Former Students Rally Behind DFHS Science Teacher
More than 60 residents and former students have said they will attend Thursday's board meeting to advocate for rehiring a beloved science teacher.
More than 60 Dobbs Ferry residents and community members have said they will attend Thursday's school board meeting to speak on behalf of science teacher Ann Stanton.
Stanton, who has taught for the district for more than 20 yeas, left her tenured position seven years ago to take care of her five children and a family member dealing with a serious illness.
Three years ago, a maternity leave replacement position opened and Stanton was re-hired on an interim basis. This year, according to former student Krista Halpin, a full-time position teaching science opened and Stanton was asked to reapply for her former job.
"From what we understand, another teacher has been recommended [by a district hiring committee]," said Halpin, who graduated from Dobbs Ferry in 1992. "I had Ann [Stanton] for chemistry; she is famous for her high passing rate."
The Dobbs Ferry Board of Education is aware of former students' sentiments and is anticipating a barrage of comments at tomorrow's meeting.
"Issues relating to personnel are the most difficult for board members," said Lynne Black, board vice president. "All we can do is listen to comments and take in what members of the community say, but we cannot legally discuss specific personnel history in public."
According to Black, a district hiring committee has indicated that they will recommend a different candidate for the open position, but that the board has yet to hear the formal recommendation or take action.
"We will listen to members of the community during the regular comments section at the beginning of tomorrow's meeting," Black explained. "But just because we can't respond doesn't mean we aren't listening."
Halpin and Stanton's three other strongest advocates—Michael Hambone, Aristidis Thanos and Elizabeth Rosenberg—created a facebook event for the meeting hoping to convince the board to hire Stanton instead of following the committee's recommendation.
"She is a well-respected teacher," Halpin said. "Tough, really tough, which speaks to how great she is if former students are coming out on her behalf even though she's not an easy grader."
On facebook, Kim Laurie wrote: "Mrs. Stanton is an extraordinary teacher and mentor. Her dedication to the students of DFHS surpasses what is expected. She inspires and motivates her students."
Thursday's school board meeting begins at 7 p.m. and has been moved to the high school cafeteria due to construction in the building.
"The desired outcome is to hire the best possible candidate for each position," Black wrote in an email responding to former students' concerns. "We rely heavily on the observations and recommendations of the educators, parents, and students who serve on our interview committees in making our decisions."
Below is Black's outline of the hiring process:
- Widely advertise the vacancy;
- Initial screening of resumes by administrators;
- Selection of semi-finalists for interviews (usually 5 to 8 candidates);
- Interviews with committee made up of administrators, teachers, students, and parents;
- Committee recommends 2 to 3 finalists;
- Finalists submit a writing sample, and give a demonstration lesson to students, which is evaluated by admins/teachers;
- Principal makes recommendation of 1st choice to superintendent;
- Finalist is interviewed by superintendent; reference and background checks are conducted;
- Recommendation to hire finalist made to the Board of Education by the superintendent;
- Board of Education votes in public session to accept or to not accept the recommendation.
Lisa Eggert Litvin
10:45 pm on Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Ann Stanton left her tenured position to care for an ailing family member and her 5 young children. That is a most difficult decision for anyone, and it should be supported by our communities. That is what the Rivertowns are about. Society is at its best for all when family members can care for family members, and when they are supported for doing so by their employers and their communities. Ann later returned to teaching at Dobbs, not seeking to be reinstated, but to work in whatever capacity Dobbs had available for her. Now that a position has opened up, Dobbs should show that it too recognizes the value of her original decision -- that is, putting aside her own career path to care for those in need in her family -- and return her to the tenured position it had awarded her many years ago. Moreover, Ann is an incredibly successful and beloved teacher. In the 7 years I've lived here, I don't recall any instance of such support, by parents and students alike, of any teacher. That in itself speaks volumes. Please Dobbs, do the right thing for our students and for our communities, and hire Ann Stanton.
Paula Dambroff
9:38 am on Thursday, July 7, 2011
Do the right thing and re-hire a knowledgeable, mature teacher who is committed to the school, and the community
Preston Faro
4:28 pm on Thursday, July 7, 2011
My daughter graduated from DFHS approx 14 years ago. Ms Stanton was instrumental in helping her through her Science courses. She was having trouble with this subject and Ms. Stanton stayed after scholl without renumeration and tutored my daughter and helped her through a difficult time and course. Although Stanton is tough, she is fair and is a terrific teacher which we can ill afford to lose becasue of the circumstances listed above. My daughter graduated college in 4 years and I give credit to Ms. Stanton for preparing her for college. She is directly responsible for my daughters successes. Please make sure that the future students get this terrific teacher and lets not let politics lose someone that we really need. This is very important to our students.
Preston Bo Faro