An anonymous person writes in:
There is an ad in today’s Miami Herald for the following teacher positions at Hillel:
High School: Biology, Math, History
Middle School: Science, Social Studies
Elementary & Pre-School
Have we lost more teachers? Does anyone know if any teachers have quit lately?
50 responses so far ↓
1 teacher // Jun 24, 2007 at 5:09 pm
We probably are. No one wants to work the new hours with the new responsibilities without serious increases in pay. Besides, based on this year, no one knows when the axe will fall on them. They can get new, cheap teachers and indocrinate them to what they want. I wouldn’t be surprised to see most of the veterans leave if they have another offer.
2 Carrot Top // Jun 24, 2007 at 5:49 pm
Well, I have heard that many many teachers are exploring different options. Some have even moved out of state.
3 Anonymous // Jun 24, 2007 at 7:38 pm
Public schools and charter schools are done at 2:30 every day. There are no extra duties. Many are investigating alternatives trying to decide whether to stay or go. Many figure with the teacher shortage, if they don’t go this year, they can aways get a job somewhere next year. There’s no shortage of teacher positions available out there. It’s a teacher’s market now.
4 Carrot Top // Jun 24, 2007 at 9:33 pm
So true…
5 Anonymous // Jun 26, 2007 at 3:58 pm
Some of these positions were open prior to this. In the elementary school, there are several teachers who were new and not coming back due to family relocation. In the middle school, they have been looking for a Science teacher since the first quarter of last school year. ….and high school, well everyone knows that story!
These are not believed to be new positions. However, as we move further in the summer, they are probably finding there are not too many applicants and need to open up a wider search to obtain candidates.
Let’s not look for something that is not there!
6 sara // Jun 26, 2007 at 5:01 pm
Yes, we should not look for something that is not there. But the national shortage is a reality. And when a school has or finds a GOOD teacher–and an EFFECTIVE teacher–the should do ALL it can to hold on to that person!
http://www.eschoolnews.org/news/showStoryts.cfm?ArticleID=7180&page=3
One quotation from the article: “We know there is a huge gap between mastery of a subject and the ability to teach that subject to others, especially when the others are a group of sometimes wayward, sometimes bored, and sometimes poorly prepared teenagers”
7 teacher // Jun 26, 2007 at 6:27 pm
“lets not look for something that’s not there”-don’t fool yourselves-it is there.
8 Hillel Teacher // Jun 26, 2007 at 7:09 pm
To Anonymous-Post #5:
You say, “Let’s not look for something that is not there.” I suggest you are in complete denial of the problems facing Hillel THAT ARE THERE- now and in the near future. Who cares when these teacher openings became openings; the fact is Hillel has a “TURNOVER PROBLEM!” And, it will continue to grow to major proportions if the parents don’t wake up and support the remaining Hillel faculty!!!
If you are going to post information on this site as “factual”, you need to be aware of the “facts.” The information you wrote about the teachers from the Elementary division is inaccurate! The facts concerning the teacher vacancies in the Elementary division are:
· At the end of this school year, there were “5” Elementary teachers not returning next year.
· There is ONLY“1” NEW TEACHER who relocated.
· “2” other NEW TEACHERS were not given contracts, therefore were fired.
· “1” EXPERIENCED TEACHER DID NOT relocate and left on her own.
· “1” VETERAN TEACHER opted for an early retirement.
9 Anonymous // Jun 26, 2007 at 7:28 pm
Can someone please explain why all the parents seem to think the Elementary is so wonderful??? The teachers there sound as mistreated or as taken for granted as the h.s. teachers. Basically, as long as none of the teachers make any noise, no one cares.
THE SQUEAKY HINGE GETS THE GREASE.
10 Hillel Teacher // Jun 26, 2007 at 8:55 pm
The Elementary Division has ALWAYS been a division at Hillel with little teacher turnover-up until now! They are a strong group of teachers who have worked together to build a “TEAM” that works well together. This division is made up of many veteran teachers who have worked together; some for more than 2o years. Elementary teachers have always taken new teachers under their wing and have loyally followed the direction of each principal with whom they have worked. The Elementary division functions as a “FAMILY.” They make a heck of a lot of noise-but always in a professional way. That means, they make noise to the appropriate sources, at the appropriate times, and for appropriate reasons; those reasons usually being how to make things better for the children they teach and the school they love!
