Ackerman absent from leadership conference
by Benjamin Herold on Aug 16 2011 Posted in Latest news
Principals and assistant principals from across the District gathered at Lincoln University High School this morning for the annual Superintendent's Leadership Conference, but embattled District leader Arlene Ackerman was not with them.
A statement prepared by Ackerman cited "circumstances beyond my control" as preventing her from being with those in attendance. The full statement was read to participants during the conference's opening session by Associate Superintendent of Schools Penny Nixon.
Also making opening remarks were Deputy Superintendent Leroy Nunery, the mayor's Chief Education Officer Lori Shorr, and Rob McGrogan, the president of the principals' union.
The complete text of Ackerman's statement, provided to the Notebook by a District spokesperson:
For the past 43 years my life’s work has been educating students who have been traditionally underserved. It’s the student who may not fit in the box. It’s the student who may not always comprehend the assignment the first time. It’s the student who may not have had a hot breakfast on his way to school.
Serving and providing a quality education to all children is my goal and mission. It is what motivates me, encourages me and allows me to flourish in the most difficult times.
Three years ago I was blessed to be chosen to lead the eighth largest school district in this country. It has been my honor. Although I could not be with you all today due to circumstances beyond my control know that I am with you in spirit.
This is your week. This is your moment. This is your time.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for being a surrogate parent to our children.
Dr. Arlene C. Ackerman
The news that Ackerman was not in attendance at the event was first reported on Twitter by @kcarmean.
Comments (37)
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 18:00.
awwwwww, PUH--LEEZE
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 18:01.
huh?
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 18:10.
What principal's are "surrogate parents?"
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 00:53.
Surrogate parents???? I worked with a principal and 3 assistant principals who, if put in a room together and offered $1,000,000, could not give you the names of 10 kids in the building that they served. MOST are failed teachers who left the classroom because it is easier to control adults (a 204 has more power than a pink slip) than it is to control children.
Submitted by Inspired_Apple on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 05:22.
Are we a little tough on the district's Principals?...lucky, lucky, lucky me. I've seen 3. 2 were very supportive. I knew that they wanted to be there. They loved the kids. You could feel it. My other one? Forced to be there -- hated life in general. Enh. Sure.
I hope those that haven't found a good leader will get to eventually. We can't be too hard on everyone & grouping all together -- because Principals do read this paper & I'd rather have them a part of the discussion than dismissing it completely.
(Just think: you have a chance to anonymously help them become better educators if we're more accepting.)
Submitted by TR (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 18:14.
Dumbfounded. I expected the last line to be a resignation. So the drama continues. This is not professional behavior.
Submitted by Inspired__Apple (not verified) on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 05:05.
...maybe it's the English teacher in me but the first thing that stood out was the, "it *has been* my honor..."
Is it past tense???
Submitted by WakeUpPhilly (not verified) on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 10:40.
Good eyes and comprehension!
Submitted by WakeUpPhilly (not verified) on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 10:40.
Good eyes and comprehension!
Submitted by Are you kidding (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 18:21.
annual superintendent's leadership conference and no superintendent? Hmmmm...
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 18:24.
This will not on her own and give up money. She has no shame so she has nothing to lose.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 18:25.
Sorry--She will not leave on her own.
Submitted by Annonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 18:27.
How many key days can I miss for "circumstances beyond my control?"
Submitted by ANNOYED (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 18:29.
How much is that costing the district and why aren't they spending the money within the city of Philadelphia?
Submitted by ANNOYED (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 18:34.
the leadership conference at Lincoln University, I mean
Submitted by Psych Teach (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 18:48.
The Leadership Conference actually took place at Lincoln High School, not Lincoln University.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 18:52.
someone rushed the story lol.
Submitted by Benjamin Herold on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 18:53.
Noted. Thanks to those who pointed out the error.
Submitted by Psych Teach (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 18:55.
Not a problem
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 18:58.
