Educator of the Year!

Educator of the Year 2011!  
CTA's Educator of the Year is Often a Great Teacher, but always a non-political, without options, without opinions and whose real qualification for the benign appointment is their ability to talk the Burlingame rhetoric (SIMILAR IN SIGNIFICANCE TO... "DO'N THE HAND-JIVE") with robot like precision. While being undeniably good at their craft, they are in fact, the "person(S) most likely if there were a real vote, to be voted "Miss Congeniality"). Actually, I believe at one time David Sanchez was Miss Congeniality. Five years straight!


So we at Disenfranchised-Educators have taken it upon ourselves to announce our own Educator of the Year. The qualities we will always seek for this entitled position are: that person be not only a good highly qualified educator whether classified, certificated, or administrative; who works hard (not 70 hours a week) and works passionately for students, their parents and and their coworkers. "Educators count too!" And it is mandatory that they have some sense of political awareness. We unreservedly embrace that idea even if theirs is a political position contrary to ours here at Disenfranchised – Educators, we must honor and investigate descention for its true utility. And unwavering foundation in a true democracy.


This year myself, our entire editorial staff (currently rumored to be somewhere in a bar near Juarez, Mexico) and our one reader – Marion where ever he is, have unanimously elected Ms. Maura Larkins of San Diego. She herself works from a blog site for educators. Our editorial staff have, in consultation with reader Marion (who in turn Bankrolled the cause - Yesterday's lunch) take great pleasure in announcing the many payments, many accomplishments and legal victories of this months winner; Maura. Tenacity and unwavering passion for doing the right thing sets her apart. Thank you Maura. "You have more admirers than you'll ever know."


 I Praetorian


Along with the many note worthy legal poundings She has given to the Southern California School Districts' special are those givin to those ignorant enough or so poorly managed that they fell prey to the cheapest choice of legal seaguls; Friedman, Flouckman and Freud. Otherwise known as the  F-UP law partners law firm.


F, F and FU have a Walmart approach toward signing and defending school districts. READ - Spending YOUR TAX DOLLARS. (even better, more than 400 School Districts nearby depend on the  F-UP GROUP who prey on simple minded HR directors and administrators, teasing them in with 200 dollars a billable hour. However, with 400 districts REPRESENTED, they don't even know the names of most of their superintendents. They actually have yet to prove they have 400 employees at all. Including the custodial staffs in two states. Still worse I hear. They keep loosing attorneys ... 


to the prison system and FEW OF THOSE ARE CAREER MOVES.  SO, IAM TOLD.




Tune in next week for Maura's Bio and Opinions on Education in California.


PLUS! Next week


"THE WORST EDUCATOR OF THE YEAR FOR 2011." You might be surprised... A first only at Disenfranchised-Educators. 

What is a board of education? Or at least what is it supposed to be?

School board members make up the largest body of elected officials in the United States. We entrust them to set the policies of our most treasured institutions: our public elementary, middle and high schools. Every district has a board of education, and boards generally meet once or twice every month in meetings that are open to the public. Sort of.

These gatherings range from tame rubber-stamping sessions to intense, provocative discussions with the community where controversial issues are debated and landmark decisions are made.

School boards are nonpartisan at least on paper. In most districts, members serve four-year terms, and terms are staggered so seats don't become open all at once. In general, to run for school board, you have to be at least 18 years old, a citizen of the state, a resident of the district, a registered voter and eligible under the state constitution to be elected to public office. In makes ethical practical sense if members have had previous experience in the education field.

In most cases, a school district employee can't be a board member in that district. This means no teacher, principal, librarian, custodian or anyone else that works in a school in the district can serve on the school board, unless they resign from the employed position.

School districts are complex corporations; they' re often the largest employers in a community and the decisions they make reach far, affecting jobs, resources and most importantly, the education of all children.

What do they do?

Somewhere in between the agendas, public comment sessions and resolutions, school boards make a number of important decisions. School boards establish a vision for the community's schools. They have to set up and maintain an effective, efficient organizational structure for the district that lets the superintendent and administrators manage the schools, teachers teach and students learn.

They are responsible for hiring and evaluating a superintendent, evaluating and adopting policies that affect all schools in the district, serving as a judicial and appeals body when conflicts go unresolved, monitoring and adjusting district finances, and managing the collective bargaining process in the district.

