Why I Can't Support UFT Solidarity

I guess the first bad taste I got in my mouth was early this year at a DTOE meeting I had
attended in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx right over the Yonkers line. I had been at the time, on the DTOE steering committee and was truly gung-ho about the future of DTOE and what it could accomplish.

But something that night did not feel right and I don't mean the dude who came dressed as Jean-Luc Picard and smelled like a Klingon.

With what I saw it was more like a revival meeting and seemed to be centered around a "leader" and only that "leader's" agenda. Forgive me if I am wrong, but should not an agenda for such a meeting go through a steering committee? Is not the job of such a committee is to steer?

Too much of the agenda was how to be reactive to the crap we as teachers go through. How to FOIL, how to write a grievance, how to record a principal, stuff like that. There was nothing about how to be proactive. Nothing to do with how to get through being targeted emotionally.

Now mind you I am all for fighting the fight and holding feet to the fire but that is just me. I can't force my beliefs on someone else nor, and much more importantly, not everyone is like me. Not everyone else can or wants to fight back like me. Some just want someone to talk to. Some just want a shoulder to cry on. Some just want support.

Something clicked that night for me. It reminded me of the family that lived across the street from me when I was a kid. They seemed perfect from the outside--like from central casting for a 1950's family TV show--but they were truly dysfunctional. The screaming fights we heard from outside truly made sense when we all found out dad was a raging alcoholic. And things started to make sense that night in the Bronx.

Back in April, DTOE had decided to align itself with New Action in several protests across the city. I was bothered by that. Why, should DTOE be aligned with New Action when NA is not only sleeping with the enemy but making Unity's breakfast as well?

"Oh, it doesn't hurt to work with others. Besides, NA might leave it's alliance with Unity."

Yeah, right. And Donald Trump will become president.

I questioned this publicly in DTOE FB page and elsewhere. Not just the alignment but more important was the subjugation of democracy. The DTOE steering committee was not notified. One person made the decision.

I then inquired as to the by-laws of DTOE. I was told;

"We don't need by-laws."

Really? I was perplexed. What was to be done?

The same thing the leader of any country that is ruled despotically and for the purpose of enriching a leader when factions from it's puppet legislature or cabinet speak up. Call for new elections.

Yes, new elections for the DTOE steering committee were immediately called for without any input from the current steering committee or any by-laws. Care to guess who called for these elections?

I got the hint. But fittingly no one else ran so in a way I think I might be still be on the steering committee.

Remember this? The teacher Carmen Fariña harangued at PS 123 in Harlem during a visit? The "leader" sent this email to the Principal of this school (Just to allay any concerns this was publicly displayed in one of the "leaders" many Facebook pages");

Good evening Principal Hernandez,

     I was reading the below article and couldn't help but wonder who the teacher you had concerns about was. Chancellor Fariña recommended you "observe them many, more times a day."

    I'm curious in not only their identity, but if they are probationary/non tenured or veteran? Even more important to me is what support have they been given in the last year, two years, three years etc.

     I will be making a Freedom of Information Law request today to obtain documentation on the support this teacher was given. Please expect communication from the Records Office soon.  I don't agree with the chancellor's "counseling" methods and intend to follow up on the number of observations this teacher has from now until the end of school in June.

Women, children, and those with weak constitutions please avert your eyes for a second while some choice words are used to express opinion of this email.

WHAT THE F**K?????

What right does the leader have to do this. Yes, we know, you have the right to FOIL anyone, anytime, but do you have the moral and ethical right to file a FOIL request on a teacher who you do not even know, who did not ask you, who does not know you?

How do we know if this teacher is nontenured, on probation and because of this FOIL (Which was also CC'd to Farina and Aimee Horowitz) led to this teacher's discontinuance? Or if this teacher is tenured led to the teacher facing a 3020-a hearing? Or even more harassment?

What right does the "leader" have to play God? Or has the "leader" started thinking of itself as a deity? 

That was it for me. But there is more that one can question the judgement of the "leader."

