Ms. Jackson's visit to Spence on May 5th
Anonymous (not verified) 2008-05-08 03:52
I believe the original post needs a little more clarification. Ms. Jackson came to Spence about 3 weeks ago and returned during the preparation for TAKS. There were assemblies held during her first visit in which she talk about her beginnings in the business of giving back to the community. During this assembly the musical West Side Story was mentioned and between the two different grade level assemblies, $600.00 had been collected from the students for the musical. All in the name of donations. On Ms. Jackson's second visit, her speeches were about passing TAKS and it was during this visit in which she donated money for the musical. The visit that upset teachers was on Monday, May 5th, 2008. On Thursday, May 1, 2008 we received an email from Mrs. Davies stating there would be a faculty meeting after school. The email contained a list of agenda items that would be discussed. On the morning of May 5th, we received a second email stating that the agenda for the meeting had slightly changed and we would have a speaker. During this meeting Mrs. Davies brought up this blog and stated it was created underground against her. Within minutes of Mrs. Davies opening statement, Ms. Jackson took over the microphone and spoke about the blogging against her. The floor was then opened to teachers to comment. Some comments were negative against the teachers who are writing on this blog. Some were positive about Ms. Davies. However, the purpose of this particular visit by Ms. Jackson I believe was designed by Mrs. Davies to continue to divide the staff and try to identify those who are blogging against her. Ms. Jackson probably does have a great heart and good intentions, but this time she was used unknowingly by Mrs. Davies. This is why teachers objected to Ms. Jackson speaking. We were told it was a faculty and it wasn't. We could not leave until it was over. Certainly Ms. Davies provided food in the name of Cinco de Mayo but nevertheless we were tricked into being there.
[Ed Note: I don't know how bringing in a motivational speaker can be seen as attempt to divide teachers--especially one with, as you point out, "a great heart." You'd think there would be something else.
I think a more appropriate question is: "are there any guidelines by which a principal must abide when calling a faculty meeting?" It would seem, logically, a principal could call a meeting at any time for any reason--unless someone knows something different.
Ms. Davies likely knows those who take issue with her. There are several who make no attempt to hide their identities, and several who have challenged her outright. It would follow, again logically, that she would have a right to pursue acquisition of this information.
The big question is: "what can she do with it?" She can probably use it in an evaluation, but again, what does that mean?
A principal is ultimately responsible for the performance and operation of his or her school. Anything that takes away from a positive trend reflects poorly on the principal. It would seem to me to be in Ms. Davies' best interest to "make peace" versus "wage war" wherever possible. Because ultimately, she will likely be called on to answer for the entire situation at Spence.]
