Another Deaf School Protest Already???
Students Protest at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf in Buffalo
excerpts:
Parents and students at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf are angry over the dismissal of a longtime math teacher. As news 4’s George Richert reports, some students openly protested the move during school hours.
At dismissal time the protest spilled outside, these 31 students of St. Mary’s School for the Deaf spent the day inside, but refused to go to class, because one of their favorite teachers, Nettie Brewer was being let go.
Kylea Stewart, student, “She was great, she taught us a lot of things, and we felt motivated in that class and all the students loved here, right…yea”
Brewer is a Certified Math Teacher experienced in sign language who has been at the school for more than 4 years, for the last 3 she was in probationary status, and due to get tenure, but the principal decided not to recommend her for tenure.
Kylea Stewart, student, “She told us, they let her go for no reason.”
David Wantuck, student, “Finding a teacher that signs for our school is very hard to come by. Knowing a teacher that teaches math is not easy to find, and they say they’re gonna look for another one.”
Students Protest at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf in Buffalo – Topix
Transcript of television news segment:
ANCHOR: Parents and students at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf are angry
over the dismissal of a long-time math teacher. As News4’s George Rickert
reports, some students openly protested the move, during school hours.
(Students chanting loudly.)
GEORGE RICKERT (reporter, overdubbed narration): At dismissal time, the
protest spilled outside. These 31 students of St. Mary’s School for the Deaf
spent the day inside refusing to go to class, because one of their favorite teachers,
Nettie Brewer, was being let go.
KYLEA STEWART (hoh, own voice): She was great. She taught us a lot of
things, and we felt motivated (in) that class and all the students here love
her, right?
(Students cheer loudly…)
RICKERT (narration): Brewer is a certified math teacher, experienced in
sign language, who has been at the school for more than four years. For the
past three years, she was in probationary status, and due to get tenure, but
the principal decided not to recommend her for tenure.
BILL JOHNSON, Supt. (own voice): It was a personnel matter. It was a decision
and…(pause)…You know, she’s a good signer.
RICKERT (narration): If there is a specific reason for her termination, the
school couldn’t say.
KYLEA STEWART: She told us they let her go for no reason.
RICKERT (narration): So for her last day on the job, half of the high school
and middle school students here refused to go to class, and stayed in the
assembly room all day.
RICKERT (to Johnson): Now that you’ve seen the support for her, is there
a chance that the school would reconsider?
JOHNSON: At this point in time, I doubt it, but you never say never.
DAVID WANTUCK (own voice): Finding a teacher that signs for our
school–(pause)–is very hard to come by. Knowing a teacher that teaches
math is not easy to find, and they’re saying they’re going to look for another one.
RICKERT (in studio): Now the school says Brewer’s replacement starts
her job tomorrow. As punishment for refusing to go to class today, those 31
students say they’re not allowed to have after-school activities for a week,
and they accept that. Live in the newsroom, George Rickert–[video interrupted, end] Transcribed by Brian Riley
LINK TO ONLINE VIDEO: http://www.wivb.com/global/story.asp?s=7977682
Additional story :
Buffalo News: http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/293451.html
Commentary: Another protest only after one and half weeks after NCSD’s successful protest? What’s going on? More students feeling empowered? We are obviously witnessing a revolution with Deaf students demanding better education and communication access.
However, unlike the two earlier protests led by the students where their parents were caught unaware, in this protest, the parents are already angry over the termination of a good teacher.
Incidentally, an insider of Mississippi School for the Deaf confirmed yesterday that the NSCD students learned about the MSD protest last year from the MSD students during a sport event very recently. Apparently the students have been circulating stories of their successful protest with other students, inspiring them. Now, with the increasing popularity of blogs and vlogs, have the students and their parents quietly absorbing the lessons of democratic actions practiced by Deaf students the last two years, starting with Gallaudet Protest?
Contrary to some people’s claims about protests being uncommon in hearing schools, googling actually reveals a good amount of protesting, mostly regarding the immigration issues, the Pledge of Allegiance, and other causes. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=high+school+protests MZ
P.S. I did some further checking and found this. Apparently this is an ongoing problem:
About.com:Deafness, Saturday May 1, 2004
There are too many inadequate teachers’s on staff at SMSD. Despite the fact that the Principal, Superintendent, and other staff are aware of the inadequacies of these teachers, they remain on staff. There is no language program to speak of and the children are sadly lacking in their English skills.
On the plus side, the staff is wonderful. There are many worthwhile after school programs, sign language classes and other programs to meet the needs of the entire family. Complaint About St. Mary’s School f/t Deaf
E mail contact: mishkazena@aol.com
Students Protest at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf in Buffalo
excerpts:
Parents and students at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf are angry over the dismissal of a longtime math teacher. As news 4’s George Richert reports, some students openly protested the move during school hours.
