Sunday, June 06, 2021

BRYANT HIGH SCHOOL CHAPTER LEADER'S OPEN LETTER TO DOE CONCERNING PRINCIPAL DWARKA

Guest blogger Georgia Lignou is a veteran teacher of social studies who has just been re-elected as UFT Chapter Leader at Bryant High School in Queens.


Is the managerial and pedagogical approach of Bryant HS endorsed by the DOE?

This is an open letter to the DOE, a challenge, and an invitation to a discussion on management and pedagogy long overdue and necessary before we return to the buildings in September.

The question is about William Cullen Bryant High School. A school located in a beautiful neighborhood, in a well-maintained building, and a population of students who for the most part are a pleasure to work with. This is the place that one would expect teachers to want to stay and build a career. Yet for the last ten years the school has been losing about 20 to 30 teachers a year and at times more. A few teachers have resigned, and some lost their licenses ending their careers when they had barely begun. In addition to that, about 15 Assistant Principals have been pushed out, left, or got demoted. In the meantime, even though there was some academic improvement, the school is still struggling to get off the State’s Need of Improvement TSI list.

You would expect that somebody in the DOE would have noticed the trend and would have investigated what makes this school such a hostile work environment that so many teachers choose to leave.

Not only the DOE did not notice the red flags, but even when it was called to question by the UFT numerous times during these years, they refused to address the issue.

The school is supervised by Principal Namita Dwarka. She was a student and a teacher at Bryant before she left to take supervising positions in three high schools, Townsend Harris, John Bowne and Art and Design. Speaking to people from all three schools, they said that she had to leave because she was not a good fit. When she first came to Bryant, we welcomed her as somebody returning home. Soon we realized that she was not a good fit for Bryant either, but soon it was Bryant that changed to fit her. Yes, it was the principal’s vision that it turned into a nightmare for so many. It is a vision that created a well-oiled, top-down totalitarian machine that has managed to cover a lot of abuse for the last ten years.

The word that most teachers in Bryant would use to describe the work environment is fearful. Fear characterizes the culture of the school followed by intimidation, retaliation, and lack of trust, and there is evidence on how and why these feelings were cultivated. Letters in the file for nonsensical and unfounded reasons. Teachers called into the principal’s office just to be told that Bryant is not a fit place for them. People questioned for things they said in Union Meetings. The Consultation Committee being disrespected and never taken seriously. Misunderstood expectations of loyalty. Pressure on teachers to promote students. Fear that changes suggestions to mandates in violation of our Collective Bargaining Agreement. And more, every person and a story. In a recent poll taken in the school that a majority of the staff participated in, 99% said that it is indeed an abusive work environment and from the people who participated only one said that it is not. In the DOE’s School Environment Survey, the principal approval rating is among the lowest in the City and has been for the last ten years.

Teacher evaluations are punitive and used as a form of control. And that is the second red flag that the DOE refuses to acknowledge. Highly Effective in Bryant is a very rare sighting. Teachers receive disproportionately higher percentages of Developing and Ineffective in many of the Danielson components compared to other schools. About one-third of the teachers receive an overall Developing rating for the year on the school measure MOTP. Ratings improve because of the MOSL of student test scores, a proof that the school has hardworking and effective teachers. The reasons on the rating reports deeming the lessons Developing reflect a very narrow definition of the Danielson Rubric and attention to tedious details and technicalities of lessons that take hours to plan and have very little if any real effect on education. The art of teaching is approached as a craft, but even at that the expectations are very narrow, and lessons are found ineffective just because they are different.

One could argue that the effective MOSL results are proof that the principal’s instructional and lesson format expectations are indeed effective. However, this would be a conclusion based on incomplete evidence. The school provides countless hours of tutoring after school, during breaks, and on the weekends including Sundays. Many teachers are still taking a career risk and prioritize their instruction differently. A simple search on the State’s and the City’s data sites will reveal that the school’s Regents results overall, are still lower than other High Schools in Queens and they have been for many years. Finally, teachers have indicated time and time again that they feel confident more discretion in how they teach will produce better results. That will explain why so many talented teachers who were lost to Bryant went on to have thriving careers in other schools, some of them paradoxically in administration.

Rating reports are used as a management tool but at a closer look, they also tell a story about pedagogy. It is a story of little professional discretion. It is a story of lessons with little teacher involvement, dominated by group work, traffic lights, regroupings, protocols, sentence starters, rubrics, self-assessments, discovery learning, and student-to-student discussion. All these are unquestionably good strategies when used properly. However, when they must be observed during the random fifteen minutes of an unannounced visit, they become the lesson, in every class, in every subject, every day. It is a story about scared teachers who, in their effort to hit the Danielson Rubric look-fors, teach dull and unnatural lessons, void of spontaneity, inspiration and creativity, leaving behind confused students with very little understanding of content knowledge. It is a story of clumsy experiments of unproven instructional strategies on the back of students.

This year was no exception. While teachers are trying to conclude a very dramatic and traumatic year and best help the students complete their courses, they were assaulted by Developing and Ineffective ratings. So, in June of the year of the Pandemic teachers are being formally observed in classes with four and five students wearing masks and seating six feet apart and are downrated for lack of student-to-student discussion. Furthermore, as many of our colleagues are already in the Open Market applying for jobs elsewhere, we wonder what pedagogical or administrative sense these observation reports serve.

So, this is a story about management and pedagogy and looking at the turnover numbers and the teacher rating statistics, two numbers that are not only interrelated but are also indicative of the work environment, we cannot help but wonder, is this a case of lack of supervision or is this style of management endorsed by the DOE?

