Ok, Tom, what do you know about this new principal at Orrington? Doctor Angel said in the email to parents: "Similarly to me, Dr. Schoeffmann values transparency. It was important to both of us to proactively address criticism she faced in her previous roles from very small but vocal groups who opposed her beliefs in expanding access to …
Ok, Tom, what do you know about this new principal at Orrington? Doctor Angel said in the email to parents: "Similarly to me, Dr. Schoeffmann values transparency. It was important to both of us to proactively address criticism she faced in her previous roles from very small but vocal groups who opposed her beliefs in expanding access to rigorous learning opportunities and keeping a wide variety of books in libraries. A non-mainstream news article and several blogs stated Dr. Schoeffmann was fired or asked to resign. "
When you google Alison Schoeffmann you get nothing. So where are those "several blogs"? It turns out that after 20 years she decided to start using her married name this year. Who knows what happened when Doctor Schoeffmann nee Hawley resigned her position in River Forest.
But this attempt to re-invent herself by changing her name doesn't seem to be a good sign. But at least the good Doctor `values transparency'!
It’s amazing how just about every hire has some mystery or baggage following them although when I see that they are referencing the “West Cook News”, I am dubious about the reporting.
I will say that we live in a hyper political / partisan time - I think it's probably difficult to find someone who is in a position of power (like a principal) that doesn't have some enemies on one side or the other.
I agree with you about our contemporary time. But, come on, Principals are localized folks and there have been plenty of well-liked principals in D65 over the years. During the Horton era well-liked principals at Dewey and Washington left.
In this case, the name change is really weird. Why would Doctor Schoeffmann nee Hawley start using her husband's name after being married for nearly a decade?
The other thing that is strange is that she is moving from a senior role in school district administration to being a principal. That seems like a downgrade in position--particularly given that she has been in district administration for over a decade. She has also never been a principal before--I'm not too worried about that, but it makes you wonder what the candidate pool looked like.
The new Nichols principal also came from a district administration job, so maybe that is a thing in education? To me it sounds like going from being a VP to a Division manager in a corporation-- a downgrade.
Also, the Orrington principal search still merits lots of questions. Josh Seldess, the interim (who has a stellar reputation and years of pre-Horton experience in the District) apparently applied for and was offered the permanent job and then he decided to leave the district?!?! Ok that happens, I guess. But it is strange and it is too bad that we are losing a good leader.
I would argue that Seldess wasn't good. He had zero interaction with students or parents, especially compared to the amazing Dr. Plaza who he replaced. Same experience with him when he was at Nichols. Not a single student we knew there (our kid too) knew who he was or even could pick him out in a lineup. I attended district 65 schools as a kid along with Doctor Schoeffmann and think she will be a great hire. I take this as a very positive step.
In terms of Nichols leadership - maybe this is a "hold my beer" thing to say but I think any one will be better then the last crew. Wright was so in over his head and had no idea what his job actually was.
That's good to know. I don't have kids at Orrington. I just looked back about the original issue with his hiring and noted there was a controversy related to his association with PEG. So I probably had it wrong.
Ok, Tom, what do you know about this new principal at Orrington? Doctor Angel said in the email to parents: "Similarly to me, Dr. Schoeffmann values transparency. It was important to both of us to proactively address criticism she faced in her previous roles from very small but vocal groups who opposed her beliefs in expanding access to rigorous learning opportunities and keeping a wide variety of books in libraries. A non-mainstream news article and several blogs stated Dr. Schoeffmann was fired or asked to resign. "
When you google Alison Schoeffmann you get nothing. So where are those "several blogs"? It turns out that after 20 years she decided to start using her married name this year. Who knows what happened when Doctor Schoeffmann nee Hawley resigned her position in River Forest.
But this attempt to re-invent herself by changing her name doesn't seem to be a good sign. But at least the good Doctor `values transparency'!
https://orrington.district65.net/post-details/~board/orrington-elementary-news/post/meet-dr-alison-schoeffmann
Stay tuned.
It’s amazing how just about every hire has some mystery or baggage following them although when I see that they are referencing the “West Cook News”, I am dubious about the reporting.
I will say that we live in a hyper political / partisan time - I think it's probably difficult to find someone who is in a position of power (like a principal) that doesn't have some enemies on one side or the other.
I agree with you about our contemporary time. But, come on, Principals are localized folks and there have been plenty of well-liked principals in D65 over the years. During the Horton era well-liked principals at Dewey and Washington left.
In this case, the name change is really weird. Why would Doctor Schoeffmann nee Hawley start using her husband's name after being married for nearly a decade?
The other thing that is strange is that she is moving from a senior role in school district administration to being a principal. That seems like a downgrade in position--particularly given that she has been in district administration for over a decade. She has also never been a principal before--I'm not too worried about that, but it makes you wonder what the candidate pool looked like.
The new Nichols principal also came from a district administration job, so maybe that is a thing in education? To me it sounds like going from being a VP to a Division manager in a corporation-- a downgrade.
Also, the Orrington principal search still merits lots of questions. Josh Seldess, the interim (who has a stellar reputation and years of pre-Horton experience in the District) apparently applied for and was offered the permanent job and then he decided to leave the district?!?! Ok that happens, I guess. But it is strange and it is too bad that we are losing a good leader.
I would argue that Seldess wasn't good. He had zero interaction with students or parents, especially compared to the amazing Dr. Plaza who he replaced. Same experience with him when he was at Nichols. Not a single student we knew there (our kid too) knew who he was or even could pick him out in a lineup. I attended district 65 schools as a kid along with Doctor Schoeffmann and think she will be a great hire. I take this as a very positive step.
In terms of Nichols leadership - maybe this is a "hold my beer" thing to say but I think any one will be better then the last crew. Wright was so in over his head and had no idea what his job actually was.
That's good to know. I don't have kids at Orrington. I just looked back about the original issue with his hiring and noted there was a controversy related to his association with PEG. So I probably had it wrong.