At dismissal time the protest spilled outside, these 31 students of St. Mary’s School for the Deaf spent the day inside, but refused to go to class, because one of their favorite teachers, Nettie Brewer was being let go.
Kylea Stewart, student, “She was great, she taught us a lot of things, and we felt motivated in that class and all the students loved here, right…yea”
Brewer is a Certified Math Teacher experienced in sign language who has been at the school for more than 4 years, for the last 3 she was in probationary status, and due to get tenure, but the principal decided not to recommend her for tenure.
Kylea Stewart, student, “She told us, they let her go for no reason.”
David Wantuck, student, “Finding a teacher that signs for our school is very hard to come by. Knowing a teacher that teaches math is not easy to find, and they say they’re gonna look for another one.”
Students Protest at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf in Buffalo – Topix
Transcript of television news segment:
ANCHOR: Parents and students at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf are angry
over the dismissal of a long-time math teacher. As News4’s George Rickert
reports, some students openly protested the move, during school hours.
(Students chanting loudly.)
GEORGE RICKERT (reporter, overdubbed narration): At dismissal time, the
protest spilled outside. These 31 students of St. Mary’s School for the Deaf
spent the day inside refusing to go to class, because one of their favorite teachers,
Nettie Brewer, was being let go.
KYLEA STEWART (hoh, own voice): She was great. She taught us a lot of
things, and we felt motivated (in) that class and all the students here love
her, right?
(Students cheer loudly…)
RICKERT (narration): Brewer is a certified math teacher, experienced in
sign language, who has been at the school for more than four years. For the
past three years, she was in probationary status, and due to get tenure, but
the principal decided not to recommend her for tenure.
BILL JOHNSON, Supt. (own voice): It was a personnel matter. It was a decision
and…(pause)…You know, she’s a good signer.
RICKERT (narration): If there is a specific reason for her termination, the
school couldn’t say.
KYLEA STEWART: She told us they let her go for no reason.
RICKERT (narration): So for her last day on the job, half of the high school
and middle school students here refused to go to class, and stayed in the
assembly room all day.
RICKERT (to Johnson): Now that you’ve seen the support for her, is there
a chance that the school would reconsider?
JOHNSON: At this point in time, I doubt it, but you never say never.
DAVID WANTUCK (own voice): Finding a teacher that signs for our
school–(pause)–is very hard to come by. Knowing a teacher that teaches
math is not easy to find, and they’re saying they’re going to look for another one.
RICKERT (in studio): Now the school says Brewer’s replacement starts
her job tomorrow. As punishment for refusing to go to class today, those 31
students say they’re not allowed to have after-school activities for a week,
and they accept that. Live in the newsroom, George Rickert–[video interrupted, end] Transcribed by Brian Riley
LINK TO ONLINE VIDEO: http://www.wivb.com/global/story.asp?s=7977682
Additional story :
Buffalo News: http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/293451.html
Commentary: Another protest only after one and half weeks after NCSD’s successful protest? What’s going on? More students feeling empowered? We are obviously witnessing a revolution with Deaf students demanding better education and communication access.
However, unlike the two earlier protests led by the students where their parents were caught unaware, in this protest, the parents are already angry over the termination of a good teacher.
Incidentally, an insider of Mississippi School for the Deaf confirmed yesterday that the NSCD students learned about the MSD protest last year from the MSD students during a sport event very recently. Apparently the students have been circulating stories of their successful protest with other students, inspiring them. Now, with the increasing popularity of blogs and vlogs, have the students and their parents quietly absorbing the lessons of democratic actions practiced by Deaf students the last two years, starting with Gallaudet Protest?
Contrary to some people’s claims about protests being uncommon in hearing schools, googling actually reveals a good amount of protesting, mostly regarding the immigration issues, the Pledge of Allegiance, and other causes. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=high+school+protests MZ
P.S. I did some further checking and found this. Apparently this is an ongoing problem:
About.com:Deafness, Saturday May 1, 2004
There are too many inadequate teachers’s on staff at SMSD. Despite the fact that the Principal, Superintendent, and other staff are aware of the inadequacies of these teachers, they remain on staff. There is no language program to speak of and the children are sadly lacking in their English skills.
On the plus side, the staff is wonderful. There are many worthwhile after school programs, sign language classes and other programs to meet the needs of the entire family. Complaint About St. Mary’s School f/t Deaf
E mail contact: mishkazena@aol.com
March 7th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
this is so cool… go students! its time to change the system.
March 7th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
This is a different situation. Personnel reasons? We need to be careful not to rush to judgment. There might be something we don’t know. Hmm?
March 7th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
This situation proves that it is wise to consider the students’ input when making changes.