Anonymous #9, you are correct! ALL TEACHERS IN ALL DIVISIONS have been affected this year. For your information, the teachers who have posted on this site have been from ALL DIVISIONS. If you were not at the June 6th meeting, perhaps you are unaware that almost the ENTIRE ELEMENTARY FACULTY WAS THERE! Doesn’t that tell you something? There’s making noise with your vocal cords and there’s making noise by your presence. I think the Elementary faculty made a heck of a lot of noise- in a very professional way- by just being there!
11 anonymous // Jun 26, 2007 at 9:30 pm
To teacher # 8 - - I am not in denial - I have been a strong supporter of the teachers from the day I learned of this site and take offense to the untrue accusations you make.
To the best of my knowledge, Mrs. Sidney (new teacher - 5th grade ) relocated, Ms. Carrie (new teacher - replaced Mrs. Seidenstein who took ill last year) was demoted mid year to assistant and not returning next year. Mrs. Labelle (computers/Math - veteran teacher) retired, Mr. Brody (Band) was not renewed, Anot Agam -(moving to the high school to teach art) - - who was left out???
The truth be known that the elementary teachers are a professional, highly qualified group of individuals who are highly respected in their field. They have been grossly mistreated and deserve the utmost respect. Their presence was quite strong at the end of year meeting and they took a stand. However, they are professional, maintain their dignity and do an awesome job!
12 Hillel Teacher // Jun 26, 2007 at 10:01 pm
anonymous: I actually forgot to include Ms. Carrie who went from teacher to assistant and is not returning in either capacity and Mrs. Agam who moved from Elementary to High School. The new 1st grade teacher is not returning as well as an excellent teacher from the Judaic department.
13 Hillel Teacher // Jun 26, 2007 at 10:22 pm
Anonymous- I apologize if I offended you. It just hurts so much to see we are losing so many wonderful teachers. The mistreatment of the entire faculty this past year has been unbearably painful! The teachers appreciate all your support; especially your kind words about the Elementary teachers!
14 Anonymous // Jun 26, 2007 at 10:45 pm
Hillel Teacher,
Can you please list for us every teacher who is leaving by name - the reason they are leaving- and the position. We are well aware of the high school situation.
It’s time to take stock of the elementary situation.
Students in high school are old enough to understand and articulate what is going when they see teachers being mistreated. Even more so, the alumni are old enough to appreciate what teachers have done for them, and have valiantly taken on pleading their case and this cause for all of Hillel teachers.
Because elementary students don’t stage sit-ins dressed in all black, their parents are clueless that the elementary teachers are mistreated.
Let’s set the record straight for every person reading this blog.
Thank you.
15 Anonymous // Jun 26, 2007 at 10:54 pm
“The Elementary division functions as a “FAMILY.” They make a heck of a lot of noise-but always in a professional way. That means, they make noise to the appropriate sources, at the appropriate times, and for appropriate reasons”
Hillel teachers are too darn quiet. Thank heavens there’s a blog or no one would ever know how much you all have been made to suffer.
16 Hillel Teacher // Jun 27, 2007 at 12:20 am
At the end of the school year, this was the list of teachers not returning to Hillel from the Elementary School:
Ms. Menachem- 1st grade- not renewed
Mr. Brody- Music- not renewed
Ms. Carrie- 6th grade teacher/assistant- resigned ? not renewed?
Mrs. LaBelle- Computer/Math- early retirement
Mrs. Sidney- 5th grade- relocation
Mrs. Keivman- 4th grade-Judaics- resigned
This is the list of Elementary Teachers who are moving to Middle or High School:
Mrs Agam- 1st grade- to High School
Mrs. Kapnek- 6th grade- to Middle School
Rabbi Reisel- 6th grade- to Middle School
Mrs. Orit Cohen- 6th grade- to Middle School
17 Anonymous // Jun 27, 2007 at 7:55 am
It is true the elementary school teachers are not being treated appropriately. However, of the 6 leaving, several had been discussed on this blog previously - specifically Mr. Brody - Band - - this is the teacher that was set up for failure with the mandatory band classes. Students repeatedly and purposely did not bring their instruments and were allowed to disrupt the learning of the serious students who were compliant and participated. Those students really learned. The rest sat in the chapel in the same room and talked loudly and played games. The school did not reinforce the mandatory nature and call the parents or have them bring the instruments. The children were neither sanctioned or punished for such behaviour. However, the teacher was not renewed because of classroom management. It was the administrations fault for once again not enforcing the rules.
