Although Shipp came into the school "like a drill sergeant", in Bartles' opinion, (which is complete with a first hand account of Principal Shipp in action) Principal Shipp is doing a stand up job and making a real difference in the lives of the impoverished children of the East Bluff.
It's a real feel good article, that is until you read the comments - 27 of them - as old as seven days and as recent as 12 hours ago. What are they saying? They are saying Mr. Bartles has it TWISTED. That he has been fooled by Valda Shipp and he needs to take a second look. Actually, they are begging him to take a second look at the real Valda Shipp. Here is a sample:
AlyssWL12 hours ago
This is for DeWayne and the Editor. I would be more than happy to give you first hand accounts of things that have transpired in that building since the current 'administrator' came. E-mail me.
Just let me say for those that still have to work in that building, I am sorry for you. New name for the school should be 'HELL ON THE HILL'. I have witnessed on the occasions I have been there, not only staff belittled, but students and parents as well. She is an equal opportunity hater. She's told parents to 'take their ratty kids to another school as she didn't need them in HER building'. I've seen students screamed at, picked up by their arms and dragged down the hall to the office (these are kindergarteners), children pinched, bullied, humiliated, etc. The average person cannot just come into the building without an appointment, parents included. Traveling staff are encouraged to have set times/days to come in, as this keeps witnessing obscene events to a minimum.
These people are not kidding when they express how hateful she is, not can be at times, IS. Hopefully, now that the relative-tie is gone, she will be following shortly. I know some EXCELLENT people who could turn that building around through kindness, patience, encouragement and TEAMWORK.
Oh, and Mr./Ms. Editor...you may not get much response if you try to talk to current staff, as the fear of retaliation is high.
Reading the comments made me curious, so I Goggled Valda Shipp (of course). This article about a District 150 bus monitor who taped a child's mouth shut came up. Although the incident had nothing to do with Shipp, apparently one commenter thought Shipp should go to jail for her treatment of people:Friday, May 1 at 5:46 PM Teacherwithamind wrote ...
I am talking about Velda "Hitler" Shipp the principal at Glen Oak. I would love to see the inches thick file full of parent, teacher, and student complaints about her. If Julie was fired because she upset a few parents...Shipp should have been fired years ago. If you have ever worked under her then you know what I am talking about. She is a female Hitler. She is cold, uncaring, mean, a liar...If they put her at the new Glen Oak it will become what all her others have been a concentration camp.Friday, May 1 at 5:47 PM Teacherwithamind wrote ...
more about Hitler....she makes your life a living hell. She barks orders at you. She constantly lies and i think her goal in life is to see how many people she can make have a nervous breakdown. If you are not in her inner circle, then you are a nobody...just there to take her abuse. It is my opinion that she does this to make herself feel better. All of the teachers that wanted McArdle gone should transfer to Glen oak next year!!!!!!!!!Friday, May 1 at 5:50 PM Teacherwithamind wrote...They can fire a man for putting tape on a child's mouth...but not for stealing thousands or giving teachers nervous breakdowns......go figure....most of us know the reason for that...
So, who is the real Valda Shipp? Is she a misunderstood, no nonsense administrator that per Interim Superintendent Norm Durflinger, is responsible for making Glen Oak School a “pocket of excellence.” Is the fact that “She does not accept excuses,” and “She expects a safe school, a clean school.” an excuse for being a tyrant?
It is said that being liked was not on Shipp's agenda as she took the school’s reins. That's unfortunate, because being likable goes a long way towards the over all moral of the school and the District.