![\"SLTAMONDAYMEETING\"](\"http:\/\/michaelclara.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/03\/SLTAMONDAYMEETING.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nElaine Tzourtzouklis &\u00a0Susan McFarland with Michael Clara \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 following our Monday meeting on February 25, 2013.<\/strong><\/p>\n I had meeting with the SLTA leadership on Monday at my request. The meeting lasted over an hour wherein I explained why I was filing a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights. The picture above was taken at the\u00a0conclusion\u00a0of the meeting.<\/p>\n A few days later they sent out an email to all of\u00a0their\u00a0members mis-characterizing my words and actions.<\/p>\n According to reports I have received from several teachers, the\u00a0superintendent made\u00a0disparaging\u00a0remarks about me at the opening of the teacher development training at East High on Friday in an effort to incite the teachers.<\/p>\n Several teachers informed me today, that the SLTA leadership is organizing teachers to show up at the Tuesday, March 5th, school board meeting to\u00a0condemn\u00a0‘Michael Clara’.<\/p>\n So, in stead of working on the problem of low student achievement in west side schools, the response is to attack the messenger?<\/p>\n TEXT OF EMAIL THAT SLTA LEADERSHIP \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0SENT TO ALL\u00a0THEIR\u00a0MEMBERS ON FRIDAY:<\/strong><\/p>\n Education Excellence is Everyone’s Responsibility!<\/p>\n ________________________________<\/p>\n Attention SLTA Members,<\/p>\n This email is to inform all of our members that the SLTA does not support the comments made by Michael Clara, Salt Lake District Board member, in the February 27 Salt Lake Tribune article.\u00a0 Yes, we supported his candidacy for Board member because of his commitment to make Shared Governance a priority in the District.\u00a0 Under no circumstances do we support his negative comments about our teachers in the Salt Lake City School District.\u00a0 Furthermore, we strongly object to his comment that 69% of teachers on the west side are not effective.\u00a0 Your SLTA Leadership believes Mr. Clara’s ineffective claims are based on reports that are both outdated and solely tied to CRT scores.\u00a0\u00a0 These scores do not reflect real growth because teachers use the Common Core Curriculum but students are tested on the CRT’s which do not align with the Common Core.\u00a0 The CRT scores reflect the proficiency levels of the student on that one test.\u00a0 The true effectiveness of a teacher has more than one component.<\/p>\n We strongly oppose and reject his idea of a mandatory transfer of teachers in our schools.\u00a0 SLTA will always support with great pride our teachers and the work they do for all of our students in our district.\u00a0 Furthermore, we will fight to preserve the integrity our teachers have in the work they do.<\/p>\n Thanks for all you do for our students and the Association!<\/p>\n Susan McFarland, \u00a0SLTA President \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Elaine Tzourtzouklis,\u00a0SLTA Executive Director<\/p>\n Link to My Response<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Elaine Tzourtzouklis &\u00a0Susan McFarland with Michael Clara \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 following our Monday meeting on February 25, 2013. I had meeting with the SLTA leadership on Monday at my request. The meeting lasted over an hour wherein I explained why I was filing a complaint with the Office of Civil Rights. The picture above was taken at the\u00a0conclusion\u00a0of the … Continue reading