MS Dept of ED Guilty, Too
I would like to submit this for all to understand. As a former employee of MSD, I want to bring to light several things that seem to not be known by many who have already submitted comments.
First, the MS Dept. of Ed. has for years printed out job openings for teachers. As it pertains to MSD, nowhere in the job requirements for teaching positions at the deaf school does it say: “applicant must know sign language or ASLâ€. I know, because many of these teachers were assigned to me to teach the basics.
In addition, these teachers were told to gain more knowledge so they can become fluent signers in the classroom by going to other sign classes, community college sign classes and ultimately our dear, Gallaudet for more knowledge on D/deaf culture. Did these teachers do that? Not to my knowledge. However, their heart is in the right place.
Ultimately, final finger pointing goes to the MS Department of Education for not recognizing enough the importance of D/deaf communication and culture so these students can excel in the classroom.
Second, MS, as a state, holds the dubious distinction of criticizing black hearing and black deaf about their lack of “true†ASL skills. I know, because I am a cousin of a Black Deaf Adult. When you have been told that there is such thing as “Black Sign†and people making judgements on your cognitive ability based on the sign you use… what can you do? Many of these students identified are college bound and college capable. I want the world to know that. Are they giving the chance by VR or the education system in the State of MS? Often times not. Yes, I shall continue my support for these students but there was some other information I thought people reading this blog need to understand.
Finally, the administrators that were fired knew that MS has an “at will and pleasure†position status tied to their positions. Meaning, anything that happens under your watch that is unsatisfactory to MDE, you are asked to leave.
Someone mentioned Sandra Edwards name as the person to “head both schoolsâ€. I applaud this move, however, I hope MDE identifies and provides a strong support team for her.   Grady Gilkey
Other comments from inside MSD:
Don’t be too fooled that Hank Bounds did anything too great. He got backed into a corner and did what he should have done MONTHS ago. We begging for help for a long time. Students and staff all begging for something to be done. We lose so many good staff over the past few years because of those 2 women. We pray some of them come back now. MSD students stood for themselves and the younger students who will have better experiences now! They should be proud of themsleves. LP
I just want to say THANK GOD someone finally heard what these kids and us parents of these kids have been trying to say for 4 years …way to go Sarah Soard I am very proud of you Renee
Commentary: So there you are. The conditions have been worsening over the years and both MSD and MS Dept of Education officials abdicated their responsibilities by ignoring them. The protest brought to the public the deplorable conditions and the spotlight the media shone on the school ultimately forced the officials to clean up their act.
Deaf people finally have a voice. The educaitonal officials need to understand that they must begin listening and addressing the grievances of  their stakeholders. Gone are the days when deaf people could be safely ignored.
School officials need to be mindful that they work for the students and their parents.
I would like to submit this for all to understand. As a former employee of MSD, I want to bring to light several things that seem to not be known by many who have already submitted comments.
First, the MS Dept. of Ed. has for years printed out job openings for teachers. As it pertains to MSD, nowhere in the job requirements for teaching positions at the deaf school does it say: “applicant must know sign language or ASLâ€. I know, because many of these teachers were assigned to me to teach the basics.
In addition, these teachers were told to gain more knowledge so they can become fluent signers in the classroom by going to other sign classes, community college sign classes and ultimately our dear, Gallaudet for more knowledge on D/deaf culture. Did these teachers do that? Not to my knowledge. However, their heart is in the right place.
Ultimately, final finger pointing goes to the MS Department of Education for not recognizing enough the importance of D/deaf communication and culture so these students can excel in the classroom.
Second, MS, as a state, holds the dubious distinction of criticizing black hearing and black deaf about their lack of “true†ASL skills. I know, because I am a cousin of a Black Deaf Adult. When you have been told that there is such thing as “Black Sign†and people making judgements on your cognitive ability based on the sign you use… what can you do? Many of these students identified are college bound and college capable. I want the world to know that. Are they giving the chance by VR or the education system in the State of MS? Often times not. Yes, I shall continue my support for these students but there was some other information I thought people reading this blog need to understand.
Finally, the administrators that were fired knew that MS has an “at will and pleasure†position status tied to their positions. Meaning, anything that happens under your watch that is unsatisfactory to MDE, you are asked to leave.
Someone mentioned Sandra Edwards name as the person to “head both schoolsâ€. I applaud this move, however, I hope MDE identifies and provides a strong support team for her.   Grady Gilkey
Other comments from inside MSD:
Don’t be too fooled that Hank Bounds did anything too great. He got backed into a corner and did what he should have done MONTHS ago. We begging for help for a long time. Students and staff all begging for something to be done. We lose so many good staff over the past few years because of those 2 women. We pray some of them come back now. MSD students stood for themselves and the younger students who will have better experiences now! They should be proud of themsleves. LP
I just want to say THANK GOD someone finally heard what these kids and us parents of these kids have been trying to say for 4 years …way to go Sarah Soard I am very proud of you Renee
Commentary: So there you are. The conditions have been worsening over the years and both MSD and MS Dept of Education officials abdicated their responsibilities by ignoring them. The protest brought to the public the deplorable conditions and the spotlight the media shone on the school ultimately forced the officials to clean up their act.
Deaf people finally have a voice. The educaitonal officials need to understand that they must begin listening and addressing the grievances of  their stakeholders. Gone are the days when deaf people could be safely ignored.
School officials need to be mindful that they work for the students and their parents.
December 2nd, 2006 at 10:48 pm
Now there are threats by MDE to close MSD. They are sick of all complaint from such a small group of students. All students will then be mainstream. The public needs to continue to watch this situation very close.
December 2nd, 2006 at 11:26 pm
Throw the baby out along with the baby water? I heard they turned down qualified teachers with excellent signing skills in the recent past, so it was not like they couldn’t find teachers who could sign.
Now they are threatening about closing the school?  They are trying to scare the students into silence by using fear.They are bluffing because there is still a need for a state school. Be sure to tell the reporter that they are making threats in attempt to silence the school. The public will be outraged to hear intimidation tactics being used.
 Please do keep us and your local deaf community informed.
December 4th, 2006 at 10:51 pm
LP I’ve already reported the threats as well as the other comments, both here and via e mails, to the reporter.
December 6th, 2006 at 7:23 pm
I thank yall for Msd stood up for terrible school and terrible hearing staff there. i have been seen and hated the way they treated these students. that is unfair. these kids deserve alot better than they been frustrated. it dont make no sense at all. i dont blame students at all. so for all old timer teacher and old students should know how students felt from the inner and outter. because i know they deserve a better educated . so if that was me i would have stood up and got everything straight out at msd cuz my ed is lower and teacher is not doing any better to teach us well. so they calling themselves talkin in hall. we have to keep reminding them to sign in front of students cuz they be talkin like they dont give a crap bout deaf peoples. Feel me. I would have do something bout it. i dont mind work there but these hearing must GO to hearing public school if they wanna to talk period! my questions is why do they hired hearing teachers in Mississippi school for the DEAF ….!?!?!?!?!!?