Lewis is staying. The board reversed the decision today.
June 25, 2017
Final supporters
We protest today in support of the continued employment of Lewis Goff. The best aspect of PVPA has always been its incredible and devoted teachers, and we count Lewis among their number. We are aware of complaints about the way he has returned work and entered grades in the fall semester, and we believe that this is insufficient grounds for termination considering his long tenure at PVPA and impact on students. Lewis provides one of the only environments at PVPA --indeed at schools all over the Valley--where students can learn, discuss and write at the college level. Frequently students and alumni describe his classes as life-changing.
Charter schools have been criticized for treating their teachers unjustly, providing poor benefits and no job security. We like to think that PVPA is different, and if that is true, Lewis should not be fired on an administrative whim. Unfortunately, there are many teachers throughout the school who have been subject to repeated complaints from students and parents about performance. In this context, Lewis’ selection for possible termination feels nothing if not arbitrary and unjust.
We pride ourselves on our community, which means that all community members must be involved in such monumental decisions. We understand that termination must be confidential, but we also need to be heard. If we are asked, we will answer any question about any teacher to the best of our abilities. We do not need to know why we are being asked. PVPA prides itself on including students in every part of their education, and the total opacity of this process has been very disappointing.
As far as we are aware, student input on his teaching as a whole has been limited to a brief multiple-choice survey, a tool that provides a one-sided view with no provision for explanation or depth.
The administration makes the final decision on the process of termination despite having limited information. Lewis’ colleagues work with him every day; his students are the direct beneficiaries of his teaching. Despite this, we have been shut out of the process in every possible way. PVPA has trained us to fight injustice wherever we find it. Today, we choose to fight injustice at PVPA.
We ask you to consider the way Lewis has changed our ways of thinking, of writing, and our lives, for the better.
Thank you.
The Class of 2017.
We protest with the support of alumni, younger students, and parents.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
April 14, 2017
Reached 100 supporters
April 14, 2017
April 12, 2017
Moving fast toward 100 signatures. Let's push this over the line right now.
142 Comments
As a parent, I am compelled to share with you that Lewis has had an incredible impact on my child's development academically and as a person. We are crushed and as a parent, the impact of firing him in this way does not bode well for our students -
Lewis exposed me to fascinating texts and ideas and pushed me to think about the things we were learning in a critical way. Without Lewis, I would not have developed the tools necessary to be a successful college student.
The writing class I took with Lewis was immensely helpful to my college education and later career. I graduated PVPA in 2010, and while I have no recollection of his clerical habits, Lewis' teaching has stuck with me to this day.
Lewis helped shape who I am. He instilled a love for David Sedaris that still holds true and I absolutely would not have become the person I am if it were not for him. Letting go of Lewis Goff would be a grave mistake on the part of PVPA. HE is a vital part of the community.
Lewis is the whole reason that I decided I wanted to be an English teacher. His use of vocabulary along with the comments he makes and the stories he tells, along with the everlasting passion that I see when he rambles on- it gave me inspiration.
I sign as the mother of a class of 2020 PVPA student who was looking forward to having Lewis as a teacher next year. And as a parent who was hoping my son would have the chance to experiences person who, I have heard, is an amazing teacher.
Lewis was one of the best teachers my daughter has had at PVPA. He helped shape how she sees race in our society personally and politically.
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
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Lewis is staying. The board reversed the decision today.
June 25, 2017
Final supporters
We protest today in support of the continued employment of Lewis Goff. The best aspect of PVPA has always been its incredible and devoted teachers, and we count Lewis among their number. We are aware of complaints about the way he has returned work and entered grades in the fall semester, and we believe that this is insufficient grounds for termination considering his long tenure at PVPA and impact on students. Lewis provides one of the only environments at PVPA --indeed at schools all over the Valley--where students can learn, discuss and write at the college level. Frequently students and alumni describe his classes as life-changing.
Charter schools have been criticized for treating their teachers unjustly, providing poor benefits and no job security. We like to think that PVPA is different, and if that is true, Lewis should not be fired on an administrative whim. Unfortunately, there are many teachers throughout the school who have been subject to repeated complaints from students and parents about performance. In this context, Lewis’ selection for possible termination feels nothing if not arbitrary and unjust.
We pride ourselves on our community, which means that all community members must be involved in such monumental decisions. We understand that termination must be confidential, but we also need to be heard. If we are asked, we will answer any question about any teacher to the best of our abilities. We do not need to know why we are being asked. PVPA prides itself on including students in every part of their education, and the total opacity of this process has been very disappointing.
As far as we are aware, student input on his teaching as a whole has been limited to a brief multiple-choice survey, a tool that provides a one-sided view with no provision for explanation or depth.
The administration makes the final decision on the process of termination despite having limited information. Lewis’ colleagues work with him every day; his students are the direct beneficiaries of his teaching. Despite this, we have been shut out of the process in every possible way. PVPA has trained us to fight injustice wherever we find it. Today, we choose to fight injustice at PVPA.
We ask you to consider the way Lewis has changed our ways of thinking, of writing, and our lives, for the better.
Thank you.
The Class of 2017.
We protest with the support of alumni, younger students, and parents.
Updates
Reached 250 supporters
April 14, 2017
Reached 100 supporters
April 14, 2017
April 12, 2017
Moving fast toward 100 signatures. Let's push this over the line right now.
142 Comments
This teacher was an inspirational one for our son, Jack. What is happening to the heart and soul of this school? I urge everyone to write to the newspaper, protest, and do what needs to be done to save this teacher's job.
As a parent, I am compelled to share with you that Lewis has had an incredible impact on my child's development academically and as a person. We are crushed and as a parent, the impact of firing him in this way does not bode well for our students -
Lewis exposed me to fascinating texts and ideas and pushed me to think about the things we were learning in a critical way. Without Lewis, I would not have developed the tools necessary to be a successful college student.
The writing class I took with Lewis was immensely helpful to my college education and later career. I graduated PVPA in 2010, and while I have no recollection of his clerical habits, Lewis' teaching has stuck with me to this day.
Lewis helped shape who I am. He instilled a love for David Sedaris that still holds true and I absolutely would not have become the person I am if it were not for him. Letting go of Lewis Goff would be a grave mistake on the part of PVPA. HE is a vital part of the community.
Lewis is the whole reason that I decided I wanted to be an English teacher. His use of vocabulary along with the comments he makes and the stories he tells, along with the everlasting passion that I see when he rambles on- it gave me inspiration.
I sign as the mother of a class of 2020 PVPA student who was looking forward to having Lewis as a teacher next year. And as a parent who was hoping my son would have the chance to experiences person who, I have heard, is an amazing teacher.
Lewis was one of the best teachers my daughter has had at PVPA. He helped shape how she sees race in our society personally and politically.
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This teacher was an inspirational one for our son, Jack. What is happening to the heart and soul of this school? I urge everyone to write to the newspaper, protest, and do what needs to be done to save this teacher's job.