Pedro Santana Slithers Into East Ramapo

Back on June 27, 2010 we here at SBSB reported on the greatest principal in the world, Pedro Santana being featured in the New York Times. The Times, and Pedro Santana led the reader to believe what a dedicated, child first, back to his roots principal Pedro Santana truly think he is. Mr Santana was such a hit with his male students that several sixth grade boys were quoted as saying, "they talk about 'guy things,'as one of them put it, 'like wrestling.'" Kind of interesting and troubling sat the same time.

But a funny thing has happened to Pedro Santana on his way back to reconnecting with his roots. He left his roots. Pedro Santana is now, sit down and have a stiff drink, Assistant Superintedent for Secondary Education/Respond to Intervention/RTI for the East Ramapo (Rockland County NY) school distirct. A CREATED position at $145K a year. This when East Ramapo had to lay off teachers. Don't believe it? Let's have a looksee.


Pedro Santana lasted all of four years where is roots are. Letitia Laberee, 54, the school’s coordinator for English as a second language was so close to being right. “I thought, he’s just another one. Three years, he’s gone.”

But what happened at 391? And what does East Ramapo know, or does not know?

Do they know......

Last year, 59 percent of its seventh graders passed the state math test — below the 81 percent who passed citywide, but enough of an improvement to help the school earn an A on its report card." Of course this is without the adjusting of the grades, so it is probably worse than the 50 percent.

"Ninety-five of the school’s 253 eighth graders did not graduate this month (summer school may save many)."

Pedro Santana has three open investigations against him. According to the Times, "In April 2009, he was removed from the school for several weeks, after allegations that he had failed to properly report an off-campus sexual assault involving two students. The investigation remains open, the most serious of three pending complaints against him."

"she said she saw the mother abusing her child and reported it to the authorities. Mr. Santana, citing other witnesses’ accounts and the counselor’s own comments, later called the child welfare agency to say the counselor’s report had been false."

At PS/MS 279 he went behind the principal's back, a principal that was a mentor, a mother to him, and conspired with parents in a letter writing campaign to remove her around 2002.

Yet, when this year's test scores came out the eight graders who were seventh graders last year, only 16.6% of the students passed. This means that Pedro Santana is sending 80.4 % of eighth graders unprepared for high school math!

Sixth graders this past school year, only 19.7% of students passed and 25.9% of seventh graders passed. Why then is Pedro Santana held in such high esteem?

Where oh where is the scrutiny from the East Ramapo school district? What truly happened in NYC Pedro Santana? Did you leave on your own volition, or was it suggested that you just slither away akin to the snake that you are? Is Dr. Ira E. Oustatcher aware of your past idiosyncrasies?

Parents, the community, and The Journal News should be asking these questions.

A Very Special Internet Radiocast

This coming Tuesday night, November 2 will be a heartfelt, emotional Internet radiocast. My guest will be Fidgety Teach. Fidgety Teach has been in reassignment hell for three years because of the vindictiveness, the evilness of social misfit principal Kristine Mustillio of PS 97, District 21 in Brooklyn. I am reprinting the blog post of March 18, 2010 for those who are not familiar which FT's situation.

Remember, November 2, 2010, 9PM
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/bronx-teacher/2010/11/03/the-mind-of-the-bronx-teacher

Call in # is (917) 932-8721

Read on:


A pre-k teacher is in the Rubber Room for two years. Her crime? Her class of 18 pre-Kindergarteners at PS 97, District 21 is in a trailer. She complains to the new Leadership Academy principal, Kristine “Olive Oyl” Mustillo that there is a moldy floor with holes. Seems reasonable. A teacher is thinking of the Children First doctrine created by Joel Klein and so indoctrinated into Leadership Academy drones, yet not adhered to. The class is moved inside the building and set up to resume at two lunch tables in an open area.

