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Re: Spotlight Newspapers | Local News

bcsretiree — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:37:59 -0000

As a retiree, I have witnessed for years this kind of monday morning quarterbacking from parents who simply lack the will, ability, or sense of personal responsibility to accept that no matter how good a teacher is, ultimately it is the student's responsibility to learn and the parent's to work with teachers to make certain they do.

No doubt your children reflect their upbringing (or lack thereof).

Anyone who had properly communicated with the district would know that Lesson plans are not provided to students and parents.

Anyone who has properly communicated with a teacher or administrator would have been advised of the areas in need of improvement for their children.

Anyone familiar with Dr. Waltz would be aware that not only did she have approved lesson plans, consistently make herself available to students for extra assistance outside of class, and quickly responded to parental concerns, she designed and provided (at her own expense) a fully interactive website for her students complete with their assignments and supplemental materials.

If your children failed to avail themselves of these opportunities, don't feel bad. You should be proud because they're probably growing up just like you - ignorant and self-absorbed.
S

Re: Spotlight Newspapers | Local News

bcsretiree — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:44:49 -0000

I apologize, the intent of your original post was unclear. I agree they should be targetting the bad teachers and administrators, not good teachers that don't drink deep of the BCS Kool-Aid.

Re: Spotlight Newspapers | Local News

bcsretiree — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:40:32 -0000

As fascinating as this is,and if it is true-Yes it should be reported, What does any of it have to do with this thread, this story, or this teacher?

Dr. Waltz was never abusive to her students, was not a tenured teacher, and the only "abusive" behavior exhibited by anyone was by BCS Administrators toward a highly talented, exceptionally committed teacher who was doing her job. Supported in their abuse by disengaged, uninformed Board members.

The same Administrators and Board members that you suggest parents and students report abusive behavior to.

Why would anyone in their right mind feel that would make a positive difference?

If students are being physically and emotionally abused, their parents should contact the police not the Board.

Who should teachers contact if they are being abused by tyrannical administrators?

Re: Spotlight Newspapers | Local News

bcsretiree — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 15:17:44 -0000

Dear "ateachertoo",

Clearly, you did not attend the BCS board meetings in question. They absolutely did NOT provide two opportunities for people to address the board.

Neither Dr. Waltz, nor any member of the public, is permitted to attend or take part in the "Executive Session" portion of the meetings- thus the term "Executive Session".

NYS Education Law holds Board members responsible for their actions regarding the hiring and firing of staff and all related matters.

It is the responsibility of the Superintendent to make sure that the Board is fully informed of the circumstances and legal responsibilities related to hiring and firing of personnel.

As Dr. Waltz pointed out at the meeting, the members of the Board who voted to approve her hiring to teach two sections of Spanish last year, commited as MISDEMEANOR per Section 3010 of the NYS Education Law. Something good old Mike Tebbano failed to tell them.

Also, being "informed of the reasons for her firing" doesn't mean those reasons are true and supported by facts and evidence. As a matter of fact, there appears to be considerable evidence that the reasons provided are NOT true and Not supported by evidence.

Go back and tell your buddies around the punchbowl of Kool-Aid that try as you might, you just can't get people to ignore those pesky things like facts and evidience.

Oh, just one more thing for you to keep in mind, I have spoken to a number of friends in Administration in area districts about this case.

The consensus?

Being fired from Bethlehem's Foreign Language Program and being on the wrong side of Marisa Bel is considered a "Plus" in a candidate's hiring review -- not a "Negative".

A quick lesson for you "ateachertoo"?

"In a system ruled by fear and tyranny, SILENCE is the only treason."

Re: Spotlight Newspapers | Local News

bcsretiree — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:43:41 -0000

It is clear the board and the administration just don't get it. You can't honestly claim to be committed to the success and growth of the Chinese program when you replace a teacher with 3 advanced degrees, one of them a Ph.D in Chinese, with extensive international experience, several years of teaching experience, 6 positive reviews of her teaching by members of your own staff, and considerable student, parent, and community support, with a person with no teaching experiece in American schools, barely a certification, and no background in curriculu development.

You can't honestly say that you're "committed to the growth of the Chinese program" when you had a .6 position teaching Chinese last year and a .6 Chinese position this year and your Chinese class is the only one pushed to 31 students in each section - none of the other languages would permit a class that big?
I realize Big Mike Tebbano was never a math teacher, but you would think he could add and subtract: 0.6-0.6=Zero. Zero Growth is not Growth. Of course it does equal what we are seeing from the Board and the Administration toward Bethlehem's Children - Zero Commitment.

Re: Spotlight Newspapers | Local News

bcsretiree — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 22:44:55 -0000

Clearly what needs to occur is to replace the current herd of sheep warming the seats of the Bethlehem School Board and replace them with people who will do their job and hold the administration in general and the Superintendent in particular, accountable for their actions or failure to act.

It was smilin' Mike Tebbano that hired Marisa Bel. It is smilin' Mike that keeps her in place despite the misgivings expressed to the administration many, many, times by the foreign language teaching staff regarding her pattern of persecuting her subordinates, general incompetence as an administrator, and her highly questionable skills as a teacher.

Makes one wonder why smilin' Mike would go to such lengths to preserve his creation's status doesn't it? Hmmmmm.

Bottom line -- the Superintendent's contract requires approval by a majority of the school board when it comes up for renewal. That's 4 votes out 7. Based on conversations I've had with members currently on the board, we're halfway there. We can elect two new Board members this coming May, and toss Tebbano into the dustbin of history where he belongs.
I asked one of the two current board members why they didn't speak up and he said "None of us are happy with what we're hearing (Tebbano's mishandling of the clarksville School, the Chinese program) but we know we don't have the votes right now, get us the votes and we can change some things.

Well if that's the case then it's up to us as taxpayers and voters. Time to start organizing and take back control of our School District. Tebbano and the Administration are supposed to work for us not the other way around.

Re: Spotlight Newspapers | Local News

bcsretiree — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:54:57 -0000

I think it is pathetic and very telling that all of the negative comments on here came from the same person. Typical. Hard working students who applied themselves learned a great deal from Dr. Waltz. She made a great difference to many and they made more progress in one year with her than they would have with anyone else. I saw her on a daily basis-she always dressed appropriately, never spoke ill of anyone, and oh, just for the record, none of her Spanish students had to take the Regents exam-it wasn't a Regents course- CP123/Angrystudent/Booyouwhore -- you are typical of the kind of spoiled brat who thinks they are entitled to good grades because of who their mommy/daddy is, you sad, pathetic loser. If you really are a student you probably deserve to flunk.

The only people to blame for the sad state of the language program are Marisa Bel the Foreign Language Supervisor and "Mini" Mike Tebbano the hopefully temporary Superintendent of Schools. They have traded a nationally recognized instructor for an inexperienced, unproven newbie. This is looking out for the interests of the children?