could cause ..E mouse to speak up about Mr.Little.
I remember that the first meeting with Mr.Little was not a pleasure.
As you remember I told him that he was not authorized to evaluate teachers until his 5 months at AASTA.
I was expecting full the scale retaliation.I was surprised when he asked about the legal ground for my statement.From this point our relationships were professional,my attempts to negotiate several issues were successful.AASTA became more organized place with the amount of a structure.Regardless of our personal feelings we have to say that he was a valuable asset for the school and AUSL as well. By the way how about posting under our real names?
The faculty and staff at AASTA could be proud of each other in spite of minor disagreements.I will mis all of you.
I remember that the first meeting with Mr.Little was not a pleasure.
As you remember I told him that he was not authorized to evaluate teachers until his 5 months at AASTA.
I was expecting full the scale retaliation.I was surprised when he asked about the legal ground for my statement.From this point our relationships were professional,my attempts to negotiate several issues were successful.AASTA became more organized place with the amount of a structure.Regardless of our personal feelings we have to say that he was a valuable asset for the school and AUSL as well. By the way how about posting under our real names?
The faculty and staff at AASTA could be proud of each other in spite of minor disagreements.I will mis all of you.
Sat May 31, 2008 at 7:32 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
To the faculty and staff on the Orr Campus, stay strong and good luck to all of you! You're only the first in line to be scapegoats! CPS should be giving all of you medals for your hardwork! But they are cutting off all of your heads! Keep the faith!
Sat May 31, 2008 at 7:48 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
I would like to say thank you to Mr Buchan,Mrs Youngblood and others who spent personal time planning the new small school.
After we finished our job,giving to the Board our newborn baby they took it from us.No more teachers leadership talk,no more friendly interactions.The AASTA was created by teachers but teachers were unable to continue the mission.
According to documents I presented to hearing officers ,AASTA showed progress(% of students who met or exceed state standards)from 2005- 30% gain.At the peak of our success the school was closed.Hard to explain the rationale.Have a good day.
After we finished our job,giving to the Board our newborn baby they took it from us.No more teachers leadership talk,no more friendly interactions.The AASTA was created by teachers but teachers were unable to continue the mission.
According to documents I presented to hearing officers ,AASTA showed progress(% of students who met or exceed state standards)from 2005- 30% gain.At the peak of our success the school was closed.Hard to explain the rationale.Have a good day.
Sat May 31, 2008 at 10:59 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Still, no information on Mr. Poole??????
Sun Jun 1, 2008 at 8:59 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
He's pretty clean. We could start a rumor.
Sun Jun 1, 2008 at 11:01 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Do you have more info than: 1.teacher @ Fenger 2.Alternative type 75cert.
3.Resident Principal @ Fenger
4.Not on the PEL yet
5.Principal in planning @Orr(Principal at Orr effective July 01)
3.Resident Principal @ Fenger
4.Not on the PEL yet
5.Principal in planning @Orr(Principal at Orr effective July 01)
Mon Jun 2, 2008 at 1:29 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Question. Will all of the union members from the schools being "reconstituted" (and the other schools that were attacked this year and in the past by Arne Duncan and the school board) be at the Chicago Teachers Union's House of Delegates meeting this Wednesday:
4:00 PM
Plumbers Hall.
1340 W. Washington Blvd.
All union members are eligible to attend as "visitors" if they are not delegates.
4:00 PM
Plumbers Hall.
1340 W. Washington Blvd.
All union members are eligible to attend as "visitors" if they are not delegates.
Mon Jun 2, 2008 at 5:59 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
To AASTA Teacher-My info is not second hand: I was there when he was an assistant principal under Dr. JoAnn Woods. They were both rediculous examples of administration that Duncan tends to put in place in African American Neighborhood schools.
Mon Jun 2, 2008 at 6:51 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Mr. Poole lives in Bolingbrook. I wonder if the board has figured this out yet. Maybe they should investigate that.
Sun Jun 22, 2008 at 3:17 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Poole does NOT live in Bolingbrook he lives in the city. He is a New Leader Cohort 2008. He was the resident principal at Fenger, however AUSL snatched him up in early spring. He taught in Memphis before joining the New Leader program.
Little currently works for AUSL. He actually was vying for the position of Orr Principal against Mr. Poole. After all was said in done AUSL wanted to keep him in the building with a job of Campus Manager or some derivation of that
Little currently works for AUSL. He actually was vying for the position of Orr Principal against Mr. Poole. After all was said in done AUSL wanted to keep him in the building with a job of Campus Manager or some derivation of that
Thu Jul 10, 2008 at 11:37 PM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
With charter schools getting such a bad rap I'm beginning to think most people don't understand them at all. As a charter school employee, I have 8 years of experience NOT in a charter school and choose to work in one because of the many benefits it offers. In fact, 50% of our teachers come from CPS and are tired of their b.s. So get your facts straight about "teaching through the back door". All of our teachers are certified. Just because we are not money hungry and seek tenure (aka lazy) does not make us unqualified. We have the most difficult kids on the S. side and 100% of the kids report liking our school better, feeling safer than their CPS.
Fri Jul 11, 2008 at 1:25 AM
AUSL Residents Being Forced To Work Turnarounds?
Ladies and Gentlemen,
After having read all of your blogs I am very disappointed to see that few of you spoke about the most important thing happening at Orr - the students. The students are the ones that are going to be affected the most by this change.
The three schools were created back in Fall 2004. For the last four years our students have gotten to know us and we got to know them. I only began working at Excel about 2 years ago but I loved my school, my administrators, my fellow teachers, and large portion of my students. Has anyone taken into account that most of our students are going to be strangers in their own school? Our 2008-2009 seniors grew up in their own small school. My 2007-2008 seniors were relieved that they were graduating before this change happened but they felt sorry for the new seniors.
Did anyone take into account these students need consistency and familiarity. Most of the teachers I worked with cared for the welfare of their students. And now, when they need a caring teacher to help to apply to colleges and accomplish their senior goals we won't be there.
After having read all of your blogs I am very disappointed to see that few of you spoke about the most important thing happening at Orr - the students. The students are the ones that are going to be affected the most by this change.
The three schools were created back in Fall 2004. For the last four years our students have gotten to know us and we got to know them. I only began working at Excel about 2 years ago but I loved my school, my administrators, my fellow teachers, and large portion of my students. Has anyone taken into account that most of our students are going to be strangers in their own school? Our 2008-2009 seniors grew up in their own small school. My 2007-2008 seniors were relieved that they were graduating before this change happened but they felt sorry for the new seniors.
Did anyone take into account these students need consistency and familiarity. Most of the teachers I worked with cared for the welfare of their students. And now, when they need a caring teacher to help to apply to colleges and accomplish their senior goals we won't be there.