Not even a classroom, an area. Where can the children display their work? How safe is it? Are exits secured? Are center areas, which are so important to the pre-K experience, in the “area”? Are bathroom facilities readily available? Does this area have a lot of foot traffic by others?

Just a week later her para is out sick. The new principal, Kristine Mustillo never calls a sub, even though by NYS Education law a para must be in there. The teacher isn’t even informed that the para is out and calls the office.

If you don’t see the making of a set-up you must be blind. Or a principal. Or Joel Klein. Or Whitney Tilson. Or a fucktwit.

The teacher requests a sub several times and is told that the secretary didn’t call a sub because she was “following the direction of the prior principal who had just retired”. The principal insists, “Well I am the principal now and I believe that every Pre K should have a para” As a result, no para was called.

So Kristine Mustillio believes a para must be called, but since she is so incompetent, or desperate to set up the teacher she willfully breaks state education law. The class no better how you slice it is out of compliance with state education law. This is the principal’s responsibility.

The teacher is alone at dismissal. The kids and parents who are mostly Chinese and don’t speak fluent English are still getting used to the new routine. As are the children and we know how difficult change of routine can be on children at that age. That is except Krisitine Mustillo who has never been in education before. A boy in her class follows another boy out the door. The other boy’s mother picks up the boy three days a week and is on the blue emergency card as well. The child naturally gravitates toward this mother who is a family friend. The teacher does not realize the boy is gone until five minutes later when the other boys mother brings him to the office saying that she brought the boy around the building to look for his grandmother. She realized that it was daylight savings time and the grandmother probably wasn’t aware of the change in time.

The principal calls OSI immediately. WTF?? This could not have been handled in house? At worst a counseling memo. Why the need to cal OSI? I know. Mustillo is incompetent and she needs to show she is important. But I think there is more to it than meets the eye. Read on.

In the course of the investigation the parent's of the boy who, for lack of a better word, wandered, insist they are not upset, they love the teacher, and take full responsibility for not having been there for dismissal.

I am a tad confused here. If the parents are not upset, and insist they love the teacher can’t Kristine “Olive Oyl” Mustillo see this or does she have a bigger agenda?

The teacher files a grievance.

Oh no!!

At the hearing the principal admits that she was out of compliance. She says, "I'm new, I didn't know what the rules are."

Ignorance is no excuse. You know Kristine Mustillo a lot of the rules are just plain common sense.

It took two years from the hearing date for the teacher to be denied the grievance.

Denied by the incomparable, and always integrity filled Pedro Crespo.

The teacher, who turns 46 this year has been a teacher for almost 20 and has an impeccable record. Her class had been taken over by a 22 year old first year teacher.

There you have it. There is your answer. A teacher 44 years old making around $85K, and only a mind of her own, but has more knowledge in one eyelash than Kristine “Olive Oyl” Mustillo who has in her own anorexic body.

Why Kristine Mustillo do you feel threatened? Why Kristine “Olive Oyl” Mustillo could you not just let this go with a verbal or written admonishment? Please Kristine Mustillo share your qualifications to be principal. Yes, opposing viewpoints are always welcomed here.

Even more curious is what happened to Kristine Mustillo at her previous school? Seems that she came into a perfectly fine school, as an interim principal because the current principal is on leave. After one month Kristine Mustillo singlehandley ruins the school, and turns all the teachers against her. When the principal returns Kristine Mustillo is promptly shown the door.

Next South Bronx School Internet Radio Cast

On the next "Mind of the Bronx Teacher," leading advocate, the fascinating, Leonie Haimson of classsizematters.org Leonie also has a blog, nycpublicschoolparents.blogspot.com

Show time is Tuesday night, October 26 at 9 PM (EDT). Call in # is

(917) 932-8721

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/bronx-teacher/2010/10/27/the-mind-of-the-bronx-teacher

Ruben Brosbe Shortcomings Are A Shock To Him

There are many Rubens I like and enjoy. I enjoy a hearty Rueben Sandwich sans Russian Dressing. I remember when my father introduced me tho this treat back in 1976 in Philadelphia. The best Rueben I ever had was an open one at the old Marty's Mug and Munch in Ardsley. I always enjoyed the erstwhile Rueben Kincaid, manager of the Partridge Family, and flunky in all of Danny's get rich schemes. And of course the singer/actor Ruben Blades. If you have never seen him on "Disorganized Crime" do so now.

