Yes, I do. Someone who had a very strong relationship with the 1 student and saw him grow as a person and change for the better and ultimatly was evidently fooled by the growth they had seen. Trust me that teacher regrets the choice of student. But, someone ulitmately has to show trust and trust is the best indicator of human development. Evidently the child hadn't grown as much as they thought. It broke that teacher's heart.

[Ed Note: Let me put it another way... do you think that I know who the teacher was?]

Maybe, but I'm not allowed to comment "district policy!"

[Ed Note: I'm not aware of a policy that wouldn't allow you to comment on whether or not you thought I knew who this was. Give you a little hint: we usually know what happens before we post a story. Still want to guess?]

I know you know who it is. I'm just staying out of it. I think I like you. I didn't want to - but I'll be, another smart person to trade conflicting thought's with without it being personal.

[Ed Note: Good! Now that we have that out of the way, do you think anything will come of a can of spray paint being given to students without adequate supervision?]

I don't know, how do you know something hasn't already happened to that teacher? As far as reprimands go, that's supposed to be confidential. (I'd like to think it would be)

[Ed Note: We just know who the teacher was. We know who the kids were. We have an open records request in on the incident and are getting ready to file another one tomorrow as we learn more. You are correct, however, that a reprimand (any personnel matter that doesn't involve law enforcement) is confidential--and we don't want to know about it.]

First of all Toni, what type of strong relationship does this teacher have with this student? And, for the record, human growth does not constitute that a teacher supplies an illegal substance to students irregardless to how much that student has grown. That is a felony due to the simple fact that students were left unsupervised with an illegal control substance.

As an educator, teachers do not have room for error when it comes to students. Does that teacher regret that they stated to the students, "I don't give a [censored] what you spray paint, just go paint something."

As an adult, the teacher should have know not to give students spray paint. DUH! Smart teacher that's why they can not purchase it at a department store. Ultimately the teacher should be held fully responsible to aiding students with an illegal substance as well as leaving the student unsupervised.

Moreover, Hill was a neighborhood school and the residents of East Dallas are not pleased with the level of control or lack thereof the current and past administration of the last four years have exemplified.

Don't go speculating on things of which you have no first-hand knowledge. By you insinuating what you do - Oh! wait you know policy regarding confidentiality. Don't you? I was born here, raised here, and attended DISD schools in Pleasant Grove, I'm familiar with the "neighborhood school" concept. This is still a neighborhood school. The neighborhood has just become more diverse. Really! I know more about the actual population of East Dallas than you can even imagine. Don't lecture me on protocol, policy, or the politics that is "education."

(By the way, you forgot your delayer after the phrase "Smart teacher..." in paragraph three. Either that, or in reality you're George of the Jungle.) And the "DUH" comment gave you away, I know who you are.

[Ed Note: Scathing...]

I think we understand each other. You know I'm not directing that comment to you - right?

[Ed Note: Correct. We sometimes add a comment about a piece being posted--just for the sake of adding a comment! That's what us editors do!]

I appreciate what the critic has to say. You must be one of the angry teachers here that goes home hopeless and tired. Why are you afraid to sign your name? I'm not ashamed of the things I comment on here because I am secure in my effectiveness as a teacher. I know I follow district policy, and by the way, the cart that was to be painted was that teacher's personal property purchased by that teacher to replace a district owned cart that was stolen along with that teacher's $700 projector and speaker system. By the way, a teacher was responsible for the theft. Neither Dallas Police, nor the DISD police would handle that felony theft over $500. Once again, Hill doesn't disallow volunteers. I challenge you to come help us.

[Ed Note: What? Please tell us more about this theft. When was it stolen, when did you file the report and what information was furnished? Do you have a copy of the police report?]

I'll ask the teacher if they want to comment, but I doubt they will pending the tagging issue. I can say that Mr. Sosa's office has been very supportive and has allowed that teacher to order one to replace it. The Dallas police were called and their is a report number. I'll ask them if they want to provide it.

[Ed Note: Let me get this straight; a projector was stolen from Hill M.S., the Dallas Police actually responded and took a report? That's OK, you don't need to ask DPD for the report. We can get every report ever taken at Hill M.S. They're a matter of public record.]

