Comments on: SMSD Teachers Heavily Bullied http://www.mishkazena.com/2008/03/12/smsd-teachers-heavily-bullied/ Just another WordPress weblog Sun, 15 Jan 2012 09:35:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Mishka Zena http://www.mishkazena.com/2008/03/12/smsd-teachers-heavily-bullied/comment-page-1/#comment-6884 Mishka Zena Fri, 14 Mar 2008 03:00:38 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/03/12/smsd-teachers-heavily-bullied/#comment-6884 If Mr. Johnson is so great an administrator, why is there a protest? There are 199 comments in this forum on this protest alone: http://www.topix.com/forum/city/buffalo-ny/TQ9572MCAF4I62HAK/p10#lastPost From what I've understand, the firing of the only African American teacher with a good reputation as an educator who signs fluently doesn't look good in school that has been reported to have teachers lacking in ASL. Ignoring the grievances of the parents is never a good idea, especially when they complain of inferior academic quality and poor communication access. Perhaps it is time for Mr. Johnson should stop being 'deaf' to these stakeholders If Mr. Johnson is so great an administrator, why is there a protest?

There are 199 comments in this forum on this protest alone:
http://www.topix.com/forum/city/buffalo-ny/TQ9572MCAF4I62HAK/p10#lastPost

From what I’ve understand, the firing of the only African American teacher with a good reputation as an educator who signs fluently doesn’t look good in school that has been reported to have teachers lacking in ASL. Ignoring the grievances of the parents is never a good idea, especially when they complain of inferior academic quality and poor communication access.

Perhaps it is time for Mr. Johnson should stop being ‘deaf’ to these stakeholders

]]> By: Wayne http://www.mishkazena.com/2008/03/12/smsd-teachers-heavily-bullied/comment-page-1/#comment-6885 Wayne Fri, 14 Mar 2008 01:09:22 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/03/12/smsd-teachers-heavily-bullied/#comment-6885 The effective delivery of educational programming takes a strong advocate and tireless worker. Johnson fit's that description to a T. If the those members of the educational community that can only find fault with one who has deveoted his life's work to those who only wish to coast along and find fault, then they are the losers. Belly up to bar, earn a terminal degree and try your hand at making the world a better place instead of casting stones. The effective delivery of educational programming takes a strong advocate and tireless worker. Johnson fit’s that description to a T. If the those members of the educational community that can only find fault with one who has deveoted his life’s work to those who only wish to coast along and find fault, then they are the losers. Belly up to bar, earn a terminal degree and try your hand at making the world a better place instead of casting stones.

]]> By: valerie http://www.mishkazena.com/2008/03/12/smsd-teachers-heavily-bullied/comment-page-1/#comment-6883 valerie Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:52:19 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/03/12/smsd-teachers-heavily-bullied/#comment-6883 As a special education and elementary education teacher, I am embrassed that any school system does not provide appropriate education. Where is the accountability? Where is the data? It is not just the adminstration, but the educators and parents fault. I don't care if anyone is deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing, poor educators and education is a shame. I hope they clean it up and improve education, so the students can develop appropriate skills. As a special education and elementary education teacher, I am embrassed that any school system does not provide appropriate education. Where is the accountability? Where is the data? It is not just the adminstration, but the educators and parents fault. I don’t care if anyone is deaf, hard of hearing, or hearing, poor educators and education is a shame. I hope they clean it up and improve education, so the students can develop appropriate skills.

]]> By: A Deaf Pundit http://www.mishkazena.com/2008/03/12/smsd-teachers-heavily-bullied/comment-page-1/#comment-6882 A Deaf Pundit Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:33:29 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/03/12/smsd-teachers-heavily-bullied/#comment-6882 Well. It's definitely a mess. http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/298127.html Well. It’s definitely a mess.

http://www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/buffaloerie/story/298127.html

]]> By: Terry Goffman http://www.mishkazena.com/2008/03/12/smsd-teachers-heavily-bullied/comment-page-1/#comment-6881 Terry Goffman Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:23:11 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/03/12/smsd-teachers-heavily-bullied/#comment-6881 I am concerned that deaf students are being taught that protest is the only way to get attention for issues. It would be more productive if they were taught how to effect change within the system. And that approach would begin the process of cultivating leaders within the deaf community who can be viable over the long term. Bill Johnson is from a long line of deaf people -- his whole line of ancestors are deaf -- and as happens often each generation of his family has been less and less deaf. The gene will wipe itself out over time. We give a poor impression to parents of deaf children and the general public when we keep tearing down deaf leaders. King Jordan and Jane Fernandes come to mind. Now Johnson ... as a community we need growth for the long term not the spurts that the protest method is giving us. I am concerned that deaf students are being taught that protest is the only way to get attention for issues. It would be more productive if they were taught how to effect change within the system. And that approach would begin the process of cultivating leaders within the deaf community who can be viable over the long term. Bill Johnson is from a long line of deaf people — his whole line of ancestors are deaf — and as happens often each generation of his family has been less and less deaf. The gene will wipe itself out over time. We give a poor impression to parents of deaf children and the general public when we keep tearing down deaf leaders. King Jordan and Jane Fernandes come to mind. Now Johnson … as a community we need growth for the long term not the spurts that the protest method is giving us.

