Happy Connerton Parent Responds to Criticism, Complaints
Due to technical difficulties, Jennifer Broderick's comments on the Connerton Elementary story are showing up out of order. Here is her full statement.
My children are both very happy to go to school every day and love their teachers at Connorton (Mr. Biz and Mrs. Dawkins, both excellent, enthusiastic teachers and NEITHER is anywhere near a "first year teacher"). My daughter had the unfortunate experience of being humiliated by her teacher in the name of "discipline" the first week of school. Anna and Wendy took time to listen to me and my daughter and they took care of it promptly. They made sure my daughter felt safe in coming to them for any reason, made sure the counselor helped her with any lingering concerns and they moved her to another classroom where she is nurtured and has absolutely flourished! Fortunately, that teacher was removed from the school mid-year after other students complained of the same harsh treatment, so I know my experience wasn't unique. Kudos to whoever made that happen (and I'm glad to see she isn't one of the protestors because that would be horribly hypocritical of her).
After reading this article what I am gathering is that there two unhappy former employees complaining about being let go and how awful it was to be there (if it was that bad, why complain so much about losing your job?). Their concerns could be valid, however, there are two sides to every story and I want to hear BOTH of them before I join in the public stoning that seems to be brewing. Frankly, I don't know many people who have been let got that speak highly of former employers so, I'm sorry, but I'm going to have to take their opinions with a grain of salt.
It's always painful/humiliating/heartbreaking to lose a job, whether the reason was valid or not and for that they do have my sympathy. I'm also reading about handful of unhappy parents that feel like the concerns they had about their children where not handled properly. Again, two sides to every story... things get complicated and emotional very quickly when people get upset about a perceived injustice done to their children-not judging, I'm absolutely a momma bear when it comes to my babies, as you will undoubtedly see below. But, because of how highly my children think of their school, their teachers and how enthusiastic they are about both, I am not willing to make any judgement calls until I hear both sides of the story... And I feel that is very reasonable.
HOWEVER, I do, strongly, feel that this group crossed a line when they involved not only MY children but all of the children in Connorton in their protest. My children where fearful and concerned. They perceived this as an attack on their school (why do those people think our school is bad? is one question in a minefield of them). Whether this "protest" or "gathering" was legal or not my children saw adults BULLYING their way in to being heard because they didn't get the results the wanted doing it the right way. You can call it "Protesting" or "Gathering" but holding signs up calling another person names (Bully) at her place of employment IS at it's core, bullying. And guess what? My kids can read. They know bullying when they see and read it. I wouldn't tolerate that behavior in my children, legally allowed or not. But you know what, truth be told if my kids weren't so upset by it, I would shrug, read the article, quietly wonder (see above) because of my completely opposite experience with these women and this school and move on. But that this group chose to do this in front of children, not just mine, but the entire school is completely inexcusable, in my opinion. Shame on the adults that found this to be appropriate in front of an elementary school during school hours! File your grievances with the adults and boards involved, contact the press and/or protest at a school board meeting, but for crying out loud leave the children out of it.
And to the people who feel a police escort was over the top, I would like to know, when is the last time someone stood outside YOUR work with a sign calling YOU names? I'd remove my children from the property and ask for a police escort, too. The bottom line is my children have been happy, enthusiastic and educated very well in Connorton and I am more than willing to give Anna (and Wendy- FWIW, Calling her a henchmen was immature, uncalled for and the epitome of bullying, in my opinion) the benefit of the doubt.
Jennifer Broderick
Giacomo Canoli
8:25 pm on Friday, June 1, 2012
First if you are going to comment about Connerton spell it correctly! Second of all a hand full of people expressing their first amendment rights is something that makes this nation great! Third if you are in such fear for the safety of your children, I can understand you not bringing them to school, but my child was not scared and therefore I felt this freedom of expression was appropriate in educating him and other children about the constitutional process. I'm glad that your issues with the teachers were catered to and your children were taken care of properly by the Principle and her Assistant. But many Students, Teachers and Support Staff have not been accommodated the way you have, consider yourself blessed. I recommend anyone who has had issues contact jhurley@pasco.k12.fl.us and dscanga@pasco.k12.fl.us and if there are no problems as you say then these two representatives should have an easy day because no complaints or issues will be brought up. Also remember to contact Heather Fiorentino she’s in charge as the Schools Superintendent, at least till this upcoming election.