Why is a clown, borderline disbarred (In my opinion and almost all of Earth's) attorney like Joy Hochstadt given a voice in DTOE? What is her role now with Solidarity?

Why when after all your love-ins with New Action did they repay the love when an UFT Executive Committee voted down the rights of ATR to have their own chapter with only one New Action member voting on the proposal (A retiree) with 2 abstentions and the rest voting no?

Why does the "leader" label himself as a "Union Boss" when the "leader" as yet to achieve such a lofty position? One also can ask where are the photos of the "leader" with the words so big saying, "UNION BOSS" imprinted prominently?

Why at the ICE meeting last week in which the "leader" asked for a joint slate was the "leader" either unable or unwilling to answer this simple question from myself?

"If there were to be a joint slate would you be willing to step down as nominee for UFT president and let a joint committee decide and will let where the chips fall where they may?"

The leader as been unable or unwilling to answer the question.

Why did the "leader" take credit for creating the Facebook group ATR Alliance and why did the "leader" turn a FB group originally used for support into a political tool of the "leader's"? What accomplishments as the ATR Alliance endeavored to?

What truly happened at the lunch meeting with Randi Weingarten? Has she asked the "leader" to form another caucus to split the anti-Mulgrew vote?

As UFT President one should wonder what the "leader" will do to those who dare to those that dare to question or contradict the "leader" president.

And lastly, one can reasonably ask, whether or not the "leader" is in this for the "leader" or for THE CAUSE as the "leader" likes to say. If this is for THE CAUSE than the "leader" should remove the rose colored glasses and look around and do what is right for THE CAUSE.

Why all of the sudden come to ICE for a joint slate? Because Solidarity does not have the numbers to run nor to sign the petitions is what The Crack Team as ascertained. 

 What is one to make of comments such as this from this James Eterno posting?

 "When I'm up at the podium one day, don't worry, no hard feelings, I'll still call on you at the DA"

"You will see me up at podium one day and despite the fact that you've discarded our work together, know that you had a part in that success, whether you like it or not. MORE running a separate campaign would be a extremely irresponsible."

"Because I'm going to be leading something called the "United" Federation of Teachers."

Humility goes a long way. Try it. 

Who is Qualified to be UFT President?

Interesting read today on the ICE blog by James Eterno. James lays the case out very well and makes some very salient points. Most of the comments on the blog supported James as well as some who threw hissy fits.

But James got me thinking. Who else is there--other than any presently declared candidate(s)--that can do the job of UFT president, do it well, do it for the rank and file and not for glory, have the EQ for the job, and truly be able to influence and play nice with those in power?

Actually to tell you the truth I had been asked this last week by a wayward ATR who has been buying packets of Kool-Aid for when the Big Day comes. It was a pleasant enough conversation though the ATR was shocked that on July 1, 2015 (Nine months before the election) there were no other candidates.

So The Crack Team assembled and came up with a list of capable UFT members who can do the job of UFT President better than whom is in office or a candidate for office. Oh, and someone who is not afraid to walk into a school uninvited o stick up for a teacher.

It was a long and arduous 10 minutes for The Crack Team but they decided just in time to be able this afternoon's Judge Faith.

So in no particular order and not saying anyone is better than anyone else here is a list of possible.

Patrick Walsh  Calm and well spoken but won't be afraid to ride his bike up the steps of a school and stick up for a teacher. Besides, old school Irish. We know he will fight the good fight.

Chaz The Blogger Very, very knowledgeable  and knows a lot of people. Speaks to people at the UFT without having to intimidate them.

Norm Scott Uncle Normy. Need anymore be said?

Peter Lamphere NOW, this is someone I know will know will not be one iota hesitant to walk into a school. This is all you need to know about Peter. In my RR this year there was an extreme Right-Wing ideologue who told me that of all the people in the NYCDOE if he was ever in trouble again the one person he would want at his side would be Peter.

Mike Schirtzer Yeah, Mike. I have had differences of opinion but I see things differently. I was so so wrong. 

