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Washington D.C.’s Jefferson Middle School Academy is standing up for its teachers after U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos said they are “waiting to be told what they have to do.”
DeVos made the comments in one of her first interviews since being confirmed last week. She said teachers at the school — the first one she visited on the job — were “sincere” but seemed to be in “receive mode,” which she said “is not going to bring success to an individual child.”
The school took to Twitter late Friday to make its case. In 11 messages, the school described several teachers who creating new programs and tailoring their teaching to meet students’ considerable needs.
“JA teachers are not in a ‘receive mode,'” read the final message. “Unless you mean we ‘receive’ students at a 2nd grade level and move them to an 8th grade level.”
The former and current D.C. schools chiefs have also weighed in. Chancellor Antwan Wilson, who accompanied DeVos on her school visit, issued a statement praising the teaching at Jefferson Academy. And his predecessor, Kaya Henderson, tweeted her withering take on DeVos’s comments:
Sorry lady. Tried to give you the benefit of the doubt. But this is so amateur and unprofessional that it's astounding. We deserve better. https://t.co/qOABdRlxi5
— Kaya Henderson (@HendersonKaya) February 18, 2017
Here’s the full tweetstorm from Jefferson Academy, which D.C. Public Schools considered a “rising school” because of its good -but-not-great test scores.
This is what Sec. DeVos said about our teachers after her visit. Needless to say, we're about to take her to school... @dcpublicschools pic.twitter.com/Wcx1YyqDHL
— Jefferson Academy (@JATrojans) February 18, 2017
First, the secretary visited the classroom of Ashley Shepherd and Britany Locher, a dynamic co-teaching team that differentiates for the...
— Jefferson Academy (@JATrojans) February 18, 2017
needs of students ranging from a first grade level to an eighth grade level in reading. They build amazing relationships with students and..
— Jefferson Academy (@JATrojans) February 18, 2017
maintain a positive classroom environment focused on rigorous content, humor, and love. They aren't waiting to be told what to do.
— Jefferson Academy (@JATrojans) February 18, 2017
Then she saw Latisha Trent in action. Ms. Trent has been at Jefferson for 3 years, and each year her students grow MULTIPLE grade levels...
— Jefferson Academy (@JATrojans) February 18, 2017
in Math. EVERY student realizes his or her maximum potential in Ms. Trent's room. She isn't waiting to be told what to do.
— Jefferson Academy (@JATrojans) February 18, 2017
Then the Sec. met Band teacher Jessica Harris, who has built our Music program from the ground up. Ms. Harris pours her heart into her work.
— Jefferson Academy (@JATrojans) February 18, 2017
Ms. Harris is patient, kind, relentless, and reflective. She is everything you want in a teacher. She isn't waiting to be told what to do.
— Jefferson Academy (@JATrojans) February 18, 2017
Morgan Markbreiter was there as well. Ms. MB has unleashed the passion of countless students through her Video Game Design course. MB also..
— Jefferson Academy (@JATrojans) February 18, 2017
runs our INCREDIBLE after-school program, which provides FREE tutoring and enrichment to our kids. She isn't waiting to be told what to do.
— Jefferson Academy (@JATrojans) February 18, 2017
JA teachers are not in a "receive mode." Unless you mean we "receive" students at a 2nd grade level and move them to an 8th grade level.
— Jefferson Academy (@JATrojans) February 18, 2017
DeVos later added:
.@JATrojans Your teachers are awesome! They deserve MORE freedom to innovate and help students.
— Secretary Betsy DeVos (@BetsyDeVosED) February 18, 2017
.@JATrojans Great teachers deserve freedom and flexibility, not to constantly be on the receiving end of government dictates.
— Secretary Betsy DeVos (@BetsyDeVosED) February 18, 2017
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