Weaver ad hoc committee (video in two parts, with transcript)

Board of Education member Keith Hook sits at a table with Weaver High School student council representatives and teachers as an ad hoc committee to discuss the challenges and opportunities of developing a consensus process to come up with solutions regarding the Weaver High School teacher/administration and student relationships. Hook notes that the very process the committee represents is a threat to the “power structure/educational establishment.” A student representing the Student Senate states that they have come a long way and that there may be some good that comes out of the development of the student proposals but that there have been limitations to how far students are able to get in making change as there has been much opposition from faculty and administration. One of the teachers (later called Ms. Strong) talks about not realizing that most students felt that teachers were against them and assured students that most teachers actually care and want to support students; it’s just that many teachers feel isolated and are not communicating with each other to better understand the life of the school as a whole. Another teacher, (later called Ms. McDonald) notes that it is important to understand that there has to be a compromise. Another student representative disagrees and notes that if it wasn’t for students forcefully pushing for change, there would not be any progress. A male teacher notes that the problem with the American high school is that there is no procedure for change and that there must be serious consideration taken in developing a structure in school to process proposals and to create a truly democratic school. Someone identified as the principal argues for the importance of getting advice from experts through the Lincoln (not audible) Center. Ms. McDonald states that she believes one of the biggest problems is that the members of the school do no listen or tolerate one another and instead put labels on each other without understanding diverse perspectives. It is noted toward the end of the ...