Julie Cavanagh If you don't know why it is sad.

Arthur Goldstein Very well know. Very well spoken. Many of a lot of respect for him. Has been on the big stage writing guest columns for the Daily News. He is out there. Leads a school of about 2000 teachers. Dislikes Ruben Brosbe.

James Eterno Has run before know how to go about it. Thinks the problems through. Is not rash in decisions.

Camille Eterno I want to apologize for sitting in front of your club sandwich at the diner. I just had a brain fart. But I think you would make a great UFT president.

Mindy Rosier I have never seen someone fight for so many at so many different places. How the heck does she do it? 

Carmine Ragguzi The retired phys ed. teacher from my school. We need a paisan as a union leader.

Captain Jean-Luc Picard No, not really him but the teacher at the last DTOE meeting I had attended that showed up dressed as Picard and had the odor of a Klingon. Hey, this guy can win if he keeps thinking he is Picard.


Fredo Corleone He's smart. He's not dumb like some people say. He just wants something for himself.

Sparkles My cat

My Rubber Room Anyone there would qualify. 

Bruce Springsteen Now there is a true boss. Even though I think he is overrated.

So what we got? 15 names or so? And let's not forget about 79,884 other UFT members out there.

The "Leader" and The Cowgirl

One thing a good leader should always do is not to assume. A good leader will know to ask questions before the leader makes assumptions. Only a "leader" will assume and we all know what happens when one assumes, no?


In yesterday's post we discussed how an unnamed "leader" not only decided to throw my 3020-a proceedings and decision in my face but the unnamed "leader" decided without having read the transcript nor having asked me any questions that the unnamed "leader" knew the entire background of my case.

Today is another lesson on why we ask questions, why we don't make unfounded conclusions, and why when one wants to act as a "leader" one does not do what the unnamed "leader did.

The Cowgirl was mentioned yesterday in how I was thrown under the bus. Yes, of course, this Cowgirl could not have done it without the enabling of DR Alison Coviello; Principal and Ed.D of PS 154 in the Bronx. But as we know no one makes anyone do anything they don't want to do. As the unnamed "leader" know, being a tattle tale on other teachers is gauche.

We here at SBSB wish to share with the unnamed "leader" what type of person The Cowgirl truly is. The Cowgirl created a issue in September 2012 with the then physical education teacher, Carmine Ragguzzi. Carmine was so hurt that he penned an email to DR Alison Coviello; Principal and Ed.D of PS 154 in the Bronx. Carmine has shared the email with The Crack Team which will be shared here on these pages and seen nationally for the first time ever. Names and class numbers have been changed.

The following accurately describes a situation that occurred between Class 222 (The Cowgirl) at the time of their scheduled Physical Education class on September 19, 2012:

Class 222 was scheduled to have Physical Education at 1:50 in the gymnasium. The door to the gym that class 222 usually enters was left open just prior to 1:50 in expectation of their arrival. After opening the door and while waiting for the class, I returned to my office to prepare and "catch up" on a few things.  At 2:05 another staff member telephoned me, and during our brief conversation, I mentioned that I had been waiting for my class to arrive.  After that call(15 Minutes having passed), the class still was not at the gym. Therefore, I started to put away the equipment that was to be used for this class, thinking there was some unknown reason for the class not to show. I then checked the hallway once more, still no class.  I then closed the gym door.  There was no courtesy call to explain the situation. At this point, I went to the library to check the school website.

For this teacher to tell the Principal that the class had been waiting at the gym door at 1:50 was a blatant lie and an attempt to discredit me with absolutely no regard for the picture this painted as far as me adhering to my responsibilities as a teacher.

In addition to the above, there have been numerous instances whereby students from class 222, because of unacceptable prior behavior in their Physical Education class, it was necessary to make use of the "Buddy System" and have them sent to another buddy teacher's classroom in place of their P.E. class.

The Cowgirl was advised of this prior to the P.E. class and sent the students to their P.E. class, ignoring my request.

