North Point STI lost two valuable members

As a new school year is upon us, I was very sorry to learn two valuable members of the North Point High School STI program, with more than 50 years in educational and career technical experience, are no longer with the school division. These two teachers were known to articulate how much they love to provide instruction to students in their areas in addition to engaging developing community ser vice projects to showcase the talents of our students.

What is troubling is that it didn’t have to happen. The blame lies with an ineffective human resource department that has been described as a mess. One of its core functions is to provide support to all teachers in the certification process. HR should be able to provide a road map for our teachers in the certification process. Our teachers should not have to ask members of other school divisions for advice. Instead many educators in our schools teach during the day, then navigate a maze of regulations and course work during the evenings so they can provide our children a quality education. Being an STI instructor only magnified this process.

I hope this letter sheds light on the weakness of this school division. The employees of HR should be reminded that lack of correct action on their part has an impact on our students and teachers. In closing, these two teachers saw my daughter not as one of the many students they have, but instead they value her for her uniqueness and strengths. The loss rests with the incompetency of the HR personnel. Shame on you HR, maybe you should be required to meet the teaching certification requirements. Danielle Brandis, Arlington, Va.