BPS takes a tough stance on nepotism

From an outside perspective, this is a pretty interesting article.  I don't see any part of the article that attacks the effectiveness, experience, or ability of any of the family members.  There may have been a couple of in the comments, but no so much in the paper.  Given the reaction to the article it sort of negates all of the “not worthy of an article” comments.  It seems like it’s bringing up a lot of conversation!

The article talks more about the situation from Chuck Turner's perspective.  Whether or not those teachers/staff are qualified it still falls under the realm of nepotism.  Even if they weren’t hired or directly supervised by each other it still seems a little shady.  Having that many family members working in the same school can create a lot of hostility.  Whether or not the students love them and can definitely be a distraction for the teachers.  As you can see.. it’s already a distraction for a good deal of the community members.  Especially at a time where the economy is crumbling and there are plenty of, I’d assume, equally and in some cases more qualified candidates for those positions.

Nobody goes into teaching for the money.  Teachers are just like everybody else – they want to be paid appropriately for what they do.  I come from a long line of family members who were and are teachers and none of them would be “high salary” on their list of reasons to become teachers.  95% of the teachers go into teaching because they want to make a difference in a young person’s life.  This teaching family deserves the same pat on the back as most teachers do.  Sure everyone has a bad teacher from time to time – but the majority of teachers out there aren’t looking for a big pay day.  They want to support their selves and families just like everyone else.

The debate is about nepotism.  There really isn’t a place for it any professional setting.  It’s great that people found each other through work – but there’s nothing wrong with looking for a new place to work for asking for some sort of transfer to eliminate any chance for nepotism.  My parents met at work and the first think they did when they were engaged was to look at transferring jobs.  They never worked together while they were engaged.  There are plenty of schools in Massachusetts and within BPS with students who could use great teachers, not just in Madison Park.

From an outside perspective, it looks really bad to have 3,4, or 5 people in the same family working in same school no matter how great all of them are.

If nepotism is ok at a school, it’ll be ok in government, it’ll be ok everywhere.  And for those of you who don’t see anything wrong with it will be the first person to complain when you’re not hired because someone hired their nephew of the job you wanted.

Also, it’s really awkward to throughout your qualifications and especially your GPA on a discussion board. 

Funny how there is a ton of misinformation in this article..... Probably why the Herald wouldn't bother with it.  It's a null subject!!  And to clarify, Alexis was not transferred.  She is still at MP where she does a SPLENDID job.  It's sad that Matthew was tranferred.  He was deeply involved with the students at MP as well as the sports program...  The superintendent has done an injustice to MP...

It's really amusing to read all of superman's comments.  For several years this person worked at Madison and during that time was able to alienate all colleagues and many students.  the person was a 'teacher on assignment' no time in the classroom with an extra percentage of pay.  The person befriended Mrs. McAfee and tried to climb to the top using many so-called political connections.  This person caused much anxiety constantly confronting students in a malicious way.  He/she also tried very hard to divide the staff by spreading rumors about other staff and administrative member.  When this person left, the entire building breathed a huge sigh of relief.  Anyone reading this person's posts should do so with reservation.  Some people are just mean and hateful.  This is one and it shows.

Dear Superman (woman)

Please excuse me for taking 5 minutes out of my otherwise busy day to clarify your misinformation and slander.

I find it very sad and unfortunate this article was written and published.  Let me first start by saying that the Boston Public School system needs more Chuck McAfee's, Matthew Pearce's and Alexis Pearce's in its system.  These are individuals who actually care about their students.  I have first hand witnessed numerous so called teachers who are their for the sole reason of a paycheck.  Chuck McAffe has done a tremendous job turning Madison Park into a better school.  He holds the teachers and students accountable.  He demands teachers to teach and students to learn and become better people as they grow.  Mr. Matthew Pearce is one of the few teachers who relates to his students.  He has the ability and talent to make his students want to learn.  I have never heard any negative feedback about Mr. Matthew's Pearce teaching techniques. 

If you have all this time to write articles, in the future can you please write one that has truth and importance to it.  

If that teacher was removed, not fired, then shame on the teacher. TEACHING 101 in the bps.  No reading newspapers in class, no heads down, and be on time and you will work for life. Should of sent the student to the nurse

How interesting that all of you nepotism defenders are posting during the school day.

