Finally, a School Board President who gets it. Charlotte Hummel, President of the Board of Directors of the William Penn School District in PA has realized that the Emperor has no clothes and has announced it publicly. In this speech, she offers a different vision of education and says to the staff: “I see my job as standing firmly between you and those who are misguided in their beliefs about what education is and just how hard it is to go about the job of educating our youth.” Valerie Strauss brings us the text of the speech in her Washington Post blog, The Answer Sheet. Wouldn’t it be great if the President of the Kennewick Board of Directors would get herself informed and come forward with a similar statement. Don’t hold your breath.
Ms. Hummel concludes her courageous speech, “So, let’s click our heels three times and let’s get going.” Read Hummel’s full speech by clicking here. You only have to do it once.
Wear Your Own Ruby Slippers
– September 8, 2010Posted in: Articles
“The beatings will continue until morale improves” fairly well characterizes the experience of my colleagues and me in one Kennewick middle school. Charlotte Hummel has taken a courageous stand which I hope is successful for her school district and students. Education will improve when leaders of school districts truly understand the needs of students and teachers and provide appropriate support.