Comments on: “All Power to School Administrators!”: Chalkboard’s Theory of Benevolent Despotism in The World of Educational Politics http://www.edwize.org/%e2%80%9call-power-to-school-administrators%e2%80%9d-chalkboard%e2%80%99s-theory-of-benevolent-despotism-in-the-world-of-educational-politics Fri, 10 Feb 2012 02:46:25 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v= By: Jackie Bennett http://www.edwize.org/%e2%80%9call-power-to-school-administrators%e2%80%9d-chalkboard%e2%80%99s-theory-of-benevolent-despotism-in-the-world-of-educational-politics/comment-page-1#comment-10214 Jackie Bennett Mon, 16 Oct 2006 01:00:52 +0000 http://edwize.org/%e2%80%9call-power-to-school-administrators%e2%80%9d-chalkboard%e2%80%99s-theory-of-benevolent-despotism-in-the-world-of-educational-politics#comment-10214 It’s true, the 37.5 is structured to allow for “meaningful individual attention to each student,” attention that would be lost if the DoE could impose upon it its own rigid definition of teaching, which includes constaining teaching styles, endless assessments, and infinite paper trails. But Mr. Williams should also understand that Mr. Klein was riding no white horse when he tried to insist that speech teachers teach mandated sessions during the 37.5. By pushing mandated services (to which students are entitled during the regular school day) into the 37.5, Klein was actually cutting the amount of help that needy students could receive. Additional tutoring and remediation were no longer available to these students in the same way they were for other students because the speech teacher’s time was going toward mandated services. This is especially troubling when one considers the intensive needs of speech impaired students It’s true, the 37.5 is structured to allow for “meaningful individual attention to each student,” attention that would be lost if the DoE could impose upon it its own rigid definition of teaching, which includes constaining teaching styles, endless assessments, and infinite paper trails.

But Mr. Williams should also understand that Mr. Klein was riding no white horse when he tried to insist that speech teachers teach mandated sessions during the 37.5. By pushing mandated services (to which students are entitled during the regular school day) into the 37.5, Klein was actually cutting the amount of help that needy students could receive. Additional tutoring and remediation were no longer available to these students in the same way they were for other students because the speech teacher’s time was going toward mandated services. This is especially troubling when one considers the intensive needs of speech impaired students

]]> By: phyllis c. murray http://www.edwize.org/%e2%80%9call-power-to-school-administrators%e2%80%9d-chalkboard%e2%80%99s-theory-of-benevolent-despotism-in-the-world-of-educational-politics/comment-page-1#comment-10211 phyllis c. murray Sun, 15 Oct 2006 02:45:55 +0000 http://edwize.org/%e2%80%9call-power-to-school-administrators%e2%80%9d-chalkboard%e2%80%99s-theory-of-benevolent-despotism-in-the-world-of-educational-politics#comment-10211 GIVING POWER TO THE PEOPLE It is refreshing to be in a school and witness the ability of one parent coordinator that IS empowering parents. In the past, and often today in many inner city communities, parents were just trying to survive. And often in that process, much of school governance was left to school administrators. However, with the presence of an astute parent coordinator, one who is able to attract and enlist parents to take on their share of school governance, the mission is on track. This journey, like all journeys, begins with one step...and continues with two. What is a Parent Coordinator one might ask? In our school Mabel Gonzalez is the parent coordinator. Mabel is a mother and a positive force within our community. And because of her concern for all children, she is empowered to assist, direct, and inspire many parents. As a parent coordinator Mabel has become an instrument of change in a former sea of abandoned dreams. She is diligent, informed, and effective as she services the school community. No stone is left unturned. For the abused; she guides them to safe havens; for the needy, she enlists the support of agencies to provide food clothing and even shelter; some parents are enrolled in college; And some parents are working ... thanks to Mabel Gonzalez. Mabel's role as a leader is exemplified in the incalculable parent workshops which cover: AID's Awareness, Bullying, Lead Detection and Abatement; Immigration Rights and Landlord and Tenant Rights. She provides the much needed orientation for parents with students in Grades(K-6).: Assists with Registration, the Parents Association and the School Leadership Team. And Mrs. Gonzalez advocates for parents who are seeking admission for their children in the outstanding college-bound program, Prep for Prep. In addition to the aforementioned programs, Ms Gonzalez has conducted workshops titled: Man Up Series; Women for Women Series; Hunts Point Works Get a Job; Urban Health Plus, Holistic Medicine; AIDs testing for the Undocumented; Planning Birth Control; Domestic Violence; Gang Prevention; Fire Safety; and the Police Department. Ms Gonzalez has organized the parents into a dynamic team of "Learning Leaders" and many participate in the myriad roles available within the school. Ms Gonzalez’s initiatives include the beautification of P.S. 75X via City Year and the AmaniTomer Playground on the school grounds. Volunteers of America has been enlisted to provide shelters and holiday fun for the needy. As we move forward in this 21st Century, we need strong advocates for children: Advocates who will provide a voice for the disenfranchised masses. And if you are fortunate to have a Parent Coordinator like Mabel Gonzalez, you will be in good hands. Mabel exemplifies excellence in all that she undertakes. And her love for education has been personified in her gifted and talented sons who are making their mark already in their service to their community and academic excellence in school, in college and in education. Parents in the suburban elite communities have always been involved and their voice is welcomed as their opinions are heard in open forums. And as we prepare inner city parents to take their rightful place beside teachers and administrators in true leadership teams, we will be moving toward democratization "in the land of the free. " Phyllis C. Murray,UFT Chapter Leader District 8 Region 2 GIVING POWER TO THE PEOPLE

