Sierra students walk out
Posted by Chet Hardin on Thu, Sep 15, 2011 at 11:55 AM
Colorado Springs Independent - Click Here
- Mike Miles
At 9:00AM on September 15th, 2011, a crowd of a few hundred kids walked out of their classes today in protest the numerous of the rule changes and teacher relocation’s. They started their protest across the street from Sierra, but was eventually moved to the school auditorium so they didn’t disturb the local residents.Superintendent Mike Miles, and the school's principal, Sean Shields, took the opportunity to briefly address the frustrated students, according to The Sentinel. "
Mike miles is a product of authoritarianism. His background as a virtual dictator ("the little general" was his nickname )is entirely wrong in a system trying to promote critical thinking and democracy. Fuhrer miles, this is a school...not a tank battalion. The students walking out of class is VERY telling in a district mired in dysfunction, cronyism, and over paid administrators.
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Posted by
cheshirecats
on October 5, 2011 at 5:43 PM like dislike
I am beyond
proud at the actions of these Sierra students. Not only are they
standing up for their own well-being in a positive, peaceful way, but
they are also standing up for the rights of their teachers. These are
the types of kids who will make the world a better place because of
their compassion and moral-compass.
As another commenter mentioned, no one can really believe what happens in District 2 unless they have students in the system or work there themselves. I knew in the first month that D2 is a toxic environment - not only for teachers, but for students, families, and the community. I spent my year in a constant state of shock, because I couldn't fathom how more people weren't up in arms about the way Mike Miles and BOE allow children and teachers to be blatantly disrespected. I couldn't understand why rooms full of people would clap for him when he said inane things like, "We will raise our graduation rate. We're also going to start holding students back." If you know anything about education, you know he is full of bull.
I did figure it out, though - why people stand by and let this happen. When I started interviewing for a position outside of D2, I was alerted by one of my references from a previous school that the Admin at my school had given me a scathingly bad reference (btw, I got the job anyway). The Admin proceeded to not call back for reference checks for several other teachers leaving the school - costing them new jobs. Mike Miles hires Administration who are gutless, power-hungry cowards. He makes sure that they are the type of people willing to put children & teachers in unhealthy environments and then punish those teachers who refuse to do the same. It is disgusting.
By the way, TJ, everyone has a right to an opinion, but that doesn't mean that you're right. Not only was your opinion made without enough information, but you failed to even try to consider a different point of view. It sounds to me like the "crack down" you received in High School was actually a disservice to you. A *good* education would have taught you more critical thinking skills.
Posted by
Former D2 teacher
on September 23, 2011 at 6:38 PMAs another commenter mentioned, no one can really believe what happens in District 2 unless they have students in the system or work there themselves. I knew in the first month that D2 is a toxic environment - not only for teachers, but for students, families, and the community. I spent my year in a constant state of shock, because I couldn't fathom how more people weren't up in arms about the way Mike Miles and BOE allow children and teachers to be blatantly disrespected. I couldn't understand why rooms full of people would clap for him when he said inane things like, "We will raise our graduation rate. We're also going to start holding students back." If you know anything about education, you know he is full of bull.
I did figure it out, though - why people stand by and let this happen. When I started interviewing for a position outside of D2, I was alerted by one of my references from a previous school that the Admin at my school had given me a scathingly bad reference (btw, I got the job anyway). The Admin proceeded to not call back for reference checks for several other teachers leaving the school - costing them new jobs. Mike Miles hires Administration who are gutless, power-hungry cowards. He makes sure that they are the type of people willing to put children & teachers in unhealthy environments and then punish those teachers who refuse to do the same. It is disgusting.
By the way, TJ, everyone has a right to an opinion, but that doesn't mean that you're right. Not only was your opinion made without enough information, but you failed to even try to consider a different point of view. It sounds to me like the "crack down" you received in High School was actually a disservice to you. A *good* education would have taught you more critical thinking skills.
Mr. Spader does
NOT have all the facts, if he did he would not make such uneducated and
disrespectful remarks. That being said, as a former D2 employee who
was treated very unjustly because of Mike Miles and his underhanded
tactics and blatant disrespect for employees who gave so much of
themselves to their jobs, I hope to sit and watch Mike get his
professional reputation trashed the same way he has done to so many. I
know that there will be MANY former employees who will sit by, watch and
feel vindicated as Mike Miles finally gets a taste of his own medicine.
Posted by
Sandyeggo
on September 23, 2011 at 2:32 PM
I m so happy to have a
place to vent..something MUST be done!!!!! my heart bleeds for all the
students affected by this "change" and the poor, beaten, fearful,
disgraced teachers who feel"up against a wall" M Miles sways data,
puts undo pressure on administrators, and, for someone trying to improve
graduation rates, didn t even attend either H S graduations last
spring!!!! I was a piece of the puzzle..and have witnessed many
wrongdoings. Employees/students feel beaten and fearful. A mass exodus
of employees and students should raise some eyebrows..WHY?????????
Posted by
Linda Rossetti
on September 23, 2011 at 11:20 AM
I am somebody who just
quit Harrison after 6 years of service (hard work) with not even a
goodbye from administrators. There were 16 employees that left on their
own accord as well. Some left education all together. This has been
tragic to say the least and I am happy to say I have found work teaching
in a much healthier environment where teachers get treated with some
dignity. I still have nightmares about teaching in district 2 and can't
believe it has become such a toxic environment for all involved.
Disgusting!!!!
