The 10 replacements "are the best group we've had," Sexson said.
Among those who left East following the 2013-2014 school year were a number of veteran teachers, including eighth grade science teacher Mike Wallace, seventh grade reading teacher Jennifer Wallace, eighth grade reading teacher Kim Frencken, sixth grade math teacher Brian Neugebauer, and special education teacher Bridgette Titus.
Sexson acknowledged that East's test scores were down significantly in math, something he blamed on having a first year teacher in eighth grade, a first year teacher in seventh grade, and a third year teacher in sixth grade.
It might take a while to bring those scores up, Sexson said, mentioning it could possibly take three years.
One problem East Middle School has had, Sexson said, has been a culture problem. "There are some personal issues that have gone on," he said, not explaining what those issues were. "We know our culture has taken a hit."
Sexson left the board befuddled with his explanation of the new approach East is using so that students take control over their own learning. They all must decide that "I know what I don't know and I know what I know."
Referrals are down at East, Assistant Principal Jason Weaver said, with Sexson adding that many of the discipline problems have come from ED and BD students who have been mainstreamed into regular classrooms.
Sexson said the teachers are being taught strategies to help them deal with these students.
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Advertisement- East Middle School Principal Bud Sexson told PTO members this book would be a great thing and would help EMS students in their path to recovery after the Joplin Tornado. Of course, one year later he testified under oath that he had never heard of the book until two months earlier. He was right the first time. Scars from the Tornado is the book that tells, through first person stories from teachers and students the EMS experience with the Joplin Tornado and the first year in a warehouse school.
EMS is CJ's poster child for"might as well try it" schemes, Not just incremental adjustments, but full on gambling. Standards Based Grading, whenever you feel like it assignment "deadlines," and zero tolerance for discilpline of any kind have left this school a beautiful shell of education.
ReplyDeleteThe Huff rallying cry, " just a little more time."
The culture problem is Bud Sexson and his bullying, sexually harassing, brutish behaviors. Between Bud and his brownnosing assistant, there is no hope for East. None. At. All. But as long as Dimwit Sharp and Jockey Landis are on the board, nothing is going to change. They will do what CJ wants. Period.
ReplyDeleteThe number of attractive young female teachers at East is disproportionate to the rest of the district. Coincidence? Nah. It gives Bud something to think about all day long, when he bothers to show up, that is.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree with 6:23 post. This is our 1st year @ EMS & nothing seems right. I figured out quick how little the principal and assistant principal do in the school or students education. I am very displeased with this school & the education it is providing for my kids.
ReplyDeleteSo, he is saying that 1 year of our kids education is basically a waste of teachers time & the students efforts? And then if I read it correctly, the next 3 years will continue to be a waste also?!?! Whoo hoo, Yeah, that's encouraging! So, he's saying "Why even bother with sending your kids to our school. Their not going to learn anything." How can the school board except his reasoning and answers. And be okay with it? !?!?!?! Way to go Joplin!
ReplyDeleteWould someone clarify why he would change his testimony a year later about the book? Is there something wrong with it? Or something to hide?
ReplyDeleteThat is an easy one. In their first set of charges against me, they said that I had not received permission from parents to include their children's writing in Scars from the Tornado. When I posted photos of permission slips, the second list of charges changed it to saying that I had not received permission from administration. In order for them to say that, Bud Sexson had to say he had never heard about the book until it was published. Three witnesses testified that he knew about the book a year earlier. I have been told that even board members knew he was not telling the truth.
ReplyDeleteWould someone clarify why he would change his testimony a year later about the book? Is there something wrong with it? Or something to hide?
ReplyDelete8:04 & 8:25,
ReplyDeleteCJ expects his people to lie and then believe whatever that lie is so he can get, or get rid of, whatever he wants. THAT'S what you're trying to figure out.
I agree 100% with Mr. Sexson. There is a culture problem at East Middle School. However, this is the only thing we agree on. The culture problem was not with the 10 that left, but rather with the 2 that remain- Mr. Sexson and Mr. Weaver. They fail to acknowledge or take responsibility for their inability to be leaders. They are also unable to admit that their educational experiments are dismal failures. Instead, they harass and bully staff. The culture of fear in the Joplin District is best exemplified at East Middle School. Teachers are scared to take a stand because Mr. Sexson and Mr. Weaver, with the complete support of Dr. Huff, have made examples of those who dare to disagree. To say it is a hostile work environment would be an understatement. Teachers who ask questions, dare to write a referral, or who aren't in the administrations inner-circle of favorites are harassed until they leave. Yes Mr. Weaver, referrals are down because there is no discipline. You do not know the professional method of handling discipline. Giving teachers binders of suggestions, screaming and turning red are not professional, nor are they acceptable. Teachers do not write referrals because they are the ones reprimanded, not the student. Students are encouraged to "run to the principal to tell on the teacher".
ReplyDeleteThe climate of fear, mixed with experimental educational practices at the whim of two administrators that are constantly in competition with each other is not healthy for adults or children.
It is also not ethical that Mr. Sexson is rarely at work due to his inability to take care of his personal business on his own time. He is using the taxpayers time to have his cable installed, take care of his banking, and have maintenance done on his vehicles. And, yet Dr. Huff and the BOE let it continue. Dr. Huff and the BOE cannot declare innocence because they have been told numerous times about the problems at East, complete with detailed documentation. They have been begged to investigate. They turn a blind eye and a deaf ear.
No, the culture has not changed with the 10 that left. The culture at East continues to be a problem. Mr. Sexson and Mr. Weaver engage in a daily power struggle, teachers are isolated in their "houses" -therefore trust and cooperative teaching are not nurtured, there is still an absence of discipline and sound educational practices, and the climate is fear continues to grow.
Two important questions the BOE should have asked: 1. What are the culture problems that Bud is referring to? 2. Why is the teacher turnover rate so high at East (leaving so many first and second year teachers)?
ReplyDeleteWhat are Bud Sexson's and Jason Weaver's qualifications to be administrators? It seems that neither of them has the experience or qualifications. All I hear and read is a lot of "passing the buck" instead of taking responsibility. I think the BOE should take a closer look at the problems at East .
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that Mr. Sexson should know the meaning of the word "culture". As defined by Webster, culture means the act of developing the intellectual faculties through education.
ReplyDeleteIn order to develop these qualities in his staff, Mr. Sexson would have to possess these qualities himself. I seriously doubt that he does. I also doubt that he has leadership skills. Apparently, the BOE did not check to see if he had the appropriate qualifications before hiring him.