A school board has a symbolic role as well. The behavior it shows off in the meeting room, the rapport among school board members and the relationships that members have with teachers and administrators in the district all add up to the climate of public education in a community. Whether healthy or dysfunctional, a school board has a heavy influence on the spirit that characterizes a community's impression of its school system.

How can I tell if my school board is doing a good job?

By attending a few school board meetings, you'll learn firsthand what school boards do. Call your district office to find out where and when meetings are held. Once you've observed your school board in action, you'll be prepared to ask the following questions:

·   How does the school board make decisions?  Do the members function as predictable, single-issue advocates, or do they approach each decision with an open mind? Do they seem to make strategic choices for the well-being of the district? Strong decision-making requires analysis, the balancing of needs and concerns, and the ability to see the long-term implications of an action.

·    How's the team spirit?  Does the board exhibit a healthy group dynamic, or is it a parade of egos marching single-file? Do members show respect and trust for each other, and for the operating rules of the board?

·    Is the board's authority well defined?  The classic challenges of management don't skip over your board of education. There's a delicate balance between the board's act of choosing a strong chief executive (the superintendent) and letting him or her lead the way and the board's tendency to get involved with many levels of decision-making.

·        


     Does the board understand the community?  One of the most difficult parts of school governance is creating a strong relationship with the public. An effective board knows and respects its community, and encourages the community's trust in its school system.

What should I look for in a school board candidate?

First of all, you should think about the issues that are important to you in your school district. Are you concerned about student transportation, textbook adoption, funding for extracurricular activities, new curriculum standards and/or construction of new school facilities? What's your hot button? You'll want to find out where the candidates stand on issues that are important to you.

You might also look for the following qualities:

·   The ability to work well with a team and support group decisions, along with an understanding that the board sets a climate for the entire district

   
    A desire to work toward a stronger relationship between the district and the public it serves

·       
    A keen eye toward serving the needs of all students, regardless of their     abilities and backgrounds

·       
    A professional, poised demeanor and respectful, respectable behavior    Respect for diverse points of view

    Commitment to the time and energy required each week for meetings, phone calls, conversations, visits to schools, and professional development seminars and workshops

    Knowledge about district policies, guidelines, needs, challenges and strengths. Experience working as an educator should be essential.


    At the heart of it all, members of a district's board of education must believe, unequivocally, in the value of public education. They must be dedicated to serving and teaching all children. They must believe in the democratic process and understand that their role is to act strategically, in line with the interests of the entire school community

San Diego Education Report

STOP THE PRESS! SADLY, OUR WORST SUSPICIONS AND ALLEGATIONS ARE ONCE AGAIN PROVING TRUE! THIS TIME IN SAN DIEGO COUNTY. IT SEEMS THOUGH THAT THE EMERGING PATTERN OF ADMINISTRATIVE CORRUPTION IS MUCH LARGER AND POSSIBLY THE EARLY SIGNS OF A SOCIOLOGICAL PHENOMENON  ENDEMIC AND MAY BE DESTINED TO DESTROY THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM FROM WITHIN. NO MATTER WHO YOU ARE IN EDUCATION. NO MATTER YOUR  BELIEFS. NO MATTER YOUR TENURE. ONCE AGAIN. THE SECOND YOU BECOME A VISIBLE nuisance OR THREAT, YOU WILL FIND YOURSELF BEING PUBLICLY MALIGNED, OFTEN BROUGHT UP ON CHARGES THAT ARE UTTER AND COMPLETE FALSEHOODS. THE MERIT OF WHICH ARE ENTIRELY WITHOUT A RATIONAL PREMISE. THE WHOLE SCENARIO REEKING OF ARROGANCE AND RETALIATION. ONLY, AT THE LOWEST COURT LEVELS, (ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS) WE ARE SEEING A SPIKE IN DECISIONS AGAINST THE HARD WORKING EDUCATOR. OFTEN DECIDED BY ATTORNEYS ASSIGNED AS ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGES AS POLITICAL FAVORS, WHO MAY NOT HAVE ANY EXPERIENCE IN LABOR OR EDUCATION LAW.


