My own NYC DOE principal would just as cavalierly fired three teachers this year, I'm sure, if she could have. In fact, she and an AP managed ot create such an intolerable atmosphere for one teacher, who finally resigned over February break.
This principal was another outstanding graduate of the Leadership Academy, a way of putting people with no administrative experience or other qualification into prinicipal positions--rather like charter schools.
As for our union--what union? Granted, what we have is better than nothing, but at my school, not by much. The only thing we get out of the union is the contract, which we have to defend ourselves without real recourse to the District rep, who treats our concerns dismissively.
And meanwhile...the students at this school have received what kind of education? Is this the accountability that Charter Schools are supposed to bring? Is this the quality? And if you read the article, the principal says that the teacher reported the school "early on" and that it all had been remedied. Really? How so? The State substantiated the claims, so is the principal saying it is normal for a charter school to have such serious problems that the state can come in and substantiate claims? What is she saying? Is she saying that she didnt have it together but it was just cause the school was new? I am sure the parents didnt realize that she didnt have it together. The State doesnt come in to investigate little things you know. They dont come in to investigate unless there is a reason. Something is rotten there. I am also sure other charter schools are not appreciating the light that is being shone on them because of her issues.
I would like to commend these three teachers for exposing their experiences at the International Leadership Charter School to the New York Post.
I wonder how many charter teachers' voices were silenced as a result of attacks and threats by the founders/CEO/principals that they will "burn their bridges" or will never work again if they didn't "obey" or became "whistleblowers".
En la union esta la fuerza!
The UFT should give that principal a stipend for demonstrating just how badly charter school teachers need to be unionized.
The state substantiated the claims, the courts said Ms. Ortega was owed the money. Even an ex administrator had stuff to say... hello?
I hope to hear more..
Eddie Calderon-Melendez, the CEO of Williamsburg Charter School is a member of the Board of Trustees of International Leadership Charter School.
In June, 2006, Eddie Calderon-Melendez first fired then slandered a teacher because she dared to raise legitimate questions about wages and hours.
Geez, this happens at every place I've ever worked. Or ever heard of. I need to move to a blue state.
I am simply disgusted every time I hear an anti-union teacher justify their position by saying that they want administrators to be able to fire bad teachers. What these naysayers fail to see is
(1) administrators already can fire bad teachers if they can collect a body of evidence to warrent just cause, and
(2) abuses like you describe -- including using political beliefs as a litmus test for job security -- are a likely secenario when we give administrators carte blanche power and control.
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