Jason Felch. I, The Jury

On Wednesday, the Los Angeles Times reported on the suicide of Los Angeles teacher Rigoberto Ruelas. Remember, this is a teacher that the Los Angeles Times deemed ineffective. But something caught my eye in the article.

....Rigoberto Ruelas always reached out to the toughest kids. He would tutor them on weekends and after school, visit their homes, encourage them to aim high and go to college.

Yes, I see how he can be deemed ineffective. How dare he take time out from his life to tutor students, to visit their homes, and worse, encourage they continue their education.

Andromeda Palma, a 13-year-old eighth-grader, stopped by after school to leave a balloon at the memorial. She said she used to struggle at math, but he taught her to succeed and not to give up.

Evil!! Wait, I thought he was ineffective at teaching math? And this girl, a former student, has the gumption to claim that Rigoberto taught her to succeed and not to give up at math?

Andromeda continued, "He told me it is not about where you are from but if you don't go to school you are nothing in this world," she said with tears in her eyes. "Now I am doing real good because of him."

This must be wrong. He is ineffective. How can this student have succeeded with him as a teacher? Jason Felch says he is ineffective. Jason Felch is smug, it is impossible for him to be incorrect.

From the Los Angeles Times of Tuesday, September 28;

Detractors say value-added rankings place too much emphasis on test-score teaching, especially in schools like Miramonte, a large school in an impoverished, gang-plagued neighborhood about six miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. About 60 percent of Miramonte students are Spanish-speaking English-language learners.

Yeah, so many advantages to teaching there. A gang plagued neighborhood? Why aren't the cops doing their jobs? Perhaps it is time the LAPD get value added assessed. Have the cops outed in the Times as effective or ineffective.

But, it won't happen. Jason Felch does not have the guts to do it. I think the reason is that Jason fancies himself an educator. Why? Seems that Jason has at one time taught. Don't believe me? See for yourself.

According to Jason in Alexander Russo's chat;

Jason Felch: "I thought you'd never ask! Before going into journalism, I taught middle school and high school students. I also founded and ran an after school program for "inner city" kids in San Francisco, and am very familiar with their challenges. My colleague Jason Song has covered the city's schools for years. Thursday August 19, 2010 11:52 Jason Felch

As you were asked Jason, where did you teach? Were you an effective teacher? Will you release your scores or be like Michelle Rhee and just claim they can't be found. How long did you teach for?

Jason, because of your irresponsibility, your pre-conceived decision, your cowardice, your lack of integrity, your snobbishness, a man, a good man, a man with children, is dead. You are to blame, you are responsible. You were, and still are, judge, jury, and executioner.

Jason, you will never, ever get the spot out.