Friday, October 28, 2016

Appointments to PPS leadership team

Anonymous wrote:

"New Post:"Hamlet appointee has resume,will travel."
http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2016/10/28/Hamlet-works-to-fill-out-his-leadership-team-for-Pittsburgh-Public-Schools/stories/201610210084

What is missing is the length, depth and breadth of experience and commitment that culminates in success. Why are we not seeking out and recruiting such individuals ? "

13 comments:

Anonymous said...


To the poster of October 6, 2016 @ 1:16PM who asks: Who is supervising and providing the PD for teachers in classrooms across the District and what are their qualifications?
Ms Ramji, is Mr. Hamlet's selection.

What say you about the new appointments, noting that all but one ( Mr. May-Stein )are from outside the state of Pennsylvania?

Anonymous said...

Ms Ramji is not from Pennsylvania! Is that correct?

Who is providing the PD for our PA Core Standards & Assessments?

PA's ACCOUNTABILITY system differs from the national Common Core. PA uses Keystone and PSSA to establish its minimum competency skills?

Who is providing PA's Professional Development for PPS teachers?

What is that person's background, experience, qualifications, expertise and record of success in PA?

Anonymous said...


The questions are : Why is no one from PDE providing Professional Development for PPS teachers as standard practice? It should not be an option.

Who are these persons with background, experience, qualifications, expertise and record of success in PA?

Why does PDE lack the urgency in the need for such instruction that you 9:15 are advocating at every turn?

Anonymous said...

PDE is, comparatively speaking, a VERY small arm of PA governmental structure that is responsible for nearly 500 school DISTRICTS across the entire state. The PDE building (333 Market St., Harrisburg,PA) is smaller that the majority of Admin Bldgs across the state. PDE employs fewer than most of the state's districts. It is IMPOSSIBLE for this (PDE) small statewide entity to monitor and hold accountable 500 districts, EVEN with highly "experience, qualified, experts with records of success".

PDE does not lack "urgency" just personnel and an entourage of resource people who are in position.

These are the simple FACTS---Check the facts.

Anonymous said...

Every teacher in every classroom of every grade level must bring the commitment to children, standards, learning and success without punitive measures to enforce professionalism and education for each and every student!

What percentage of teachers that you know "bring" that to their classrooms every day?

Every? Every? Every? Every?

Anonymous said...


Which takes us back to the original comment that opens this blog 12:51PM.

In choosing his leadership team how many of Dr. Hamlet's appointees exemplify through their resume that kind of commitment to children, standards, learning and success while bringing professionalism and education for each and every student?

Every? Every? Every? Every?

Anonymous said...

12:46
This small statewide entity's job (PDE) is to monitor and hold accountable the 500 districts it has under it's purview.
This is a simple fact. If not PDE...who?

Anonymous said...

You are right 5:34, the question is "who"? Could it be the honor, knowledge and commitment of those who have taken on the task?

Anonymous said...

Is Superintendent Hamlet appointing mostly local people to his leadership team, people who know Pittsburgh and who have long experience working in Pittsburgh? If so, good.

But if he is appointing mostly outsiders, people who are getting the top jobs only because they are associates of his, then that is not so good.

If my statements draw criticism, that's OK with me. I'm used to it. Because I said the same thing when Mark Roosevelt came to town. I was criticized for not getting with the vision thing, for not welcoming a "new tomorrow". However, it turns out that I was right. Roosevelt created chaos as he looted the district. Then he went along his merry way.

Pittsburgh needs another Helen Faison! She grew up in Homewood, and she knew Pittsbugh. I am honored to have known her, and to have worked under her. We don't need another flashy Mark Roosevelt.

Anonymous said...

8:33 PM

I think that PERSON is from UPPER ST CLAIR is that locally CLOSE ENOUGH for YOU😏

Anonymous said...

Seema Ramji served in school districts in Texas and the District of Columbia prior to being hired by Dr. Hamlet.

Anonymous said...

Yes Dr. Faison was trully the jewel of PPS-- and after her, the emphasis was hire far off ( and far out) consultants. NO ONE has praised these last 10 years for leadership, accomplishment, or really anything else except maybe cost cvutting ?? (in right sizing??)
The seasoned educators were chucked out the door- often to be snatched up by neighboring districts. I seriously doubt that the Roosevelt, gates, etc of the last 10 years would have embraced Dr. F as we teachers, adminsitrators, and students did. We who are left to tell the tale know of the encouragement to great administrators to retire. I think Dr. Hamlet has tried for something ever missing- balance-- some new to Pgh that he discovered in his years AS A SCHOOL ADMIN and Mr. May-Stein-- his "here discovery"- that sounds like a solid plan based on his coversations around the district.

Anonymous said...

Another appointment is the new principal of Perry - James Cooper-an office principal - all about the show & meetings with community- -any substance to him?