Read between the lines with Julie Pfeifer and Poudre School District (8/12 - Resolved & Teaching Again!)

CatWhisperer's picture

Another grave injustice is about to occur here in Fort Collins. When the Coloradoan broke the story, PSD recommends firing popular Webber teacher, I wondered if there was another chmo on the loose. But it was nothing like that. Now I don't know Julie from Jack, but I do read a lot. My first impression from all of the reports, was that this teacher did was being blown up way out of proportion, and they want her to board a rail-car. That was reinforced by the picture yesterday.

Here was what my gut feeling was after seeing the Ms. or Mrs. Pfeifer: The PSD has found an excuse to get rid of somebody that doesn't fit into their system. Look at that picture carefully. I bet there are people in her office that have a problem with that look. Possible scenario running around in Mrs. Sphinter's mind at the office: “Well, that too sassy for a teacher. And I don't like her attitude. Ms. Smarty-Pants doesn't know everything. She just doesn't fit in. And the kids love her. Well, we won't be having that…” Whatever.

“insubordination, incompetence, immorality and other good and just cause." are some very serious allegations. Obviously, incompetence is unfounded. Where are the allegations of immorality. Refer to paragraphs 1 and 2 above. Document the insubordination, and PSD may have a cause for discipline, but you're going to have to show a history of insubordination to be able to fire this individual. That history is sadly lacking, isn't it PSD?

Methinks that other school district up there in Wyoming or wherever made a good choice by NOT hiring Mr. Wilson, you think?

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CatWhisperer's picture

Excellent News about Teacher Pfeifer

It so good to see justice being done in the community, even if only partially. With the reinstatment of Julie Pfeifer, as discussed in the story quoted below, the interests of the students are held first. That is, except for the students of Webber Middle School, who are out an excellent, award-winning teacher.

BTW, parents in the district are most dis-impressed with Mr. Wilson. Behavior such as this persecution is part of the reason why. As I said before, read between the lines on this issue. There is more to it, IMHO, in an HR sense, than the allegations of cheating, which are just a pretext. There was some kind of personality confilct there in the office, of somebody with Mr. Wilson's ear, hence the whole ridiculuous allegations. Else why the transfer, and she not go back to Webber Middle School this year?  My interpretation is a likley scenario,  given what has been reported so far.

Coloradoan Story:  Poudre School District drops effort to fire award-winning Fort Collins teacher
Author: Trevor Hughes
Quote:

An award-winning Fort Collins math teacher will be back in the classroom this month after Poudre School District officials dropped their efforts to fire her.

Julie Pfeifer will be on the job -- but at a new school in Fort Collins -- when classes resume later this month, the district and Pfeifer's attorney said on Friday.

PSD officials moved to fire Pfeifer in June over allegations that she gave students hints and other help during CSAP tests. Pfeifer, who taught at Webber Middle School for 21 years, called the allegations "disgusting" and untrue. Pfeifer's supporters flooded the elected school board with support for her.

In a statement issued Friday, the district said an internal review "found no intentional misconduct" by Pfeifer, just as her supporters had predicted. PSD human resources director Chuck DeWayne said Pfeifer will teach math at Fossil Ridge High School this year.

"Between the parties, we worked out what we thought was the best resolution and that's where she'll be," DeWayne said. "We're happy to have the outcome done and moving forward with the school year."

In June, Superintendent Jerry Wilson outlined the charges against Pfeifer, who had been on paid leave since April. He recommended Pfeifer's dismissal for "insubordination, incompetence, immorality and other good and just cause."

That language mirrors the wording of state law regarding teacher discipline. Wilson said it was only the second time in his six-year tenure that he'd recommended a teacher be fired.

Wilson said the district invalidated the 23 students' math CSAP test scores as a result of Pfeifer's actions, which he called a "direct violation" of ethical guidelines.

Specifically, the charges said Pfeifer on test day delayed administering the test so she could review subject areas with students before they began work, did the same thing again after being told not to by her principal, directed students to use the centimeter side of the ruler, and "redirected" at least three students to reconsider their answers.

In an interview after the district began the process to fire her, Pfeifer rejected the accusations, and said she looked forward to giving her side of the story to a judge.

On Friday, both sides declined to discuss the specifics of the process that led the district to let Pfeifer return to the classroom. The two sides settled the dispute before it went before a judge.

In that June interview, Pfeifer said as a teacher, it was her responsibility to ensure students were focused on taking the test and not be upset or disruptive.

"I do not feel like I did anything wrong at all, and I think the kids in the room would support that," Pfeifer said. "There was no cheating. That's disgusting."

She added in June: "I just want to go back to being a teacher with my kids. I love my kids."

CatWhisperer
Fort Collins, CO, USA

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