District Administration - June 2008 - (Page 10)

Letters Lessons on Dress In reference to Gary Stager’s blog on The Pulse: Education’s Place for Debate, www.DistrictAdministration.com/pulse, (“One Lesson Teach for America Missed,” April 21, 2008), I can’t tell you how strongly I agree with you! Teachers often cry about not being treated or paid as professionals, yet they continually dress otherwise. This phenomenon is not isolated to our new or young teachers either. I see veteran teachers every day wearing jeans in schools. As administrators, we cannot insist on any dress code for our teachers. Once again, our teachers union does more to hurt the profession than help it. We shouldn’t have to. Professionalism should be instilled in us during our training to become professionals. Sandy Wagner, technology coordinator, Auburn (N.Y.) Enlarged City School District of Teach for America’s summer training institutes (Philadelphia, New York, Houston, Phoenix) and you will see that professional dress (not merely “smart casual”) is required, not recommended. At a corps member’s placement site, it is often left to the school’s policies. However, in this case, if facts were checked, I’m sure TFA had recommended repeatedly to this corps member to change her attire before someone’s rather creative idea of putting her on a television show came into place. Mike Henderson beauty of the Native American culture and geography. Alex Martinez, superintendent, Kayenta (Ariz.) Uniﬁed School District California Walkout I think the school Gary Stager mentions in his article (“Learning Shall Not Interfere with School!” April 23, 2008) on The Pulse: Education’s Place for Debate, www.DistrictAdministration.com/pulse, reacted too harshly! Our district is facing $4.5 million in cuts next year. Our high school students organized a walkout to protest California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s cuts in education. The students who are usually complacent felt empowered having their voices heard. I’m proud that our district’s leadership spoke with the 500-plus students and supported the walkout, calling it an extracurricular activity. My daughter was among the students who walked four miles across town to participate in the rally directed at Sacramento’s politicians. I’ve never been more proud of her. Because of this event, she and her peers are now taking a more active role in following the politics of our state! Diana Kenney, acting curriculum technology integration coach, Alameda (Calif.) Uniﬁed School District Native Indian Culture Thank you for the gracious words in the article on rural school challenges at the Kayenta (Ariz.) Uniﬁed School District (“Achieving against the Odds,” May 2008). It’s refreshing and informative. We would like you to come out and visit our community to experience the I think you should be careful of judging an organization based on one member. I’m sure Teach for America was involved in the taping of the show. On a corps member’s ﬁrst day of training in TFA, professional dress is required. Visit any Letters to the Editor may be sent to jhartnett@edmediagroup.com, or mailed to Judy F. Hartnett, District Administration, 488 Main Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851. Selections that are published may be edited for length and clarity, and become the property of District Administration. “Presidential Math Panel Vows to Increase Learning Disabilities” “Another Pi Day Ruined by Presidential Politics” -Gary Stager -Michael Paul Goldenberg -Susan Ohanian “Those Who Would Be President Ponti cate on Education” Join the Debate Today! www.DistrictAdministration.com/Pulse DA Pulse 4th.indd 1 5/13/08 11:06:34 AM 10 June 2008 District Administration http://www.DistrictAdministration.com/pulse http://www.DistrictAdministration.com/pulse https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pmg/da0508/index.php?startid=22 https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/pmg/da0508/index.php?startid=22 http://www.DistrictAdministration.com/Pulse http://www.DistrictAdministration.com/Pulse

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - June 2008

District Administration - June 2008
Contents
Editor’s Letter
Letters
News Update
Technology Update
Inside the Law
Conversations
Online Edge
Speaking Out
Professional Opinion
Crisis Response
Administrator Profile
District Profile
Cutting Costs from the Inside Out
New Literacies: Entering the Future
Online Videoconferencing
Achievement Today
Transporting Special Needs Students
How Well Does This Web Site Work?
New Products
Problem/Solution
Calendar of Events
Understanding the Times

District Administration - June 2008