Sandy Hook and Oklahoma: Thank the teachers

teacher

For the past couple of years, if most teachers are honest, they will tell you that they feel beaten up, under-appreciated, over-worked and the political victims of whatever people feel ails American education.  Any time someone has a gripe, teachers have been in the first line of fire whether it’s over  test scores, the decline of America’s youth, the graduation rate,  or unions financially strapping municipalities.

In Virginia, not to stray too far from home, legislation has tinkered with teacher accountability, teacher evaluation, and teachers’  job security, especially along the lines of continuing contract.  More is being asked of teachers and less is being given to them in the way of reward and compensation.   In Virginia, teachers now must pay their own VRS.  Elementary teachers still don’t have adequate planning time and secondary planning time is often encumbered with meetings and other wastes of time. Teachers often plan from their own homes, far in to the night.

On the one hand, teachers are trusted less which is evidenced by the frequency of evaluation, and general supervision by administrators, as though the teachers are the students.  Ironically,  more is being demanded of these same people.

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Radio host Pete Santilli issues threats against Hillary and Obama

Does this guy have any responsibility for decency or (gasp) telling the truth? At what point is there a limit to free speech?

Should this type of threat cause the involvement of the FBI? Secret Service?Is there a difference in the rhetoric found here and the obviously bad taste tweet of Lizz Winstead? (tornadoes are targetting conservatives.) Winstead did self correct and admit her timing was horrible and she should have known better. Has Santilli issued any remarks admitting stupidity?

The 4 Horsemen: Everything is Relative Pts I & II

Horsemen. 4

(A huge thank you to Steve Randolph for digging out the information!)

Part 1: The Players

Once upon a time during the first Dark Ages in Prince William County, in the year 1972, there were 7 magisterial districts and 7 supervisors. There was no at-large chairman. He was elected from the ranks.  There was a school board. Each of the 7 members were appointed by the supervisor for that district.  Well, there should have been a school board.

Five of the supervisors were new and 2 were incumbents.

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