A year and a half ago I started Bluff City Education in an effort to promote the educator voice here in Shelby County. My goal was to offer teachers an online forum to share their thoughts and opinions. My only criteria are that the perspectives we share must be positive and constructive. I believe that as teachers we have the right to criticize, but that our voices are most powerful when we propose real solutions to the problems facing our schools, our community and our kids.
I don’t always agree with all opinions that are posted or try to simply promote a certain perspective or view. My goal is to be impartial and evidence based in everything we publish and to offer thoughtful commentary and suggestions to help address the educational issues facing us in Shelby County and in Tennessee.
With that in mind, I want to extend an open invitation to the teacher group or groups that are current organizing to try and oppose the Achievement School District’s expansion efforts here in Memphis. Chalkbeat reported on the existence of this group or groups on Tuesday, though they declined to name the individuals in the group or provide contact information.
Two weeks ago, I received a press release from a group calling themselves “a select group of faculty at Southside Middle School,” which I can only assume is a part of this organization, asking for a voice at the table. In their release, they heavily criticized the ASD and its takeover process, but offered little in the way of alternatives for what to do instead of the ASD to address the inequities inherent in our school system.
I invite the teachers who are running this organization to share what it is they do not like about the ASD and more importantly, what they believe should be done in lieu of school takeovers by the state run school district. I believe that teachers can offer a valuable perspective that should be shared, and I offer our site as a location to share that perspective. I hope to hear from these groups in the coming days and weeks and find out what their vision is for Shelby County, and what action they hope to take to replace that currently being undertaken by the ASD. Additionally, I would be intrigued to learn whether or not they see any potential for partnering with the ASD here in Memphis in any way.
updated: In response to a comment by JC Bowman, I am willing to share these thoughts anonymously, simply as the thoughts of “Engaged Teachers” or through a single spokesman willing to share their name. I do not want anyone to feel that in any way their job is in jeopardy for speaking their mind, but I want to give them a forum to do so.
The offer is on the table. This website was started with people like you in mind, and I invite you to take advantage of what we have to offer. I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely, Jon Alfuth, Bluff City Education Founder
Jon, Whereas you and I generally agree on education, and we are always willing to share our opinion and sign our names, the same isn’t true of many folks. They fear, and I think often fairly, they will be retailiated against. Folks are even afraid of supposedly “anonymous” surveys. There is no real answer. I always invite folks to send me their thoughts and I do not and will not reveal their names. There is an element of fear, whether real or imagined, that needs to be addressed. Our next Commissioner of Education, and local school leaders, need to make sure they listen carefully to teachers. And we must express our views in a civil and direct manner. Keep speaking out and up! We appreciate you! JC
Thanks for the thoughts JC. I’ve added an anonymous addendum to the piece.
Why should a failing model be allowed to expand?
Valid POINT!!!
However, why should a failing school continue FAIL under the same broken district, leadership and teachers?
The ASD is only in its third year of operation, and these schools have years of failure in SCS..
ASD = 2 years of mixed data
SCS Bottom 5% = decades of failing data
MMMMMM….
Which model is broken ASD or SCS?
The problem is our teachers have no voice now. In certain zip codes if they demand the same materials as other zipcodes ,they are reprimanded. Teachers that complained are told”to be quiet and become a team player”. When Superintendent was intern superintendent,I heard him say” the kids can’t learn because they have so many issues and challenges. ” As a parent and knowing first hand the problems these schools have, the same question kept popping up in my head. Now I’m not the smartest person in the world but IF THE KIDS CAN’T LEARN BECAUSE OF THE CHALLENGES AND ISSUES ,THEN WHY ARE WE PUNISHING OUR TEACHERS WHO ARE TRYING TO TEACH A CHILD THAT CAN’T LEARN INSTEAD OF HELPING THAT CHILD ,FAMILY AND TEACHER TO ELIMINATE BARRIERS TO SUCCESS? THE SOLUTION US TO IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM FIRST!!!!!
I agree we need more teacher voices. Too often though, teachers are afraid for their jobs if they speak out. I hope you can do more as a school board member to encourage other teachers to speak out and share their opinions.