Carmine

Hmmm. One can see a pattern here with The Cowgirl. One can also see the blatant hypocrisy of The Cowgirl and the cahoots The Cowgirl engaged in with DR Alison Coviello; Principal and Ed.D of PS 154 in the Bronx.

Worse, it makes one wonder of the unnamed "leader" will engage in the type of behavior of The Cowgirl with members and teachers that dare to disappoint the leader. 

I can sleep at night and look in the mirror. I have never thrown something back in a teacher's face and if I have any questions I ask.

3020-a Glass Houses

So what am I to do when someone, someone claims that he is the champion of teachers, the champion of teachers rights, the undisputed person of getting things done, the one who claims he will walk through a wall of fire, throws in my face-- whilst looking down their nose-- one of the charges against me in my 3020-a?

I was told by this person (Who shall remain nameless) the other day;

"Why didn't you tell me of all the charges you had against you?"

To wit I replied,;

"What do you mean?"

I believe this unnamed "leader" was implying that I was not being honest about the charges. Well I was. I said I had 19 and if one asked me, I would share each and every charge. Besides, this unnamed "leader" had been through the 3020-a ringer as well and was fully aware and should have been just as fully empathetic to just not my plight, but the plight of others in the same situation.

When I asked this unnamed "leader" what charge this unnamed "leader" was referring to there was no answer. I told this unnamed "leader" , "Hey you brought it up, I have nothing to hide and I will be truthful."

The reply, as follows;

"You told students that they can do whatever they want?"

Hmmm. Not only was that accusation out of context but this unnamed "leader" had no context either nor did this unnamed "leader" even have all the facts. This is the last time I share my 3020-a decision with someone. The worst part is that this unnamed "leader" used my plight as a sword against me.

Moses would never do something like this.

So here is the facts. Not as I see it, but what actually happened.

It was a Friday afternoon. A 3rd grade teacher, The Cowgirl, had her prep at 1:50 PM. Her class was a rough class for all the clusters in the school. Most didn't behave, most had to be sent to buddy classes for the first 15 minutes of cluster time just so us clusters could get the class settled down. This was true with the Phys Ed teacher, the librarian, and perhaps with the art teacher but she lived so far in the colon of admins she was Teflon. But I digress.

I had already sent her a note asking for about 5 students to be sent to buddy classes as per the guidelines set forth by DR Alison Coviello; Principal and Ed.D of PS 154 in the Bronx. The Cowgirl did not like that I was asking.

I had been teaching a class when at about 1:45 the class had lined up outside my classroom. Now this was strange for the class was not due for another 5 minutes and being that their classroom was only 25 feet from mine why would they need to be there so early?

Maybe if we look at The Cowgirl's direct testimony from my 3020-a;

 And in your statement, you mention
16 that you--the student came with that note at
17 approximately 1:30. What were you doing at that time
18 when the student brought the note?
19 A. Wrapping up the day, getting them
20 packed up, going over their homework.

Getting packed up at 1:30 twenty full minutes before the class was to arrive? Twenty full minutes without instruction? God, imagine if I had let a class go on for 20 minutes without instruction.

Homework should take no longer than 5 minutes and since this was June there were no coats, hats, and gloves to put on so how long can it take to get packed up? Most teachers give homework right after lunch. Or couldn't the homework be on the board and students copy it when they have completed their independent work. Or, why copy the homework when a weekly homework sheet is given out on Monday's?

On cross The Cowgirl was asked; 

Q. Okay. And so, is it fair to say that
10 you have responsibility for the class up until the
11 period that Mr. Zucker's class would have started?
12 A. 'Til 1:50

So if The Cowgirl claims the class is her responsibility why didn't The Cowgirl have the class waiting quietly and standing in line properly for me to, as they say at 154, "Welcome them into the learning environment?"

As soon as the class I had was dismissed and went out to the hallway, contrary to what The Cowgirl testified to, she split. No wonder. It was the end of the day, it was Friday, she needed her prep and I was but a lowly cluster teacher.

