When is it time to say good-bye?

While growing up, I remember watching Muhammad Ali go against Larry Holmes. Larry Holmes was younger, faster and stronger than Ali at this stage of both fighters' careers. Ali put up a good fight but it was obvious that his skills was diminished and he had lost a few steps. Ali had been a great ambassador to the sport of boxing and the reason why many followed and loved the sport during the late 1970's. This leaves me to ask the question, when is it time to say good-bye?

No, I am not referring to Mike Brown or Lebron James. I am referring to some of the teachers in the Lorain School district. Before everyone gets all frowned up and starts attacking please let me finish. I have read several articles in regards to salaries, cuts, levies, where a person lives etc.. but the bottom line is Lorain City School teachers have to be held accountable just like the principals and administration.

There are some excellent teachers in Lorain City Schools and it is not just determined in my opinion, if they are highly qualified(Having a Masters Degree)or some other State mandated credential. If Mike Brown is to Principals as Lebron James is to teachers then change is needed. Let me take it a step further, if Danny Ferry is to Dr. Atkinson as Dan Gilbert is to the Board of Education(Dimacchia, Biber, Smith, Sturgill, Williams and the community)then the BOE needs to be assessing the current state of Lorain City Schools. It is easy to fire the coach or the GM when things don't go our way but upon further review some of the blame and most of it have to be pointed at the teachers.

With unions, it makes it hard to just get rid of a non-performing teacher that has lost a step or two in regards to their passion to teach. Don't get me wrong, there are some teachers that you love and admire for their time and dedication but quite frankly; out of touch. Maybe out of touch is too harsh, so I will say they lack being "Culturally Sensitive." In Ali's case I don't think he was out of touch, but he was holding on because the people loved him.

Words of Wisdom: When you are fighting the administration about testing or your tolerance and patience is not what it use to be; then it is time to take that hard and long look in the mirror! Highly qualified teachers or not Lorain City Schools test scores reminds me of Ali's performance against Holmes; shameful.