PARENTS WRITE TO SUPERINTENDENT SUPPORTING TEACHER REMOVED FROM CLASSROOM

A friend sent me a letter parents wrote to the District 10 Superintendent expressing their concerns about second grade teacher Walter Rendon's removal from the classroom to the rubber room.

Here is an excerpt:
The parents of 2-138 at PS 24 are writing to request a meeting with you to discuss our concerns about the handling of the removal of our children’s teacher, Walter Rendon.

On October 7th, Mr. Rendon was abruptly removed from the classroom.  Parents received a call that day from PS 24 administration stating that Mr. Rendon was being removed from the classroom effective immediately by the TPU.  After parents requested a sit-down meeting with Principal Schwartz, we were told that he had no prior knowledge of Mr. Rendon’s removal, that it was not the decision of the school and that he had no control over the matter, and that a permanent teacher for the class would be in place by October 28th.  After further research, we understand that the TPU does not unilaterally reassign a teacher without the express request and participation of the school’s principal.

This decision to remove Mr. Rendon has resulted in the upheaval of our children’s education.  Since Mr. Rendon’s removal, class 2-138 has been without structure and our children are suffering both educationally and emotionally.  

Not caring about the emotional or educational well being of children is unfortunately a common occurrence at the NYC Department of Education. Not telling parents accurate information about the principal being involved in the decision to remove a teacher is also not unusual. Passing the buck is something certain administrators are very adept at.

Further down in the letter:
Promises were made and then laid by the wayside by our administration.  And the clear and open communication that we had once received from Mr. Rendon on what was happening in the classroom has stopped.  There has been absolutely no communication  regarding testing dates, vocabulary words or the posting of homework.

Conversely, in the month that our children had Mr. Rendon as their teacher, we had happy and engaged learners.  The parents found him to be exceptional.  He was by no means ill prepared or sub par. He was attentive and had created a superior environment of learning and trust.   He understood our children well and had been responsive to their educational and emotional needs.  In the month that he taught our children, he gained their trust and in return they strived to achieve.  As parents who have been at the school for a number of years, we know that Mr. Rendon has an outstanding professional record, teaching 3rd grade G&T and science curriculum to over 800 students.  He was also given the task of administering and grading the ELA and math state exams.  One would think that such assignments are only given to someone who is fully capable of achieving results and working with integrity.

The conclusion:

Since the removal of our teacher, the children have paid a dear price educationally and personally.  Our children deserve a quality education in a stable environment.   This unfortunate event, and ensuing confusion, has been an utter debacle.

Ms. Hulla - we implore you to look deeply into this matter and decide if our kids well-being was worth this removal.  We would also like to sit down with you, and any member of the DOE who has been copied on  the cc list below to be able to express our concerns in person.  As parents of these children, we think we more than deserve that courtesy. 

Respectfully,

Parents of 2-138

It is great to see parents supporting a teacher. My understanding is this is not the first teacher removed from the school by this principal. I wish we had a union that defended teachers with the same passion as these parents show.