A recognizably great teacher shouldn’t be let go for reasons that were suggested: “for no reason”, to be replaced by an administrator’s son, even if that son is a Deaf teacher. She is also said to be the only Black teacher on staff, however this is a school with a large proportion of minority students and good role models are in short supply.
Second guessing aside, the Deaf community has a right to know about what happens to their deaf students, so does parents of the school, and so does the students who are protesting.
Administrators who let people go without gathering community and student input do so at the risk of making serious mistakes.
March 7th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
I agree that we don’t know the circumstances behind this termination. However this statement from one student is quite revealing:
“David Wantuck, student, “Finding a teacher that signs for our school is very hard to come by. Knowing a teacher that teaches math is not easy to find, and they say they’re gonna look for another one.”
This comment implies problems with communication access and good education.
Also that the parents are upset is another clue this may be more to this protest than just the termination of one teacher alone.
I reckon we will find out what the full story is eventually
March 7th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
“3 years long” probationary status?
This school has board at least one known deaf person on it.
And this school is a private school
check this out
http://www.smsdk12.org/
March 7th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
I hope they will find a new math teacher that can sign.
March 7th, 2008 at 2:39 pm
It is pleasing to see that deaf students are becoming more empowered. It is certainly within their rights as American citizens to protest, and this will be a great learning experience for them. I find it interesting that they pointed out that not many teachers sign. All the more reason for them to get upset that a teacher who is fluent in ASL is being laid off. Suppose every teacher at the school is fluent in ASL… would they be so upset now? Whatever the reason the school has for firing that teacher, the issues obviously go deeper here. Schools need to realize that finding quality teachers who sign is a PRIORITY; otherwise, students will be unhappy and protest.
March 7th, 2008 at 3:55 pm
A friend of mine was let go because she did not meet No Child Left Behind requirements for teaching. She was going to take required classes. Her employer wanted to keep her but because of the law she had to go… I dont know about Brewer’s situation. I can understand that Brewer’s employer is mumming. Federal laws prohibits employers to share any personnel matters. Only Brewer can release the information. Sometimes good teachers go for no apparent reasons.
March 7th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
There are two deaf on the BoT.
It’s definitely a mess and I fully support the students in their protest.
March 7th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
thank you for sharing this.. I will pass this on to ncsd students. thanks mississippi school for the deaf for inspiring the students…
March 7th, 2008 at 7:24 pm
i guess sometimes it takes an uprising to get those hearies in power to see what they’re doing wrong.
March 7th, 2008 at 11:38 pm
Hi,
I am a graduate of St. Mary’s School for the Deaf. I am a member of Class of 2006. I am involved with the protest procress. I work closely with the students. I help them.
I am here to explain the whole thing. Ms. Nettie Brewer is only black teacher at SMSD. She signs very well. Every students love her and understands the math conception better. She is a role model to many of the students. To this day, nobody know why she was not given a tenure. Students did the actions such as writing letters to the school Superintendent and the prinicpal, they ignored the students. They have refused to go to classes for the past two days. They are continuing on Monday.
I am proud of them and telling them not to give up!
March 8th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
Bingo.. I m on Deaf Students side all the way after all i was graduated there as a former student in that school if you mind.
Too much Audism going on!! I love that school very much but I m having a huge mixed feelings in that school and worked in other Deaf school as well. It s always hearing ’s power over us, Deaf children/ students/ adults in many ways that is my pet peeves.
March 8th, 2008 at 8:30 pm
The article from RedOrbit was taken down. I wonder why.
March 8th, 2008 at 9:59 pm
That’s correct. I checked that Red Orbit site and it’s taken down.
However, the newspaper still carries it on their Internet site. I’ve copied and pasted it whole here .. in case it may be taken down
ST. MARY’S SCHOOL FOR THE DEAF
Students continue protest on firing
The student protest continued for a second day Friday at St. Mary’s School for the Deaf in Buffalo, where high school students angry over the dismissal of a popular math teacher refused to go to class.
School administrators threatened to cancel upcoming events, including the drama production and the senior prom and senior trip, according to parents and students.
But the approximately 30 students wouldn’t budge, believing that their protest will convince the administration to reinstate math teacher Nettie Brewer.
“Nettie is a great teacher who taught us math and everything,” one student wrote to The Buffalo News. “She always was willing to stay after school to help us with our homework. She signs beautiful, which everyone is able to understand. We are having a protest now. It’s not stopping until our superintendent and our principal pay attention to us.”
Superintendent William P. Johnson indicated the school can’t stop the students from protesting but that there will be consequences.
Johnson said for now the school is canceling after-school activities, but if the protest continues, it could affect student grades. In addition, the student’s home districts will be notified.
http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/294316.html
March 9th, 2008 at 12:30 pm
In answer to #5 (“3 years long probationary status?”) –
This is normal. All public school teachers in New York State serve a three-year probationary term before acquiring tenure.