April 1, 2014

Ms. Jan Zahr

Greenleaf Elementary School

RE: Notice of Direction

Dear Ms. Zahr:

The purpose of this letter is to give you notice of recent concerns related to your performance and to provide you with
direction for improvement.
The following has been reported and discussed:

On March 18, a parent from your classroom came to meet with me regarding concerns for his daughters, both of
whom are in your class. He expressed concerns about reports of you repeatedly yelling at your students. He stated
that his daughters are both afraid of you and do not want to come to school. He requested that his daughters be
pulled out of your classroom immediately and placed into another classroom.

In our meeting on Monday, March 31, you stated that the reports from this parent have been very exaggerated and
that the girls seem happy to be at school. You stated that you have been firm this year with the entire class and that
you do raise your voice, because your class is very uncooperative and their learning environment is very disruptive. You
stated that you try separating students but that your class is a problem this year, specifically four students. You stated
that it cant be just you this year, that everyone knows your class is a problem.

On March 18, a staff member came to me to report your behavior that she had witnessed in the hallway. She
reported that on a recent afternoon, she was walking through the hallway and saw you stopped, with your students
in line, laying into them with a very raised voice volume and an alarming tone of voice. She reported that there
was another staff member present, as well as some parents nearby. She went to her room, and was there when the
other staff member entered to comment to her on how inappropriate she felt your behavior was with first grade
students.

In our meeting about these concerns on Monday, March 31, you confirmed that there was a recent day when you
picked up your students at art class and that you were very upset. You confirmed that you yelled at them very loudly in
the hall that day. You apologized to me for doing that. You also said that you do raise your voice regularly with your
students but declined to comment if you thought that raising your voice was appropriate.

On March 20, another parent called with concerns for her son in your classroom. In explaining some issues she was
asking to be investigated regarding her son and a peer, this parent stated that she did not want to come directly to
you with these concerns because her son is afraid of you, never wants to come to school, has never developed any
sort of a relationship with you, and is writing off this year for her son because you seem to have too much on your
plate.

In our meeting about these concerns on Monday, March 31, you said that you do not know what is going on with
these two students, but they seem drawn to each other in class yet go home to complain and complain about each
other. You stated you did not know anything about the specifics of this boy and his peer, but that the peers name does
seem to be attached to many parents complaints. You stated you have been in contact with this peers mother. You
did not have any comments about the other statements that were reported to me by the parent on March 20.


You are hereby directed as follows:

1. You are not to ever yell at students out of frustration, no matter what the situation.

2. You are not to act out in a negative and/or humiliating manner toward students. If you are unsure if your behavior
may fall into one of these categories, you are to check with me in advance.

3. If you find yourself feeling stressed and needing support during the workday, you are to seek that support from me or
other appropriate staff members before you allow your stress to be taken out by yelling at your students.

4. If the families of the students referenced in this letter wish to meet with you about these or other matters, you will
meet with them respectfully and make whatever amends may be necessary.

8. These and all previous directives will remain in effect unless I inform you in writing that they cease to apply.


This letter is not disciplinary in nature; however, failure to follow the directives detailed in this letter or continued performance
concerns will result in disciplinary action. I caution you that you may not engage in any retaliation toward students, staff
members or others who participated in this investigation. Any retaliation by you will constitute grounds for disciplinary action.
If you have any questions about or do not fully understand anything in this letter or the standard to which you will be held in
the future you are directed to contact me immediately. If you do not do so, I will assume that you understand what is expected
of you.


Sincerely,



Michelle deKam Palmieri
Principal
Greenleaf Elementary School

xc: Julie Olson, Director of Elementary Education
Tom Pederstuen, Director of Human Resources
Personnel File Jan Zahr