Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

Wrangell has many areas in education that as a community we can be proud of and thankful to the educators who have gotten us to this point.

-Teacher longevity that suggests that teachers love the community of Wrangell, their jobs, the students, and are able to follow those children through their educational experience.

-Wrangell is a blue ribbon school. That is a result of teacher collaboration as they plan curriculum and develop a productive atmosphere.

-Wrangell’s educators are the most devoted people that I have observed teaching. They are required to learn all they can to remain knowledgeable in all areas of education and implement changes necessary for the growth of students.

-Wrangell teachers need to be able to take their professional training and have time to apply new skills.

-We need to attract and retain quality educators.

-The leadership style that I believe will prove to be the most successful is one of that allows and demonstrates respect and allows educators to continue a successful process of delivering a team approach of teaching. This is a benefit to students that are able to walk into a classroom with knowledge that a team of educators have developed a curriculum throughout their educational experience.

A wise man once told me, “When you enter an established process take 100 days to look, observe and listen.” If this had been done, a new administrator might not have suggested additional testing for our district. Don’t change just for the sake of change.

Listening would have shown this person that the educators that he would be working with are doing an outstanding job and he had just walked into an incredible, viable school of learning with proof of that.

“Look, observe and listen” did not happen. Now we have a fight that will begin to make changes that may have not needed change. I believe that our educators strive every day to continue to be highly qualified teachers. 

The value system, vision and trust are the most important parts of education. A teacher must have a productive and trusting atmosphere to work. And there must be trust of the school board and administration for there to be a successful school.

In attending the April school board meeting, I was sad to sit among teachers and support staff. I shared their feelings of anger and lack of respect as I sat in the audience with them.

I was surprised by the lack of adherence to state law and district policy and an obvious lack of interest in hearing from community or staff. It was a very difficult meeting to attend and to observe. In my opinion, there will begin a growing lack of trust of leadership with the administrator.

Thank you for reading my opinion,

Janell Privett