Students Protest at St. Mary's School for the Deaf in Buffalo

Only one man made a decision on this woman not gaining tenure? Who has authority over him? Maybe his credentials should be looked into. If this woman can motivate children to learn and build their self esteem, which it sounds like, maybe a wrong decision was made or these kids need the truth to herbeing let go.

AMAZING!

I applaud those 31 students' bravery to stand up to the administration and make their voices be heard! In my experience in St. Mary's School for the Deaf as a former student, Nettie Brewer was an awesome teacher. There were times we butted heads but for those times, I now realized she was only trying to make me strive to do better. If not for her, I would not have had the advantage of getting the best math education for some of my high school years.

The protest in my idea was a fantastic way of getting the administration's attention so that they may now know that they cannot do what they think is best for the school without at least thinking of the rest of the faculty and students.

Now...this event is only the tip of the iceberg. I urge the media to investigate the administrative practices of St. Mary's School for the Deaf. They have been unchecked for too long. This protest has only been one of the several events that have occured in that school.

Hello, I'm St. Mary's School for the Deaf student graduate and alumni of 2004. Netti Brewer was my class adviser. I am angered by this action of Netti Brewer being replaced. She is great teacher. One of the best Math teachers at SMSD after my Math teacher Mr. Dave Berg retired with my class of 2004 graduation. I'd be more than happy for Netti Brewer stay teaching at SMSD. I am proud of her being our teacher during my senior year.

Good for them!!! Serve them right for firing her. At least give a good reason. I am proud of the students. Good job!!! Keep fighting!!

as i understand it, this teacher was refused tenure, but continued to be contracted as a teacher. why would she be allowed to continue teaching if she did not qualify for tenure? she was asked to take a student teacher. hard to believe that someone who was denied tenure was asked to mentor a student teacher. the student teacher turns out to be the son of one of the administrators at the school. following his student teaching, she is fired and he becomes the new teacher. he is deaf, but also may have a social impairment which affects his ability to relate to his students. please check this rumor to see if it is true. thank you.

DON'T GIVE UP for FIGHT!!!! I am so anger about this! I don't want see math students should suffer with other math teacher(Trent J) and new teacher by replace Netti! I know Netti B is so wonderful teacher! SMSD board are wrong decision and respect with students want or need! I am so proud of brave students who protest! Want going help them! NEVER GIVE UP!!!

This is impressive and important to the school! Children taking a stand for what they believe in!

One's man's decision to let a teacher go for no reason is proved mainly pathetic and embarassing. Bill Johnson should have a reason, but if he doesn't, then why is Nettie being let go?

One question: Is Nettie Brewer Deaf?

Thanks!

R-

I am SMSD alumni Class of 2006. I want to say, I am so proud of SMSD students who are brave to protest about fight for math teacher! Never give up! Netti B is so wonderful teacher! Keep up!

Throw a fundraiser, just like everyone does....

Nettie Brewer is not deaf. She is so wonderful sign language to math students. Many students love her.

The One and Only Ridor wrote:

One question: Is Nettie Brewer Deaf?
Thanks!
R-

No, Nettie Brewer is not deaf.
She is, coincidentally, the ONLY BLACK TEACHER at St. Mary's School for the Deaf. I know Nettie Brewer, and there is no justifiable reason for her dismissal. This School is falling apart, and Bill Johnson's dictatorial style is the reason why. No one (students, staff, alumni, parents, etc.) believes the school is better now than it was before Bill Johnson. Except, perhaps, Bill Johnson.

I agree with Concernedforthekids comment. The school is no better now than before Bill Johnson. Ask who is replacing Nettie Brewer. You might be surprised. It has been heard it is Bill Johnson's son. Do so digging and you will find a lot of dissent among the staff between them and Bill Johnson. He has been getting away with this for too long. This started years ago when the parents and staff signed a petition requesting the board not to hire him. They hired him anyway. The petitions were sent to him and he pulled out.So the board hired Win McChord instead. But one year later Win was let go and now we have Bill. Hmmm. Fishy. I encourage anyone in the News to PLEASE DIG and do it NOW.

sound something with teacher have honest tell them pls do it than worse...and better get new teacher have can get easy teach them s feel ...

I think it is a same to take away a teacher who the student clearly love and respect, maybe there's chance she could stay there I prey so.
I don't think the student should have been punished for exercising their right to protest and speak up it is their constitutional right to do so.

I think the superintendent should be let go. I don't feel he is doing his job in looking out for the students. Their parents should stand up to the superintendent and let him know that he has overstepped his bounds and keep the kids out of the class, especially if his son takes over; he appeared to be a little "Mr. Milktoast" with authority. Also, he needs to explain "why." The students should keep up the "good" work. I also agree with Beth who says the News should "Dig" and see who is replacing this teacher and what else has gone on at the school. I know this is not the first time a controversial matter has happened and with this "person in command" more will happen. Isn't there a board that oversees this; what happened to them.

As Concerned Grandparents of a Fine Young Woman, who is presently a Senior at SMSD, we have been following this story of the termination of Nettie Brewer, a Math Teacher at said school.
As a teacher who has opened many young minds to the "World of Understanding the concepts of Math", we find this decision to terminate this fine teacher appauling.
A teacher with such great skills of opening minds of students to a new understanding of this subject; the compassion and great communication capabilites that she has and shows to both students and their parents,is difficult to understand then, why this poor decision of the schools administration to terminate this fine teacher has come about.
We can only hope that the decision to terminate Nettie Brewer, will be overturned and that she will be re-instated for the good of present and future students at SMSD

My daughter is a senior at St. Mary's School for the Deaf and as her parent I was extremely disappointed and shocked when she told me that Nettie Brewer had been terminated. I have watched my daughter change from a student who hated and struggled with math into one who has excelled and now tells anyone who asks that math is her favorite subject. This is all due to the superb teaching skills of Nettie Brewer. She is an awesome and exceptional math teacher!

I have always believed that education is about doing what is best for the students and should be void of school politics or personality differences. Because the administration refuses to give a reason for Nettie's termination, I have to believe that it has nothing to do with her ability as a teacher or her work ethic. Nettie Brewer needs to be reinstated and given tenure.

i am go to st.mary school for the deaf today is 2 day we do the protest at school am do it too

As a graduate of St. Mary's School for the Deaf, I am so disappointed with the adminstration's decision to terminate Ms. Nettie Brewer. I applaud for the students' bravery to protest. I am very proud of them. They stand up for what they believe in.

How can an adminstration ignore the majority of the students who want and love Ms. Nettie Brewer? Ms. Brewer is a great math teacher and explain the students the concept of math. Find someone like Ms. Brewer is tough with math certification and deaf education certification.

Adminstrators, reconsider your decision and get Ms. Nettie Brewer back.

Students, keep up fighting.. Do not give up! My support and spirit is with you all!