The issue with Ms. Carrie was ridiculous. The school never hired a certified teacher for the 6th grade - they had the original assistant teaching the class. So, were the parents offered compensation for the value they did not receive? Ms. Carrie is not returning. A source close to her indicated, she is getting married and supposedly she is going into some type of educational business with her sister.
Mrs. Sidney - my understanding is that this is no loss for the school. She used to be a docent (a museum guide) and an art teacher - -from the parents whose children had her - this was no real loss for the school.
Now - Mrs. Keivman is a tremendous loss. She is a wonderful teacher - ask any parent whose child was lucky enough to have had her. I have absolutely no personal experience with this teacher but the elementary parents apparently rave about her.
Mrs. LaBelle is simply retiring. She has taught for many years and chose to retire.
The rest are not leaving but are victims of the restructuring of the 6th grade from elementary school to middle school. Again, this decision was also discussed previously on the blog. References were made to a Duke University report on the negative nature of such a restructuring. The following report was released in February 2007
http://www.pubpol.duke.edu/research/papers/SAN07-01.pdf
18 Anonymous // Jun 27, 2007 at 10:50 am
“Now - Mrs. Keivman is a tremendous loss. She is a wonderful teacher - ask any parent whose child was lucky enough to have had her. I have absolutely no personal experience with this teacher but the elementary parents apparently rave about her. ”
Why is yet another GREAT resigning????????
That is the question.
If I listed for you all the GREATS who resigned in the high school over the past ten years, your heads would spin.
Hillel cannot afford to lose ANY GREATS if it wishes to be a school of EXCELLENCE.
EXCELLENT TEACHERS are what create a school of EXCELLENCE.
WHY did she resign?????????
I think it’s high time teachers start UNIONIZING and USE THIS BLOG TO DO SO !!
19 anonymous // Jun 27, 2007 at 10:59 am
“The “Older Alum” (original poster) // Jun 12, 2007 at 10:20 am
Teachers should look into options for unionization. Now it has come to my attention that this has been thought of in the past, HOWEVER… based on the way I currently understand unionization rules, they would have to do it very discreetly. Could a labor lawyer assist in the logistics? If there is someone in this community interested in helping, how about providing some free advice? Maybe it’s possible for the unionization effort to begin from the outside in[….]how about a close knit group of teachers get together to start up a union board, but allow someone from the outside to work on recruiting the teachers to approve the union. That way when the necessary majority is signed, the only person who knows is this person on the outside who is the only person with a “master list” to be presented to the school.
Current laws do not protect people from being fired for trying to form a union. However, going back to my previous point, you can go online and support the Employee Free Choice Act which will provide employees the opportunities to form unions without fears of management interference. Here is more information on what the EFCA is about:
http://tinyurl.com/yt2kvv
On that same page you will find a link on the right side which lets you sign an online postcard to your Senator. This act has already passed the House and is awaiting Senate approval[…]
the AFL CIO is a proponent of this bill. It is an amendment to the National Labor Relations Act. It would be illegal for an employer to fire an employee for attempting to form a union. If they do then the employee will be entitled to back pay as well as the employer being subject to civil penalties of up to $20,000 per infraction.
If you would like to read the bill, you can find it by going to http://thomas.loc.gov and searching for “Employee Free Choice Act”. It is not a long bill but from what I was able to gather, it will do two things:
1 - Streamline the process of unionization by bypassing any election by the board to approve the union. It would require certification of the union as long as there is a valid majority and require a collective bargaining meeting to be held within 10 days of receiving the written request.
2 - Protect individuals or employee groups who are petitioning for unionization from being fired for doing so. It strengthens enforcement by providing for back pay and civil penalties against the employer for any retaliation.”
20 Anonymous // Jun 27, 2007 at 11:18 am
Rav Hillel stated: “IF I AM NOT FOR MYSELF, WHO WILL BE FOR ME?”
We have all witnessed firsthand that at this school, if teachers do not start standing up for themselves and organizing to protect themselves NO ONE ELSE will be for them.
It’s time to be PROACTIVE. The time for positive action has arrived!