Posted by
Licia Rossetti
on September 23, 2011 at 9:04 AM
funny how quick
people(Tj Spader) are to talk crap about people, students, teachers
and parents standing up to this bully. how would any of you know the
conditions around the district if you don't have kids in it, or work in
it. how do you know, cause of hearsay that's old rumors circulating for
years. these schools have a overblown reputation, and like in any case
the teachers can only do so much, it comes down to parents. teachers
can't follow the kids home and force them to take their academics up a
notch, study at home, homework, etc..the other schools don't have
teachers walking out, students walking out, teachers comming and going
like an amusement park.
Anyone else who wants him gone, join our facebook page Mike Miles-Vote Him Out
Posted by
Mike Miles-Vote Him Out
on September 22, 2011 at 11:57 AMAnyone else who wants him gone, join our facebook page Mike Miles-Vote Him Out
I taught in D2 for four years, last year I was at Sierra, and I want to say publicly:
GO STALLIONS!!! I'm proud to have known you.
My position was eliminated due to budget constraints, and, while no one wants to face unemployment in this economy, in was glad to leave the district. I was only sad about leaving the kids.
The problems at Sierra (and Harrison) are real. I do not disagree with the need for accountability for teachers and students, but excessive testing to produce data, which is then used punitively has created such a culture of fear and stress, that real education/learning is not possible.
There are senate bills (191?) in place that require teacher evaluation be partially based on student achievement - this is what the future holds in store for all school districts in Colorado. Hopefully other districts will find ways of collecting the necessary data, without stressing out the students and educators to the degree that HSD2 has.
Miles is a politician, he wanted to be a trendsetter in education. Hopefully, he will be remembered for what not to do. I agree with the comment above calling out to parents: Listen to the children (sorry guys, but you are the children of the parents in HSD2)! the teachers have been trying to tell you for years - what is going on is not okay.
Take back the Board of Education, get rid of Miles, put "Kids First" for real!!!!
- an educator who is still afraid to use her name...
I just
graduated from Sierra last year, before the new principal Shields was
there. From what I hear, Shields is a good guy, but Miles is no good.
The restrooms stalls don't even have doors on them, lunch is about 40
minutes long, with so many students trying to eat lunch, some of them
never eat, they are firing good innocent teachers. I was outraged to see
my old english teacher be fired, he was by far one of the nicest
teachers I've ever had the privelege to learn under, and there he is
being fired by some prick who doesn't even care.
I feel horrible knowing my little brother still attends Sierra as a sophomore, it's only going to go downhill from here, treat your staff and students with disrespect, no wonder why they don't wanna attend school, you can go sip water and laugh at yourself elsewhere, not where the futures of many kids are being made.
@TJ, your opinion is nice and all, but until you have first hand experience and not just "hear about things done in Colorado springs " your opinion is vague and irrelevant. I went to Sierra for four years, just graduated luckily before all this happened, students are people too, they are the next generation and they are at school to learn. They went on strike because they realized things are being ran wrong, they didn't leave and go home when they walked out, they sat there and protested for THEIR EDUCATION, for the teachers sake, if they didn't care and were " bad kids " they all would have went home and had a " who cares "attitude. They even went back to class after they made their point.
Posted by
Graduated from Sierra last year
on September 18, 2011 at 2:36 AMI feel horrible knowing my little brother still attends Sierra as a sophomore, it's only going to go downhill from here, treat your staff and students with disrespect, no wonder why they don't wanna attend school, you can go sip water and laugh at yourself elsewhere, not where the futures of many kids are being made.
@TJ, your opinion is nice and all, but until you have first hand experience and not just "hear about things done in Colorado springs " your opinion is vague and irrelevant. I went to Sierra for four years, just graduated luckily before all this happened, students are people too, they are the next generation and they are at school to learn. They went on strike because they realized things are being ran wrong, they didn't leave and go home when they walked out, they sat there and protested for THEIR EDUCATION, for the teachers sake, if they didn't care and were " bad kids " they all would have went home and had a " who cares "attitude. They even went back to class after they made their point.
This is the way
he behaves when he doesn't respect people. He doesn't care about kids.
He cares about himself. He laughs to himself because there is no one to
hold him accountable. He has the board in his backpocket ... along with a
newspaper which shall go unnamed. He will continue to do what he's
doing until the PARENTS and VOTERS in District 2 kick him out once and
for all. YOU had the chance to do this last year, and you voted back the
same weak board members who sign Mike Miles' paycheck. It's about time
the community realized what is going on. The teachers have been trying
to get your attention for YEARS, and this is the first time the
community finally backed the people who are in the classroom EVERYDAY
with your children.
Posted by
jamieleerae
on September 15, 2011 at 10:43 PM
Were any
representatives from the meeting at the board meeting? The public needs
to see how smug this man is and how little he actually cares about the
development and success of the HSD2 students.
Posted by
Courtney Cook
on September 15, 2011 at 9:08 PM
I really dislike how
miles is making not only the advanced but all students feel
uneducated... and it is like we are traveling back to elementary
learning.. I already graduated from there and middle school as well it
would be nice if he would stop messing with my chance of graduating high
school!
Posted by
Qwaneche Mcleod
on September 15, 2011 at 8:40 PM
when attending
the board meeting, all the superintendent did was drink his water and
laugh, like it was joke,never made any comments, why because all he is
worried about is his kids going to district 20 and they going to
harvard, and if the kids at sierra don't like it there to go to
widefield, what type of individual is this, they all need to be voted
out of there position, what they actually need is to take dr. judith
smith out of retirement and put her back at sierra, so the students feel
wanted again, so that way the students do not feel as though they are
being discriminated, because they are part of district 2
Posted by
someone that cares
on September 15, 2011 at 8:00 PM
