Thursday, April 3, 2008

WOW!! The response from the last show has been "tsunami-like".



Many people tuned in and we thank you for listening, and were enraged at the doublespeak  presented by Mr. Piper. We have had so many emails and phone calls regarding that show, one listener specifically asked for his/her mail to be posted....
Before the Talking Teacher posts though, we have found out that this number of "10" people that Mr. Piper kept referring to, may be much, much, much, much less than that...let's just say that Mr. Piper may be rounding to the nearest...10. (true story :) )

Well, without further ado, here is one of the responses that I got...

" Constantly there seems to be a public outcry for transparency and honesty!

I listened intently to the comments made on Teacher Talk this evening, April 1st, 2008. It strikes me as odd that an individual (Myron Piper) would be allowed to come a speak on a show about education and the Bermuda Union of teachers (BUT) yet he himself is ignorant of the role of this union and educational practices. For too long those who have no professional background in education are allowed to speak as a voice of experience! So, I was insulted to hear someone who has no credentials whatsoever be given a voice on a topic he is not qualified to speak about. What was even more abhorrent was to hear him speak as though he brings the same level of experience to the table as Dr. Johnson, Mike Charles and the teachers. This was laughable! In fact it became quite apparent that he is attempting to solicit information from you in order to inject himself in affairs he knows little about. I can not think of anyone who speaks, if they want to be seen as credible, from a point of ignorance, if he/she truly wishes to assist.

He called for transparency and talked of making things more overt, but when asked about his group he was unwilling to share who the members were. Only when pushed he claimed there was a committee of ten and that they were parents. When questioned further, he stated that no parents had called to join his group. More conspicuous was his refusal to share from whom he received the bogus information about the details regarding substitute teachers, strike notices and classroom practices. He then tried to blame Mr. Charles by saying that he wanted to interact on the BUT’s behalf but had no assistance from him. Most people do their homework first and don’t blame others when they get it wrong.

He accused the various educational bodies of acting singularly instead of collaborating, yet his group is engaging in the same practices he condemns. I felt that I had been subjected to to a very obvious and ostentatious attempt by Mr. Piper to get all parties provide him with information so that he can have a voice. Each party is more than capable and adept at presenting their own issues! Clearly his main aim is to use your establishment to make public noise! Clearly he needs you, you do not need him!

Mr. Piper further eroded his credibility by lying when he claimed that his children graduated from the Berkeley Inst. Neither his son nor his daughter graduated from the Berkeley Inst. They both completed the S3 level and were transferred out. His son completed his high school education at Saltus ……… It was even more disconcerting when a teacher of 19 years called in after this lady to specifically ask Mr. Piper if his children had graduated from public school and he replied yes, and she said, “hmmmmm”. This speaks directly to credibility! Would you want someone like this to advocate for you?!?!?

What qualifications does Mr. Piper have to assess the educational system? NONE!! He is a developer, one of many in Bermuda. He is not a college graduate or even a high school graduate! Yet he tries to speak with authority on a topic he is not expert in – EDUCATION! Please do not allow the great profession of teaching and your union to be used as a conduit by Mr. Piper to try and grab what he must consider as fame and glory for himself. I say this as he brings nothing to the table with his group and is just duplicating what the PTSA in each school does, only thing, they do not do it to reap public acclaim!

Where was he when his children attended our schools? And he wants us to believe he cares about other people’s children?!? NO! His actions reek of one who is seeking recognition for self! Don’t help him!! Work through your PTSA groups!! GIVE THEM YOUR SUPPORT!! You have more important things to do like represent the teachers in their quest to be treated with the professional respect and dignity they have earned and deserve!"



WOW!!! As the Talking Teacher's students would say...HOT LIKE FIRE!!!! I guess that there has been and may only be one Piper that has been successful at getting something to follow him, and he lived in Hamelin. :)

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