tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post3485347910629759974..comments2023-10-17T22:56:42.784-04:00Comments on Only in The Republic of Amherst: Come Together, Right NowLarry Kelleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02614645831526190536noreply@blogger.comBlogger52125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-34252580611005170002014-10-03T23:37:12.355-04:002014-10-03T23:37:12.355-04:00Flash forward to now: Terrell spoke a few days ago...Flash forward to now: Terrell spoke a few days ago and terrified many of the middle schoolers, leaving them in tears.<br /><br />But at least they are enlightened "peaceful warriors" who know about curb-stomping and can imagine what it would be like if someone came into the school and shot everyone in the face.<br /><br />That certainly seems like it was worth $38,000.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-53986602647605366322014-08-08T21:07:18.698-04:002014-08-08T21:07:18.698-04:00Do you want true equality in the Amherst schools? ...Do you want true equality in the Amherst schools? Well, for starters, how about not cutting art and music programs (done recently but thankfully restored)? How about providing the SPED services that students legally deserve? How about not promoting mediocre principals and giving them costly administrative jobs? Those are just a few suggestions that would help everyone "come together, right now."Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-24082264445941501682014-08-08T07:55:04.368-04:002014-08-08T07:55:04.368-04:00Blame the parents of Amherst. The Apple dont fall ...Blame the parents of Amherst. The Apple dont fall too far from the tree I think the adults need Calvin Terrell more than the students. Most of the issues we have at the schools starts at the home level period and its sad we always want to point the blame for our issues.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-68505776243541157462014-08-07T13:48:40.976-04:002014-08-07T13:48:40.976-04:00Massachusetts permitted people of color to vote in...<i>Massachusetts permitted people of color to vote in the election that ratified the US Constitution. That was in 1789. HOW old are these people????</i><br /><br />They're 36.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-16617044853463543172014-08-07T10:09:35.325-04:002014-08-07T10:09:35.325-04:00"Walter, you don't think Dr. Rhonda Cohen..."Walter, you don't think Dr. Rhonda Cohen, Director of Teaching and Learning, is doing good work?"<br /><br />A man works as an inspector on an assembly line. He has done this job properly for 20 years. His job is to inspect the final product. He knows that the machinery has issues and that occasional products will be defective. He has reported the issues that he sees with ways to achieve more constancy a number of times and yet he notices that nothing changes. No one seems to repair the system. Nevertheless, he diligently continues his job to the best of his abilities. <br /><br />Because there is a systemic problem, would it be fair for me to say this man is not good at his job? <br /><br />There are many very qualified individuals in the Amherst system. I know of many excellent teachers. Some of these teachers tell me privately of the ills in the system, but they continue doing what they love because in any system there are ways to work around dysfunction. So teachers do what is in the best interest of the students even if sometimes it goes against the administrations policy. <br /><br />Once, while in a discussion with a group of Amherst residents, we got on the discussion of schools. A newer resident noted that he was under the impression that Amherst had a great school system. Another long-term resident responded to his notion noting that many assume that to be true in Amherst but that the reality was far different and while Amherst enjoyed a robust system years ago, today it lacked many of the basic qualities of a well rounded and well run educational system. Yet the perception continues. <br /><br />I can understand how the myth perpetuates even amongst parents of students. I spend a lot of time at my children school for various things from events to class trips. Each week I always see the same core 15 or so parents that like me are simply at the school more than most either dropping off, or attending an event. <br /><br />Let's face it, most parent have no time, and sometimes little care to do more than make sure their children get to school. I'd imagine this is true anywhere. So many of these parents simply rely on an assumption. <br /><br />It makes perfect sense that one would think that a school system in a town that is surrounded by education institutions, where most every resident either teaches or has some role in education must have a fantastic system. <br /><br />Unfortunately markers of Amherst's school system don't show that to be true. Unfortunately, just because many of your relatives are doctors doesn't mean you will get better medical treatment. Yet the misconception of Amherst's supposed "fantastic" school system still exists. <br /><br />No school system is perfect. Many parents are seeing that Amherst lacks the fundamental direction that one would expect in a town like this. Some parents have responded. This year quite a few more parents will be moving their children to other schools than in years past. You can ask them why they are doing this, I already have. Some parents don't have that option so must work to try to improve the system and expose the ills that plague it. <br /><br />I would think any parent has their children's best interest in mind. I know like the parents I encounter, I want the best for my children. I believe Amherst has a number of things to work on to become the institution it deserves to be. Right now it is lacking to the point of concern. <br /><br />Of course like my inspector example above, the administration is not a reflection of some of the wonderful teaches (and school staff) who work hard and are dedicated to enriching their students lives. <br /><br />Right now as I see it, the school system will not be able to achieve anything more than C grade with its current superintendent and the school committee. When an organization fails to achieve consistent excellence, it is the leadership that is the root cause.Walter Graffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-20327386423675309522014-08-06T13:19:54.897-04:002014-08-06T13:19:54.897-04:00You have to salute Mr. Terrell's entrepreneuri...You have to salute Mr. Terrell's entrepreneurial spirit. