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CAT Tracks for November 13, 2009
RECRUITING MINORITY TEACHERS |
That's the news out of Poplar Bluff...although the comment attributed to the Assistant Superintendent of Schools does not overwhelm one with hope that the shortage will be improved any time soon:
Hey, Mr. Hon...
Gotta compromise proposal for ya!
I mean, if you want to put some minority teachers on your "payroll" but NOT have them "darken" your doorstep...do like Cairo School District Number One! Pay them NOT to teach (i.e. James Gibson.)
Yes...it's more expensive and you receive zero service for your educational dollars, but THAT never stopped our school officials!!!
Of course, maybe that helps explain why the Cairo School District is under a Financial Oversight Panel and you are not!
One question does remain...
If Cairo has a Financial OVERSIGHT Panel, why is the Cairo School District still making stupid financial decisions?
Oh, I forgot...I answered that question in an earlier post.
It's an "oversight"...
Okay, okay, better do an...
Editor's Note:
I do not know Chris Hon. Mr. Hon may the most racially unbiased person you would ever meet. Hell, for all I know, Mr. Hon may be African American, Native American, or even the former Christina Hon.
Assistant Superintendent of Schools Chris Hon's attributed statement about the District not reserving positions for minorities may have been upon the advice of their attorney...not wanting to get sued for "affirmative action" or "quotas".
So...my reference above was NOT intended to cast aspersions upon the character or motivations of Chris Hon. The full intent of my statements was solely to "editorialize to heighten emotion" about the on-going persecution of a good man by officials of Cairo School District Number One.
From the KFVS TV Channel 12 Website...
Poplar Bluff Looking to Hire Minority Teachers
By Tyler Profilet
POPLAR BLUFF, MO (KFVS) - Thelma Driver is a special education teacher at Poplar Bluff High School, and she's just one of eight minority teachers in the district.
While 12% of the student population is made up of minorities, only 2% of the teachers are minorities, something Driver says has to change.
"Our young people need to see someone who is like them," she said.
"The minority students will approach you because you can identify with the issues on their lives," said Poplar Bluff teacher Jake Holmes.
Assistant Superintendent Chris Hon plans to attend job fairs at six historically black colleges and universities to try to recruit more minority educators, but says the district won't reserve open positions for minority applicants.
"We just want to make sure that we explore every avenue to bring in minority candidates because I do think it makes a difference as far as that positive role model for minority students," Hon said.
Hon also said he hopes to foster homegrown talent of high school students who may want to be teachers.
Assistant Superintendent Chris Hon plans to attend job fairs at six historically black colleges and universities to try to recruit more minority educators, but says the district won't reserve open positions for minority applicants.
