Ignoring last school year’s reports of central office ignoring teacher problems (“I Don’t See That,” States Hartford Superintendent), of central office creating a toxic teacher climate (“The Culture of Fear in Hartford Public Schools”), of a pandemic-like teacher exodus from Hartford (“Thirty-two Teachers Will Leave Hartford Schools This Month”), Hartford Public Schools Superintendent Torres-Rodriguez will begin this school year by slighting an age-old teacher tradition, revealing that a rumored Torres-Rodriguez quote given by a central office employee may be more than a rumor: “Teachers are beneath me.”

The typical school year begins with a day for the teachers, the “Teacher Convocation.”  This is a pep rally for the coming year, an opportunity for teachers, administrators, and even local politicians to come together as a community to celebrate a fresh start and to inspire with optimistic commitment.  There are speeches, student performances, and a rare opportunity for teachers from different schools to meet, greet, and share with one another.  It’s a no-brainer for building a positive culture and climate within the district.

The event has been held in various locations in Hartford over the years, including Dunkin’ Donuts Park in 2018 and at the XL Center in 2022.  Underscoring the importance of the annual event, Torres-Rodiguez told the Hartford Courant in 2022, “At the convocation, our teachers were excited.  They were excited to see one another, but they’re also excited and hopeful…”(Hartford Courant, Aug. 30, 2022, p.3).  While welcoming teachers to Dunkin’ Donuts Park in 2018, current Hartford Board of Education Member A.J. Johnson told the Courant, “If [teachers] don’t have energy, we can’t expect our children to have energy” (Hartford Courant, Aug. 28, 2018, p.B2).

However, with tone-deafening sadness, Superintendent Torres-Rodriguez has ordered this year’s day of teacher celebration to be held virtually.  Thus, the excitement, the feeling of hope, the energy, to begin this school year will be like that got from watching a Facebook reel.

If any superintendent in the state is in need of a live day to connect with and inspire teachers, it is Superintendent Torres-Rodriguez (“Superintendent Schedules Four Employee Town Halls – Skips All Four”).  In 2018, Torres-Rodriguez said that the theme of that year’s convocation was, “Shoulder Up!” (Hartford Courant, Aug 28, 2018, p.B1).  Five years later, her theme is, “Log In!”