21 Anonymous // Jun 27, 2007 at 11:24 am
First They Came for the Jews
First they came for the Jews
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for the Communists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a Communist.
Then they came for the trade unionists
and I did not speak out
because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for me
and there was no one left
to speak out for me.
–Pastor Martin Niemöller
IT’S TIME TO BAND TOGETHER AND TAKE ACTION!
22 Juno // Jun 27, 2007 at 9:21 pm
Time is Marching
23 anonymous // Jun 27, 2007 at 11:02 pm
Anyone get the letter today from the school outlining the new admin?
It provided information on every division and who is in each administrator role.
24 Anonymous // Jun 27, 2007 at 11:06 pm
Please enlighten us
25 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 12:23 am
I didn’t see Mrs. Riskin’s name among the administrative team??
26 Anon // Jun 28, 2007 at 6:57 am
Who made the final cut?????????
27 Aaron // Jun 28, 2007 at 7:18 am
Any chance someone can post the letter? (Or a link to the letter?)
28 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 8:12 am
Mrs. Riskin did not want to work full time and opted to go back to her previous position of special events and field trip planning. This was her choice and decision.
29 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 8:17 am
This is the communication received from the school in print and in email.
Blueprint to Excellence Update Vol. 4
We are pleased to bring you the fourth edition of Hillel’s Blueprint to Excellence Update. We hope you are finding these updates helpful in staying informed of Hillel’s progress and happenings. As we’ve shared previously, important changes are underway at our school, and we believe the following is another accomplishment in our effort to further enhance Hillel’s ability to achieve excellence.
Hillel’s Board of Governors and Administration are currently focused on achieving two major goals:
To provide a rich educational experience that incorporates best practices
To ensure Jewish values and Judaic studies are infused throughout Hillel’s curriculum
To accomplish these goals, we have created a new leadership structure for Hillel, which will be applied schoolwide in every division (Upper School, Middle School and Lower School) for the 2007-2008 school year. Within this structure, each division has administrative leaders who share responsibilities for General Studies and Judaic Studies, and report to us both, Head of School and Associate Head of School-Judaic. Information about these educators follows.
From Harvard University to Yeshiva University, every division’s administrative team is comprised of educational experts with esteemed credentials and experience.
Most of next year’s administrative leaders have been promoted from within the Hillel family, and some new ones have joined us.
The structure presents a solid solution to achieve a Board goal to advance the school during a nationwide shortage of Jewish educational leaders, simultaneously maintaining a parallel track to develop future Jewish educational leaders for Hillel and other Jewish schools nationally.
In addition, Hillel’s newly created Student Life division will be led by some of Hillel’s strongest, most admired educators who have served us well for many years. Frumma Rosenberg-Gottlieb will head this department. From classroom lessons to extracurricular activities, her team will create an atmosphere that will infuse every facet of our children’s education with Torah ideals. This division has been established to ensure uncompromising attention to the cultivation of Jewish values in every aspect of Hillel, from Lower School through Upper School and beyond.
If you have any questions, please always feel free to contact one of us or a member of the Board. You can reach us through the school at 305.931.2831 x126; Board members also are available at Board@hillel-nmb.net. We wish you a safe, relaxing summer.
Sincerely,
Dr. Adam Holden Rabbi Michael Druin
Head of School Associate Head of School-Judaic
HILLEL EDUCATIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE STRUCTURE
2007 - 2008 / 5767 - 5768
We hope you will agree that this new structure greatly supports Hillel’s overall strategic plan, our Blueprint to Excellence. Thank you for your continued partnership as we move forward on our path to provide the finest Jewish education for our children.
Head of School: Dr. Adam Holden
Associate Head of School-Judaic: Rabbi Michael Druin
UPPER SCHOOL
Principal: Tym Bonilla
Principal, Student Life:Frumma Rosenberg-Gottlieb
Assistant Principal:Laura Ingoldsby
MIDDLE SCHOOL
Principal: Nick Hinrichsen
Assistant Principal: Gary Pierce
Assistant Principal, Student Life: Yossi Kastan
LOWER SCHOOL
Principal: Debra Abolafia
Assistant Principal, Grades 1-5: Rabbi Allen Saks
Assistant Principal, PKT-Kindergarten: Valerie Lustgarten
Assistant Principal, Student Life: Joshua Meisels
All new members of Hillel’s educational administrative team have advanced degrees in education. They all have taught the grade levels of their respective divisions and most have administrative experience in the same fields.