A Ruben I have no use for is New York Post guest columnist, and Gotham Schools contributor (dear God, why?), and blogger Ruben Brosbe. Ruben is one of those nebbishy, I am smarter than thou, Ivy eggheads that thinks he is smarter than everyone else, has an extremely narrow minded view of the world, and just lacks plain common sense. As my grandpa once said, "The smartest people turn out to be the stupidest."

I mean just look at Ruben's Linkedin page. What is his job title? "Dedicated Teacher." Yes, as if he is the only one, and just so above the fray. We are all very impressed with your Ivy resume and Ivy clubs. You are so very special Ruben. I bet John Bender thinks your mommy and daddy are so proud.

So what is it about Ruben? Ruben is up there in the world of Matt Polazzo, Princess Sydney Morris, and Little Evan Stone. Ruben decided that his blog and position with Gotham Schools, which incidentally is nothing more than the clueless rantings of a botard, has given him privilege, and decided to yap for the Post.

So what is it that Ruben has written that got the crack team's knickers all bent out of shape?

Throughout my first year, there was nobody more aware of my shortcomings than I was.

No, more, much more were aware of your shortcomings as well. But welcome to reality. We all have shortcomings. I for one can't hit the curve. My cat chases her tail. Deal with it. We all have it. Stop thinking you are special.

I was. Still, it was difficult to see that first data report with its embarrassing and pejorative label: "below average."

To quote Mr Bill, "OH NO!!!" That must really suck for any Ivy Leaguer to be below average. I would rather have my child be taught by any graduate of SUNY than someone from Penn. Ruben, you just see what you want to see. The mirror always lies.

I knew that my data report would serve as motivation to do better. I would work until I was at the top of "my class."

Wow, but in your blog and other writings, you just don't seem to get it. You just don't get it What it is ... well, you're not really sure. You move like you're walking on thin ice. Talking like you're still insecure

I scored in the 41st and 38th percentile for reading and math, respectively.This time, I was "average," as compared to peers who had taught similar student populations for the same length of time.

Boo-hoo. Gosh, don't you know the tests are all a sham? They are a gimmick. Two entities benefit from tests and none of them are teachers or students. The testing companies, and the administrators to puff out their chests or two lay blame at others for their failings. In fact you wrote in your blog on August 16, 2010;

What do these scores tell me? First I will say that these scores are a much more accurate indication of my students' performance levels than any scores I have seen before. While they are definitely lower than "expected," those expectations were based on previous models of scoring, which as we now all know were deeply flawed.

It was improvement, at least, but I didn't choose to teach in The Bronx in order to be average.

Firstly, on behalf of the Bronx, we thank you for coming and gracing us with your wonderfulness. But, you came to teach in the Bronx because you believed that only a white graduate of Penn would know what is best for the little boys and girls of color.

It's a terrifying prospect, knowing that parents will have the opportunity to see my name and my disappointing data report.

The more I read, the more I see it is all about you. Y-O-U. But again you contradict yourself in your blog post of March 5, 2009;

That said, the whole thing has to be taken with a grain of salt. As much as my job has been overwhelmed by testing, I refuse to judge my performance on test scores alone. However, I will argue that those scores need to be published alongside a thoughtful and careful explanation of their meaning, and that is my reason for preemptively releasing my own data.

You are a teacher and a gentleman. Falling on your sword like that has the entire crack team here reaching for the Kleenex. In fact, wait, just hold on. I feel a tear welling up in my eye. Oh, never mind.