Now I was tasked with trying to get the class calm. I tried every trick in the book and nothing worked. Down the hall from me was BFF AP Jessica Cruz handing out cap and gowns to the 5th graders. I though, wrongly of course, that an AP would assist me with this class, and AP would have my back, and AP would settle this class down.

I was wrong.

She came spoke to the class briefly and left. Then it got worse. We were still in the hall when the behavior got worse. There was one female student who insisted that she could stand anywhere in line. I asked her several times to get back to her spot and the verbal abuse I had gotten from her was something I had never gotten from a student.

All this was happening within earshot and eyeshot of BFF AP Jessica Cruz. She did nothing. I asked her several time, by phone to come and assist me and she said she was too busy handing out the caps and gowns.

She finally came back down and instead of admonishing the students, I was admonished and humiliated in front of the students. It was at that point I knew I was being set up, Serpico style. 

She left me with zero credibility.

When I finally got the students in the class and sitting down the same girl was still out of control, doing whatever she wanted to do. She came up to me and asked me what we are going to do. I said, "It doesn't matter what we are going to do, you seem that you will do whatever it is you want."

At this point, she turns to the class and yells that Mr Zucker said we can do whatever we want.

Nothing was further from the truth.

Was I wrong? Yep. Was I sarcastic? Yep. Was I frustrated? Yep. Was I being set up? Yep. Again, was I wrong? Yep. If I was amongst the Chosen People of PS 154 would I have been written up? Nope!

Did the unnamed "leader" ever bother to ask me my side? If asked, I should not have answered, but I did. For this person knew damn well what it was like to have their words and actions twisted. I went through a school year of hell every single day. The unnamed "leader" only had a few months of hell at school.

I had taught for almost 20 years. Never ever did I have a problem with classroom management unto the 2012-13 school year. The students knew that year that they ran the building thank to the lack of management style of DR Alison Coviello; Principal and Ed.D of PS 154 in the Bronx.

How can someone who purports to be Moses and Jimmy Hoffa rolled into one be the first teacher to throw anything in my face whilst this unnamed "leader" know more than anything what it is like to have words and actions twisted and contorted.

Then, worse, has the audacity to call for me to post my decision online while we, the world, are waiting for this unnamed leader's decision? 

Glass houses.

Sparkles for 2016 UFT President

Sadly, I have to disagree with NYC Educator naming his dog, Julio, to run for UFT president. Yes, Julio is neither a sociopath nor a megalomaniac but aren't those qualities we, the 80,000 members of the UFT, truly looking for in a UFT president?

For those looking for a self centered, self absorbed, sociopath, megalomaniac, "me first", candidate for UFT president I want, nay I must, nominate my cat Sparkles as not only the nominee for MORE, but the presumptive UFT president as well come July 1, 2016.

Sparkles only has two interests in this world. Eating and sleeping. Oh and being UFT president. To get anything she will manipulate anyone, anytime, and anyhow.

When she is hungry she will come up and rub her head in in your hand or against your face. Never mind that she does this while you are sleeping but what does she care. She knows that you will melt for at that moment you think that you are the most important person in her life and you have no problem waking up at 5 AM to pop open that can of Friskies for her.

But don't cross her. For if you do not wake up when she wants you too she will jump up on top of your dresser and start knocking things off until you do wake up and just to be sure you are walking to the kitchen to feed her will nip at your feet as you walk.

Sleeping? That's something you better not mess with her. You come home from a hard day's work or it's bedtime and you want to lie down in bed. You set up the pillows, the blanket, maybe a book you lay down and turn around to do something and you know what? When you turn around there she is lying in your spot--already curled up sleeping-- and your only choice is to move her. But what does she do? She saunters back and bogarts that spot again. Remember, it's all about her.

Sparkles also likes to suck you in by turning on her back and exposing her belly to you. She acts all cute and purrs inviting you to come and rub her belly. But noooooooo. What happens as soon as you give her that belly rub? You will grab your hand and start biting it as she kicks your hand with her back feet. She's so sneaky.

