Comments on: Nationally-Renowned Educator Offers Blunt Assessments

By: Wes Wolfe

Wes Wolfe — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 07:58:32 +0000

Lady Chablis? Is that you?

By: Dagny Taggart

Dagny Taggart — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 01:32:08 +0000

When a coach at Chapin High School earns over $98,000 per nine-month year, don’t tell me about needing more money for education.

By: Classical_Parent

Classical_Parent — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 00:25:26 +0000

I have a child graduating from a classical school in Columbia this year and I agree totally with Ms. Collins. Classical literature, logic, rhetoric, Latin, senior thesis, and other courses have taught my child to THINK not just memorize. But such a curriculum requires teachers who are totally committed to the concept and they are in the profession for the love of teaching and students and not just the paycheck.

By: A_Parent

A_Parent — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 22:30:18 +0000

Do you think Marva would approve of my HIGH SCHOOL daughter’s psychology class watching Finding Nemo to learn about separation anxiety?

How about the Kevin Kline movie “Dave” in her government class?

And this is in a supposedly top district.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 21:37:43 +0000

This is GREAT! I get to interview a group of teachers in our favorite district (Richland One) on their use of technology in the classroom and what innovative practices they use. Anyone want to take bets on their responses? This in a district that spends more than $16,000 per student AND receives at least one grant per year. Actually, I’m betting that the teachers are already showing movies since we’re “so close” to the end of the school year.

Wish I’d been there to hear her speak. Wish we could afford to put her in charge of education.

By: Republic, The

Republic, The — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 20:10:36 +0000

Her trick was using the classics… as far as i know the only real Socratic-style teaching of the classics in the Midlands is at… are you ready for it… a private school! She was also (briefly) a teacher at a public schools where …are you ready for it.. her innovation and out-side-the-box style were not well received.
I am not sure that the classics will work for all kids, but we do need to have policies (eg Tax Credits) that invite this type of innovation.

By: fitsnews

fitsnews — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 20:07:43 +0000

VP- Collins didn’t take a position on the school choice bill. Her comments, in fact, were critical of both public and private schools in SC. – FITS

By: Very Predictable

Very Predictable — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:59:31 +0000

Let me go ahead and post the usual response from BIN & the other status quo apologists, “How much did Howie Rich pay her?”

Now that that has been posted there is no need for them to leave a comment.

By: Mab

Mab — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 19:03:20 +0000

Amen, Lady!

Maybe the bureaucrats will actually listen to her. At least the ones that care about the children more than their own little empires.