However, I will argue that those scores need to be published alongside a thoughtful and careful explanation of their meaning, and that is my reason for preemptively releasing my own data.

Again, you contradict yourself on September 29, 2009;

about how one major issue with standardized tests is not the tests themselves, but people scoring them without accountability, consistency or any real interest in the outcome. If the scores are simply printed without a thorough and responsible analysis, that will do a disservice to the thousands of teachers who work tirelessly to help their students succeed

Excuse me? There is not thorough responsible analysis. The closest there is to that is some putz closing his eyes and throwing a dart.

While I know it's not easy, and the data is flawed, I have felt these report cards have been a worthwhile tool to judge my performance and push myself harder.

You are just one endless contradiction aren't you? You speak out of both sides of your mouth. You want to have your cake and eat it too. You want to be anything and everything. I just don't get you.

January 20, 2010 you blabbered;

I argued that for all its faults, the NCLB has had an overall positive impact on American education. and Chancellor Klein will pay attention for this part, because it's important. Now for the bad news. And I hope Pres. Obama, Sec. Duncan, Mayor BloombergNCLB hasn't fixed education.

And then nine days later you blibbered;

NCLB has made positive progress by bringing vital attention the ways in which education in this country has failed the most vulnerable children. By creating a policy that singles out English Language Learners, children with special needs and children in high-need communities, NCLB has brought these students out of the shadows, at least in terms of the national conversation.

Geez, make up your mind!!!

Anyway, you know what I see. I see a person, a boy, who for the first time is seeing what he truly is. Just another average schnook. You at one time were the golden boy of your high school, but at Penn you were with other golden boys, and girls and you were knocked down a few notches. Now in the real world you have seen how, and resent teacher's with degrees from CUNY are so much better and successful than you and you just can't handle it.

One more thing. In your Post exclusive one thing I have taken away. You are more worried about you, than you are your students, your school, and your colleagues. I did have a wonderful idea I would photoshop you but your first line gave me a great idea.

New York Post Lies For Joel Klein

It had to happen. Sooner or later the virus that inundated Los Angeles, outing teachers and their test scores was to happen here. And who led the charge? That bastion of journalistic integrity, The New York Post. Yeah, in today's Post, we were told the UFT is attempting to squash a FOIL request, same as was done in Los Angeles, by the post to publish the VAA scores of 6,000 teachers citywide in grades 4-8.

The irony is how cooperative the DOE is being in releasing the scores. Wasn't it just earlier this year that Klein put up a fight of his life to avoid having to share his emails with Evil Moskowitz? Or ask any teacher, or attorney using FOIl for themselves and how much of a fight is put up to cooperate with any FOIL request to the DOE. Funny, the post wants it, the DOE rolls over like a puppy wanting its belly rubbed.

Can it be, or am I just to skeptical to think Chancellor Klein calling up Rupert Murdoch and asking him for the Post to do such a thing? I mean we all know what a donor Murdoch and buddies with Klein. Oh and Wendy Murdoch as well. But guess what? It gets weirder.

The Post also published a secondary story today with the byline of Brian Rafferty, a CEC 24 member and also the executive editor of the Queens Tribune. In this article Rafferty says such things as, "Apparently, the United Federation of Teachers would rather keep us, and thousands of other parents, in the dark as we make this choice." Or, "if my daughter wants to go to one school, and we can tell that its science teachers are subpar, then we have the power to look elsewhere and think of a different location for her."

Fascinating stuff huh? I think so. Heavy, heavy stuff. I was outraged. I wanted to give Brian Rafferty an atomic wedgie! But I got something in my email. Something that was posted on the Post (pardon the pun) website and for some reason removed. It seems Brian Rafferty never wrote what was attributed to him, nor was anything he said in the article said by him.

Read on McDuff:

To The Editor

The characterization of my opinion regarding the UFT and teacher ratings is inaccurate piece of shoddy work by your newspaper. From the lead to the demand at the end that “this information needs to be out there,” the entire piece is flawed.

