District of Columbia
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11:40 a.m.
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It's Official - Chancellor Rhee Fires Stoddert Principal ! June 30th is typically the day when Chancellor Rhee sounds her trumpet of doom as she gives some DC principals their pink slips. Remember last year ? A little central office birdie told me that as many as 60 DC administrators including principals and other managers are likely to be terminated this summer by the Rhee administration....
The Washington Teacher - Thu 3:17 a.m. - 4 clicks 
Richard Posner is catching flak for his suggestion that copyright law be expanded to cover paraphrase in order to save journalism from fierce digital competition. Thing is, that’s arguably the current state of the law. There’s a little known “hot news” doctrine that dates from the early 20th century and gives news agencies a very [...]...
Notes from the Lounge - Wed 11:24 a.m. - 5 clicks
So, obviously it’s never a good sign for democracy when the president is bustled out of the country under military guard. But I’m nevertheless a bit perplexed about the univocal condemnation—and simliarly one-sided coverage—of the ouster of Honduran president Manuel Zelaya. Without pretending to any expertise on the Honduran political scene, here’s what I’ve gathered [...]...
Notes from the Lounge - Jun 29 - 3 clicks
A teacher known as 'Sad Anacostia Teacher' forwarded me a copy of an letter which an Anacostia senior high parent sent to Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee. Anacostia Senior High is being reconstituted this year with the assistance of Friendship Edison charter schools. The high school is located at 1601 16th Street, SE. where Rodney McBride was the former principal. I featured concerns on my blo...
The Washington Teacher - Jun 29 - 3 clicks
A DC teacher from Anacostia senior high school wrote me several e-mails about the inequities in excessing of DC teachers and school counselors at Anacostia senior high school which is located @ 1601 16th Street SE where Rodney McBride was the principal . This teacher's email parallels other emails that I have received about similar occurrences at reconstituted schools in DC schools. Here's a cop...
The Washington Teacher - Jun 25 - 2 clicks
Riding the DC metro is an entirely new experience, in light of Monday's tragic and deadly accident. ...
DailyKos (DC) - Jun 25 - 3 clicks
Many of DC's terminated teachers have asked whether they should file a complaint with EEOC. I think that if you are uncertain, you definitely should consult with an EEOC office near to you. Discrimination is defined broadly and also includes retaliation. If you believe that you have been the victim of retaliation , then certainly you should file with EEOC. Keep in mind that there are timelines th...
The Washington Teacher - Jun 24 - 3 clicks
I received this email from a DC Teacher who was terminated from Sousa middle school where Dwan Jordan is a new principal. Sousa is located at 3650 Ely Place, SE in Washington, DC. I have removed the names of teachers who write me in order to protect their right to confidentiality. Given that Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee signs off on all of these teacher terminations, it is concerning that ther...
The Washington Teacher - Jun 23 - 2 clicks
Some DC teachers have reported that they did not receive their Washington Teachers' Union (WTU) robo call on June 21, 2009 or the follow up email. Here is a written copy of the message regarding the June 23rd meeting at the AFT headquarters. TERMINATION LETTERS The Washington Teachers’ Union (WTU) has scheduled a very important meeting with all teachers on the 90-Day plan and probationary t...
The Washington Teacher - Jun 22
My Dad inspired in me an appreciation for higher education as well as an appreciation for the best life has to offer. He has always had a profound influence and impact on my life. My Dad named me Candi with an i. Thank God for him, otherwise you would be calling me Markie. What was my Mom thinking, love her anyway. Dad is the coolest guy ever. He has emerald green eyes to die for. He is and ...
The Washington Teacher - Jun 21 - 2 clicks
Despite what Chancellor Michelle A. Rhee's termination letters stated that DC teachers were evaluated by their local school principal, some DC teachers were fired without ever being evaluated as we heard on WJLA, channel 7 yesterday on the 5 p.m. news. When Rhee signed off on the terminations of 21 teachers @ Columbia Heights Education Campus (CHEC) given the standardized test scores a...
The Washington Teacher - Jun 20
Dee Does the District responds: "Thank you, but this issue is bigger than just me. There are six other teachers that were terminated from Ludlow-Taylor Elementary School by Carolyn Cobbs (Principal). These individuals range from probationary teachers to veterans in the District. One teacher in particular was told her job was safe, only to receive a certified letter stating her termination yest...
The Washington Teacher - Jun 19 - 3 clicks
15 DC Teacher Terminations @ CHEC Now Reported Read it and weep. This just came in. There are now fifteen (15) confirmed DC teacher terminations at Columbia Heights Education Campus (CHEC) located on 16th Street in D.C. It is reported that 13 of these terminations were probationary teachers, 1 teacher was as a result of a 90-day plan termination, and 1 not yet known. ( Posted by The Was...