Remember, it was their personal InFocus LCD data projector; not DISD property. I didn't know if that makes a difference to you.

[Ed Note: If DPD responded to Hill, we should be able to find the incident report. We haven't found it yet.]

Thanks! They assigned a detective, but he never came to talk to me even after I called the detective back.

I went through a grant program at UNT for a year and did a lot of work to earn that projector. Gas was only $2.90ish a gallon at the time.

[Ed Note: I'm not finding where DPD responded to Hill where a detective was assigned. Can you give me a date?]

Report Number is 105751V. Det. Miles 214-670-4415. Does that help?

[Ed Note: Tons... thanks]

I have kept mum on this Mr. Editor to try to maintain good karma but you wrote what was certainly going through my head. I knew who it was before I even heard the whole story. You crack me up so bad.

[Ed Note: We aim's to please!]

Hi! I just wanted to update everyone on the fantastic trip to NASA. It was "super fantastic" (inside joke). Ron Gyure, Natalie Walsh and I took 35 students to Space Center Houston at Johnson Space Center. The students saw IMAX films on the 50 years of space flight, saw real artifacts from Apollo and Gemini missions. They saw pieces of Skylab - who remembers that? I was at W.A. Blair in Pleasant Grove when we assembled in a classroom to watch the broadcast. They saw films on what astronaut training is like. The tram tour was great. They saw Mission Control for the Apollo missions. They saw the vehicle mock-up buildings with the life-size models of the moon base we will build on the upcoming series of moon missions, the training pod for the shuttle crew, and a life-size model of the space shuttle. They were amazed at the actual size of some of these things. The Smithsonian just finished the restoration of a Saturn 5 rocket on display in a building at Rocket Park.

We also stopped at the Sam Houston Memorial in Huntsville. I was surprised. They really liked it! They were on their best behavior the entire time and were complimented by several people in Corsicana at the McDonald's. They came in, they ordered their food, they ate like civilized people, at one point the other sponsors and I looked at each other and tried to figure out when the Stepford children" swapped places on the bus. They were happy, they were "free", they learned something. Ask any one of them, they will all tell you something different. Isn't that what it's all about? It was so neat. Three of the students had never been out of the Dallas city limits.

We were also accompanied by one of the soldiers from the military troop my students sponsored at Christmas. He and his lovely wife were great chaperones! The kids really listened to them. One last thing, some of the kids who are basketball fans had the chance to be photographed with David Robinson, formerly of the San Antonio Spurs, who was chaperoning his own children's field trip.

I know, I know, it's sickeningly sweet and happy and drama free, not the usual posting. Mr. Editor, maybe I can be the cream to your coffee, the salt to your pepper, the - well - whatever, you know what I mean.

Thanks to Mr. Castro and his assistant Berenice for finding a way to get us transportation to Houston, otherwise all these NEAT-O things couldn't have happened. Thanks to Mr. Sosa for approving our trip. Thanks to the other chaperones, without whose tireless dedication this trip wouldn't have been possible. Wait, I hear the orchestra playing me off - let's just say we just had a great time!

That wasn't the orchestra playing you off it was the rest of the readers beating their heads against the desk while reading your post.

Hope the trip wasn't over night....if so I'm sure you had plenty of that DISD issued duct tape right?

[Ed Note: Always a cynic in the bunch, eh? :) ]

I can only say good things about Ms. Legg, she is a true personable human with character and deep concern for life. Why; my daughter, who is excelling beyond my dreams, loved Ms. Legg for her honest human quality and her ability to go over the top to make someone feel good about who they were and where they could go. Suppose your child had an asperation to be something in life, suppose the great many "teachers" your child comes into contact with are just at "work" for the day, suppose your child will get encouraged? Well, every day my child came home and we talked about Ms. Legg! Great, Great and sometimes borderline wack-o (LOL). Now my child is A/B in Advanced Science, wants to be a Neurosurgeon, knows words, and spells them correctly, that I can't pronounce and don't know what they mean. So KuDo's Ms. Legg! The ones that go to "work" today can't understand, it's not in them. But get this; there were such good Teachers at hill last year! I don't know about this year (sorry to say that because I always like to go back and keep in touch). The Teachers last year gave more than necessary, they supported my child, and previous child, to greater extent than just in the class room. They were at sports events repeatedly, very positive, they were not whinny, they made my children free to express their opinions with respect thrown in with it. They gave my children more strength in character, education, honesty, and discipline than was the expected job function. I respect the Real Teachers at R. T. Hill School. P.S. I did not respect the previous principal, she let the ball go flat on her court while she was holding the pump in her hand!

