To Whom It May Concern:

 

This evening I was forwarded a link to a San Diego City Beat article that not only broke my heart but started steam rolling out my ears. Who is the arrogant woman that was interviewed? That would Be Mar Vista's new drama teacher. Well, it seems to me the "drama" she's bringing about isn't the type she should be fostering.

I find what I've heard and read distasteful and appalling. Yes, She has the right Idea about the Building it's self, it is in desperate need of help we have known that for a very long time. She however has NO right to treat anyone's child the way she has treated these kids. She has NO right to take away 60 years of History from them. She has NO right to Rob them of being able to proudly put on a college application that they are a LIFE member of Thespian troop 3144 that she has so willingly let fall to dust. Alumni of the program fought tooth and nail to get every sitter of that "crap" she is talking about. Yes, many things needed to go but when you don't have the Funds for your program that some of the other schools have you work with what you've got. I remember COUNTLESS hours of revamping things to use for shows. It was always a labor of love and left me with a feeling of accomplishment and hard work at the end.  She has VERBALLY DEGRADED these Kids on stage. NO TEACHER SHOULD EVER DEGRADE a Student the way she has. How do I know these things? Word Travels fast when you are from a small town. Imperial Beach may not be as pretty as Coronado and we may have our issues in the town but you know what, Many of us are STILL proud to call it home. I know you are thinking he said she said on the degrading remarks however when the story comes the same from more than one person in the same words it's no longer he said she said. These kids especially the upper classmen have put in years of hard work and dedication to the program. They were doing Shakespeare last year. The creativity fostered and the caring and love of the past teachers was shinning through. The department may not have had much but the kids learned adaptability, confidence, hard work, and team work. What is she bringing to the table by telling them everything they have is crap? In my honest opinion this woman needs to take a class or two in human relations and common sense. Being Mean to the kids and tearing them down when some of them are already "at risk" as she has stated is no way to get a kid to perform better and Love what they do. For some kids the joy of that program is the only reason they continue to come to school, if she takes all of the joy out of it what do they have left?

 

Sincerely,

 ME

Class of 1996 and Proud Thespian of Troop #3144