These administrators were hired through internal and national searches using the country’s major Jewish and secular placement outlets. We believe that this group of administrators represents the very best candidates across the nation and brings with them exceptional qualifications, ability and experience.
UPPER SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
Grade 9 - Grade 12
PRINCIPAL: Tym Bonilla
With more than 12 years in education, Mr. Tym Bonilla brings with him eight years of experience in administration. He holds a bachelor’s degree in American and world history from Ottawa University and a master’s degree in educational administration from Washburn University; he also completed a Harvard University Educational Leadership course in educational vision.
Mr. Bonilla’s career began in the United States Marine Corps with active duty in the Persian Gulf War. As an educator, he has held leadership positions as a service learning director and as an adjunct professor at the graduate level of teacher training programs, communications and marketing.
Mr. Bonilla has principal and assistant principal experience at the upper, middle and lower school levels.
PRINCIPAL, STUDENT LIFE: Frumma Rosenberg-Gottlieb
Mrs. Frumma Rosenberg-Gottlieb has served Hillel since 1998 as middle school principal and Judaic Studies teacher. She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and an advanced degree in Jewish studies at Machon Chana, a renowned Torah institute for women, where she subsequently served as school director.
She was also the principal of New York boarding school Bais Rochel Leah and co-director of the Chabad House of Pittsburgh, where she founded the Jewish Women’s University. Highlighting her innovative ideas in Jewish education, Mrs. Rosenberg-Gottlieb lectures internationally and writes about Jewish topics; she has made such media appearances as the “Oprah Winfrey Show.”
Through administrative, classroom and extracurricular activities, Mrs. Rosenberg-Gottlieb will focus on the spiritual aspects of Hillel’s student life. “Every soul is sent to this world with a special mission,” she said. “I feel I have been groomed for this work and will concentrate on the educational themes and projects that mean so much to me.”
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL: Laura Ingoldsby
Ms. Laura Ingoldsby will apply to Hillel her successful teaching career in diverse classroom settings, ranging from inner-city to established independent schools. She has a bachelor’s degree in economics from Washington and Lee University and a master’s degree in school leadership from Harvard University.
Ms. Ingoldsby completed her graduate degree from Harvard while simultaneously completing a 400-hour principal internship at the Boston College High School. She also has special education experience from her roles as resident group leader and assistant director of the Atlantic Coast Special Education Services.
An accomplished athlete, Ms. Ingoldsby looks forward to expanding Hillel’s organized sports and athletics programs.
MIDDLE SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
Grade 6 - Grade 8
PRINCIPAL: Nick Hinrichsen
Middle School will be led by Mr. Nick Hinrichsen, an educator who has been with Hillel for more than a decade and has served as high school assistant principal since 2004. Mr. Hinrichsen earned his bachelor’s degree in secondary education from East Stroudsburg University, his master’s degree in educational psychology from Widener University and his educational specialist degree in educational leadership from Nova Southeastern University; he is a candidate for his doctorate of education.
In his Hillel tenure, he has strengthened curriculum through the development of the Grade 8 Move Up Day program, new AP policies, an Upper School program of studies, a schoolwide judiciary committee, and the introduction of Hillel’s drug education program, including student screenings and DFYIT (Drug Free Youth In Town) in the Upper School and Middle School. Partnered with Dr. Holden, Mr. Hinrichsen has improved Hillel’s policies of discipline, attendance, grading and uniform/dress code.
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL: Gary Peirce
Mr. Gary Peirce is a middle school specialist who moved into education after a highly successful 15-year career in business. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Northwood University and a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from the University of Missouri. In addition, Mr. Peirce completed educational leadership programs in gifted education at the College of William and Mary, and in curriculum mapping at Columbia University.
Prior to Hillel, he was the dean of student activities at the Pine School in Martin County; he has taught at the middle school level in both public and private schools. A colleague recently described Mr. Peirce as “one of the most effective educators that I have known in my 15 years of teaching.”
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, STUDENT LIFE: Yossi Kastan
Mr. Yossi Kastan is a Hillel graduate, currently earning a master’s degree in education at Nova Southeastern University and working on his rabbinic ordination. Until this year, Mr. Kastan worked with Hillel’s high school administration.