I think what we need as a UFT president is a cat that only has their own intentions at heart. Sparkles is just the cat to lead the UFT for years to come.

Remember, when you UFT ballot comes, vote Sparkles for UFT president. She will be running with the rest of the MORE slate.

THIS AD PAID FOR BY FRIENDS OF SPARKLES UFT 2016

Principal of Arts & Media Preparatory Academy in Brooklyn Writes up ATR for Testing Blood Sugar!

Principal Deborah Glauner

Oh, we just can't keep making this sh** up now can we?

Sit down, here comes another round of ridiculousness heaped upon a ATR.

But first, a little background.

There are two types of diabetes. Type I in which your pancreas has shut down and no longer produces insulin. You really have to watch what you eat and you need to either inject yourself with insulin several times a day or have a pump attached to you and inserted in you which pumps insulin as needed throughout the day. The most known reason for someone having Type I is that a virus attacks the pancreas and which in turn shuts down the production of insulin.

Then there is Type II. The body does not produce enough insulin. This is caused by heredity, weight, eating habits, etc... I have Type II and have cut out the carbs, the fried foods, the ice cream, etc.. I take Metformin and Glimepiride and have no plans to ever take insulin.

Both types need to have their blood sugar below 150 after meals and their A1c levels at below 6.5 ideally. Mine is currently 7.1 and it is tough. I also need to get my weight down.

But the worse part is testing the blood. Got to carry that darn test kit around all the time and sometimes you have to test when you really need to. So it really boils my britches when I get a story from an ATR who needs to test her blood and gets written up for it.

As the ATR wrote to The Crack Team;

I went to 10 schools as an ATR this year. Just received an S rating and perfect attendance.

Regardless, my efforts at school #9 the (I.A.)principal Deborah Glauner (2002 Teaching Fellow) of (Arts & Media Preparatory Academy in Brooklyn) is placing a disciplinary letter on my file. Reason? For checking my blood glucose in front of one student. She assigned me 6 periods per day: first 3, last 3. I had to walk a mile from a parking spot and walk/run 4 floors up, no elevator. There was no place to test BG (Blood glucose) before first 3 periods. The class roster had 4 students but only one student was present. But she wrote students (plural) big difference. At the same school a student threw a calculator at me hitting my shoulder. And my iPhone 6 was stolen in the last day.

Can this be true? Let's have a looksee (Click to enlarge).

Have you read it? OK, let's get past all the gobbledegook about who said what and where who was and concentrate on the part about blood borne pathogens. Principal Glauner states that the teacher in question placed students...

"at risk of exposure of bodily fluids." 

Dear God, where have we heard of this before? This ATR has stole Principal Glauner's essence .


Risk? Look at this video (At about 1:38 in) see the blood gushing everywhere? Take a reeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaal close look. It's a pin prick. The strip soaks up 99% of the blood.

In fact one, and I have been guilty of it, one can use the needle for the next test therefore not having to dispose of the needle.

In fact, by checking the NYCDOE Occupational Safety and Health website on blood borne pathogens there is not one single link to anything to do diabetes testing. It all has to do with HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, and basically what to do if someone is hemorrhaging blood.

A member of The Crack Team spoke with someone today at OSAH and asked if checking for diabetes, whether in front of students, adults, or anywhere can be considered a risk. The gentleman, who was quite kind, replied unequivocally, "NO!! Not at that tiny amount." When asked about proper disposal of the testing strip he said, "A testing strip is safe enough to dispose of in the regular trash."

So why then did Principal Glauner (Or if we won't to go with the bodily fluid theme, "Principal Ripper) have to write up this ATR?

Simple. The teacher is an ATR. Principal Glauner is a Interim Acting principal and feels she show she is tough. The ATR knows more than she. The ATR is nicer. There are a littany of reasons.

What would have been the harm in a) giving a counseling memo or just have an informal conversation with the teacher? Or b) Reach out to someone at Tweed and truly find out if the itty bitty bit of blood is dangerous. It is not.

