Wow!!! Sounds like it was a fairly diverse. certainly competent and prestigious group gathered to talk to Betsy....OMG....she sounds like pure evil. Interesting that one of the more outspoken teachers is a Trump voter. I hope she is next on the chopping block but I think the two of them have the same deep rooted agenda.
"Pure evil" is a bit much - don't you think? This is one of those "news" articles that doesn't actually contain any news. Perhaps it's just a personal belief, but I think that news should contain new facts, new insights or new analysis. This article, on the other hand, seems like it's trying to make something out of nothing. Something the Huffington Post does very well :P
Buried in the middle of the article is this very important sentence: "Overall, both Hazell and McDaniel said, DeVos was a friendly, attentive listener who was respectful of the teachers’ opinions."
Honestly, if anything, this piece makes me like DeVos because I think it's good when public officials get into challenging conversations with everyday people.
At first thought after reading your comment, I thought it might evil might be a little harsh but I do believe she is doing harm. This may or may not have been supported by this article (although I think it might have been). I think she's doing harm because she has no qualifications for this position and she has no experience in public education. I think we need charter schools and vouchers but I also think it needs a deep level or work and listening. (Although she was polite, I don't think the teachers felt really listened to). I think she and Donald Trump have the same agenda and it's to help those who are white, wealthy and Christian. She has unraveled hard won progress for Transgender students, she has cut student loan aid, she believes God belongs in school and two of the largest teacher unions gave her a terrible report card....but i will take back evil and stick with terrible.
I am taking Betsy's side in this article. It's great that the meeting even took place and that teachers were asked to describe the obstacles they face at their jobs. They were given a (well-deserved) forum in which to express themselves.
This is exactly the kind of argument that makes me sick: “You’re the one creating the ‘bad’ schools by taking all the kids that can afford to get out and leaving the kids who can’t behind.” It's so inaccurate. Charter schools take from the same pool of kids as public schools, and school vouchers combat exactly this.
"The centerpiece of DeVos’ education agenda involves expanding school choice policies." How can anyone disagree that we should enable families to choose which schools to send their kids to?
It does sound like she could have done more to let teachers know she appreciates and supports their hard work.
I totally agree, Erica. Choice and vouchers and charters are excellent opportunities and also, necessities in todays educational landscape. The charter school in KW is amazing and rooted in learning about our planet and each other and peace (Montessori). Acceptance is by lottery. David and Mark Wessels went to a school within a school in high school, David won the lottery, Mark didn't but got an exception by presenting a strong case of necessity. Patty believes neither of them would have survived a traditional high school. I believe in choice, I strongly believe that DeVos's agenda does not put the students first. Betsy might be shy or socially awkward but she went to Parkland after the shooting and didn't talk to one student. She appears painfully uncomfortable when answering questions in front of congress or reporters. Not the right person for the job, in my opinion.
Wow!!! Sounds like it was a fairly diverse. certainly competent and prestigious group gathered to talk to Betsy....OMG....she sounds like pure evil. Interesting that one of the more outspoken teachers is a Trump voter. I hope she is next on the chopping block but I think the two of them have the same deep rooted agenda.
"Pure evil" is a bit much - don't you think? This is one of those "news" articles that doesn't actually contain any news. Perhaps it's just a personal belief, but I think that news should contain new facts, new insights or new analysis. This article, on the other hand, seems like it's trying to make something out of nothing. Something the Huffington Post does very well :P
Buried in the middle of the article is this very important sentence: "Overall, both Hazell and McDaniel said, DeVos was a friendly, attentive listener who was respectful of the teachers’ opinions."
Honestly, if anything, this piece makes me like DeVos because I think it's good when public officials get into challenging conversations with everyday people.
Let's [really] read about the Arizona teacher strike! I know almost nothing about that. Here's a link: https://reallyread.it/articles/azcentral/redfored-leaders-arizona-teachers-hope-to-return-to-class-thursday-ending-histor
At first thought after reading your comment, I thought it might evil might be a little harsh but I do believe she is doing harm. This may or may not have been supported by this article (although I think it might have been). I think she's doing harm because she has no qualifications for this position and she has no experience in public education. I think we need charter schools and vouchers but I also think it needs a deep level or work and listening. (Although she was polite, I don't think the teachers felt really listened to). I think she and Donald Trump have the same agenda and it's to help those who are white, wealthy and Christian. She has unraveled hard won progress for Transgender students, she has cut student loan aid, she believes God belongs in school and two of the largest teacher unions gave her a terrible report card....but i will take back evil and stick with terrible.
I am taking Betsy's side in this article. It's great that the meeting even took place and that teachers were asked to describe the obstacles they face at their jobs. They were given a (well-deserved) forum in which to express themselves.
This is exactly the kind of argument that makes me sick: “You’re the one creating the ‘bad’ schools by taking all the kids that can afford to get out and leaving the kids who can’t behind.” It's so inaccurate. Charter schools take from the same pool of kids as public schools, and school vouchers combat exactly this.
"The centerpiece of DeVos’ education agenda involves expanding school choice policies." How can anyone disagree that we should enable families to choose which schools to send their kids to?
It does sound like she could have done more to let teachers know she appreciates and supports their hard work.
I totally agree, Erica. Choice and vouchers and charters are excellent opportunities and also, necessities in todays educational landscape. The charter school in KW is amazing and rooted in learning about our planet and each other and peace (Montessori). Acceptance is by lottery. David and Mark Wessels went to a school within a school in high school, David won the lottery, Mark didn't but got an exception by presenting a strong case of necessity. Patty believes neither of them would have survived a traditional high school. I believe in choice, I strongly believe that DeVos's agenda does not put the students first. Betsy might be shy or socially awkward but she went to Parkland after the shooting and didn't talk to one student. She appears painfully uncomfortable when answering questions in front of congress or reporters. Not the right person for the job, in my opinion.