Thank you!

You don't know how much that means to me for you to go to the trouble to respond. You get it. If you're just honest with them, brutally honest (sometimes), it prepares them for life after junior high. They just want to be treated with honesty and respect just like anyone else. I'm flattered you were gracious enough to say "borderline" wack-o, I love when people "get it," I have an 8th grade sense of humor. Some people can confuse my replies of sarcasm with being disrespectful, but the kids "get it" too. I'm trying to grow up, but they kids are just so funny, even when they are bad. I remember doing some really stupid things between 8th grade and 12th grade - tell me I'm not alone?

All kids are different, it's all a matter of timing. Some people "self-realize" more slowly than others. Some of us are still waiting for their official "maturity growth spurt." They have been the "darlings" in the elementaries, our babies who like school, but high school is a reality check. Ask the Bryan Adams or Skyline students if high school isn't "REAL?" I'm sincerely proud to hear your child was happy in my class, and is being a successful student. In the end, do what you love. Find a way to use your talents. You will be much happier.

You are welcome! How great the possibilities are when a child is motivated and having fun. I think, and this is just my twisted sense of things, the educational system would grow bounds if only to put away some tests and just give childhood a chance to grow. We seem to have turned into a society of hypocrites. We didn't like being treated like robots in school. I remember protesting just because we thought there was a cause. Let our kids try to speak up now, they get suspended. Way too cynical and very pressured. But you, your open and honest. There is a sense of pressure to please you and succeed and yet at the same time there is a silly "be a kid" attitude that encourages discovery in the kids, and lets them accept that to learn you must make mistakes too. I get it as for how kids, most but not all, like to engauge in fun as well as serious thoughts. I have a grandchild that has 100% accuracy on that stupid TAKS, she is still in the same class as the kids that didn't make 60%. So what is the point of testing, no to give the kids an advantage or to adjust. I think it's great to see you blog, there might be nice stuff to discuss, the bad is same-old same-old.

That Sam Houston statue on the way to Houston is huge, what a sight as your nearing it. I think my kids took more pictures of that than anything else. They also really liked that shuttle mock up, the food display was very interesting because my daughter loves macaroni and cheese and they have it on display. She may go into space just for the food :) Did you see the Texas Steer there at the Johnson Space Center? I had no idea that cattle were kept there.

Thanks for giving those kids a memory.

I've been in this school for 8 years. You mean when people like you and the scores of people like you try more to hurt than help. Why don't you start a campaign to volunteer here? If this school is that bad, maybe you and your friends could come and help. It seems like the responsible civic-minded thing to do! You can start with helping moniter the halls and see what it is really like here. By the way, you don't bridge a gap, you build a wall! Some of us work really hard here and the kids do respect us. The thing is, the kids stay the same age from year to year, all of us including myself, you and your readers are the ones getting old. The times are changing and we have to realize not all parents of students who attend this school share the same values as the neighbors who support your site or the teachers and principals at this school. I agree that Dallas ISD's website is warm and fuzzy, believe me - I can't get them to respond either. I was just hoping you might say something nice, but I got the same sarcasm from you that I see in the children. Maybe their attitudes aren't so dissimilar after all.

[Ed Note: Let's start by asking a question: one of the highest profile investigations we have done resulted in indictments for fraud in connection with the credit card scandal. Did that constitute "more hurt than help" in your book?

Again, I applaud your commitment to your school. Sorry you don't agree with how we bring about change.]