But here is the main problem. Principal Glauner could have taken this moment and turned it into a true teachable moment. Isn't this what education and being an educator is all about?

Sadly, Principal Glauner is too infatuated with her new found power. She does not feel she is capable and must make others feel bad to build herself up in her mind.

ATR HORRORS: Part Deux

More ATR horror stories direct from the files of "YOU CAN'T MAKE THIS SH** UP!"

My advice in dealing with the UFT when you need help and not getting it. Simple. The greasy wheel gets oiled. Be the biggest pain in the ass you can be. Don't just call once. Just keep on calling. And if after a day this doesn't get you what you want go to the next level. Do the "pop-in." Go to your district office and insist on seeing someone and DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER! Or if you have the time go to 52 Broadway and insist that you be taken care of and DO NOT TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER!

If you go to a restaurant and the service is crappy are you going to just say nothing? Will you accept nothing after you speak to the waiter and he/she is not responsive?

But you have to be your own best advocate. Don't rely on others to do the bidding for you. You need to grab the bull by the balls and make your presence known.

If anyone needs any help, advice, to vent, to have a shoulder to cry on, or whatever, email me. Many of you have since I wrote Part 1 on Thursday and still need to get back to more.

Hang in there!

My classroom teaching has been unfairly rated unsatisfactory by a field supervisor named Edele Williams. I seek help from Brooklyn UFT representative Bill Kalogeras, but to no avail. I received a phone call from someone who is supposedly working with Bill and he told me all I can do is write a rebuttal. I was told I cannot grieve. I contacted the UFT chapter leader from the school I was rated in. She was supposed to take a look at my rebuttal report and give me some advice, she never did. I am really being harassed by this field supervisor and feel I have no representation at all.  Help please...

My ATR status is wholly due to the UFT's failure to support my case against improper excessing. At a Step 2 grievance the evidence was all on my side. I brought to the hearing an email from Human Resources stating that I had been hired permanently with "all the rights" of a regular member of the school faculty. The excessing letter was given to me in very apparent retaliation for a report about cheating in the school I made the same day. A month later five other teachers gave statements to investigators that cheating in the school was commonplace and involved the administration. My Step 2 hearing took place three years ago. The union has yet to find the case a slot for arbitration.

I have been observed in areas that are not my license area. I am a music teacher and Field Supervisor Kathlyn Layne feels free to observe me and then rate me as unsatisfactory on lessons that have nothing to do with my subject area. Why are we being subjected to these observations? Even if it were in my license area it is very difficult moving from school to school and being observed teaching students we have do not know or have built rapport with. The UFT keeps saying we are teachers and we should know what to do and be prepared with lessons. I have never been provided with any resources such as paper pens, class lists etc. We go to these new schools and we get no bathroom keys, no access to copy facilities, we don't even know the staff. These tactics being implemented by the DOE are designed to harass arts out of the school system and the UFT stands by and does nothing.

I'm constantly assigned past the 90 minute contractual limit. The UFT's answer is there is no remedy even if you file a grievance. I ask "Why is it in the contract?" They say our way to transfer is the Open Market Transfer. I inform them I have applied to 30-40 jobs and can’t even get an interview. I'm told im being ridiculous because it’s impossible to get a job in Staten Island. How can the UFT tell me it’s impossible? Anyway, I then ask about the jobs I applied for in Brooklyn. I am told I can’t get those because they are too close to the bridge. I then inform them I applied for Manhattan as well. No response. Also, in my rotation, I notice there are many schools that have teachers in my discipline with no experience, even in the decent schools.

I was brought up on charges for leaving the building early. Principal Brigit Bye at Pan-American High School had my ATR supervisor and her supervisor, Mark Ryan, convene a meeting in her office.  It was never proved that I left the building. Ms. Bye does not want any ATRs to go to her professional development meetings on Fridays. I went upstairs to the cafeteria to speak with my friend who works in the building. Long story short, I had the local UFT rep of the school sit in on the meeting while the administrators attacked me. The result was the UFT rep, who I did not know, never said one word or gave me a response before or after the meeting. It was like having no one there to represent me. In the end I received a disciplinary letter to file and was required to punch in and out in violation of the contract.

