In Place of The Contract Ratification Diary
I now have this. The whole of what I previously wrote was tongue-in-cheek, and I included a tongue-in-cheek reference to an inside joke about the rumor-mongering of other people. This has been taken as disparaging and an attack on a person or groups of persons who obviously do not deserve it. Even though the whole post, (the whole undertaking) was sarcastic, I've taken it all down rather than just in part because it is irresponsible to assume everyone who reads this can discern what was sincere (not much) from what was meant to be silly and ridiculous (most of it). Moreover, the statement reflects something I do not personally believe and the potential damage is not worth the potential harm.
For the record: I do not believe anyone has acted in an ethically dubious way. I apologize for any misunderstandings and hope no harm has resulted.
It's hard to judge the scope of this thing. Everyone writes with someone specific in mind, not an empty void that can be filled at will. Obviously, passing a wink-wink message to someone about something so potentially volatile and upsetting is not a good way to go about your business.
For the record: I do not believe anyone has acted in an ethically dubious way. I apologize for any misunderstandings and hope no harm has resulted.
It's hard to judge the scope of this thing. Everyone writes with someone specific in mind, not an empty void that can be filled at will. Obviously, passing a wink-wink message to someone about something so potentially volatile and upsetting is not a good way to go about your business.
posted by Kilian Betlach at 4:02 PM
7 Comments:
After reading your blog, it's amazing that someone who has been teaching for all of three years has become such a "master" of his profession. I look forward to your upcoming books that will enlighten and impart to all of us the WAY.
Now seriously, it is unfortunate that someone with your obvious intelligence and compassion would behave in such an unprofessional manner in a public forum. If you would like to accuse someone, or a school, of "unethical" conduct, then be specific. The "hit and run" comments are far beneath you. I have known and worked with the individuals you speak of for almost twelve years. You would be hard pressed to find another group of professionals who give as much of their time and energy to their students. Their efforts have resulted in an awsome sports program that obviously has lead to some jealously. Rather than resenting them and making unsupported comments, work with them as a team to improve the sports programs at every school in our district.
Also, your school's recent increase in achievement, after many years at the bottom, is commendable. However, is it right to compare yourself to schools that are raising their test scores without the advantage of an extra period of instruction and the access to Sylvan Learning, at $1000 per student, as the school that "no one likes" has done?
Reading your blog has been particularly disappointing to me because up until now I have always admired the work of your school's staff and the "family" envirornment the your principal has instilled in your students. I have often shared my opinions with our staff and people from the district and held your school up as an example to be modeled.
It has always been my belief, that schools in our district should support each other. Celebrate each others successes and learn from each others failures. None of our jobs are easy by any stretch of the imagination.
I only hope that your opinions and lack of judgement is an isolated case and not shared by the majority of your staff.
I'm glad you took your original post off. Your comments were arrogant and were taken at face value--as they were presented. Don't assume that your outlook on situations, even in jest, does not reflect on you and your school. Why put something in writing, on the Internet, that you know people who are colleagues, will peruse and take offense at?
To both anonymous posters:
You are right. It was unprofessional and stupid, only worse because I didn't mean it. I was trying to make light of rumors, (that I don't subscribe to) not perpetuate them, nor make an accusation. I blew it. I apologize again fully, and only hope that you choose to limit your disdain toward me personally, and not out staff or administration or school community, all of whom have no connection to this.
I was very dissapointed by your recent blog. As a teacher and coach at the school that "everyone hates" for many years, I hope to someday gain the expertise that you have in only three. The baseless accusation of "dubious ethics" in our athletic programs is absolutely unprofessional, and inexcusable. I am pleased to see that your blog has been removed, but unfortunately, not before it was viewed by the ENTIRE faculty of the school that "everyone hates." Thankfully, a colleague had the good sense to email a copy to your principal and the superintendent. Hopefully you think things through a little better in the future. You have alienated many potential allies, while compromising your integrity. I hope it was worth it.
Anonymous,
Allow me to apologize again. I made an immature, misguided attempt at joke, in the midst of a parody of an ESPN-style column. I agree that if any serious accusations were made in this area, they would of course be baseless. I feel terribly to have implied otherwise.
To be fair, your misquote of me ("everybody hates") came in the comment section, directed at an employee of your school with whom I am loosely aquainted, another (clearly bad) attempt at a sarcastic jab at the rivalries that crop up in this district. Again, it was not seriously intended, but I understand now (if too late) how it would be viewed. I apologize.
I think it's clear TMAO made a mistake.
I also think it's clear that he apologized and removed the post.
This is a lesson that many starting bloggers unfortunately learn the hard way. You cannot imagine as you type away that anyone cares very much about your little opinions and slightly exaggerated writing.
Clearly, people do.
I don't think this should at all take away from the fact that TMAO has created a space here in which to write (spectacularly well) from his perspective as a teacher. And that speaking his opinion, even under anonymity, is a brave thing to do.
I hope that all of the people who came here just to see that one entry return to see what else TMAO writes, and contribute to the lively discussion about how to improve our schools that he often evokes.
Amen, PHC.
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