10/01/2026
The following is from a former Governor Mifflin teacher. This testimony really makes you wonder how Lisa Hess hasnโt been fired by the School Board yet. This paints a picture of a toxic administrative culture within the district.
โMicromanaging every facet of the district.
Youโre not going to get current teachers and principals to talk because they will definitely be targeted and punished. No one makes any decisions unless it by Lisa Hessโ directive or Steph which also comes from Lisa. The only administration that will survive her are ones who follow her demands and march in line.
Ask me why I still care about Mifflin happenings? I โgrew upโ teaching at Mifflin. After 19 years I walked away and left everything so had known as an educator. When I told Lisa I was leaving because I was sick of being treated poorly and disrespected, her response to me was-โIโm sorry you feel that way.โ That was it. After all I did for the district as a hardworking, dedicated teacher, mentor for new teachers, various committees I volunteered on, coached, etc.
Guess how many other teachers are just like me? I can name at least 20โฆand theyโre veteran teachers. And to my friends who are still hanging on for dear life, they need you to help them! Set them free from this unhealthy and ineffective administration team.
Your kids deserve better. They deserve teachers and principals who are respected and given the chance to show their crafts. Let the teachers teach and collaborate. Stop dictating how these trained professionals should teach and just let them do it. Let principals discipline students the way they need to be.
P.S. the reason test scores are so low yet so many kids are passing classes and yet not for pssaโs Or keystones is because teachers are not permitted to give zeros for assignments, projects or tests.
50%โฆyou have to enter 50% in the grade book. If a kid doesnโt even turn in an assignment, they might walk out of class and refuse to do itโฆthey still get a 50%
Also, retakesโstudents retake tests and get the better grades. You donโt retake pssaโs and keystones (well if you fail you can take keystones again). This is the math that isnโt adding upโthis is why your test scores/building scores donโt work. Students are never held back even if they fail multiple subjects. They get pushed along because thatโs a bad mark on school not promoting or graduating kids. Special ed scores are always going to bring down testing. You have kids not able to read on grade level yet their pssa is a grade level exam. But teachers are to blame for this?!? How?!
Yet Lisa Hess wants so many teachers through the Total Experience Learning?! How much money did the district pay to send teachers abroad for these past few summers. Telling teachers they will be participating in this training and program. And now some of them have to pay?!
Total experience?? Try putting back the elective classes that youโve cut and removed from secondary!! Many of those classes are the hands on classes that kids loved and learned life skills from. And unfortunately I donโt know what was removed at the elementary level but Iโm sure those kids have different experiences now than they did a decade ago. Class sizes are probably an issue for elementary, we want to cram all the kids we can into a classroom and expect more from those teachers who need the most 1:1 time possible.
To my current teachers at Mifflin, some who have texted me and thanked me for speaking upโฆI am so sorry Mifflin has gotten so out of control. I see you and I know you deserve better. You became teachers to make an impact and help your students grow. Youโre only asking for the chance to do your job and not feel defeated and ineffective. Do not give up on teaching, we need good teachers!!!
I will continue to fight for you since you cannot speak up!!โ