 

I interviewed with the DOE's Office of Special Investigation regarding my school principal's sexual misconduct in the school towards staff. The findings were unsubstantiated and I was penalized with termination. The UFT did not support me at all. They listened and did lip service. He has destroyed the school to the point of it closing in June 2015. The DOE fired him and then rehired him. who does this kind of behavior? The school presently only has 30 students. The union did not investigate. The union representatives fraternized with the school principal. The union was aware of his harassing me and all they told me was to not do anything so he can attack me. How could I not do anything if they targeted me. My school principal wrongly accused me of verbal abuse and the UFT did nothing to stop him.

I'm being assigned over 2 hours away from where I live. I'm covering classes with no lessons left. I can't get through to people in the union. I need a contact person who understands.

 I used to be informed about UFT matters when I was permanently placed in a school and/or the UFT Chapter Leader. I used to be sent lengthy Chapter Leader Weekly newsletters with an abundant amount of information. When I was chapter leader I would send the newsletter our to my members. Since becoming an ATR in May 2014, I have yet to be sent or see a UFT Chapter Leader weekly and feel disenfranchised by union. We are treated like second class citizens and to expect a chapter leader in a temporary placement to start adding me to their list is not realistic. If I have an issue, I am not sure who to turn to. I need my own chapter leader and delegate that are familiar with the issues I face.

I was temporarily teaching at a school and was summoned to a disciplinary hearing. The school’s UFT Chapter Leader refused to represent me. The Bronx Office and UFT central office did not return any of my calls or emails. I wound up going on my own without any representation. I had no one to turn to and was given a fictitious disciplinary letter. We need our own elected chapter leader.

I was at a school the first week of May 2015 and the UFT Chapter Leader was giving out ballots for elections. He refused to give me a ballot and allow me to vote.   What voice do I have?

One kid told me 'You're just a f'ing sub..you don't have a real job and don't sit in the teacher's chair"

So the first Arbitrator fined me $7500 for 'failing' to meet with a parent and supposedly..'placing a book down 'hard' on a student's desk...The student at first alleged I threw it at him..then changed his story..Never mind the fact it was a computer literacy class and we were using laptops..Like Stymie..said..What books? We 'ain't got no books'...the second Arbitrator said I should get a letter in my file (um, it's already there)..regarding another teacher's allegation that I spoke rudely to him and made him 'uncomfortable' whilst I was assigned to sit in the men's bathroom/lounge at my school all day. It was just he and I in the room.I'm trying to remember if that was before or after he 'peed' and I got to listen to his urination sounds..and of course he's one of the principal's buddies. So throughout the summer pay I will be paying the DOE $833 per check. over $1600 per month..to satisfy their 'fine' by the end of the 2014/2015 school year. Not only am i fined $7500 for virtually nothing..nothing provable..and mostly on the say so of the principal ..(I'm not even going to get into the 'neglect of duty' charges related to ONE lesson review..hey, I thought we got two years to 'improve' under the contract and the binding APPR/3012C agreement...not me..of course there was really nothing wrong with the lesson..identical lesson the year before rated effective)..So I get $7500 deducted from 9 paychecks..which directly coincides with my 'retirement' eligibility date. Age discrimination anyone? In the real world 'debt' collectors have to go to court to garnish your wages..in the real world suitable payment amounts are arrived at between the parties. Of course being fined in such a manner also spells age discrimination. I do believe that my age and retirement eligibility date motivated their calculation methods...as it is not possible under the law to garnish pension wages. So while all my comrades at my former school get to enjoy their raises and look forward to their summer..I at the 'final' summer of my career (technically speaking) am looking at another 5 garnished paychecks..my 'final' paychecks (as it were) after 31 years 3 months and 6 days of service.