AS WITH MY CASE, CTA WILL QUITE PROBABLY SAY THAT  (1.)  WITH YOUR SITUATION BECAUSE THE MATTER IS BEING INVESTIGATED AS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE BY HR AND BOARD (TO SKIRT DISTRICT RESPOSIBILITIES TO TIMELINES AND THE EXPENSE OF MASTER TEACHERS AND RETRAINING,) YOU ARE NOT ENTITLED TO CTA LEGAL HELP (2.) UPON CLOSER INVESTIGATION MOST OF THESE PERSONAL ASSUALTS ON EDUCATORS ARE NOT TRUE. TWO THINGS I FOUND BUT ONLY AFTER I HAD BROUGHT ON A VERY GOOD PRIVATE CRIMINAL ATTORNEY:


(1.) THEY CAN'T HELP IF A POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR CRIMINAL CHARGES, FILED IN CRIMINAL COURT. THAT IS A COMMON MIS-CONCEPTION. IN TRUTH ACCORDING TO MY CTA DEFENSE ATTORNEY; EACH MEMBER CAN BE REPRESENTED BY a CTA ATTORNEY INCLUDING CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION UP TO A $5,OOO FEE LIMIT. 


(2.) BECAUSE ULTIMATELY, THE BEST THING FOR THE DISTRICT IS JUST HAVE YOU GO AWAY, AS HAPPENS SO OFTEN WITH ADMINISTRATORS THAT BECOME VICTIMS. SOMETIMES EVEN THE LOCAL DOESN'T WANT TO SPEND THE MONEY EITHER. EITHER OR BOTH, SCARING  THE VICTIM WITH  HALF-ASSED STATEMENTS ALWAYS ACCUSING THE VICTIM OF A FELONY (NO MATER HOW FAR FETCHED) AND AN ETHICS VIOLATION SO AS TO SEEM LIKE THEY HAVE GROUNDS TO FIRE YOU AND RUIN YOUR CAREER! NEXT, IF THEY'RE CALLED ON THEIR BLUFF, THEY MAY LIE OR EXAGGERATE TO POLICE HOPING TO GET THEM TO INVESTIGATE IN A FURTHER ATTEMPT TO ILLEGALLY COERCE  THE VICTIM INTO LEAVING BY FEAR.


THIS IS A SYSTEMATIC PROCESS THAT COMES FROM THEIR INSURANCE COMPANIES ACTUARY MODELS TO SAVE MONEY FOR BOTH! THEY ARE GAMBLING 100'S OF THOUSANDS OF TAXPAYERS' DOLLARS ON THE ESTABLISHED PATTERN THAT MOST VICTIMS WILL GIVE UP AND LEAVE.


THEY WILL CUT OFF YOUR PAY WITHOUT DUE PROCESS AND NEVER TELL YOU THAT YOU HAVE A RIGHT TO PURCHASE A BOND (PENNIES ON THE DOLLAR OF THE TOTAL AMOUNT) INSURING YOUR WILLINGNESS TO REPAY THE DISTRICT, IF CONVICTED. YOU WOULD THEREBY CONTINUE TO GET A PAYCHECK AND BENEFITS REGARDLESS OF HOW LONG THE THE DISTRICT CAN DRAG OUT THE PROCESS. OFTEN THE UNION LOCALS ARE UNAWARE OF THIS AND HR JUST WONT TELL YOU. ** AN IMPORTANT CAVEAT: I'VE BEEN SINCE TOLD THAT FINDING AN INSURER TO WRITE THE BOND IS EXTREMELY DIFFICULT. HOWEVER IT IS IN CALIFORNIA EDUCATION CODE! I WILL TRY FOR MYSELF AND REPORT BACK ON THE RESULTS. 


NEITHER WILL ANYONE TELL THE VICTIM THAT THEY HAVE THE RIGHT TO PETITION THE COURT FOR A RESTRAINING ORDER AGAINST THE H.R. MANAGER AS TO PREVENT FURTHER HARASSMENT.


WHY AM I GOING ON ABOUT THIS? IF THIS UNFOLDING TREND OF FIRING POLITICALLY ACTIVE EDUCATORS SO AS TO SILENCE THEM, USING LIES AND FEAR TO ACCOMPLISH PERSONAL VINDETTAS, RETAILIATION ESPECIALLY FOR WHISTLEBLOWING AND THE GENERAL IGNORANCE OF THE AVERAGE SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER; CONTINUES, THERES A GOOD CHANCE YOU COULD FALL VICTIM AS WELL.


(More on this subject later. please click here for insight on the San Diego situation...)