As a former Montgomery resident, graduate ('71), and 34 year of the MHS English Dept., I am disheartened by this proposed termination, which appears entirely counter to the philosophy and evaluation practices of the district. For 13 years I was the MTEA Evaluation Chair. I worked closely with HR and due process was followed for any member termination. Ian saddened that due process and fair processes seem to have vanished.
J
Joe Alvaro
9 years ago
As an alumnus who benefited greatly from the history department at MHS, it saddens me to see that the outstanding work being done by the teachers in this department is at risk for political reasons. I owe a significant portion of my success to this department. As a student, I took 8 years worth of history courses in 4 years, and each and every one of them had a positive impact on my life, some in ways I wouldn't know until years later. Among the most significant, the flexibility with which teachers constructed their curriculum allowed me to explore aspects of history and politics that I might not otherwise have been able to experience, and directly lead to my current career working for two of the biggest political shows on network television. My teachers at the time saw where my strengths and skills were, and were able to tailor assignments to them. Without that encouragement, it's doubtful that I would be here today. Please reconsider the proposed changes, and let the teachers continue to teach in a way that allows each student to have a personalized experience that benefits them positively for years to come.
Thank You
Joe Alvaro
Class of 2008
A
Alexandra H Li
9 years ago
My past four years of experience in the history department have been extremely enriching. I've grown as a critical thinker and learned the value of analysis rather than rote memorization - only due to the care and time of the teachers. Taking control out of the hands of these teachers would adversely affect the growth of students.
E
Eileen Moran
9 years ago
As my SS supervisor for 2 years, Mrs. Hodgson unfailingly supported me as a teacher both with respect to parent and student relationships. As a 30-year employee of MTSD (retired as of 3-1/15), I am extremely disappointed at the actions of these "so-called" Administrators involved in Mrs. Hodgson's non-renewal decision. I used to be be proud to say I gave 30 years to this district yet now I am quite embarrassed by not only this decision but also to hear of the MULTIPLE issues involving the central Administration.
S
Shaan Williams
9 years ago
The Social Studies department in its current state is popular among both the High School students and the teachers themselves. The changes the Board of Ed plans to make will only anger all involved.
G
Giovanna Lorenzetti
9 years ago
The history department is one of my favorite departments in all of Montgomery High School. I would hate to see any changes made to it that would impact the teachers that have done such a great job.
R
Rajan Tripathi
9 years ago
As a Freshman at MHS, I can wholeheartedly say that my experiences so far with the World Studies teachers and the department as a whole have been overwhelmingly positive. They not only make lessons intriguing by relating them to current events , but their hard and fair style of grading pushes me to try harder and do better in every class, not just World Studies. It would truly be shame if they were penalized in any way, shape, or form for simply trying to make sure that we, as students, were learning and retaining the most important and relevant information, and developing the necessary skills to excel academically in the future.
M
Mary Ellen Sparno
9 years ago
I fully support the current supervisor and believe that the proposed changes would be detrimental to the education currently offered by MHS.
E
Elizabeth Cunningham
9 years ago
I love how my current history teacher, Mr. Porcelli, teaches his class. His love for teaching is shown through his ability to engage all of his students through fascinating information we would not be able to attain if this plan does go through. Though history is not my favorite subject, it certainly is the most well taught core subject at this school.
M
Maheera Bawa
9 years ago
Why try and fix something that 's not broken? The Social Studies Department has been effective for many years and these changes do not need to be made.
G
George De Sanctis
9 years ago
our school administrators need to focus their efforts on real issues and not punishing teachers who are truly excellent and challenge our youth to excel above others.
M
Mihir Doshi
9 years ago
The history department is probably one of the greatest departments Montgomery High School has to offer. I am only a sophomore and have only had two history teachers at MHS- Mr. Flug and Mr. Porcelli, but both them have been an integral part of my high school experience. They know how to adjust what they must teach to adopt to the needs of each individual students, and they do this with pride and confidence.
As a former Montgomery resident, graduate ('71), and 34 year of the MHS English Dept., I am disheartened by this proposed termination, which appears entirely counter to the philosophy and evaluation practices of the district. For 13 years I was the MTEA Evaluation Chair. I worked closely with HR and due process was followed for any member termination. Ian saddened that due process and fair processes seem to have vanished.
As an alumnus who benefited greatly from the history department at MHS, it saddens me to see that the outstanding work being done by the teachers in this department is at risk for political reasons. I owe a significant portion of my success to this department. As a student, I took 8 years worth of history courses in 4 years, and each and every one of them had a positive impact on my life, some in ways I wouldn't know until years later. Among the most significant, the flexibility with which teachers constructed their curriculum allowed me to explore aspects of history and politics that I might not otherwise have been able to experience, and directly lead to my current career working for two of the biggest political shows on network television. My teachers at the time saw where my strengths and skills were, and were able to tailor assignments to them. Without that encouragement, it's doubtful that I would be here today. Please reconsider the proposed changes, and let the teachers continue to teach in a way that allows each student to have a personalized experience that benefits them positively for years to come. Thank You Joe Alvaro Class of 2008
My past four years of experience in the history department have been extremely enriching. I've grown as a critical thinker and learned the value of analysis rather than rote memorization - only due to the care and time of the teachers. Taking control out of the hands of these teachers would adversely affect the growth of students.
As my SS supervisor for 2 years, Mrs. Hodgson unfailingly supported me as a teacher both with respect to parent and student relationships. As a 30-year employee of MTSD (retired as of 3-1/15), I am extremely disappointed at the actions of these "so-called" Administrators involved in Mrs. Hodgson's non-renewal decision. I used to be be proud to say I gave 30 years to this district yet now I am quite embarrassed by not only this decision but also to hear of the MULTIPLE issues involving the central Administration.
The Social Studies department in its current state is popular among both the High School students and the teachers themselves. The changes the Board of Ed plans to make will only anger all involved.
The history department is one of my favorite departments in all of Montgomery High School. I would hate to see any changes made to it that would impact the teachers that have done such a great job.
As a Freshman at MHS, I can wholeheartedly say that my experiences so far with the World Studies teachers and the department as a whole have been overwhelmingly positive. They not only make lessons intriguing by relating them to current events , but their hard and fair style of grading pushes me to try harder and do better in every class, not just World Studies. It would truly be shame if they were penalized in any way, shape, or form for simply trying to make sure that we, as students, were learning and retaining the most important and relevant information, and developing the necessary skills to excel academically in the future.
I fully support the current supervisor and believe that the proposed changes would be detrimental to the education currently offered by MHS.
I love how my current history teacher, Mr. Porcelli, teaches his class. His love for teaching is shown through his ability to engage all of his students through fascinating information we would not be able to attain if this plan does go through. Though history is not my favorite subject, it certainly is the most well taught core subject at this school.
Why try and fix something that 's not broken? The Social Studies Department has been effective for many years and these changes do not need to be made.
our school administrators need to focus their efforts on real issues and not punishing teachers who are truly excellent and challenge our youth to excel above others.
The history department is probably one of the greatest departments Montgomery High School has to offer. I am only a sophomore and have only had two history teachers at MHS- Mr. Flug and Mr. Porcelli, but both them have been an integral part of my high school experience. They know how to adjust what they must teach to adopt to the needs of each individual students, and they do this with pride and confidence.