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-91519164988407459082014-08-06T07:43:07.112-04:002014-08-06T07:43:07.112-04:00"Calvin is a master artist of group facilitat..."Calvin is a master artist of group facilitation and public speaking. He’s gifted with being able to tailor presentations or design programming specific to the needs of most requests. Beginning this service in his youth, for over 20 years, Calvin’s experiences have afforded him many collaborations, if he can’t serve your needs, he probably knows someone who can. Whether you work with Calvin or not, we send blessings on your endeavors to better the world. Thank you for visiting calvinterrell.com."<br /><br /><br />Perfect.<br /><br /><br />Juuuuuusst perfect.<br /><br /><br />-Squeaky Squeaks<br /><br /><br />p.s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mp2g-uVq3nMYou're making it all so much worsenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-65301678581799400722014-08-06T05:20:32.491-04:002014-08-06T05:20:32.491-04:00we have people of color living in our town who wer...<i>we have people of color living in our town who weren't even allowed to vote for the first half of their lives,</i><br /><br />Massachusetts permitted people of color to vote in the election that ratified the US Constitution. <br /><br />That was in 1789.<br /><br />HOW old are these people????Dr. Ednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-45516963552601441892014-08-05T21:18:34.267-04:002014-08-05T21:18:34.267-04:00The ignorance displayed by some of these comments ...The ignorance displayed by some of these comments is alarming. For God's sake, we have people of color living in our town who weren't even allowed to vote for the first half of their lives, and you wonder if it's the parents' fault, as if structural boundaries are a myth. It's really clear now that we do need someone with a track record and an intelligent perspective, like Terrell, to join this town/school/college/outside organization collaborative.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-69111629253779831872014-08-05T20:21:09.002-04:002014-08-05T20:21:09.002-04:00"Mr. Terrell reminds me of Professor Harold H..."Mr. Terrell reminds me of Professor Harold Hill of "The Music Man", here to purify our children's souls right here in River City."<br /><br />This is what I was thinking!<br /><br />Come into town and speak a incoherent word salad. NO ONE will question what you are saying.<br /><br />Before reality hits...<br />Grab the money and run!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-85056117833204539622014-08-05T19:38:01.774-04:002014-08-05T19:38:01.774-04:00So, if the kids of color are not achieving, but,th...So, if the kids of color are not achieving, but,the other student are able to.Wouldn't that be the parents fault and not the schools?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-91053878633324445932014-08-05T19:36:38.773-04:002014-08-05T19:36:38.773-04:00How come only white males in traditional western a...How come only white males in traditional western attire get to be Town Manager of Amherst?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-28615790442094649602014-08-05T17:59:43.775-04:002014-08-05T17:59:43.775-04:00So, your saying the educators in Amherst just aren...So, your saying the educators in Amherst just aren't good enough at their jobs, haven't had enough education and professional development, and that's why kids of color are not "achieving" at the rate white (and some Asian) kids are?<br /><br />I was under the impression that we provide more and better professional development opportunities to teachers, and attract some of the best educated teachers, here in Amherst.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-51167024064641979042014-08-05T17:32:53.173-04:002014-08-05T17:32:53.173-04:00How come only white people in standard issue weste...<i>How come only white people in standard issue western attire can be superintendent of the Amherst Schools?</i><br /><br />I find it amazing that Maria G -- who is neither male nor "traditionally qualified" to be a Superintendent -- <b><i>she doesn't even YET have her Doctorate, does she?</i></b> -- can even be considered in the context above.<br /><br />Her qualifications, as best I could/can tell, consisted of the fact that she was NOT the traditional White Male with the Traditional Qualifications in the Traditional Attire.<br /><br />And if she doesn't pass Multicultural Muster, then exactly what is she supposed to be good at -- or for -- as she doesn't pass muster under any traditional standards...Dr. Ednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-10736602732381504112014-08-05T16:13:31.434-04:002014-08-05T16:13:31.434-04:00Walter, you don't think Dr. Rhonda Cohen, Dire...Walter, you don't think Dr. Rhonda Cohen, Director of Teaching and Learning, is doing good work?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-60671544709208463372014-08-05T16:10:38.594-04:002014-08-05T16:10:38.594-04:00"achievement gap is a nationwide problem"..."achievement gap is a nationwide problem"<br /><br />PLEASE !!!!!! The achievement gap between black and white students is a myth. None of the suggested causes adequately explain the gap whatsoever, and the proposed solutions based on these myths have ALL failed and ALL will fail.