"Serving and providing...(no, 1.5 MILLION),,sniff, sniff..(hey driver, could you turn down the air) has been my mission to all my surrogate children (hurry, driver, the reservation is for 7:00 pm) and it just breaks my heart to know that these poor misbegotten youth (I ain't taking one penny less than 1.5! Who do they think I am? DeSean Jackson!?) ..sniff, sniff....(Hey driver, call Atlanta and see if they need a new Super. Tell them $500,000 a year and I already have health care for life)...I was blessed and chosen...(Driver, tell Pam Williams to get her butt back on Broad St)...sniff, sniiff, think of all those poor rocks that will never learn to read...(Et tu, Archie?)...It's beyond my control...(Driver, Tell Hardy Williams thsi is the last time I'm buying him dinner!)
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 19:12.
LMAO I can even picture her in the back of the car!
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 19:16.
oh and by the way driver.....I want to know what restruant serves the most expensive piece of pie.....I'm hungry. I'll buy you a piece too driver....after all it's not my money....
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 22:55.
Totally Awesome!!! Saw Hardy Williams with Larry Kane deflecting all negative things about Ackerman by saying "Paul Vallas really messed it up and Ackerman inherited it" or "All the other supers do the same thing". Do wonder what she promised him or does for him????
Submitted by Annonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 19:10.
Did the "leadership" discuss the testing scandal? Since Penny Nixon was in charge, I guess she decided not to since her former school, Wagner, was on the list...
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 20:33.
Penny left mid year in 2009
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 19:23.
Kristen Graham is reporting that Sacaree Rhodes (do not even recognize the name) was called by Ackerman and that she said she will be in work tomorrow and she has taken "No buyout money." When will this hell circus cease???
Submitted by Annonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 19:23.
Too many of Philadelphia's principals and APs are there because of who they know and the sorority/fraternity membership. I've yet to have a principal who knows something about curriculum. Most know little about pedagogy. Too many taught 5 or less years and then climbed the Philadelphia "leadership" ladder. Those who know something often lack the political/social ties to keep climbing. Instead, we get a lot of "hacks" who are about their social/financial gains. I can't imagine what they discuss considering who leads the discussions...
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 20:32.
Penny Nixon was not the principal at the former school during testing. She was working at the Northwest Region as the Assistant Super under Pam Brown. She left prior to testing that year. People should get their facts straight prior to making comments.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 20:50.
You should get on the bat-phone to 440, because they seem to think different.
http://www.thenotebook.org/blog/113881/pa-wants-90-schools-investigated-...
Submitted by LS Teach (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 21:52.
Don't sign anonymous if you think you're providing facts not opinions...I've been working for the school district of Philadelphia for 5 years - if you're not in line with leadership they force you out...
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 22:13.
Penny Nixon, the Philadelphia District’s current associate superintendent of schools, was Wagner’s principal when the PSSA was administered in 2009. Nixon was promoted to an administrative post in the Northwest regional office in July of 2009, a District spokesperson said.
According to the Notebook anyway.
Submitted by Phantom Poster (not verified) on Tue, 08/16/2011 - 23:44.
That's the best Ackerman's PR department could come up with?
Submitted by drlakeels on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 00:58.
Someone here pointed out a better suggestion and caused me to change my mind about AA leaving----stay AA and sit there and be quiet.
Do not go forward and collect 1.5 million. Just sit and be quiet.
Do not go to any rallies, brown bag your lunch and if you have to meet anyone, meet in that office that my tax dollar pays for....and then when you have time, lose at least one driver and a body guard/police officer---it will pay for at least three first year teachers.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 07:17.
I agree. Force her to stay...but no driver going back and forth to work from home. I think she can brave a bit of real life, and showing up on time under her own steam will be an inspiration to the children.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 08:36.
"showing up on time under her own steam would be an inspiration to the children" LOL - that was awesome!
Submitted by ANNOYED (not verified) on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 09:27.
Better yet, give AA a transpass and let her take the bus. Give her free lunch in a school cafeteria and let her have seconds from the share table. Do not fire her. Let her quit - no more money to AA.
Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 08/17/2011 - 02:14.
The only thing Dr. Ackerman cares about is negotiating her way out of Philadelphia with dollar bills falling from her pockets..
(A proud ex-King High School teacher.)
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