Joplin Globe doesn't give a HOOT about teachers

The Joplin Globe is doing its bit to publicize the good teachers in Joplin with a new program I just saw advertised on the Cecil Floyd Elementary website:

Do you know an OUTSTANDING teacher? 

The Joplin Globe is recognizing outstanding teachers with their new Hoot (Honor Our Outstanding Teachers) Award. Teachers will be recognized in The Joplin Globe's Wednesday Kidscoop page and will receive a $20 gas card from the Titanic.

To nominate a teacher:
Submit the teacher's name, school, grade or subject taught, why the teacher is outstanding,

your name, how you know the teacher, and your phone number.

Mail nominations to:

The Joplin Globe
P.O. Box 7
Joplin, MO 64802
ATTN: Educational Services
or email nominations to
gmcgriff@joplinglobe.com

The best way the Joplin Globe can show that it gives a hoot about teachers is to investigate the problems that have plagued the R-8 School District since the arrival of C. J. Huff and Angie Besendorfer.

An in-depth look into why more than 200 teachers have left in the past two years would be a good start.

Then take a look at how much money has been spent for travel, for professional development that never leads to any professional development, and for layer after layer of administrative positions.

And that does not even take into account the administration's knowledge that one of its $67,000 a year employees at 32nd and Duquesne had pornographic photos of 10 Joplin High School student son his laptop, information that not only was never shared with the public, but no one even thought to mention it to the Board of Education.

At least, the Globe will be able to give teachers some recognition and rake in some advertising bucks in the process.

Otherwise, it is pretty clear that the only people the Joplin Globe gives a hoot about are those who are in power. That saves a lot of money on investigative reporting.