What’s next for Michelle Rhee, once the national face of education activism?
Michelle Rhee, the combative former D.C. public schools chancellor who founded the national advocacy group StudentsFirst, has retreated recently from public view.
Rhee, who is married to Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson, was nowhere to be found at the downtown premiere of “Down in the Valley,” the shelved TV movie documenting Johnson’s successful campaign to keep the Kings from moving to Seattle. Rhee hasn’t been seen courtside with Johnson at Kings games.
And she wasn’t by his side when Johnson, stung by the re-emergence of allegations that he molested a teenager, confirmed last month that he wouldn’t seek a third term at City Hall when his expires next year.
Her recent absence is a change for Rhee, 45, who despite living in Sacramento part time often has accompanied her husband to Kings games and other public events. She stepped back from her own political activism last year and focused more of her attention on working with Johnson.
“Kevin and I view our goals in life and public service as a team,” Rhee said at the time. “He was right there with me when we created this organization and has worked alongside me throughout these past four years. I am excited to continue working side by side on these new opportunities we have.”
Rhee once appeared holding a broom on the cover of Time magazine next to the headline “How to Fix America’s Schools” and set out to make her mark in California four years ago when she unveiled plans for an advocacy organization to counterbalance the influence of teachers unions over public education.
She then gave up her position as chief executive of StudentsFirst, saying she created it to “shake up the education establishment, which is exactly what we did.”
CERTAINLY, IF SHE WAS GOING TO JUMP BACK INTO EDUCATION, THERE’S A LOT OF NEED FOR STRONG TALENT.
Marshall Tuck, who ran unsuccessfully for California schools chief last year
Instead, she assumed a leading role in the mayor’s 2014 citywide bid to make his office more powerful, appearing in debates and chatting with reporters. Voters rebuffed the measure, Johnson’s signature political effort. As he prepares now to exit the mayor’s office, it’s unclear where Rhee will channel her efforts.
“She’s a strong leader. This is somebody who cares about kids and is very talented,” said Marshall Tuck, a former charter schools executive who unsuccessfully competed for state schools chief last year. “Certainly, if she was going to jump back into education, there’s a lot of need for strong talent.”
Rhee’s decision to devote less time to StudentsFirst came amid speculation about Johnson’s future political prospects. A business-friendly Democrat with little taste for partisanship, he was touted as a potential candidate for statewide office, including governor. As head of the national mayoral association, he rubbed elbows with local dignitaries on up to President Barack Obama. Last year, the former NBA All-Star seized on racist comments made by former Clippers owner Donald Sterling, pushing for his removal.
The ESPN documentary, in which Johnson was portrayed as a hometown hero, would have helped tell his story, one crafted in recent years in part by Rhee. The network postponed the national release last month after a molestation allegation re-emerged from Johnson’s playing days in the NBA. Deadspin released a video taken in 1996 of Johnson’s teenager accuser as she was questioned by a police officer. ESPN said it needed time to decide “how we can deal with these matters in a fair and responsible way.”
Johnson has for years denied the allegation, suggesting that the most recent attention was fueled by his enemies in the teachers unions, who similarly have seen Rhee’s education crusade as a threat to their agenda. Rhee did not respond to recent requests for comment. Johnson also was unavailable, but his office provided a statement on her current work.
“Michelle is doing what she always has – fighting for better schools and supporting the mayor’s efforts – but out of the public spotlight,” said Johnson spokesman Ben Sosenko. “And she’ll continue to do that until the mayor’s last day in office.”
WHY DID YOU STAND BY YOUR MAN? IT RAISES A CREDIBILITY ISSUE.
Gloria Romero, education advocate and former state senator.
Gloria Romero, a former Democratic state senator who shares many of Rhee’s views onWhat’s next for Michelle Rhee, once the national face of education activism? | The Sacramento Bee:
