Comments for Running Reflections

Comment on Upham Woods puts Learning where your Heart is by Joni Shahrani

Joni Shahrani — Wed, 01 May 2013 03:00:55 +0000

Karen,
Thanks for a truly, lovely explanation of Upham Woods. I love the Upham experience and I miss it every year. Reading through your stories made me remember my precious experiences. I will remember and treasure them my whole life.

Comment on Emerging as a Candidate (and hoping for your support) by Greg Vallee

Greg Vallee — Wed, 26 Dec 2012 22:04:24 +0000

Karen has all of the energy, honesty, integrity, and work ethic that we all honor in an elected official. More importantly, she is singularly aware of what social justice means to many Americans, and myself! She covers the spectrum of all the constituents that I respect, and support. She also has the ability to listen, coordinate, and build relationships between groups that need guidance to create connections and consensus. With encouragement, blessings, and Solidarity! Greg and Sally

Comment on Relationships are Fundamental at Sennett Middle School by Margaret

Margaret — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 23:30:51 +0000

You nailed it Karen. Sennett is such an amazing place to teach and learn. I have never worked in a school that is so student centered and collaborative, and I have been a district employee for 20 years. I have one son who is currently attending Sennett (out of our attendance area by choice) and another who went to his neighborhood school. Both boys received a great education, but my Sennett student learned to be part of a community. At the elementary level, we encourage staff to build relationships with students to improve learning: at Sennett we have achieved this through the multi-age model.

Comment on I’m Not “Waiting for Superman.” Why is MMSD? by Kati Walsh

Kati Walsh — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 00:15:22 +0000

I am so glad you wrote this post, Karen. I really hope our community is listening!

Comment on Wanted: Courageous Defenders of Public Education by Christine McDonough

Christine McDonough — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 21:58:26 +0000

Wow so sad to hear of the concessions you had to make. I do not live in Madison, I’m a Sun Prairie resident. I’m also not a teacher or union member but I totally support the teachers and think it is a disgrace that you have all been treated so poorly by elected officials in this State. I would like to make a suggestion for these school board seats. Look in the ranks of your retired teachers. I feel they would be the most qualified people to sit on the school board, there must be a large pool of them after the last few years.

Anyway to all of you teachers out there remember there are many of us in the communities that you live in and teach in that appreciate everything you do for our children and communities. I will continue to support you all in any way I can. I hope that you also remember your brothers and sisters in other unions when they need help as I have noticed that you are one of the largest groups and your support is essential to supporting other area unions.

In Solidarity,
Chris

Comment on SEAs Open the Doorway to Learning by Wanted: Courageous Defenders of Public Education | Running Reflections

Wanted: Courageous Defenders of Public Education | Running Reflections — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 01:03:58 +0000

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Comment on Merit Pay Undermines Public Education by darellacarlson blog

darellacarlson blog — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 22:35:14 +0000

Nice post.

Comment on SEAs Open the Doorway to Learning by Kristen

Kristen — Fri, 05 Oct 2012 21:10:07 +0000

Great post on such an important topic.

Another huge benefit the SEAs provide is helping teach *all* the kids how to communicate with someone who may be different, or have a disability. I was on a field trip with the Lake View kids yesterday and was reminded of the profound impact the SEA professionals have on *all* the kids – even beyond the particular ones with whom they are assigned to work.

Comment on SEAs Open the Doorway to Learning by Lynne Toseff

Lynne Toseff — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 23:00:54 +0000

I retired from MMSD about 7 years ago but as my children point out to me – “She may have retired, but she never left the building.” I am now subbing as an SEA throughout the MMSD and the expectations are very high for the subs as well as for the permanent SEA’s. I have been called every day since school began to sub at one school or another. I was called at my volunteer position at a food pantry and asked if I could do a long term sub job at a high school. I said I really wasn’t interested and then was asked if I could sub for the following Monday. I am now entering my second full week at the position. Why? Because this student needs consistency and someone with her at all times due to a rare syndrome she has. I have become attached to her, love the classes she is in and get to see another whole group of wonderful students in her classes.

I was the president of the bargaining unit for the SEA’s and was told many times by the board that we were a dime a dozen and we could be replaced in a moment’s notice by anyone off the street. I know that was a bargaining ploy (at least I hope it was) and that the majority of the teachers in the buildings value us as a critical piece of the learning process. We don’t do it for the money – we do it for the kids!

Comment on SEAs Open the Doorway to Learning by Marjorie Passman

Marjorie Passman — Mon, 24 Sep 2012 13:44:39 +0000

Beautifully said and unfortunately so true.