Ben Milam Elementary School

As a former teacher at Ben Milam, I disagree with the previous parent's review. This school does have very dedicated teachers, but to state that the current principal has "not lifted a finger to provide anything extra" is absolutely not true. One should be careful when making assumptions about why teachers make the decision to leave a school. I think much of the teacher's frustration is most likely due to the poor management and corruption of the district as a whole. A principal only has so much control over these issues. Also, I'm not sure that staying at school until 7:00 and working Saturdays is healthy and/or beneficial for teachers, students or principals!

The current principal stepped into a golden opportunity. There has been very little teacher turnover since my children have been at Ben Milam (10 years). Each teacher at this school gives 110%, allowing the principal to leave at 4 while the teachers stay till 7 and work Saturdays. There is much frustration with the principal as shown in (OHI) reports, that can be viewed by the public. These reports indicate that the teachers feel micro-managed and under utilized. Unfortunately, some great teachers have left Ben Milam because of the principal's top-down management style. Any technology, grants, after-school activities, supplies from other schools, money for equipment and supplies are due to the dedicated teachers going the extra mile to provide the students with what they need. The principal has not lifted a finger to provide anything extra for the faculty, staff and students.
--Submitted by a parent

Ben Milam is one of the best schools in the DISD. The Principal and staff are terrific. I love the fact the they even offer a free after school program for parents who are unable to pick up their kids at 3 or 4. If any parent thinks that our kids at Ben Milam are very rough and misbehaved, perhaps maybe they should try another school for their delicate kids. I, personally, have 2 kids who I believe are kind of rough among themselves, but that is just they way they are.
--Submitted by a parent

All my children have attended Ben Milam.. and I love it!! The teachers are all great!
--Submitted by a parent

The Principal, Teachers, and all Staff are GREAT at Ben Milam. I am very satisfied with all the good work they have done in my kids life.
--Submitted by a parent

The Principal and Teachers at Ben Milam Elementary are terrific. However, Parent participation and district funding is low. This is my daughters first year and every morning she is happy to go to school. Thank you to the Principle Ms Galvan and to all the teachers for job well done.
--Submitted by a parent

I think one of the main problems is the district and the funding. I can tell that the teachers and the principal are trying hard, but the resources they have are minimal. I have been disappointed with the amount of yelling going on and I don't know if its the culture or lack of teaching proper principles, but yelling is just a means of dealing with discipline for them. The principal is very nice and accommodating, but I have not been as satisfied with my child's experience as I had hoped because of the environment that she is in every day. The children she is around are very rough and misbehaved and I don't feel that its dealt with properly.
--Submitted by a parent

Ben Milam has come along way. we have been very happy here. We have had a strong consistent prinicpal for two years now and an afterschool program. The school could use more parent involvement but there are a handful of very devoted parents.
--Submitted by a parent

We have been very impressed with Ben Milam. Both of my children have excelled in this small school environment. I would highly recommend this school to anyone wanting a small school experience. Children are people at Ben Milam and not numbers!
--Submitted by a parent

All of my five children have been at Ben Milam. I have only two left at that school now. What I have learned is that most new coming teachers have been the greatest. All of the new teachers fresh out of college have done wonders. Only 3 of the older teachers have done great all along. There is a difference between being strict and being just plain mean. There is a way to be strict in a good manner. If you offend the child and step all over his self esteem, it's no wonder some kids grow up the way they do. When speaking to the principals (we have had a few) al promise to look into the problem to no avail. Not many extracurricular activities are provided either.
--Submitted by a parent