PB: shouldn't you be doing something more at 8:50 in the morning than posting how great you are?  Since you are the boss of everyone, maybe you should be out skulking around their classrooms, doing what you do best: terrorizing really good teachers.  

TD: McAfee's wife came the school AFTER he was appointed Headmaster.  She got a really good teacher fired because she 'observed' a sick kid asleep in the teacher's class and blew the whistle on her.  

Notnewsworthy: Try speaking up and see where you wind up: with a lousy schedule and folks in and out of your classroom every day.  Keep your mouth shut: you get to coach, tutor, get on a committee and get paid for it.  Keep drinking the Kool Aid!

Hey "concerned teacher" funny how you are concerned posting from TOWN OF CONCORD MUNICIPAL LIGHT PLANT

LOL LOL LOL LOL

And another thing, who cares if they go to doyles.  Its his own time and he can do what he wants with whoever he wants to.  Maybe you should get out and enjoy yourself once in awhile instead of siiting at home ranting and raving on the computer.  Then again, you probably werent invited.  You are probably one of those teachers who thinks they should be running school or could run it better.  I have worked with them and they are the worst.  Usually they are hiding their own inability to do their jobs and want to blame everything from the pencil sharpener doesnt work to the principal doesnt like me.  When, in reality, they just plain old su ck at their job.  Some of the worst teachers are the over educated, my sh it dont stink, im better than you, no people skills, stuck up, im afraid of the kids(but dont tell anyone shh), ones who if in the real world would of been been FIRED within days and been crying to mommy.  Yet we want to expose good people because they can and will do their jobs without complaint. Ones who when the Boss actually asks them to do something they do it or when they are told to correct something dont take it personal.  Teachers who actually want to be there working with the children.  Too Bad for you superman, you have lost your way.

The Banner getting alot of attention.  Superman do you work in the building?  If you do you have answered my question of Why the test scores are down.  That is because you and your cronies are spending way to much time checking up on Staff that you forgot why you took the job.TO TEACH THE CHILDREN.  You are further bolstering the public image of BPS teachers as cash grabbing, do nothing, cry baby wastes of space.  Why?  Its all about the kids Right?  Move on!!  You seem to have a very personal agenda with Mcafee so face him like a man and stop hiding behind the computer and the press.  As far as nepotism goes this doesnt apply.  How can it?  The brother and sister where already there and the wife has been there forever.  So who did he help?  Maybe the daughter but a Para in the BPS is the lowest paying job you can get.  Isnt all hirings approved by HR or Court St?  I have known both the son in law and the sister for along time and we worked in the same building (not MP) and they both are OUTSTANDING teachers who could work anywhere and they chose to work at MP because they wanted to help the children, which you superman, have forgotten about.  So get back in the class and teach!

At the John D. O’Bryant School in Roxbury, the Program Director for English has her own daughter working in the department. While Crystal Coy-Gonfa and Sheggai Tamerat do not share last names, it was known that it Mrs. Coy-Gonfa’s daughter when she was hired. Ms. Tamerat has all the benefits of her mother as department head. She is given plum administrative assignments, as well as the coveted 5th and 6th periods free from teaching. And she has had that schedule for at least 2 years!! Ms. Tamerat is also not regularly evaluated, because her mother cannot evaluate her. Not only is it unfair to other teachers who have their evaluation years, it doesn’t benefit Ms. Tamerat at all because where is the opportunity to improve her practice? I am sure that both women will state that Mrs. Coy-Gonfa has no control over administrative duties, but I am sure those in charge don’t mind doing a favor for a friend. This situation does affect teacher morale and foster resentment amongst staff. I hope Dr. Johnson is looking into this as well.

In response to Superman or woman, I would like to clarify misinformation.  As the Program Director for ELA, I am not only certified in English, but in ESL and administration as well.  My undergraduate degree is in English, my Master's degree is in Applied Linguistics, and I am a Doctoral candidate at Northeastern University in International Education, with a 3.8 GPA by the way.

It sounds like sour grapes.  You should check your facts before making false accusations.

OK Superman

You work in the building because you know attendance records..............

More clues please...........