The Washington Teacher - Jun 19 - 2 clicks
Updated news @ 10 p.m. with post from a terminated teacher Teacher Firings up to 12 at CHEC, Mostly Probationary Teachers Did you know that some DC Teachers have started receiving notices of terminations today ? These notices have been sent out to some teachers via email. Some teachers were given a copy of their termination letter in hand mid-day signed personally by Michelle Rhee . ...
The Washington Teacher - Jun 16
Being the author of The Washington Teacher blog has its advantages and disadvantages. For as many advantages as you can imagine, there are just as many disadvantages especially in the workplace. As I once testified before the DC City Council, DC Public Schools have historically been a punitive place in which to work. Even today, fear of retaliation is still rampant in our schools. Due to t...
The Washington Teacher - Jun 3 - 2 clicks
Join us this Thursday, June 4, 6:30–9, at the Woman’s National Democratic Club in Dupont Circle (1526 New Hampshire Ave NW). This will be the first of a series of venues we’d like to take a closer look at for our future home. We’ve had a few suggestions, and we’ll take a look at some of [...]...
DCDL - Jun 3
Hart middle school in S.E. Washington is being reconstituted and as many of you know has been in the news throughout this school year with stories about DC teachers being assaulted, teachers teaching outside of their certification area, substitutes covering classes, overcrowded classes, unruly students, possession of handguns, violence and a lack of supports promised by Rhee's office. The W...
The Washington Teacher - Jun 2 - 2 clicks
Starring: Michelle Rhee, DC Public Schools Chancellor Hey folks, it's almost that time of year again when DC schools approaches its final days as the school year comes to an end. In the interim, some principals have already faced Chancellor Rhee's 'meat axe approach' to termination while others have announced plans this week to resign or retire under what many believe are threats o...
The Washington Teacher - May 28
With the closing of Timberlake’s, we’re taking the week off and lining up some locations to try out over the next few weeks. Let us know if you have suggestions or want to help with the search. ...
DCDL - May 27 - 2 clicks
We have a lot to learn about mayoral control from a NY teacher colleague. On Sunday, this NY teacher wrote a special story that appeared front and center in the New York Daily News titled: "Teacher Against Mayoral Control: All that power hasn't made things better." Sounds eerily familiar to what's happening right here in DC . I hate to be the one to say that NYC parents and teachers tried their...
The Washington Teacher - May 26 - 2 clicks
After more than 30 years, Mr. Timberlake is retiring and selling the place, which will close at the end of the month. That means that after more than 4 years, DC Drinking Liberally has to find a new home. Join us as we say goodbye to a Dupont Circle institution and to Dan, the king [...]...
DCDL - May 20 - 2 clicks
Profiles In Courage Angry over budget cuts, L.A. teachers planned a 1 day strike to protest teacher lay offs outside their school district's headquarters . Even though a judge issued a restraining order against the 1 day strike, teachers protested cutbacks through an organized sit-in, city-wide sick-out and hundreds of high school students walked out of classes in acts of civil disobedi...
The Washington Teacher - May 17 - 2 clicks
On Wednesday, May 13th Bell Multicultural High School experienced a break in their lateral water line to the school. Unfortunately, a little birdie told me that Mayor Fenty and Chancellor Rhee decided not to close Bell despite these conditions. This unfortunate incident was also kept hush-hush . Staff members at the school were not properly informed by the school administration nor w...
The Washington Teacher - May 13 - 2 clicks
So says WaPo staff writer, Bill Turque as reported in his May 8th entry from the DC Wire blog titled: "Rhee and Weingarten: How About Two Mediators?" Well many would argue that everything that DC teachers hear about our teacher contract proposal lately, we initially read in The Washington Post or on the DC Wire (a WaPo blog) . As a WTU Board of Trustee member who regularly attends our b...
The Washington Teacher - May 13 - 3 clicks
Do you have questions about what’s going on in DC’s local government? Voting rights? Same-sex marriage? Homelessness? The relationship between the city council and the mayor? If so, you’re in luck, because this week in place of our usual get-together we’re joining with our friends from DC for Democracy to host an informal discussion with Vincent [...]...
DCDL - May 13 - 4 clicks
In a series titled Well-Know Nationally- Struggling at Home , The Washington Teacher appears on the News Hour With Jim Lehrer this week. Some have asked me to post this link here on my blog. Finally, after covering DC Chancellor Michelle Rhee for an entire school year, Jim Lehrer and his team from Learning Matters responded to requests to tell more than just Rhee's version of the story. Even ...
