Brad Kraft is an excellent teacher, amazing father and fine man. He needs to be supported by everyone, especially the Montgomery County School System.
A
Anonymous
7 years ago
Engage, Encourage, Empower?
Should be:
Stifle, Silence, Stepford
C
Christen Cross
7 years ago
Featured
As a health care professional that works in the mental health field this is completely unacceptable and I can’t believe someone can’t share their story to help others. This injustice shows students there is a mental health stigma and that it is very hard to seek help or talk to someone without being judged!!!!
A
Adriann Elebash
7 years ago
Similar experience with MCPS this year. Something is very very wrong
T
Tracey Linkous
7 years ago
My daughter was a 16 year old BHS student who took her own life last year
A
Anonymous
7 years ago
Very disappointing.
J
JC Hassall
7 years ago
Featured
As a former school board member, I understand that personnel matters are confidential. If the conditions of Mr Kraft’s suspension (effectively) are as reported thru various sources are correct, this action reinforces the stigma of mental health which the administration *said* they sought to open to instances of self-revelation thru classroom discussion. The administration’s actions trumpet, while their words are muted
E
Ellen Rabun
7 years ago
Featured
A great teacher - especially in this instance. Standing up and speaking honestly about dealing with real life issues is something we should praise. Life isn't always easy, for adults and for students. To pretend otherwise does not teach anyone anything.
M
Michael Day
7 years ago
I find it admirable that Mr. kraft shared his struggles. This should show a wonderful success story, he should not be punished for telling his story
S
Sherry Saville
7 years ago
Featured
Stop being hypocrites! You can’t ask someone to speak up about mental illness and then punish them for it. This sends a message to all kids in the school system to not trust anyone associated with school with anything that could be considered mental illness. Use this as a lesson to the children that he addressed his issues properly and had been open about them.
B
B Wendell Jones
7 years ago
Featured
Based on all of the previous events that have occurred locally, regionally and national - the issues of mental health cannot ignored. Mental health issues are as equally important as discussions on poverty and race. All three must be discussed, examined and education brought forth to parents and students. The unfortunate actions by administration should be used to further examine appropriate planning and guided discussions on mental health issues. The intent was to educate - not harm. But part of education on mental health is understanding the conversations are difficult, challenging and pulls from our comfort zones. Hopefully all those impacted will reach a positive compromise that will offer education and understanding in a positive manner.
M
Molly Armistead
7 years ago
Featured
As a graduate of BHS, and a mental health professional, it’s disappointing to read this. Do better BHS. Do better.
D
Donna Hushour
7 years ago
Please reinstate this teacher
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Nancy Fentress
7 years ago
Reinstate Mr. Kraft!m
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Christy Trago
7 years ago
Mr. Kraft was one of my favorite teachers when I was at Blacksburg High School. I am graduating as a pharmacist in May. One of the greatest problems affecting the US, especially in children, are mental illnesses. There are so many children with depression, ADHD, and anxiety. I do not remember learning once at BHS about mental illnesses other than in a medical terminology elective class. The best way we learn in pharmacy school is through having people with mental illnesses speak to us. By getting perspectives, we get to become more empathetic. I wish that when I attended BHS someone would have spoken to us about them - especially someone like Mr. Kraft. He always had the best attitude and optimism. By having him speak, I am sure it helped some students see that mental illness can affect anyone, and that it can get better. I am extremely disappointed in MCPS for firing someone who has such a great impact on students. Wishing Mr. Kraft all the best, and I am hoping this extremely backwards decision is made right.
J
Jordan Addison
7 years ago
REINSTATE MR. KRAFT.
K
Kaelie Altizer
7 years ago
As a BHS graduate and a future school counselor, I am incredibly disappointed to hear that after opening up to his students about his mental health, Mr. Kraft has been removed from his position. By silencing Mr. Kraft through his removal, Montgomery County Public Schools is effectively sending the message to students and Blacksburg High, the other educators, and the community that opening up about mental health is something that is not okay and that you may face negative consequences for doing so. This message is appalling and quite frankly incredibly dangerous. Mental health issues are very real and very important. Instead of encouraging discourse about mental health, Montgomery County is working against the strides that mental health awareness has worked towards in breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. The county will absolutely be hearing from me first thing in the morning.
