Teacher's Abilities Should Be Used by St. Ignace School System
To the Editor:

In reading the superintendent's school report last week, I'm hard pressed to pick the strongest emotion: Disgust, disappointment, anger, or incredulity. Finally, it was regret and sorrow that took hold, when I realized Jennifer Powell is being treated so unfairly by the St. Ignace Area School system. I am not complaining about the teachers who were chosen, only about the individual who wasn't. Why was one of the nation's best academic instructors and well-qualified teachers turned down yet again for employment in our school system? Mrs. Powell is a proven performer. Just check out the evaluation scores of the lucky students who had the chance to enjoy her ability several years back.

Can it really be that a long-ago question she asked about school finances will prevent the administration from offering our community's children a master educator with an impressive, well-rounded background? Please swallow your pride and do what's best for the students, not the administration. (Notice that the eighth grade is back in the middle school again, so at least the administration can admit they do make mistakes.)

Our son had the good fortune to enjoy three full years of Jennifer Powell's academic expertise. He loved attending school, he was treated fairly, his work was promptly and accurately evaluated, and his test/evaluation scores reflected the outstanding ability of his teacher. Mrs. Powell led impressive parent-teacher conferences, and we always knew exactly where our son stood in his studies. Her ability to flexibly manage a diverse student body resulted in a high-performing, well disciplined, classroom environment, where children learned national and state-mandated objectives.

I hope that other parents will contact the school administrators and school board to support an effort to see Mrs. Powell back in a teaching position. Maybe even a few of her fellow teachers will back us up, as well. Jennifer Powell is a rare community resource we can't afford to waste.
Warren and Kim Hagen
St. Ignace