Support for Principal

As a teacher with the (L.A. Unified School District) for over 28 years, I feel the need to respond to Sunday’s article regarding Beverly Tietjen, principal of the Brentwood Science Magnet School.

I have worked with Mrs. Tietjen for almost half of my teaching career and as the UTLA Representative. Through the years, we have had our differences, but the outstanding fact about Mrs. Tietjen is she has ALWAYS put the students first and has always understood that teachers in the classroom make learning happen. Thus, she gives 100% of her energy to the classroom (teachers and students--not to paper shuffling on her desk).

Beverly Tietjen knows every student by name. She is involved in their home and school activities. As a principal, she has always allowed her staff members to be as creative and innovative as they wished.

Yes, it is true Beverly Tietjen is not the most organized person (all one has to do is look at her desk) nor is she always at her desk when you call or want to see her (most likely she is on the yard, doing bus duty or seeing to a student or teacher need).

Beverly Tietjen is a dedicated educator who has worked for many years within a school district that, all too often, shows little concern for its employees (a district that still has chauffeurs driving board members to non-school business affairs). The fact that the L.A. Times article quotes an LAUSD superintendent using words such as “embezzlement,” “if she is cleared,” etc., shows a real lack of sensitivity. Isn’t a person innocent until proven guilty?

After all her years of service, what a shame Mrs. Beverly Tietjen has to be publicly subjected to attacks on her character and professionalism before a fair hearing takes place.

MAUREEN BORDAN

Pacific Palisades