To Mr. Kraft, we support you and we love you. Thank you for being brave and sharing your story with initially a very vulnerable population, and then with the rest of us.
Brad Kraft is an excellent teacher, amazing father and fine man. He needs to be supported by everyone, especially the Montgomery County School System.
Engage, Encourage, Empower? Should be: Stifle, Silence, Stepford
As a health care professional that works in the mental health field this is completely unacceptable and I can’t believe someone can’t share their story to help others. This injustice shows students there is a mental health stigma and that it is very hard to seek help or talk to someone without being judged!!!!
Similar experience with MCPS this year. Something is very very wrong
My daughter was a 16 year old BHS student who took her own life last year
Very disappointing.
As a former school board member, I understand that personnel matters are confidential. If the conditions of Mr Kraft’s suspension (effectively) are as reported thru various sources are correct, this action reinforces the stigma of mental health which the administration *said* they sought to open to instances of self-revelation thru classroom discussion. The administration’s actions trumpet, while their words are muted
A great teacher - especially in this instance. Standing up and speaking honestly about dealing with real life issues is something we should praise. Life isn't always easy, for adults and for students. To pretend otherwise does not teach anyone anything.
I find it admirable that Mr. kraft shared his struggles. This should show a wonderful success story, he should not be punished for telling his story
Stop being hypocrites! You can’t ask someone to speak up about mental illness and then punish them for it. This sends a message to all kids in the school system to not trust anyone associated with school with anything that could be considered mental illness. Use this as a lesson to the children that he addressed his issues properly and had been open about them.
Based on all of the previous events that have occurred locally, regionally and national - the issues of mental health cannot ignored. Mental health issues are as equally important as discussions on poverty and race. All three must be discussed, examined and education brought forth to parents and students. The unfortunate actions by administration should be used to further examine appropriate planning and guided discussions on mental health issues. The intent was to educate - not harm. But part of education on mental health is understanding the conversations are difficult, challenging and pulls from our comfort zones. Hopefully all those impacted will reach a positive compromise that will offer education and understanding in a positive manner.
As a graduate of BHS, and a mental health professional, it’s disappointing to read this. Do better BHS. Do better.
Please reinstate this teacher
Reinstate Mr. Kraft!m
Mr. Kraft was one of my favorite teachers when I was at Blacksburg High School. I am graduating as a pharmacist in May. One of the greatest problems affecting the US, especially in children, are mental illnesses. There are so many children with depression, ADHD, and anxiety. I do not remember learning once at BHS about mental illnesses other than in a medical terminology elective class. The best way we learn in pharmacy school is through having people with mental illnesses speak to us. By getting perspectives, we get to become more empathetic. I wish that when I attended BHS someone would have spoken to us about them - especially someone like Mr. Kraft. He always had the best attitude and optimism. By having him speak, I am sure it helped some students see that mental illness can affect anyone, and that it can get better. I am extremely disappointed in MCPS for firing someone who has such a great impact on students. Wishing Mr. Kraft all the best, and I am hoping this extremely backwards decision is made right.
REINSTATE MR. KRAFT.
As a BHS graduate and a future school counselor, I am incredibly disappointed to hear that after opening up to his students about his mental health, Mr. Kraft has been removed from his position. By silencing Mr. Kraft through his removal, Montgomery County Public Schools is effectively sending the message to students and Blacksburg High, the other educators, and the community that opening up about mental health is something that is not okay and that you may face negative consequences for doing so. This message is appalling and quite frankly incredibly dangerous. Mental health issues are very real and very important. Instead of encouraging discourse about mental health, Montgomery County is working against the strides that mental health awareness has worked towards in breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. The county will absolutely be hearing from me first thing in the morning. To Mr. Kraft, we support you and we love you. Thank you for being brave and sharing your story with initially a very vulnerable population, and then with the rest of us.