It is refreshing to be in a school and witness the ability of one parent coordinator that IS empowering parents. In the past, and often today in many inner city communities, parents
were just trying to survive. And often in that process, much of school governance was left to school administrators. However, with the presence of an astute parent coordinator, one who is able to attract and enlist parents to take on their share of school governance, the mission is on track. This journey, like all journeys, begins with one step…and continues with two.

What is a Parent Coordinator one might ask?

In our school Mabel Gonzalez is the parent coordinator. Mabel is a mother and a positive force within our community. And because of her concern for all children, she is empowered to assist, direct, and inspire many parents.

As a parent coordinator Mabel has become an instrument of change in a former sea of abandoned dreams. She is diligent, informed, and effective as she services the school community. No stone is left unturned. For the abused; she guides them to safe havens; for the needy, she enlists the support of agencies to provide food clothing and even shelter; some parents are enrolled in college; And some parents are working … thanks to Mabel Gonzalez.

Mabel’s role as a leader is exemplified in the incalculable parent workshops which cover: AID’s Awareness, Bullying, Lead Detection and Abatement; Immigration Rights and Landlord and Tenant Rights. She provides the much needed orientation for parents with students in
Grades(K-6).: Assists with Registration, the Parents Association and the School Leadership Team. And Mrs. Gonzalez advocates for parents who are seeking admission for their children in the outstanding college-bound program, Prep for Prep.

In addition to the aforementioned programs, Ms Gonzalez has conducted workshops titled: Man Up Series; Women for Women Series; Hunts Point Works Get a Job; Urban Health Plus, Holistic Medicine; AIDs testing for the Undocumented; Planning Birth Control; Domestic Violence; Gang Prevention; Fire Safety; and the Police Department. Ms Gonzalez has organized the parents into a dynamic team of “Learning Leaders” and many participate in the myriad roles available within the school.

Ms Gonzalez’s initiatives include the beautification of P.S. 75X via City Year and the AmaniTomer Playground on the school grounds. Volunteers of America has been enlisted to provide shelters and holiday fun for the needy.

As we move forward in this 21st Century, we need strong advocates for children: Advocates who will provide a voice for the disenfranchised masses. And if you are fortunate to have a Parent Coordinator like Mabel Gonzalez, you will be in good hands.

Mabel exemplifies excellence in all that she undertakes. And her love for education has been personified in her gifted and talented sons who are making their mark already in their service to their community and academic excellence in school, in college and in education.

Parents in the suburban elite communities have always been involved and their voice is welcomed as their opinions are heard in open forums. And as we prepare inner city parents to take their rightful place beside teachers and administrators in true leadership teams, we will be moving toward democratization “in the land of the free. ”

Phyllis C. Murray,UFT Chapter Leader
District 8 Region 2

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