An NYC teacher says “There has to be misery for kids???”
I’m wary of seeming to wade into the charter school debate. But part of our mission in SNAP is to “protect the vulnerable” and we have long helped those hurt in any institutional setting – not just churches but schools, camps and athletic leagues too.
And few hold a higher opinion of teachers than I do. So I’m reluctant to criticize them.
Still, here’s what struck and worried me, in a New York Times story today.
Three years ago, a principal at a charter school, frustrated by students’ test scores, sent an email to her fourth-grade teachers: “There has to be misery felt for the kids who are not doing what is expected of them.”
I immediately thought: “I can’t be reading this right.”
But the Times reporter interprets it in the same way I do. That journalist, Kate Taylor, wrote “One school leader said students who were lagging should be made to feel ‘misery.’”
And the founder of that chain of charter schools, Eva Moskowitz, when challenged about this memo, defended it, saying:
“We use that terminology sometimes, meaning, you know, ‘Kids, you got to get it right the first time, and we’re not playing.’ That is part of our culture — not having kids getting away with just not trying.”
Call me a stickler, a wimp, ‘out of touch’ or whatever. But in my view, there’s a massive difference between seeking more effort from kids and seeking more misery for kids.
Again, I’m no teacher. And I applaud those who are because it’s a tough profession with far too little reward and appreciation.
Still, I can’t help but fear what’s happening in schools when officials write about causing misery to children.
It likely does not bode well for the safety of kids in schools like this.
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director