Saturday, June 18, 2011

Arsenal principal retiring

From the PG:

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11169/1154608-53.stm

17 comments:

Questioner said...

Seemed like a good principal. Are principals retiring at an earlier age these days?

Anonymous said...

And replaced by the CAPA V-P...there is a vast difference between the students at Arsenal and the ones at CAPA. What is the background of the woman from CAPA?

I wonder if Rucki is retiring of her own accord. Since she has done such a good job, you would think they would encourage her to stay.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations to a principal for a job well done. Now her replacement should vow publicly to continue the programs Ms. Rucki started.

Teachers ARE education said...

Odd that I don't see any comments from teachers here, but then again, teachers are becoming wise to the ideas of some on this site.
The Arsenal principal was not a PELA participant but might as well have been. Her heavy handed style with staff was well known. She doesn't mind taking credit, does she?
As for her CAPA replacement, I am sure that hard times are ahead for Arsenal staff. No doubt, this VP had ample experience in watching a principal who truly "drinks the kool aid" where PELA philosophies of management are concerned, and of continually playing intimidation games with teachers.
Constant observations, myriad improvement plans, lots of threats...all from someone who undoubtedly did little in the classroom herself. If this was the style at CAPA, where the kids comprise a school with the highest PSSA scores in this district, can you imagine what the future holds for Arsenal staff if the new principal is anything like her mentor.
"Job well done"?? Why, because someone called the PG and wrangled an article out of them?

Anonymous said...

New principal was a PELA at CAPA for 2010-11, she was not a V-P.
She did teach at Arsenal previously.

Anonymous said...

Arsenal staff...I feel your pain. Arsenal parents....this means your principal will spend more time on witch hunts than in truly helping kids.

Proud PELA supporter said...

You guys are funny who attack the PELAs...Isn't it the responsibility of teh principal to be teh instructional leader of the building? By getting into the classrooms and observing the teachers, the principal is identifying the strengths and weaknesses of his/her staff so that the proper PD can be scheduled to help grow teh teacher's practice. If teacher s don't want to grow their practice to help kids grow their learning, then you shouldn't want them to be teaching your children. You shouldn't turn your nose up at teh PELAs because the teachers are telling you some crap stories about them being brainwashed. Why don't you walk into your PELA's office and sit down with them and ask them what their miossion is for your school and your child. Listen to the other side of the story. I think you will find that perhaps you have been unknowingly drinking the proverbial Koolaid.

Anonymous said...

Hahahaha. Well, at one school the parents asked for a meeting so they could express their lack of confidence and anger at their new PELA.

But I guess maybe they just didn't understand?

How many principals/PELAs are buildings going to have next year? Why aren't those people doing something like, I don't know,TEACHING?!

Questioner said...

A concern of parents is that traditionally principals have had many years of teaching experience. The idea that PELA's are put in charge of schools after minimal experience in schools is worrisome. And, it seems to parallel the Broad approach of placing people as superintendents based on 7 weekends of training.

Anonymous said...

9:40: Can you tell us why, how, when, and where the PELAs have gained the experience and expertise to qualify them to observe and evaluate teachers productively?

Do PELAs model successfully, in 'questionable' classrooms, on a continuing basis, their expectations for teachers so that teachers may see the error of their methods and implement the model that the PELA has successfully demonstrate?

Anonymous said...

**Do PELAs model successfully, in 'questionable' classrooms, on a continuing basis, their expectations for teachers so that teachers may see the error of their methods and implement the model that the PELA has successfully demonstrate? **

This was something I so wanted to see. I'd have paid money.

Anonymous said...

Don't know why I put it in the past tense, just wishful thinking I guess.

I still would pay money to see it, as long as I get to pick the PELA(s).

Anonymous said...

Minadeo has such bad behavior issues this year since a PELA took over. I know many parents looking for alternatives for next year. Same demographic over the past 5 years, only thing that changed was the PELA.

Anonymous said...

I just wish they would go back to having administrators work their way up through the PPS system. Be a teacher or counselor/social worker first, get your administrator certification papers, be a vice principal for 3 plus years and then be principal. It worked so well this way, didn't it? Why the PELA concept?

Questioner said...

As long as there are students who are not proficient, everything is subject to being changed. Too bad the changes are not better thought out.

Anonymous said...

One reason for the PELAs having behavior issues in schools is that they are trained to put all of their time and energy into observing teachers, writing up info etc. It sounds good on the surface but the reality is there is no "PELA" reward for running a tight ship, dealing with disturbed students, etc. So they keep rewarding good students; but there are NO consequences for students who consistently disrupt school. If they were paid by observers coming into schools and seeing a quiet orderly place of learning- perhaps it would be different.

Anonymous said...

As a seasoned teacher under Principal Rucki let me that she was the most consistent and knowledgeable leader I have ever worked for. She moved the lowest performing school into a winning team. Yes, some of my colleagues were encouraged to move on but I for one am proud to know that Principal Rucki did her job. She expected the staff to come to work, be on time, be prepared, teach the curriculum as intended, provide assistance to students who needed more, establish classroom rituals and routines and of course complete your paperwork! She was a no nonsense administrator who supported her staff and would do just about anything to help students and families. Fair, firm and consistent is her legacy. Principal Rucki served Arsenal students as a teacher, athletic coach, Assistant Principal and then Principal. The community partnerships she forged and her desire to provide the students with everything they needed is unmatched in PPS. Let me also say, whatever the teachers needed in terms of supplies, materials, books and technology somehow she made it happen. Even as she was set to retire, she responded to a grant and now every Arsenal teacher will receive up to $1,200.00 in supplies and materials through The Educational Partnership for the 2011-12 school year. Principal Rucki is a true leader and I for one will miss the passion of her convictions. Thanks for standing up for our children and your staff. You will be missed.