Roger Phillips' Stockton Education Blog

Melany Long, Fremont parent : “I understand changes need to be made. But I feel if you move one teacher to another school will it really make a difference or hurt the morale.”

Ellen Old, teacher: “Why is Stockton Unified being sanctioned by the federal government when we didn’t get one cent? This feels like all carrot and no stick. … Why are we simply complying without a challenge? … We’re doing what they’re telling us to do with no money. It really makes no sense. I really think we need to push back on this. … I encourage you to push back at this draconian sledgehammer which is aimed directly at public education. ”

Eric Cover, Fremont sixth-grade teacher: “I teach at a school whose API scores have never gone down. … I’ve taught sixth grade where the rubber hits the pavement.” He said he inherited students whose teachers left midyear two years in a row. “It took a very long time to teach those students to come to school expecting to learn.” But he said his students by year’s end won a behavior award and made progress. “When you want to move teachers around, you need to get a sixth-grade teacher who’s better than me.”

Jessica Woodward, Henry parent: “Just three months at Henry, (my son’s) grades have caught up. He loves his principal, his teachers and his fellow students. … For anyone to take that away, they are crazy. The only ones who will suffer are our children.”

Kelly Weaver, Fremont teacher: “With the leadership and administration and dedication and heart of the people who work at that school … These kids are now becoming concerned about meeting their goals for language arts and math. … Consider what will happen when we’re moving not only principals around but teachers, too.” She said she was laid off last year and probably will be again this year and her students had numerous substitutes.

Doreen Weber, school psychologist, speaking for Pittman Principal Adrienne Machado and the school’s staff: “She encourages us to read books on understanding poverty, teaching minority students … She thinks of her students as more than a test score. She believes in exposing her students to the world of science, math, sports and fine arts. … Adrienne Machado is the kind of administrator any school district would be thrilled to have … a leader and progressive visionary. … It’s an absolute honor to work under your guidance.”

The speakers continue. Tomorrow I will post video of some of tonight’s speakers. I’d do it tonight, but I need access to YouTube to do so … and the district’s Internet service for some strange reason blocks me from logging on there.