Educators Speak Out

Students and parents are not the only ones struggling in our special education system. Educators too, face daily obstacles in their work.

“Each day at my school seems like a war zone between teachers' efforts to do the right thing, and administrators conducting business as usual. Of course, when we advocate for the right thing, we get slammed for it."

Debra Askwith
Springfield Public Schools

"Being a seasoned teacher, I did not hesitate to point out non-compliance behavior and practice in the Cohasset Public Schools. The SPED director made sure that my contract was not renewed. While this is unfortunate, I am more upset by the bullying strategies she tried to pull with me, and the abuse she has practiced with parents and children. I meet with a group of troubled parents every week and their stories bring tears to my eyes. This woman is a danger to children and their families, and she is breaking the law on a regular basis."

Carol Sullivan-Hanley
Former Cohasset Educator

"As a former special education professional who worked in a public school for 12 years, and a current educational technology consultant with two kids on IEPs, the battles are just getting too difficult. Everything is a struggle."

Anonymous

"I am a licensed Special Educator in Massachusetts with a specialty in children with emotional disturbances and I have just left yet another public school after a long, hard fight to get the school to provide appropriate placements and services. I as a teacher am disenchanted with the SPED system and the services provided by the Department of Education."

Anonymous