Teachers and Failing Schools

To the Editor:
I have had the distinct pleasure of being a student and graduate of Middle Township High School from which I graduated in 2008. Having earned a bachelors degree and an M.Div. during which I was associated with different educational systems in Boston, I have had exposure to various types of educational organization. Additionally, I am currently enrolled in a Th.M program and plan to further my education in the field of Canon Law. I have also had the honor of serving as a substitute teacher in the Middle Township School District as I was earning my Bachelor’s degree in Boston. I was shocked and appalled when I learned some of the changes that are going to occur at Middle Township High School in the area of teacher reassignments. It has come to my attention that a certain teacher in the history department, Ms. Martina Trapani, who has been extraordinarily successful in teaching history, psychology and law at advanced levels is being taken out of this position and being forced to teach other classes at other levels.
At first, one might say that a teacher should be versatile in their teaching and, from my experience with Ms. Trapani, she has taught a myriad of levels, however, when the administration of Middle Township High School has a teacher such as Ms. Trapani who not only has cultivated a true love of education in her students, but has shepherded them towards excellence, how can you deny her the opportunity to continue such successes? In all of her AP (Advanced Placement) courses she has consistently been able to teach her students the materials required to achieve a top score on the nation-wide AP tests which, mind you, is no small accomplishment especially when you have 30 AP students. She teaches honors history with a passion and zeal that cannot be compared with any other teacher I encountered at MTHS. She makes it her mission to keep up with contemporary findings and studies in the fields of psychology, sociology, and law. She has guided the Mock Trial team of Middle Township to two state championships, two second place finishes, and three national appearances, one of which produced a second place showing in the nation. Above all, she has served MTHS faithfully for many years and has always been a person of great wisdom, knowledge and care. This latest occurrence is one of several instances, but it is the last straw for me.
It seems that when we look at failing schools we often point the finger at teachers who do poorly. Whereas there are teachers who fit the bill on this matter, it has become increasingly evident that out-of-touch administrators, poor quality leadership, and the “Old Boys Club” mentality is the plague that ravages the ranks of Middle Township High School and prevents it from being the stellar academic center for Cape May County that it has the potential to be.
Indeed, if MTHS wants to advance in its academia and achieve new heights in education, it must leave behind this divisive mentality which lurks through the halls of MTHS, favors few, and ultimately makes the students pay through lower quality education. I implore the Middle Township School Board and senior administration of MTHS to respond to this crisis and put the students above petty egos.