Letter to the Editor,
It is with deep sadness that after almost thirty years of dedicated service to the children of Brattleboro, I have made the decision to resign as a fourth grade teacher at Academy School.
I want to thank the approximately six hundred brilliant, insightful and talented students I have been privileged to work with while they learned, questioned, problem solved and continued their growth towards becoming empathetic and socially responsible members in their community.
I am in awe of the hundreds of devoted and nurturing parents I have had the privilege to work with as they wrestled with the educational, social and personal issues that parents raising children today face.
I would like to express my gratitude to the generous community members who graciously donated time in my classroom over the years to share stories of school life and the path to their careers, thereby exposing my students to possibilities yet unknown and opportunities that await.
I am immensely grateful to the dedicated and spirited colleagues I have worked with who deeply engage each other in the study and practice of teaching children the art of being responsible, creative and successful learners.
Finally, I am indebted to the countless friends, colleagues, community members and family who have supported me through the last several years.
Sincerely,
Lauren Ashley
A bit confused.
There seems to be a reason for the resignation missing from this announcement. It starts with deep sadness, but simply lists positive things about teaching.
I took this to mean that
I took this to mean that while she loves teaching and found that profession to be rewarding and positive; perhaps her experience at Academy was not what she wanted as a teacher. It is pretty common knowledge that there are many long time teachers who are increasingly frustrated and unhappy with the strong emphasis that public schools put on test results. It’s no longer enough for a school to have happy, motivated, curious students. If those students aren’t producing high test scores all the rest of it doesn’t matter. We can thank Common Core for that. I think we’ll continue to lose good educators who don’t want to spend their classroom time handing out reams of test booklets.
There’s also the possibility that her reasons for resigning are purely personal and she doesn’t feel that they need to be shared.
Homeschooling
Public Academia has definitely degraded, ever since the “No Child Left Behind” Act, which changed the paradigm of education completely. Instead of stimulating a child’s mind to reach for higher degrees of learning –challenging them to excel– the direction was “dumbed down”, to meet only the highest level of education that can be achieved of the lowest scoring child. In other words, take the highest scores possible of the students with the most challenges to learning, and make certain that every student can attain at least that same level; because then there is an equality to the degree of learning, thus “no child is left behind”.
Of course, no child is challenged to learn beyond, either. In fact, if too many kids begin to learn more and test higher than is expected of them, it brings up the total educational averages. That, in turn, makes the lowest expectation too high to attain for the kids with learning challenges or deficiencies… and thus, unfair.
Is there any wonder that our world standing in education has plummeted?
Now add this “common core” crap, with “teaching to test” expectations and the rigidity of “0 Tolerance” rules, and you get frustrated teachers who can no longer encourage young minds to blossom and bloom to their fullest potential.
In the south we have public schools that, while still accepting Federal funding, continue to allow prayer, religious symbols, creationism and other so-called “christian” beliefs, being promoted in the classrooms– the non-secular rule of law expressed in our Constitution, be damned.
And vouchers? Please, don’t get me started…
Worse still, with the increased push for private and charter schools, that can pump kids full of religious dogma, and/or other limited beliefs-oriented misinformation and propaganda, rather than provide real, educated and known truths, in order to form compliant robot-itron kids that have lost their ability for complex reasoning, and we’ll have a nation of incompetent future leaders and citizens rather than innovators and creators.
Because of all these reasons (and a whole lot more I won’t go into) I am now homeschooling my teenage daughter. She and I hadn’t planned on doing this, but the continued failures we experienced with the public school system after she finished at Academy made it became necessary. It was similar for my son, a number of years ago, as well. He finally quit and took the GED test, instead. My daughter plans to do the same, but intends to further her education in college as well.
Of course, all of these issues and problems are just symptoms of a greater problem: a minority with money, the “1%”, controlling our system of government (proven fact, we are ruled by an Oligarchy, not living in a Democracy). As a result, the rules handed down that now govern our education system ultimately support the continued degradation of public schools, and support private/corporate-interest based propaganda in place of real education.
You know, like “this math test is sponsored by Caffeinated Cola! Buy it, drink it and you’ll pass the test!–and look so sexy and young while doing it, too!” Is it any wonder our longest lasting, and most competent teachers have become disillusioned to the point of giving up?
Of course, we can all come here to complain and postulate about Lauren’s reasons for resigning (or any other teacher’s), but I challenge you to actually get involved in fixing the problems that are making our education system too difficult an environment for teachers to actually do what they are trained to do: to teach the next generation of scientists, mathematicians, philosophers, writers and poets and musicians, to reach beyond…
*********************************************************************************
See: study released by Princeton and Northwestern Universities,titled: “Testing Theories of American Politics: Elites, Interest Groups, and Average Citizens.” https://www.scribd.com/doc/237441852/Elites-Interest-Groups-and-Average-Citizens
I agree and understand your
I agree and understand your frustration and unsatisfying experience with your children in public school. I have spoken out many times about the demonizing of individuality and creativity in the way public schools are now “teaching”. The almighty test scores seem to be the only thing that count and a child who shows a high level of curiosity or desire to learn more perhaps at a faster rate is considered a ‘poor fit’.
