Comments on: City Schools of Decatur Ranks #5 Among Atlanta’s Top Workplaces

By: Parker Cross

Parker Cross — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 01:57:01 +0000

And then there’s that “It’s.” But I’ll assume you were cutting and pasting there. #piling on

By: At Home in Decatur

At Home in Decatur — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:56:10 +0000

Agree 100% that teachers make a HUGE difference in student performance. That’s why you often see the strongest teachers put at the 3rd grade and 5th grade levels where a CRCT pass is a must if the school wants to send a student up to the next school. (Which unfortunately leads to 3rd grade teacher burn out if too many students were let slide through K-2 without adequate support or remediation.) IMHO, students worship the teacher that cares and works hard for them. They’ll stretch themselves to the max for that teacher.

Given CSD’s draw for excellent teachers, it needs to be sure and deal with those very, very,very few that just cannot cut it or cannot cut it anymore. While they are a tiny few, real students are losing a whole year in their classrooms or courses. I’m not talking about the gray areas–style or personality issues or those who suit some students better than others–I’m talking about the ones who even other teachers make sure their children don’t get. There are some excellent teachers who could be hired in their place given CSD’s reputation.

By: TOK

TOK — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 15:04:32 +0000

AHID: yep. Not a scientific survey or anything, but my strong sense from attending things like the Oakhurst Elementary community circles and auction events, plus just chatting with people, is that the teachers and staff are by and large genuinely enthusiastic about working here. It’s nice to see, and I agree that it make a big difference.

By: Decatur Metro

Decatur Metro — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:58:33 +0000

I read recently in a NYT article about “big data” being used to evaluate worker behaviors and other HR-related stuff, that a better predictor of a person’s current/future performance isn’t their past experience/performance (which you’d find on a resume), but the quality of their manager. Bet the same applies to teachers/students.

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/21/technology/big-data-trying-to-build-better-workers.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0

By: At Home in Decatur

At Home in Decatur — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 14:39:25 +0000

Re “lo’ “: yes, an expression of wonder, shortened from “Look!”, maybe? So “Lo’! It’s time to get up for school” should still work although why that’s a surprise every morning to my children is beyond me.

Re CSD being fifth best large employer: That’s great news. IMHO, nothing makes a bigger difference in the classroom than a psyched, motivated, caring well-trained, skilled teacher. Supporting and rewarding excellent teachers is the best way to help students, no matter what the curriculum, no matter who the students are. Even factors like class size, resources, testing, important as they are, are mediated through the teacher, either helping and encouraging them, or impeding and discouraging them.