My wife and I are not looking for a new school for our daughter – she just started a new school this September, and we are very happy with that choice. The statement that “There can only be one reason why the UFT wants to keep these rating secret”… “they’re putting their members’ jobs ahead of children – like they always do,” is not a statement I would ever make not does it define my feelings on the UFT.

I think with that statement, it skews the piece to make it appear that my opinion is that UFT is an organization that does not value the education of our children. I explained to your reporter that my family background in education and my work with the schools, as a newspaper editor and as a member of the Community Education Council give me a fair and skeptical perspective of the UFT, but I would never so crassly define my opinion of the UFT as your newspaper has portrayed it.

Secondly, your reporter portrayed the crux of the story to focus on a decision to withhold the public release of teacher ratings – not a Freedom Of Information request filed by a newspaper. Had I known that this was regarding an apparent vendetta effort spearheaded by the New York Post, I would not have agreed to participate. This piece hurts my credibility now as much as it tarnishes your own.

As a professional journalist for the last 17 years, I am appalled at your newspaper’s decision to put words in somebody’s mouth, slap a byline on a piece and run it as gospel without first verifying the veracity of the statements.

This piece is harmful, inaccurate and used to further an agenda by your newspaper without your company’s portrayal of that agenda being made to me. I feel duped and used.
Shame on you.

Sincerely, Brian M. Rafferty

Executive Editor, Queens Tribune Newspapers
Member, Community Education Council District 24

The New York Post. Buy it. Use it for what it is best for. To line the bird cage.

Next South Bronx School Internet Radio Cast

Tonight's show, Tuesday night, October 19, 2009, 9 PM EDT

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/bronx-teacher/2010/10/20/the-mind-of-the-bronx-teacher

Leading educator Amy Modesto of the Orange County (FL) Schools will be joining us as we discuss riveting and important trends in education. RTI, bi-lingual education, special education, children with special needs, and the education system in Florida. Amy Modesto has been teaching almost 25 years combined in both New York State and Florida. The call in # as always is (917) 932-8721

Thank You Peter Murphy

I really wish to thank Peter Murphy of the NYCSA for appearing last night. He was a good sport about it, and in my opinion did the beast he could probably knowing he was going into enemy territory. But one thing sticks out, the "pat" answer he kept giving.

Several callers called in sharing their unhappiness with the charter schools their children are or were enrolled in. There waas a mother with a special needs child that lost a year academically due to incompetence, a parent that called in complaining that there is no learning, that the school is filthy, a parent that called in to explain how the Ross Charter school is failing. But the answer Peter gave the callers was, "if you don't like the school, you have every right to move them out."

Hey, he is 100% correct. To a point. Yes, if you don't like the school, according to the market philosophy espoused by the charter advocates, you can up and leave. But this can be problematic.

If done in the middle of the year, of course you can enroll your child in the locally zoned school. But what if you don't wish to? I would assume that to enroll your child mid-year in a charter school can be difficult if not impossible.

Also, from the student's viewpoint, this can be a somewhat traumatic experience. Especially if the student has special needs. Change can be tough for kids. Tough when you are changing schools mid-stream.

But why should the parents change schools? Shouldn't the charter schools change to satisfy the parents? The parent, the student are the customers. They are always right.

Parents, even in traditional schools, forge bonds with the teachers, the parents, the students, the entire school community. To say, "just leave," is not what they should have heard, and not the answer.

A school is not a movie you don't like and you can walk out anytime. Being part of a school community is akin to a marriage. You wouldn't tell a husband or a wife they can just up and leave after six months of marriage just because the partner farts in their sleep.

Now, I will admit there is a certain amount if glee hearing these stories, hearing first hand how the shine is coming off the charter school apple. But, what I find so peculiar is the lack of accountability in general about charter schools. It is as if the schools and the people who run them feel they are above the law.