He has served in such roles as director of The Jewish Youth Education Council in Australia and as program director of the Young Israel of Monsey. He also teaches Jewish children in local public schools in a CAJE extracurricular program. Dedicated to the Middle School, Mr. Kastan will work with Frumma Rosenberg-Gottlieb to bring to life his passionate commitment to Jewish education, all while giving back to his alma mater by educating the next generation of Hillel alumni.
LOWER SCHOOL ADMINISTRATION
PKT - Grade 5
PRINCIPAL: Debra Abolafia
With a 25-year career in education and administration, Ms. Debra Abolafia was Hillel’s principal of early childhood education last year. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from Queens College and a master’s degree in special education from Hunter College.
Until she joined Hillel, Ms. Abolafia was the director of early learning programs at Nova Southeastern University’s Mailman Segal Institute and the principal of the Baudhuin School. There, she was responsible for the development, administration and supervision of all early childhood program directors and the professional development department’s academic, training and outreach programs. Her balance of education, administrative experience and relationships with Hillel families makes Ms. Abolafia the ideal fit for this new position.
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, Grades 1 - 5: Rabbi Allen Saks
Rabbi Allen Saks has been a Hillel Judaic Studies teacher since 2003. At Yeshiva University, he earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Jewish education and administration, as well as his rabbinic ordination.
Past roles include principal of the Rabbi David L. Silver Yeshiva Academy in Pennsylvania and principal of Canada’s Akiva Academy. Rabbi Saks’ teaching and administrative experience is diverse within lower and middle school grade levels.
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, PKT - Kindergarten: Valerie Lustgarten
Mrs. Valerie Lustgarten has been a Hillel early childhood teacher since 2006. Her bachelor’s degree in preschool education and master’s degree in early childhood education are from Universidad Metropolitana, Caracas. In addition, she has a master’s degree in Montessori education from the Southern Montessori Institute.
Mrs. Lustgarten’s 19 years of experience in early childhood education have been spent as a master teacher, assistant principal and administrator in the United States and Venezuela.
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL, STUDENT LIFE: Joshua Meisels
Since 1997, Mr. Joshua Meisels has served as Hillel’s director of Judaics and rebbe for Grades 1-6. A former Hillel student, he has a bachelor’s degree from Columbia University and a master’s degree in education from Nova Southeastern University. He has developed programs at Hillel that integrate Jewish values with social-emotional learning and has great enthusiasm for Torah and spirituality.
Mr. Meisels will work with Frumma Rosenberg-Gottlieb to instill informal Torah learning and to strengthen a connection to the Jewish community in every student of the Lower School.
Hillel is a Jewish community day school structured to cultivate and inspire students’ interests and talents and to prepare them for college admission. By engaging students in meaningful cultural and religious experiences, Hillel strives to deepen their commitment to Judaism, the Jewish people and the State of Israel. Hillel is the second largest Jewish community day school in the nation.
30 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 11:16 am
Basically a lot of FLUFF and MEDIOCRITY(with a couple exceptions) running the so-called school of EXCELLENCE….no surprise there…they’ve run and are continuing to run most of the truly excellent out. For the few excellent veterans who remain and are practically an anomaly at this point, we wish you luck in navigating through the turbulent seas with this crew at the helm along with the”toothless crew of cronies” (as was so aptly put) “protecting” you from them.
31 Anonymous // Jun 28, 2007 at 2:08 pm
“Mrs. Riskin did not want to work full time and opted to go back to her previous position of special events and field trip planning. This was her choice and decision”
“Now - Mrs. Keivman is a tremendous loss. She is a wonderful teacher - ask any parent whose child was lucky enough to have had her. I have absolutely no personal experience with this teacher but the elementary parents apparently rave about her. ”
I repeat: Why is yet another GREAT resigning????????
That is the question.