Thank you!
Giacomo Canoli
Jennifer Broderick
1:33 pm on Saturday, June 2, 2012
Many? The four people in the article and the loud people in the comments section of the article hardly constitute many. Noisy, yes. Many? Not by any definition of the word. Again, both sides of the story need to be heard. And legal or not I absolutely stand by my opinion that involving the children was innappropriate. How hypocritical of you to support the children of the protestors but tell my kids to just suck
it up simply because YOUR child wasn's affected. Why, exactly, are those children more important than the other children involved in this ugly mess?? Are you aware that there is a truck with a banner driving by the children's bus stops advertising this "cause". My kids can read!!! Beyond innappropriate!!!! My kids don't need to be involved in this ADULT business. Period.
Janet Prowing
2:35 pm on Saturday, June 2, 2012
It is nice to see that there are still positive good natured people in this world.
Let's face it.....teaching is a hard job and so is leading a school with many teachers, staff, students/families. I would bet anything that these administrators make nothing compared to CEO's. I believe that leaders of any school do their job because they love what they do.
This bandwagon is led by retired(?) employees, former disgruntled employees and a few parents. In a public system it is almost impossible to get rid of mediocre employees and status quo usually means less work. Is this the case...Don't Think So! Running a business is not easy and it sure doesn't mean you are guaranteed to make everyone happy all of the time. Take your negative energy and use it differently or become a hermit and don't contribute anything to our society. Before anyone jumps on this hateful bandwagon, look at the credentials of those who are leading this worthless waste of time. Those of you who are true citizens and contributors to our society.....stay strong and positive:)
Cathy Brown
6:16 pm on Saturday, June 2, 2012
Thank you to Giacmo Canoli, for the reminder that this is what our country is all about. We (yes I was one of the demonsrators) have been given that right by our constitution. We were hardly intimidating with our hawaiian shirts. We had children with us for goodness sakes. As for the comment about the police escort. Anna was NOT afraid. As I have posted before, she was leaving at the same time that I was. I was in the right lane, as Anna approached my car she slowed down,hovered next to me, rolled down her window, shouted something at me( I could not hear) and waited long enough for a response. Her police escort was right tbehind her. That action, Jennifer is the attitude and tradmark of a true BULLY. am thankful for you that you have had poitive experiences wih Anna and Wendy. Unfortunately you are in the minority. I caution you to be vigilant and keep your eyes and ears open. NO ONE is immune to their hatred. Many before you have defended their actions and taken their side, only to find themseves victimized.
Patricia Long
11:14 pm on Saturday, June 2, 2012
Just because it is your right does not mean you should not use common sense. I don't think our Founding Fathers would agree with your nonsense in front of an elementary school and I certainly hope you are not proud of the fact that you had children with you. If so, that completely discredits you and your group.
Concerned Parent
3:28 pm on Sunday, June 3, 2012
I must say that those proestorrs were well within their rights to do what they did. As for scaring or upsetting the kids, please. We drove right by it all and never knew what was going on. You could not even read the signs unless you stopped. I have had many issues with the school. Had a direct situation with Mrs. Carswell, who I believe to be totally unapproachable. It's hard to approach someone who walks around with a scowl on their face. I had to fight with the school over my childs education. His teacher was very inexperienced. Needless to say, he will be attending another school in the fall. I know several other parents in our neighborhood feel the same way and are pulling their kids too.
michelle
10:37 pm on Thursday, July 26, 2012
When was this protest?
Keli Sipperley
12:38 pm on Friday, July 27, 2012
Hi Michelle, the protest occurred on May 29. You can find the story here: http://patch.com/A-tD8J