But, I disagree with your statement about private schools. I can’t speak to religious schools since our family has no experience with them. But there are many fine, independent schools across New England (and I’n sure across the entire country) that offer creative, exciting, challenging methods of learning and that welcome students that may learn or think or create differently. Brattleboro is lucky enough to have a couple of these schools where children are encouraged to embrace all methods of learning; art; music, nature, reading, dramatic play, science. Endless, mandatory testing is not allowed to deaden a child’s love of learning; to stifle their curiosity about the world around them.
I wish the public school system would take a look at how detrimental it is to determine a child’s worth by their test scores.
Or maybe...
thirty years is inherently more than a long enough time to be doing anything ?
Maybe. But, if that was the
Maybe. But, if that was the reason it seems unlikely (at least to me) that she would just leave a few weeks after school began.As I said in my previous comment this could be a personal decision that she doesn’t feel is necessary to make public. We can only speculate -if we so choose.
Between the lines
Her dispute with the administration and board was well documented. I take this letter as a kind of flare, and a way to notify her friends of this turn of events.
Or...
maybe a little searching could shed some light on the answer to this question…
Ashley Grievance Hearing Masks Larger Issues For Teachers | ibrattleboro.com
School Board Gets An Earful From Teachers, Parents | ibrattleboro.com
Welcome to THE COMMONS — News and Views for Windham County, Vermont
Brattleboro School Board rejects teacher’s ‘sick time’ grievance – Brattleboro Reformer
Lauren Ashley | Workplace Bullying Institute
This last site really seems to have the most detailed article about this issue, with excerpts from a Oct 23 2013 article in the Commons by Olga Peters (which doesn’t seem to want to come up from the link to the original article). After reading through these articles, one could probably form a reasonable opinion as to why this person might want to move on… (no speculation necessary)
Yes, I knew there were
Yes, I knew there were serious issues going on at Academy – not just with Ms. Ashley but with the teachers in general.Anyone who was at that volatile school board meeting or has a child or grandchild at Academy knows of the unrest there. So, while it was easy enough to read between the lines of Ms. Asley’s letter I didn’t feel it was my place to say with any authority her reasons for leaving. This is not just happening in Brattleboro- teachers across the country are disgusted and frustrated with the hostile and unproductive environments they have to try to teach in. Be nice if we- as a society – valued our teachers as much as we do our athletes or quasi ‘celebrities’.
Thanks for pulling that information together
That was very educational.
thank you
Dear Lauren,
You remain one of the most loved teachers to both of my children; you brought a level of compassion, strength and integrity into the classroom that stimulated and opened their minds to the world around them. You provided unique care and attention, as needed to fit their individual learning styles. And you whetted their appetites for their continued path of learning. If you asked them today who their favorite and most influential teachers were, you are at the top of the list. What an honor it is, as a parent, to claim you as their Teacher.
Academy is losing one of its finest teachers, and will be hard-pressed to replace you. Of that, there is no doubt. None.
I wish you the very best in your next endeavor, whatever it may be…although I hope it remains educating young minds, in whatever capacity, imparting the passion for learning that is undoubtedly your greatest Gift.
With enormous Gratitude,
Skyler Wind
Good luck, Lauren
When I read Lauren Ashley’s resignation announcement, I was sorry but not surprised. To be honest, I thought she held on way longer than most of us would. Once your employer targets you for removal, as it really seems Academy School and the District did in Ashley’s case, they usually succeed. I can only think of a handful of people who have managed to stay employed under those circumstances.
I’ve been feeling lousy about this for months, not just Lauren’ Ashley’s situation but that of older experienced teachers and their students as well. After spending months doing research, writing about public education here on iBrattleboro, and learning about teachers and students here in town, I was disappointed in what seemed to constitute the general response. It fell into two categories — apathy and powerlessness, sometimes both at the same time! I wound up telling one former school employee that I had given up because no one cared. But lately, I think our lack of caring comes from a feeling that there’s nothing we can do about it. That’s different from just not caring.
As for students, about whom I do care very much, I’m reminded of my own public school years which I survived. When I’m being honest with myself, I have to admit that public school was never great. Even in good years, a lot depended on the teacher and whatever brand of public ed policy was being implemented at the time. So today’s kids will probably survive too, by whatever means necessary, same as it ever was.