32 a former teacher // Jul 1, 2007 at 6:49 pm
I’m not sure if this belongs here, but I wanted to put this out on the blog. I was speaking to a parent of elementary students and we were discussing Hillel. She asked if I were going to return to Hillel next year, and when I told her no, that I wanted to take some time off, she began to spin me a huge web of tales. She told me that it was good that someone like Holden came to the high school to “clean up the mess” that it had become. There were teachers there who did not complete plan books, left campus all of the time and who were not teaching their subject. She continued by saying that the students were allowed to do whatever they wanted because the teachers were not doing their jobs. All of this information she had heard from board members — NEVER ONCE had she asked a high school teacher about what was really going on in the high school. As I tried to refute the accusations she had made, she had a blank, distant look on her face — she did not care. As far as she was concerned, Holden was the answer to Hillel. As a teacher in the high school it really hurt to hear this. We have tried for so long to do what was right — but it is hard to discipline a child when the administrator believes that “nurturing” is what is best or is not physically in his/her office to help deal with the problem. As far as I am concerned, and I did include this to the elementary school parent, it is the board’s fault for the failings of Hillel. They brought us several administrators, as well as this current one, who really only have one best interest at heart — their own. Unfortunately, the parents won’t realize this until it is too late.
33 Anonymous // Jul 1, 2007 at 7:32 pm
Infuriating but not surprising. What the Board has succeeded in doing is to divide the school: upper vs. lower. High School parents know what is really going on and are being pitted against elementary & ECE parents who have been brainwashed with lies.
Nice going Mrs. Russ, Bonwitt, et al.
34 Anonymous // Jul 1, 2007 at 7:50 pm
Maybe a good solution at this point would be to completely separate the high school from the rest of the school.
Leave Holden with the lower school parents who adore the board and their chosen leader.
Elect a new board to govern the high school.
35 Mr. Pink // Jul 9, 2007 at 8:24 pm
Head count, anyone??????
36 Good Wolf // Jul 10, 2007 at 9:30 pm
There are a lot.
37 anonymous // Jul 10, 2007 at 11:27 pm
This is horrible. These individuals are clueless. The board is blind - - ….and this whole situation is frightening!
We must SAVE HILLEL.
38 anonymous // Jul 10, 2007 at 11:28 pm
….before there is nothing else to save
39 sara // Jul 10, 2007 at 11:39 pm
To #37 & #38: How?????????????????
40 Anonymous // Jul 11, 2007 at 7:03 am
there´s very little worth saving
very little
Don´t waste your breath on the ears of the deaf
go somewhere where you´ll be appreciated
that´s what our finest educators have done
41 anonymous // Jul 27, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Another one hits the dust-Dr. W is gone.
42 anonymous // Jul 27, 2007 at 12:24 pm
Dr. W? Name please?
43 anonymous // Jul 27, 2007 at 12:27 pm
Paul Weiser
44 Aviva--- to high school parents // Jul 27, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Parents….We must demand accoutability! We need to go to the administrators, the head of school, the board.
Find out why so many high school teachers have left. Determine the qualifications of those who have been hired.
The high school was staffed with superior educators only a short time ago. What is happening should not be happening! Almost entirely new math and science departments. Half new English department.
45 sad parent // Jul 27, 2007 at 12:55 pm
Aviva
Teachers are coming back to school in 3 weeks. it shouldnt be difficult to post the names, qualifications and level of experience of the new staff and than compare them to the ones let go. it will demonstrate either than adam’s firings were either a power and/or financial one (which wont sit well with the parents who pay high tuition fees) or that adam is building a stellar team in which case the board’s trust in him will be proven to be well founded.
this approach will be based on facts not rumors or speculation.
46 anonymous // Jul 27, 2007 at 1:00 pm
sounds like a plan!
47 Anonymous // Jul 27, 2007 at 1:24 pm
Before we just pick on this year, let’s remember that the HS has had many problems over the last several years. Lots of principals, lots of turnover of teachers, lots of failed programs etc. There were a group of excellent teachers let go several years ago. So maybe a complete overhaul is needed - just not by Holden.
48 Aaron // Jul 27, 2007 at 2:21 pm
I’m frustrated by the fact that our opinions don’t matter.
Some people feel that if we have time to post on SaveHillel.com then we clearly aren’t doing anything important.
If we’re not doing anything important, we are not important people.
If we are not important people, why should we be listened to?
49 Anonymous // Jul 27, 2007 at 3:05 pm
Not only important people are worth listening to. Many times unimportant people have alot to say and need an outlet in which to say it. I for one am very happy not being an “important” person.
50 anonymous // Jul 27, 2007 at 6:37 pm
Everyone’s opinion is important and everyone should continue to read and post.
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