Chancellor Fariña
DECEMBER 30, 2013 PM31 1:44 PM
Fariña’s selection alone sets a better tone. We can expect a different kind of conversation with, for the first time in ages, educators leading both the school system and the teachers union. And tone helps. But Bloomberg did a lot of damage. Where will Fariña start?
Since before de Blasio’s election there has been speculation about who he might choose to lead the NYC school system. Names, ridiculous, serious, evil, laughable, all floated together. And now, two days away from inauguration, Bill de Blasio is naming Carmen Fariña Chancellor. There will be lots of excitement and speculation and what does she stand for and what does she stand against, etc. etc.
But for us teachers, the Chancellor is someone who makes decisions, who we sometimes agree with, and sometimes disagree with. Part of our work will be discussing with our new Chancellor, and part will be arguing against the Chancellor. And that would have been true whomever was chosen. The Chancellor is the schools’ Chancellor, the Mayor’s Chancellor, not the union’s or the teachers’ or the parents’. We want someone we can work through disagreements with…
In the current national context there will be outside pressure on NYC about testing and evaluation, and about curriculum. We are not an island (well… you know). And so, a month ago, I