Thank you. That's what I wanted to hear. I just wanted some validation for being one of the one's trying to help. It's in my best interest to make this school as good as it once was. I have a 4 year old who will eventually go to this school. You are correct. We need to do some major house cleaning to get back on track. But I cannot stand by and let people disrespect the current administration. Sal Sosa, Ms. Davis, and Mr. Evans are the most competant administrator's I have had the priviledge to work for. I am a department chair. Trust me, we are doing everything we can do here to correct the HUGE mistakes of the past three years. Change takes time. You guys hang in there. Give us more than 7-8 months to affect change. You won't be disappointed.

[Ed Note: As I say, the school is trending up. As long as the trend continues, you'll have a lot of people backing you.]

Toni, apparently there is a lack of substantiate knowledge on your part in regards to evaluating the qualities of a competent administrator.

As far as the male administrators neither of them are qualified to run a dog farm. Sosa was an Administrator from GPISD. That should speak volumes by itself. He has never worked in an inner city school with the demographics that Hill has.

Sosa does not have knowledge of district policy nor does he have the intelligence to implement it.

As far as Evans is concerned he has been an AP for the duration of his tenure. They both lack leadership qualities. He is a complainer and faults everyone for his lack of leadership. Put them both together and what do you have, a hot mess.

That my dear is exactly what R.T. Hill is at the present time. Toni, have you based your perception of these people by their actions or because they cater to you and let you run around being loud and disrespectful.

Maybe it's because you are not following district policy. For example,

1. Why was your child, who is a toddler, allowed to attend a field trip, when you know that is a direct violation of district policy?

2. Why are you allowed to sell cokes in your classroom, when other teachers were told they could not?

3. Why are your students in an uproar as well as allowed to be disruptive?

Maybe, with your history you are not qualified to determine if administrators are competent. (By the way you spelled incompetent incorrectly, just to let you know)

The administrative staff is so incompetent that they have not realized that the teachers do not support them. The students have ran the school from day one. They continue to run it.

Toni, as an EDUCATOR, you are supposed be a role model to the students and lead by example. Not the example that you are portraying. Students in your classes are expressing grave concern in the school as well as outside of the school as to your loud disruptive behavior.

Oh by the way you never answered the question in regards to who the teacher is that provided student's with the illegal substance - SPRAY PAINT.

[Ed Note: I would like to rebut a little of this. First, Mr. Sosa has done a remarkable job this year given what he inherited from his predecessor. Mr. Evans has always struck me as a very decent guy. You (poster) are a very decent person, yourself, too and you have a history of wanting the best for every kid in DISD.

So even though incidents happen at Hill, wouldn't you agree that they are isolated--especially compared to 2 years ago? That being said, just because they're isolated doesn't mean they're not newsworthy!]

I think it would be better coming from a students point of view. Ms. Legg has inspired me and my fellow classmates alot. She has shown me that she is not just a ordinary teacher, but one who cares for us. She has been there for me when i needed her advise, she has helped me with my work (not only science), she takes time out of her life after school to take some kids to the Dallas theater to give us a chance to go there, a place that some of us might never have the chance to go to.

Now about Mr. Sosa, I think he is doing a good job give him a break this is barely his first year at R.T. HILL. Me an 8th grader was at R.T. Hill last year when we had a principal who didn't care. When something would happen she would just turn her head the other way. Mr. Sosa how ever when there is an incident he handles it him self.

Mr. Evans, is there to help and assist Mr. Sosa and together I think they are doing a good job. You try going into one of these three peoples positions. They have a very TOUGH job, every day they deal with alot of kids hour after hour, and day after day. Like Mr.Sosa says, BETTER TOGETHER!!!!!

Not that I need to comment further to the poster, but I wanted to thank the editor. I appreciate your comment on item 2 of their list of supposed policy issues they "think" they know about. Policy actually states that no one other than DISD students or employees can be on the bus. We go to are public places. If my spousal unit and child want to come by themselves and pay full admission price, that is really my business, isn't it? Thanks for making that point. I also appreciated you speaking to different teaching styles, if I'm so bad, why is my CEI so high, why are my evaluations so good that I only have to be evaluated every 2 years (and since I do get along with administration, I turn in documentation from professors, dept. specialists, and parents to back myself up. I also print up the comments from www.ratemyteachers.com ( a website I would highly recommend your readers to check out. Search "schools" and type in Robert T. Hill - I think you will find the comments from students and parents alike will tell you everything you need to know about me and every other teacher at Hill, along with comments about past and present administrators, as well!