<br /><br />Everyone is born equal. What happens between birth and high school graduation that insures an apparent gap in academic learning between white students and students of color is an expectation gap, not an achievement gap. Give someone a hammer and everything looks like a nail. <br /><br />The most effective way to narrow the gap is to stop focusing on issues of ethnicity and look at the overall quality of teaching for EVERYONE, white black or green. <br /><br />We should seek to adopt standards-based curricula, and provide long-term sustained professional development programs to teachers of all students, not just focus on minorities as Amherst likes to do. <br /><br />Look at studies such as Doug Reeves’s “90/90/90 Study”, Asa Hilliard III’s Young Gifted and Black, and William Ayers’s City Kids, City Teachers: Reports from the Front Row and you'll see what a myth this "gap" is. <br /><br />Plus read the book Multiplication is for White People by Lisa Delpit, a noted expert in urban education, not just some guy Amherst hires because he is young, attractive and a smooth talking public speaker and you'll see there is no gap, just a perception that liberals love to perpetuate. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-74224754557796739602014-08-05T16:05:57.998-04:002014-08-05T16:05:57.998-04:00If there's any education to come from this eng...If there's any education to come from this engineered solution, it's that it takes very little human action to create a sense of crisis throughout a community.<br /><br />And, there really is no freedom of debate here. No one in authority in town is free to argue that this is not a big deal, that it's the result of several miscreants behaving badly.<br /><br />And, some people thrive (and perhaps even make money) on the attention they get from stoking the hysteria. <br /><br />If the kids observe all of that, they will have learned something. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-23603877385936933952014-08-05T14:27:32.764-04:002014-08-05T14:27:32.764-04:00"People need to look past the curtain that th..."People need to look past the curtain that these distractions are and get the administration to focus on real not imaginary problems."<br /><br />Or said another way, no other school system has to go through this process and things are doing just fine. In Amherst one has to make issues to cover up the real problems and distract people from the the truth, namely the poor curriculum with no one in charge qualified enough to fix it. Someone came in and wanted to do that a while back and they fired him. Walter Graffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-85803570017353717702014-08-05T14:13:24.453-04:002014-08-05T14:13:24.453-04:00Anon: 1:02
I think we are off the tracks. I also...Anon: 1:02<br /><br />I think we are off the tracks. I also think the administration enjoys these unsolvable problems to focus on while ignoring the real problems of learning that are, and have been ongoing for years. Amherst feels like a culmination of experimental do gooder curriculum ideas to solve imaginary problems with many generations of children.<br /><br />Just teach the facts, math, reading, science, social studies, etc. The truth of discrimination will come out as part of social studies. It does not require multiple assemblies to make a point.<br /><br />People need to look past the curtain that these distractions are and get the administration to focus on real not imaginary problems.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-91000668385595904672014-08-05T13:05:01.767-04:002014-08-05T13:05:01.767-04:00" wish there were some way to know what/how t..." wish there were some way to know what/how the 35,000 +/- Amherst residents who don't comment on this blog (or anywhere else) think/feel."<br /><br />They don't care. If they did they would have done something about the Amherst Gov, Maria Geryk, and the rest of the ills that plague the town of Amherst. Walter Graffnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-63904356471442554712014-08-05T13:02:52.998-04:002014-08-05T13:02:52.998-04:00Aren't there more important things than "...Aren't there more important things than "identity"? <br /><br />So he says "If you're a good person, prove it, by confronting these issues." But he seems to be focused on classifying people, when we all want to be understood as individuals.<br /><br />There's a moral hollowness to all of this.<br /><br />Is this properly what secondary education should be concentrated on? Or are we off the tracks?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-793850531209030842014-08-05T12:43:50.294-04:002014-08-05T12:43:50.294-04:00Anon: 11:49
That is a great way to explain the in...Anon: 11:49<br /><br />That is a great way to explain the insanity.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-890545913657973292014-08-05T12:40:12.014-04:002014-08-05T12:40:12.014-04:00Anonymous @ 10:29 said...
How come only black...Anonymous @ 10:29 said...<br /><br /> How come only black men in Rasta hats can talk about racism. How come white people can't be experts on it.<br /><br />Anon, see http://www.timwise.org/ for one example among many.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-68916027041539182222014-08-05T12:26:53.094-04:002014-08-05T12:26:53.094-04:00No, again, it's the achievement gap that needs...No, again, it's the achievement gap that needs to be addressed. There is no cure for your moral confusion.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5035949355013113578.post-74727745173000204132014-08-05T11:49:42.850-04:002014-08-05T11:49:42.850-04:00In the old days, they rode from town to town selli...In the old days, they rode from town to town selling home remedies out of the back of their wagons.<br /><br />We were told that we would feel better if we bought what they were selling.<br /><br />Now it's our moral confusion that needs a miracle cure.<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com