]]> By: mommy http://www.mishkazena.com/2008/03/12/smsd-teachers-heavily-bullied/comment-page-1/#comment-6880 mommy Wed, 12 Mar 2008 21:53:40 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/03/12/smsd-teachers-heavily-bullied/#comment-6880 This is unfortunate! It is time to change the overall system. I think it is everywhere. I fear we are back to Milan 1880 style. This is unfortunate! It is time to change the overall system. I think it is everywhere. I fear we are back to Milan 1880 style.

]]> By: Name Withheld Upon Request http://www.mishkazena.com/2008/03/12/smsd-teachers-heavily-bullied/comment-page-1/#comment-6879 Name Withheld Upon Request Wed, 12 Mar 2008 20:44:56 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/03/12/smsd-teachers-heavily-bullied/#comment-6879 Bill Johnson is not deaf. He is hard of hearing and can speak very well. So he is functionally hearing. It is unfortunate that people are being told to trust the administration. If people are to trust the administration at St. Mary's, then morale at the school should not be so low. Something is not right there. The Board of Trustees themselves are also being bullied. If you read the newspaper article carefully, you will spot that. Bill Johnson is not deaf. He is hard of hearing and can speak very well. So he is functionally hearing.

It is unfortunate that people are being told to trust the administration. If people are to trust the administration at St. Mary’s, then morale at the school should not be so low. Something is not right there.

The Board of Trustees themselves are also being bullied. If you read the newspaper article carefully, you will spot that.

]]> By: Dianrez http://www.mishkazena.com/2008/03/12/smsd-teachers-heavily-bullied/comment-page-1/#comment-6878 Dianrez Wed, 12 Mar 2008 20:28:01 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/03/12/smsd-teachers-heavily-bullied/#comment-6878 One of the news items states that Johnson, the head of the school, is deaf. I wondered about that, since it gives Deaf leaders a black eye when we have seen IJK discredited at Gallaudet and now others, including Johnson. What other issues are involved that aren't reported? What does the Board of Directors have to say about this? How can we, the public and the stakeholders of the Deaf community, sort this out so we keep good administrators and get rid of the questionable ones before they reach the administrator level? Indeed, how can honest administrators be protected from political backstabbing? We have an entire first generation of Deaf school superintendents and principals, and their necks are frequently at risk. One of the news items states that Johnson, the head of the school, is deaf. I wondered about that, since it gives Deaf leaders a black eye when we have seen IJK discredited at Gallaudet and now others, including Johnson.

What other issues are involved that aren’t reported? What does the Board of Directors have to say about this? How can we, the public and the stakeholders of the Deaf community, sort this out so we keep good administrators and get rid of the questionable ones before they reach the administrator level?

Indeed, how can honest administrators be protected from political backstabbing? We have an entire first generation of Deaf school superintendents and principals, and their necks are frequently at risk.

]]> By: A Deaf Pundit http://www.mishkazena.com/2008/03/12/smsd-teachers-heavily-bullied/comment-page-1/#comment-6877 A Deaf Pundit Wed, 12 Mar 2008 20:17:58 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/03/12/smsd-teachers-heavily-bullied/#comment-6877 I don't think it's about moving up to better positions. I think it's about going on power trips. Due to a lack of communication and lack of understanding about proper documentation and protocol, it's very easy to cover up matters in those educational institutions. It's sad, and we're gonna pay the price eventually. I don’t think it’s about moving up to better positions. I think it’s about going on power trips. Due to a lack of communication and lack of understanding about proper documentation and protocol, it’s very easy to cover up matters in those educational institutions.

It’s sad, and we’re gonna pay the price eventually.

]]> By: Mishka Zena http://www.mishkazena.com/2008/03/12/smsd-teachers-heavily-bullied/comment-page-1/#comment-6876 Mishka Zena Wed, 12 Mar 2008 19:36:59 +0000 http://blog.deafread.com/mishkazena/2008/03/12/smsd-teachers-heavily-bullied/#comment-6876 That's a good question. It seems most of the complaints, if not all, come from deaf schools headed by hearing administrators. Same with schools with poor academic quality as they are usually directed by hearing people. It does make one wonder. That’s a good question. It seems most of the complaints, if not all, come from deaf schools headed by hearing administrators. Same with schools with poor academic quality as they are usually directed by hearing people. It does make one wonder.

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