DeKalb County Schools are taking a back seat when it comes to addressing the medical issues of a Redan student set on fire by a DeKalb teacher in a Dekalb chemistry class on a Dekalb school campus. Basically they've told the student's family that the system will pay nothing until the family's insurance is exhausted and then only for life-preserving procedures. All the surgeries required as a result of the absolutely idiotic actions of a DeKalb teacher acting on behalf of the DeKalb system are all on the family. They won't even get a property tax abatement.
This is just one more oddity in a very odd story and it is not just the school system covering its own ass. Giggle Redan student burned and look at all the mainstream media coverage of this event. Notice anything missing from journalism's Sacred Quadrangle of Who-What-When-Where? You got it. The teacher's name is notably absent. Seems a bit odd coming from outlets proclaiming themselves as "investigative" and purveyors of "real news."
The first mention of the teacher by name, Bridgette Blowe, will likely be in The Champion, a local, second tier outlet. Nonetheless, their coverage is far better than major outlets making those look as if they are somehow obfuscating key details. Then it gets really interesting from both a personnel and procedural point of view.
Who is Bridgette Blowe? Well her LinkedIn profile lists her as a chemistry graduate from Georgia Southern with a Master of Public Health from Walden University acquired while a teacher in DeKalb Schools (2007-2013) at which point she left DeKalb for a series of short term jobs (9, 11 & 20 months) returning to DeKalb in Fall 2016. During her break from DeKalb her certification in Science Education expired in January 2014. And yet, there she was and there she is with her page at Redan showing a two-prep, three class load for Fall of 2019. Presumably she is still employed but not setting the classroom world on fire.
The Champion article which mentioned her name was covering the release of the DCSD Incident Report and not just the incident itself and that report is quite revealing. Apparently the Superintendent (Dr. Green) recommended Blowe's dismissal but this was over-ridden by the principal at Redan. Just what is the relationship between that principal, Janice Boger and Blowe? Well there is the obvious workplace boss-subordinate, but is that not the relationship between Green and Bloger? What can possibly justify retaining a part-time teacher whose demonstrated actions (acquiring a Master of Public Health) indicate perhaps less-than-full dedication to the classroom? What the hell is going on here?
Then there is the "demonstration" itself. Ostensibly this demonstrates vapor pressure differences between alcohol and water with the secondary demonstration of linen/paper absorption of water more so than the alcohol. Hence the alcohol burns off the bill and the water, absorbed in the bill prevents it from burning-a Jackson Flambé. Critical knowledge for any high school student, right? This demonstration is well described on the inter-web beginning with a strict warning that caution must be taken lest things go horribly wrong. Isopropyl alcohol is explicitly called out as a necessary ingredient, not ethanol. Who knew there could be a difference? One would hope an "educator" with a chemistry degree might. Should Georgia Southern be asking for their degree back? And why the ethanol? As the story goes it was because Blowe tried and failed with the standard procedure and the kiddies couldn't see the flames. But isn't that what the salt is for-to make the flames visible?
So what can we learn from this demonstration? Lots. Chain of command in DCSD is non-existent and routinely over-ridden. Domain competence and knowledge is not part of the teaching paradigm. Entertainment is more important than learning, perhaps more important than anything. Most importantly there is no responsibility at the head of the class, in the leadership at the school or at The Palace.
We're screwed and we're paying for that demonstration. We're just not paying the injured student.
This is just one more oddity in a very odd story and it is not just the school system covering its own ass. Giggle Redan student burned and look at all the mainstream media coverage of this event. Notice anything missing from journalism's Sacred Quadrangle of Who-What-When-Where? You got it. The teacher's name is notably absent. Seems a bit odd coming from outlets proclaiming themselves as "investigative" and purveyors of "real news."
The first mention of the teacher by name, Bridgette Blowe, will likely be in The Champion, a local, second tier outlet. Nonetheless, their coverage is far better than major outlets making those look as if they are somehow obfuscating key details. Then it gets really interesting from both a personnel and procedural point of view.
Who is Bridgette Blowe? Well her LinkedIn profile lists her as a chemistry graduate from Georgia Southern with a Master of Public Health from Walden University acquired while a teacher in DeKalb Schools (2007-2013) at which point she left DeKalb for a series of short term jobs (9, 11 & 20 months) returning to DeKalb in Fall 2016. During her break from DeKalb her certification in Science Education expired in January 2014. And yet, there she was and there she is with her page at Redan showing a two-prep, three class load for Fall of 2019. Presumably she is still employed but not setting the classroom world on fire.
The Champion article which mentioned her name was covering the release of the DCSD Incident Report and not just the incident itself and that report is quite revealing. Apparently the Superintendent (Dr. Green) recommended Blowe's dismissal but this was over-ridden by the principal at Redan. Just what is the relationship between that principal, Janice Boger and Blowe? Well there is the obvious workplace boss-subordinate, but is that not the relationship between Green and Bloger? What can possibly justify retaining a part-time teacher whose demonstrated actions (acquiring a Master of Public Health) indicate perhaps less-than-full dedication to the classroom? What the hell is going on here?
Then there is the "demonstration" itself. Ostensibly this demonstrates vapor pressure differences between alcohol and water with the secondary demonstration of linen/paper absorption of water more so than the alcohol. Hence the alcohol burns off the bill and the water, absorbed in the bill prevents it from burning-a Jackson Flambé. Critical knowledge for any high school student, right? This demonstration is well described on the inter-web beginning with a strict warning that caution must be taken lest things go horribly wrong. Isopropyl alcohol is explicitly called out as a necessary ingredient, not ethanol. Who knew there could be a difference? One would hope an "educator" with a chemistry degree might. Should Georgia Southern be asking for their degree back? And why the ethanol? As the story goes it was because Blowe tried and failed with the standard procedure and the kiddies couldn't see the flames. But isn't that what the salt is for-to make the flames visible?
So what can we learn from this demonstration? Lots. Chain of command in DCSD is non-existent and routinely over-ridden. Domain competence and knowledge is not part of the teaching paradigm. Entertainment is more important than learning, perhaps more important than anything. Most importantly there is no responsibility at the head of the class, in the leadership at the school or at The Palace.
We're screwed and we're paying for that demonstration. We're just not paying the injured student.
Posts