I am a teacher at MP and I would like to go on the record saying that MP is a great place because of McAfee's leadership.  At MP the bottom line is and has always been "about the kids."  There has been a lot said about who is hired.  Some say that there is too much family.  Others say that the staff is too white (according to Chuck Turner.)  There are always different ways that things can be interpretted.  The solid truth is that at MP teachers who care about students are hired.  It doesn't matter what their last name is and if they are black, white, or purple.  It's sad that a story like this gives so much publicity to McAfee.  I think that Mr. Manly should come to our school to see all the GREAT things that are done here on a daily basis under McAfee's leadership.  In addition to giving the students the best education possible, we offer our students so much more.  Many come from difficult environments and do not receive everything that they need from home.  We fill in the blanks at MP.  We love our students and encourage them to do great things, which they do. 

The story has also confused the facts that it published.  Michelle McAfee has not only been here for many years, but she is also a nursing instructor in the nursing vocational program.  Her job (which she is very good at) doesn't exist at any other bps school.  Matt Pearce started working at MP 2 years ago when he met and fell in love with Mcafee's daughter.  He was already here before a relationship was ever started.  Alexis Pearce has been at MP for 7 years -- way before her brother ever met his wife!  It is completely unfair to bring her into this.

There are hundreds of great stories that could be published about what REALLY happens here at MP.  Please, Mr. Manly, don't take the word of a disgruntled employee.  Come see for yourself what we the real "MP family" is about -- students and staff.  There are HUNDREDS of us.

Why is post buried, not in post order.

Ahhhh Superman

You are retired, or, you are also posting during work hours..

The plot thickens................

Still LOL  The Concerned Teachers post was removed......hilarious

Hey Banner

Was it a slow news day yesterday?

This is front page news? if news at all?

I suggest you start exposing city hall, state and federal agencies.....

Here's the challenge Banner. Interview the students of the Pearce's and the McAfee's.  Write an article about their opinions.

Plum jobs, substitue teacher and library assistant.  Wow, these jobs will feed a family and cover health care costs.

And as for your salary numbers, those figures are not taxable income amounts. I bet they wish they were making that much money.

One last comment Banner:  Chuck Turner, hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha...................

All I will say is "This too shall pass."

feel free to edit my post. remove names if you have to(chuck t)  just want the facts to be known and the idea of a disgruntled employee

I am assuming all posts must be approved before they are actually posted and the process is not instantaneous?

ty

keep up the good work

Wont post my comment? are u kidding?

This story is not new because if it was the Herald would of ran with it. They did not because they did research and got the facts.  Both the two pearces have been in bps for over 8 years each, alexis at madison for 7 of those years.  They BOTH already had jobs at madison before there was a hint of anyone becoming family.  The daughter and the son in law met at work and Then got married  this past summer.  Wheres the news?  In my opinion not enough was done.......a library para.......a substitute teacher...are you kidding?  The principal must not of had enough pull if all he could muster for his daughter was a library para and his NEW son in law a substitute teacher.  So superman, which one of these jobs didnt you get?  the para or the sub?  or was it something else?  All it sounds like to me is a disgruntled employee (Retired?) who himself doesnt have the pull to push a story beyond the Banner.  You goto chuck turner? That in itself is laughable you lose credibilitty their.  Teachers are complaining? the morale of the school is down?  HUH. Who?  Just you sir and it is you who is bringing teacher morale down by pushing your own private agenda on anyone who will listen unless of course you really wanted that substitute teaching job Ha Ha Ha.  If mr. manly had talked to more than 1 to 2 sources he too might of gone the way of the herald and deemed it a non story.

Whats even funnier is that this will all be forgoten by monday and the Source will still be a whiny little u know what forever.

Little advice....when you have an axe to grind go to the top....chuck turner hilarious!!!!!!

AND NOW WE ARE FIVE! You forgot to mention that  McAfee's daughter was installed as a library para three years ago. It was a good week when she showed up for five days in a row and an even better one if she stayed a full day. Oh, if she'd only done more than her homework....that's alot to ask at McAfee High! 

Hmmm: does this money include the extra stipends for coaching, tutoring, planning groups and other grant funded extra $$ that they all earned as well? Funds that they received over other more qualified TEACHERS?  We should also mention that, outside of all this backscratching, McAfee had charges filed against him by four teachers for unprofessional conduct: all women. Three of the top ELA teachers in the ninth grade and a fourth that knew too much so he dumped her by the roadside after 37 years.  Good thing Mac can retire in December, huh? Stick a fork in him, he's FINALLY done.  I hope they take all those flunkies out when he retires: the head of the ELA department isn't even certified in English; however, she makes great Italian food! The Math and Science guy; he drives him home from Doyles. No wonder the scores stinke..