This is an...interesting appointment. Not convinced that her experience qualifies her to be COS, interim or not.

Anonymous: Someone else made that claim about inexperienced "change." I think his name was John McCain.

This is one of the worst picks possible. She is both rude and lacks integrity. Her comments at meetings are completly unprofessional and later she denies them. We're in serious trouble with this one.

The General was a stand up guy, a true leader. She operates with intimidation and fear, not my idea of a leader in any way.

Bill I know you're on the PR line for AAA but Annonymous makes a good point. Her track record at BFA is a bit tarnished too.

This one concerns me a lot.

Serious: Nope. I call it as I see it. It makes it easier to support policies with which I learn about through development. Hence the reason I've been supportive of most policies that are more widely publicized. This doesn't at all mean, however, that I support all policies in the pipeline.

What "track record" are you referring to with BFA? One thing that bothers me more than most others: making obnoxious unfounded claims like a "track record" to support a dubious proposition. Last I saw BFA was a Blue Ribbon school? Do the means justify the ends? I prefer examining facts rather than emotional claims to ambiguities. Much like Michele Rhee, people get awfully nervous when women focus more on results than peoples' feelings. It's the foundational rationale that supports the corporate glass ceiling. I'm not at all saying that results and feelings are mutually exclusive, I just think it's important to focus on the real issues rather than the personal, emotional feelings. From my extensive work with Tisha, I can provide first-hand knowledge that she gets stuff done. No excuses, no BS, just produce. Pure and simple. Right now, that's what we need in City Schools.

I have to agree with Bill, people are too quick to sling dirt and too slow to examine their own shortcomings.

I completely agree with Bill. I find it repulsive that women can not manuever throughout the workplace effectively and efficiently without being labeled rude and unprofessional. Having worked with Tisha, I find her to be a leader. She organizes for results and success. It is about the work that needs to be done. It is about the students that need to be serviced. For far too long, the school system has addressed adult feelings and neglected student needs.

I find it reprehensible to hide behind a blog and insult someone's integrity. It makes me question the integrity of the blogger. There are many people in the district that choose not to work hard and produce, so yes, the appointment of Tisha Edwards, one who demands excellence and productivity, would ruffle some feathers. But for those of us who believe in our students and believe that everyone must work hard and put forth effort without excuses, the appointment of Tisha Edwards is a win. I applaud the decision and wish her and City Schools much success. Our kids deserve it!!!!

#1 BFA isn't a "Blue Ribbon School" and well TE has been gone for two years now. If I remember correctly she was moved to Combined Charities after the BFA Board removed her.

Since I'm a woman I think it's ok for me to question her, in fact I think it's ok to question anyone who is calling shots for my kids. TE doesn't come close to Michele Ree; I've worked with both of them. Do you know Michele well Bill? Michele is tough as nails but always maintains her professionalism. I don't mind ruffled feathers. Funny anyone who doesn't agree with AAA or TE is lazy and lacking self-reflection. What a horrible position we're in as a school community.

Bill you're not the only person who works in City Schools. There are a bunch of us, and well we work with kids every day and see the "policy" in action. Please keep your lectures about your "extensive work " in perspective.

Leadership matters as do emotions when you're trying to move a school or system. If you think you're going to force change and have it take in a deep and meaningful way, you're sadly mistaken. Treating people with respect and in a professional way should be a given and the example we set for our students.

Serious: Relax. I think you combined a few comments above. The "extensive work" comment was very separate from the policy issue. My first point was that I have supported a number of policies, and I've certainly voiced that support on this blog. Other policies I don't necessarily agree with. I don't comment on those. I was addressing your PR comment, and I was clarifying the fact that I'm very comfortable writing my opinion when I agree with Dr. Alonso & Board policy. Apparently, it's too much. I enjoy spending time flushing out my ideas on the blog, particularly to illicit responses of those who don't agree. I find it to be a fantastic forum to generate discussion about the City Schools. I try to embrace a positive message when writing overall, but that's also how I try to live my life - finding the best of situations.

