Earlier this week I received a phone call from a concerned citizen who shared a story with me.

While enjoying a meal at a local restaurant, she overhead two loud people at the bar. They talked for almost an hour and a half about the students in their classrooms and the parents who think their children are angels.

The person who called me was upset because the teachers were having this kind of conversation in public. The caller even doubted the teachers liked children based on what they were saying. She said she considered sharing her view with the teachers, but she was cautioned by her husband not to do so.

As the two individuals at the bar continued conversing, they were joined by a third teacher, who proceeded to talk about how they had recently been terminated and had created a website to air their grievances.

So, this citizen had called to share with me her concerns about teachers publically criticizing their students. The caller said she was so happy they didn't use the last names of students, because as she said, "Had it been my child, I would have been really upset, and if it had been someone I knew, I would have shared that information."

To publicly criticize students and/or parents really says a lot about the speaker, but it also says a lot about us as an organization. The best people to change the public's perception of our school system are you, me, and those who work with us. Who do we represent? We represent public education. Each of us represents a great organization: Griffin-Spalding County School System.

That said, I'm sure there are changes we need to make. But the proper way to make those changes is to have courageous, open conversations with your principal, assistant principal, and me. Please visit me during my open door every Monday from 4 to 5pm or respond to one of my blog messages. Open communication is one of our core values.

Please don't be afraid to speak up and say what you believe should be done. I ask that you remember that you represent us. You are influential. People listen to you, and they form an opinion based on what you say.

It would be hard for me as a taxpayer to want to continue to pay an extra penny for public education or support the local school system when I hear the people in the school system criticize the ones we serve. We need to dare to do better. Let's find a way to do that.

Have a good weekend!

  

Curtis

  

The Griffin-Spalding County Board of Education named Stephanie Dobbins as the Director of Human Resources for the Griffin-Spalding County School System at its February 1, 2011 meeting. Mrs. Dobbins has been serving as the school system's assistant human resources director since September 2001.

Mrs. Dobbins received her BA from the University of Georgia, and was certified as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) in 2008.

Mrs. Dobbins is eager to move into the position. "The school system's primary objective is student achievement, and quality teachers and staff are vital to reaching those goals. I'm looking forward to working with our employees to provide the best education we can to our students. I'm grateful for the opportunity and the support of our board of education and superintendent," said Mrs. Dobbins.

Dr. Curtis Jones, Superintendent, said, "Being human resources director is a complex job. I have full confidence in Mrs. Dobbins and I am looking forward to working with her as she takes on her new position."

TRS offers pre-retirement seminars to anyone within five years of retirement. The below link contains some general information about the covered topics, the procedures for registration, and the dates of upcoming seminars at the Atlanta location. 

  

The seminars at the Atlanta location are in addition to the sessions hosted by the Griffin-Spalding County School System. Watch for future COMMUNICATORs for updates on local sessions.  

  

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