And with regard to my misspelling "competent" (sp?) - I guess the poster was right - I'M NOT PERFECT.

[Ed Note: As I say, everyone has differences in teaching styles; everyone has detractors and supporters. For the record, I never mispell anything.]

Yes, you are correct, each teacher has their own style of teaching and their own way of conveying information to students. But, Toni, how is it possible to teach in a disruptive classroom setting?

Accountable talk and academic rigor is one thing but holding conversations with students in regards to how their bodies are shaped and if you were shaped like that you would be a [censored] is another or conversations about them being trashy is another. So when is teaching taking place?

Hill has had testing irregularities for the past four years, the past principal was demoted for TAKS cheating. Toni, there were some testing irregularities with your test scores. Numerous of students past as well as presnt have stated that you would provide the answers to the questions on the ACP exam and the TAKS test. Is that the reason you always test the students with your door closed and sometimes locked?

The CEI's are a joke as well as the PDAS evaluation. Due to the simple fact that the administrators have control over the outcomes. There were many great teachers that received low ratings because the adminstrators did not like them. WOW! how those personal feelings were displayed in the evaluation process.

As far people stating good things about people at Hill, well in terms of honesty, people at Hill have many problems with that. So do not believe the hype of what you are hearing. Because the shocker is the truth coming out, oh and trust me the truth will come out.

I just hope everyone is ready. As far as the reports being made, the reports were done after the fact. The students were allowed to go home by Mr. Sosa. The Hispanic students were in possession of more than $10, it was more like $1000.00 of phony money.

If the administrators are so honorable and perfect, Why is it that more than half of the things that take place at Hill is never reported? The other things are reported only when someone other than the administrators call to report it?

As a matter of fact the Feds were called by people other than the administrators. Honesty, is a big word when it comes to Hill. Let's see what happens to your opinion and your thoughts of all the honest people at Hill when the real truth hits the fan.

[Ed Note: The Secret Service's response was likely "don't bother us with $50 bucks when we're busy pursuing $1 billion dollar counterfeiting rings."]

Again, why do you feel the necessity to remain anonymous. Like I said, I know who you are. Your voice and syntax make it obvious. So we will keep playing the game of "I'll pretend I don't know, and you pretend you are infallable and we'll keep going. You know NOTHING about what goes on in my room. My students are not disruptive to me. As I have plainly stated (without fear of anyone knowing me,) I'M NOT PERFECT! I have "miles to go before I sleep..." I at least know my limitations, by the way, at least I don't make my students of color feel disrespected, like a number of teachers on this campus do. Feel any responsibility in that dept.? And as the editor kindly pointed out, any policy problems you have should be taken up with administration. Not trying to character assassinate me on this blog. Besides, it's not really working.

[Ed Note: Folks, it is important to note that people have legitimate differences over teaching styles. What works for one, may not work for another because of personalities involved. Though arguing them is important (because we all learn something), belittling folks probably isn't the best way to get a point across.]

That's because you ARE perfect. I finally get this website! I love you! I'm alot like Molier's "Alceste" character.

[Ed Note: See, and our secret is that we have an A.I. machine responding to many of the comments posted here!]

OMG - I can't believe I didn't proof this better and said, "we go to are public places" - I meant, "Where we go are public places." Someone would have something to say. On my teacher self-evaluation I said my biggest weakness is "professional communication." I'm really enjoying practicing here. I understand why my boyfriend likes to blog so much. This is fun.

[Ed Note: There was something written recently about the new trend in media--all headed toward blogging. Interactivity is the key to getting folks involved with the news around them and, thus, getting them interested in news.]

I like it because things like "policy" and "procedures" are complex at best to understand in a district this size. It will help me, because I've never been trained as to every word, of every rule in the book. I doubt any of us have. We live and we learn. When a community of people who all know different "bits" of policies get together and work to help each other as they become aware of things, we might solve some of the minor communication problems with the day to day operations. I hope we can have a positive and helpful relationship for a long time to come. I like Hill. I like these kids, but I'm ready to be as aggressive as it needs to be restore some order there, OK, within reason, if you get my drift.