I don't at all mean to suggest that people shouldn't question personnel or policies. In fact, I think healthy, well-intentioned criticism is extremely, extremely beneficial. I was frustrated at the vague criticism that supported your earlier comment. I'd suggest a closer inspection of the facts before determining whether causal relationships exist in situations dealing with isolated events. Overall, though, my point is that there's a general apprehension with new hires, especially when those new hires are non-traditional.

Whether a woman or not, gender bias does exist in management, at least in most industries. I've become more and more frustrated by it with the more experiences I've had in various professional situations. Too often women that demand results are dismissed as, "Oh she's just a ...." That doesn't occur as often with promoted men. I came across the concept theoretically in a college gender economics class, and I've seen it more and more in my work with the City and with the schools (http://psycnet.apa.org/journals/apl/91/4/777/). I just don't think it's a concept that quickly should be overlooked, regardless of the gender of the person making the criticism.

Anyone that disagrees with Dr. Alonso et al. is not lazy and does not lack self-reflection. I don't mean to suggest otherwise whatsoever. If they were, however, the attempts at reform would probably be easier (not better, easier). If I have suggested this sentiment, I apologize, it was my own inability to communicate my point with clarity. I very much agree that I'm not the only person working in City Schools, there's probably about 12,000 others. I think it's rather fair to say that my opinion is not at all shared by the whole, the majority, or maybe even the few; but (like you) I still believe I have a right to have one.

The extensive work comment was directed at work with Tisha (not at my work on school policies, that, as I've said before, is NOT extensive). I've seen her move work forward when everyone else said it wasn't possible. I've seen her lead a group of strong leaders to consensus to get the work done. And I've seen her maximize others' potential to focus the work on the kids. That extensive work, specifically directed at this association, is the basis by which I made the claim that she's more than capable of excelling as Chief of Staff.

To respond to your last point, I'll reiterate from before, I do not believe that feelings and productivity are mutually exclusive.

RE: Michele Rhee. I think there's lots of people in DC who think she's done a bit more than ruffle feathers (see: from the TIME Magazine article: "Rhee's ferocity has alienated many people--even those who support her ideas and could be helpful to her. This summer the chair of the Washington city council called dealing with Rhee a 'nightmare.'" at http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1862444-3,00.html). I'm very glad that your experiences with Chancellor Rhee have been exclusively professional. I'd imagine you'd be a bit frustrated then with insinuations that she has lacked professionalism, and you'd want to defend what you perceive to be an unfair characterization. Supposing that's the case, we agree on why I'd want to express my satisfaction with Dr. Alonso's appointment of his Chief of Staff.

No, I do not know Michelle Rhee personally. I wish I did. Maybe one of these days I'll get the chance.

I hope this serves to clarify my earlier comments. Thanks for reading.

Serious: As a woman, you may express your thoughts and feelings at will. And as I woman, I know for a fact women can be the hardest on other women. I have found that my greatest frustration in the workplace has come from women who thought I wasn't nice enough. I was too aggressive and "didn't know" how to talk to people. Well, I do know how to talk to people, I just don't believe that employees should be massaged to do their jobs. I have worked with T. Edwards on a number of projects and have found her directness to be refreshing. This is about the work and results. So I believe as the Bible says, "in business be men." What that simply means is keep your emotions off of the table and solve the problems at hand. Having worked in several districts, I have found that many of the adults in City school system have been more concerned with what fraternity or sorority you belong to. Does that mean all employees of the system? No it doesn't, however it's enough to have given the school system a bad reputation.

We are now in the era of results. As a mature adult, I don't need to like the person or befriend the person in order to see the strengths they bring to the table. T. Edwards is a work horse who produces results. Her transparent nature provides anyone that works with her clear expectations.

What I suggest to all the naysayers is to pray for her success, AAA's success, and all the employess of City Schools. Our success will determine our students' success. We all do better when WE all do better!!

Is it possible that the bloggers on this blog could communicate with the same respect and civility that we desire for our students? Some of the lofty blogs, lectures, etc are getting to be a bit much. I am interested in ideas and various perspectives, but I do not think this blog should continue the be the Bill Show as if he is the only one in the know or with any knowledge. Many of us have extensive creditials, resumes, and years of experience. Still, we are all fighting the battle for our kids! Please, let's respect one another so this blog feels comfortable to read. School is stressful. My free time needs to be a little more peaceful. Civility,please!