HOUSTON – Houston ISD teachers tell KPRC 2 they are still struggling through constant changes in teaching styles and administrators are reluctant to talk due to fear of losing their jobs.
We’ve also been tracking the outrage parents have shared at it’s after their beloved principal, Dr. Shelby Calabrese was put on administrative leave.
The sudden change upset parents as well as staff members, like former Love Elementary principal Sean Tellez, who spoke exclusively with KPRC 2’s Bill Barajas. In their conversation, Tellez admitted he was nervous to speak out initially, but feels it’s important for him to share his side of why he stepped down as principal amid all the changes.
“I chose to voluntarily leave the district in March. And unfortunately, I was facing a lot of the same issues and pressures that Dr. Calabrese had been and been facing here at Harvard,” he said. “So I definitely wanted to speak. And one of the big things that really motivated me was just the lack of professionalism that Central Division has shown.”
“It’s very nerve-wracking. The intimidation is real,” Tellez added. “The accountability goes from the top to the bottom and reverse. And so I think there should be a very comprehensive review, as I said before, about practices and how they’re being implemented at all four of the divisions here in HISD to ensure fairness and to ensure that it’s actually working the way it’s intended to at all these different divisions. ”
A new principal set to take Dr. Calabrese’s place later quit before her start date, citing “extensive bullying on social media.”
HISD Central Division Superintendent Dr. Luz Martinez, who announced the new principal had quit, said Dr. Stefanie Spencer would serve as interim principal at Harvard Elementary for the remainder of the academic year.
Dr. Spencer has 18 total years of experience in Goose Creek CISD and Spring Branch ISD, and she was named Principal of the Year for SBISD at the elementary level in 2022.
Molly Lashway, who was hired as an assistant principal at Harvard alongside Pe Benito, will remain at the school and start the role as planned.
On Wednesday night, parents were able to meet with Dr. Spencer and shared their concerns with KPRC 2’s Deven Clarke.