But I think it could be better than this, and it’s a shame we can’t find the will to make it so. For students, teachers, and parents, it could be better. I’m sorry about the current round of casualties, Lauren Ashley and the others who I’ve met and talked with. They all had something to offer, something individual and special that couldn’t be measured on a test. We’re losing that by narrowing the definition of teaching to successfully implementing lesson plans out of the teacher’s guide. Today’s system rewards those who implement well, not necessarily those who teach well. I never saw Lauren Ashley in the classroom but from what people have said about her, she was a teacher, not an implementer.
Good luck, Lauren, and thanks for fighting the good fight.
2 cents
“So today’s kids will probably survive too, by whatever means necessary, same as it ever was.” Wise words Lise.
Reading through this thread, I’m reminded of a little encounter I had last year with a couple of 13something boys. I was playing the piano at the River Garden, and after I finished a piece, I hear a “Good job” from a boy walking behind me. Between the two of them they came up with 60 cents to give me as a tip. I tried to refuse it, but one of them insisted and said, “I’ll just spend it on candy.” I was amazed by the whole thing as being so atypical of “kids” but as almost typical of kids around here. And after reading through this thread, and the tributes of Lauren, I can’t help but wonder, if they didn’t once pass through her wise hands.
I met Lauren back in the 80s when alot of us of similar age found ourselves in Vermont, as urban refugees for one reason or another, and we were among a circle that kind of clung onto each other for generational support and identity. Lauren always stood out to me as having an innately cheerful personality and being wise beyond her years. While she had a side of her that was caustic, it was mostly in her wit or to put some commonsense into the chaos. So, when I read that she was accused of not having a welcoming classroom, I had to laugh at the ludicrousness of such a charge. Although I’ve lost touch and haven’t seen her in a long time, I can hardly imagine her doing anything BUT being welcoming, especially to those of an innocent age. The only possible reason I can come up with is that of being worn down by a system that struck her as unwise.
To read the tributes to her here, no matter the sorrow of her doing something like resigning from what was clearly her passion in life, I think that a choice of who will sleep better at night, Lauren Ashley or members of the school board, my money is on Lauren. Whether or not she taught those two big tippers I met, she’s obviously had a huge and good influence on a whole generation. Few people, especially from the cloistered office of a school board, can really say that with such certainty as I think she can. What she’s got is golden.
a sad loss for Brattleboro's children
My sister Lauren Ashley knew she wanted to be a teacher for as long as I can remember. I have been coming to Brattleboro to visit her for the past 30 years and walking through town with her has always been somewhat of a social event. As she has lived there and taught 4th grade for nearly 30 years she knows hundreds of ex-students and their families. The connection that she has with so many of the people whose lives she has touched is more than just a friendly exchange. Many of her students continue to seek her out and have stayed in touch over the years and there have been countless testimonies of how much she has meant to them as a teacher.
Every summer as the new school year approached Lauren would make a point of visiting every family so that she could have a personal encounter with the child and his parents in order to have some kind of understanding of where each student was coming from. She recognized that the home environment is crucial in order for the student to thrive and she has always sought to involve the parents in the often difficult transition between home life and school. She often spoke to me at length of the children in her classes, taking immense pleasure in the “harder cases”, kids who had consistently acted out and were often considered to be troublemakers and who within brief weeks under her firm but caring tutelage she would then describe as being amongst her best pupils.
For the past few years Lauren has had the clear and distinct feeling that her services as a 4th grade teacher at the Academy School were no longer valued. She has felt an atmosphere of hostility on the part of the administrators. She has had to engage the services of a lawyer in order to defend herself. She has handled herself with courage and dignity throughout these trying years and after much deliberation finally decided to protect herself by resigning. The process of trying to teach in such an atmosphere had become too grueling.
It is a sad loss for the young students of the town of Brattleboro.
A loss for us all.
Thank you for writing this. I am so sorry that your sister’s dedication and caring was not appreciated or deemed worthwhile by the school administration.
Sadly, we are seeing this same kind of disrepect and unfair treatment for hundreds of other dedicated teachers across the country. To have any teacher who nurtures, educates and cares for her students with love and compassion driven out of the profession is not only a loss to the students but to the entire community.
Opportunity for school discussion on 11/19
The Brattleboro Town school board is holding a public forum this coming Wednesday, 11/19, on the role and the effects of various standardized testing that takes place in our schools. This has been a point of lively discussion on iBrattleboro and it would be worth encouraging the school board to continue this process of public engagement by attending. If the public does not engage the school board in these issues then the school system will simply go on without public input.
The forum takes place at Academy School on Wednesday, November 19, 6:00-7:30 pm. The forum agenda on the school board’s website reads as follows:
Have the tests narrowed what is taught? Have they led to changes in teaching? How do we balance exploration–particularly at the early education age–with the required subjects? What is Brattleboro’s answer to balancing the requirements with what we want for our own children?Hear all about which tests and assessments are given to children, and at which ages, and what points during the year…. and what is federally or state required… and which assessments are done because teachers feel that they help guide their teaching to their specific students.
Andy Davis