The Washington Teacher - May 8 - 3 clicks
Teachers Deserve a Union President That is Good 4 Teachers The Washington Teachers' Union under the leadership of union president George Parker is in dire straights. Too often Mr. Parker is as petty as they come. A DC teacher I know and longstanding and actively involved union member frequently refers to Mr. Parker as "Petty Eddie." I now understand why. After a 4/27/09 entry on the DC ...
The Washington Teacher - Apr 28 - 3 clicks
And the Award Goes To: Bill Myers, Staff Writer for the Washington Examiner "Here's to a real DC journalist dealing with covering the news on public education reform in DC and not sweeping it under the rug. " The Washington Teacher Although it is reported that DC's Shadd Transition Academy has improved since the beginning of the school year, some are not so happy about...
The Washington Teacher - Apr 16 - 4 clicks
During this past weekend, I've had the misfortune to see the new Arby's commercial several times -- the one for their Chicken Cordon Bleu sandwich. The first time I saw it, I have to admit I was a bit dumbfounded. Then the more I saw it, the more the commercial started to annoy me. Now, I'm not a prude. I know that sex sells -- we see it pretty much everywhere, and it's nothing new. And certainly ...
The Zaftig Redhead - Feb 25
There are some great sites on the Internet to help you track the political issues of your choice, as well as the hottest issues du jour. One of the best things about the web is that it allows people quicker, faster access to information than ever before -- so you, too, can help change the world, one person at a time. Many of the best sites serve a critical watchdog function by educating and info...
The Zaftig Redhead - Feb 25 - 2 clicks
You know, Fixed News -- um, I mean -- Fox News at least played at fairness with the presence of Alan Colmes on the network. Yes, that would be the same Colmes of Hannity and Colmes fame -- or should I say infamy. It's okay -- you can be easily forgiven if you don't know who the hell Colmes is -- that was, of course, the point. Hannity is the blowhard, right-wing reactionary to Colmes' mealy-mout...
The Zaftig Redhead - Feb 25 - 2 clicks
Barney Frank (D-MA) has long been one of my favorite members of Congress. He's a character, no doubt. Yeah, yeah, he's gay, and there was that whole bit of scandal more than a decade ago -- who gives a crap? Actually, he is an eloquent and sincere advocate for gay rights, and has done much to change a lot of otherwise rigid minds. Most importantly, he's quick-witted, he's anti-social and impatie...
The Zaftig Redhead - Feb 25 - 3 clicks
The Obama Presidential Transition continues to be one of the speediest ever -- this bodes well for the new president's ability to decisively govern in these chaotic times. While the team as tried to keep some things -- like the vetting of potential cabinet officers -- close to the vest, in other ways the transition process has been one of the most open and interactive in history. The Obama team is...
The Zaftig Redhead - Feb 25 - 2 clicks
I love dogs. I grew up with dogs as beloved family pets. I want to get a dog. My siblings have dogs that rule their lives, dogs they love even when they drive them crazy. Dogs that are part of the family. I'm with the Obama girls -- I've worked hard, and I want a puppy. I even have The Daily Puppy featured on my blog. Unfortunately, a friend of mine recently told me that, on behalf of dog lo...
The Zaftig Redhead - Feb 25
I found this on the Blog for Change , a blog devoted to Obama news. Not sure how the top 15 quotes were decided, but it's fun to read regardless -- on this eve of the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States. Though, after the new President's speech tomorrow, I expect we'll have some new words of wisdom and inspiration to add. Can you feel it? Change is in the air. It won't be e...
The Zaftig Redhead - Feb 25 - 2 clicks
"This is a farewell kiss, you dog!" shouted the protester, interrupting a press conference to hurl his shoes at President George W. Bush. Unbelievably, this craziness happened in Iraq -- surprising since I have a lot of friends who've waited a long time to see W. get the boot on American soil. While the Prime Minister heroically went for the block, Bush agilely ducked both shoes as they whizzed pa...
The Zaftig Redhead - Feb 25 - 2 clicks
As a native Ohioan, I've seen my share of snow drifts, blizzards, and winter storm warnings come to frigid fruition. It follows, then, that I have done my fair share of shoveling out, clearing off, and thawing out. My delightful freezebaby of a big sister, whose blood has thinned considerably since leaving the Buckeye state for parts south, sent me this video of a guy dealing with a wintry mix. I...
The Zaftig Redhead - Feb 25 - 3 clicks
I’m compiling a list of affordable (at least relative to some others) events surrounding the inauguration. Let me know of any others that sound interesting. Wednesday, January 14 DC for Democracy Meetup, 7–9pm, Harriet’s Family Restaurant (not Harry’s), 432 11th Street NW (Metro Center). Our friends at the local grassroots group DC4D will be taking a closer [...]...
DCDL - Jan 13 - 3 clicks
