It comes down to this… salary matters. Experience not so much. Or at least the DOE’s budgeting system discourages the hiring of higher salaried and more experienced staff. Continue reading
In the education activist arena there are personality conflicts and, unfortunately, there is greed. Enter Elizabeth “Betsy Combier” Kapel stage left. Your misfortune yesterday, is her profit today. Continue reading
The DOE has three months to put a letter to file after an alleged incident. What happens if that time runs out and they still write up a letter? Continue reading
There are many common themes and tools used when an educator is targeted. This post specifically looks to help derail and stop the subjective observation freight train. Continue reading
In case you haven’t heard by now, my federal lawsuit did not end the way we wanted it to. By “we” I do not mean just me, my lawyers and family, but rather “we” as also a countless group of educators, across the country, who needed a win against corruption and harassment in our public schools. Continue reading
The Executive Board by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of its members present shall have the power to expel, or to suspend for a term not exceeding one year, Continue reading
Workplace Bullying Awareness week ends tomorrow, but workplace bullying continues and escalates in the New York City Department of Education. I know I don’t write on this blog as often as I used to. There are many reasons for that. Aside from trying to be a better husband and father,… Continue reading
NYC Educators, There is a group of educators in NYC like no other.It advocates for UFT members better than the UFT itself.It educates members and arms them with tools as well as stands with those under attack from the school administration, to the DOE headquarters to Albany. The list of… Continue reading
Principal orders classroom locks of whistleblower to be changed during state test. Continue reading
It’s hard to believe that a year ago today I was in a jail cell when when DOE Chief Information Officer (CIO) Hal Friedlander made an allegation when no crime was committed. Meanwhile Principal Linda Hill admitted to stealing for years and over two dozen DOE employees, two chancellor’s and two mayors helped cover it up…no arrests, no fines…not even a disciplinary letter. Continue reading
With a budget of over $25 billion, an employee roster of over 136,000 and over 1,400 buildings to manage, there is plenty of room for theft and corruption at the New York City Department of Education. Continue reading
I’m just past the three-year mark from when my fight began. By “fight” I mean I raised real concerns about public education, the Department of Education came after my career, in an attempt to cover up their misconduct, and… I “fought” back. I must have hit some of these DOE employees back prettyhard, because they suddenly forgoteverything! Continue reading
One of thereasons this blog even exists is because of the concerns I raised at the IS 49 School Leadership Team (SLT) meetings. Yesterday, January 7, 2014 NYC Public Advocate Letitia James and Class Size Matters filed papers to intervene in a lawsuit Thomas v City of NY. Michael… Continue reading
I reached out to New Action caucus to try for a bipartisan push against the DOE and UFT and possibly help these over 800 terminated teachers. The reaction from some MORE members was ridiculous. “No New Action!” Continue reading
A section of my blog I have not touched in over 2.5 years. The “Thank You” emails I received before I raised concerns and became a “bad teacher.” Continue reading
The Online Occurrence Reporting System (OORS) is what is used to keep track of all incidents that occur in or around a NYC DOE school. At one point, the school I tried to improve had 1,283 incidents in 180 days. That is an average of 7.12 incidents a day or roughly an incident a period. Continue reading
The fight for a proper public education in this country is multifaceted. If you want to get involved, you have to pick a front and get ready for battle. Myissueis that I get involved on many fronts, shooting arrows acrossthespectrum hoping to make a positive difference somewhere.Why are we even… Continue reading
Again, I spoke up on issues of PUBLIC CONCERN and had I not been tenured, I would have been fired. Continue reading
I want to say that I write this with overwhelming glee. I want to say that I write this while in a state of euphoria and with a Kool-Aid smile, but unfortunately I cannot. Continue reading
I wish I was making this up. More lemons….more lemonade. I was called to the DOE’s Office of Special Investigation (OSI). I was called in as a witness to something. When I returned to my reassignment location, I was handed an envelope by my supervisor. “A man came looking for… Continue reading
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