We call on the DOE to sit with us to review and discuss our data because if this is not resolved, coming September Bryant HS will not be the friendly and healthy environment students deserve and need.

Georgia Lignou

UFT Chapter Leader, Bryant HS                                                             


159 comments:

Anonymous said...

Don't worry, I'm sure the uft will be on it any moment now. Didn't your wife have an issue with Kayode? What was done to him?

Anonymous said...

When you hear about people like dwarka, you learn to appreciate fair principals. That’s why I will pass kids when my principal asks me to do so. I know there are dictators out there like dwarka.

Anonymous said...

Respect Georgia, Respect. Good work.

Anonymous said...

New Chancellor. This is worth a try.

Anonymous said...

She needs to be removed and fired. However at worst for her she will end up with a desk job at tweed making even more money, along side Kwuatt and Sherman. But at least she will not be causing harm to students and teachers. Remove her ASAP. Unless the principal is found guilty of charges and the DOE has to pay out, it takes a massive effort to remove even the most blatantly horrible of principals. Parents, students, local politicians, and media will need to be involved. It shouldn’t take all that, but unfortunately it does.

Anonymous said...

The sad part is this has been going on for over a decade now. I've heard multiple stories about her from teachers that worked there and left because of her. I heard that she made all the troublesome kids take class in the red trailers during their Quarterly Review. There was also an article several years ago about a student who begged the teacher to fail her because she felt she wasn't ready to graduate high school. The teacher said she had to pass her because the principal made her pass her. It's a sad day in education when the kids are actually asking kids to fail them. I can't see why the doe turns a blind eye to this. They got rid of a lot of the bad apples over the years including Chin, Kwait, Minerva, and Jahooda just to name a few. Why does she have immunity?

waitingforsupport said...

Hooray Georgia. If i may offer a suggestion that you send it to all of the mayoral candidates and maybe the GC can share it with a few outspoken parents. In my opinion the DOE already knows all of this and has left her in place for a reason. Good for you for speaking out. Your integrity is to be commended. One cannot be robotic and just "do as told". I wish you and your colleagues the best. Your actions will help all educators in the future. You will come out on top. Stay strong and know that the students in your school are better off with you!

Anonymous said...

Nicely and very directly stated. Good job Georgia

Anonymous said...

What is the uft response?

Unknown said...

I very much miss my Bryant family. We were scattered due to Dwarka's inept administration and I still feel terribly for educators left in that unhealthy environment. Thanks for staying strong and writing yet another attempt to right this vicious wrong.

Anonymous said...

My blood boils as I read this letter. This was a school with wonderful staff members prior to the appointment of this gutter rat posing as a "principal". The DOE or UFT will change nothing. The DOE is actively telling Superintendents and Principals to harass teachers to produce more resignations, retirements, and terminations. This way no one gets to climb up the pay scale. New staff are also easier to bully.The UFT Leadership doesn't care because they keep getting their dues regardless of what happens.

waitingforsupport said...

@6:44 pm. Precisely. This is a wonderful and amazing start. However the fox(doe) is the one who placed the other fox (Dwarka) in position. Next step: Ben Chapman. NY news 1 errol louis, all mayoral candidates and slip it to the PTA president. Everyone should be put on notice. This will also help with any lawsuits students and staff may file. She may not go tomorrow but the DOE will move her arce out. Hats off to you folks.

MH said...

Well done, Georgia!

Unknown said...

Interesting what 8:24 said. I wonder if this is the ulterior motive behind appointed ATRs to their schools so they can get evaluated on Danielson instead of just S or U. I hope I'm wrong.

Anonymous said...

Protecting corruption and harassment is not doing anybody a favor.

Anonymous said...

She has brought the school to the ground from a 46 average test score to barely a 22, and has given a lot of credit like a candy store

Anonymous said...

They are useless, like the investigators that the DOE sent just a pony show.

Anonymous said...

611 pressure on teachers to promote students is one of the issues addressed in the letter. maybe you missed that.

Anonymous said...

I know that Bitch Dwarka, and I know many teachers that worked under her terror...she humiliates, degrades teachers, and has students lie on
statements to get rid of tenured teachers... KARMA will get her cause this damm UNION protects evil principals like her... any child that attends Bryant High School especially the students with special needs have NO chance in receiving a good education! SHE NEEDS TO GO!! her mission is to dehumanize teachers and make sure all passing grades/scores look good on paper while student are failing!

Anonymous said...

The level of corruption and ineptitude is rewarded.

Anonymous said...

A decade of failing our students. As longest she is there there is no question about it a downward spiral.

Anonymous said...

A complete thyrant, and a loser.

Anonymous said...

She used to change grades it was in the paper but investigators never found anything.

Anonymous said...

Sad you say that about your union. What does James say?

Unknown said...

Please keep the comments professional. This is serious.

Unknown said...

Please no name calling. We want to keep this professional.

Unknown said...

They are on our side.

Unknown said...

No name calling. This is serious and it is important to stay professional.

Anonymous said...

Didn't Di Blasio once call her the best principal in the city at a meeting once? Who the hell is she banging?

Anonymous said...

UFT asleep at the wheel. Just keep paying those exorbitant union dues. Cops and Firefighters with much higher salaries pay substantially less in union dues.

Anonymous said...

When you have such a dishonest, and corrupt administration in charge the students are the first ones to suffer.

Anonymous said...

938,

In my opinion, you don’t understand how the doe operates. Who cares about passing kids who don’t deserve to pass if the principal doesn’t break your chops? The name of the game is having a principal who has your back and does not make your life miserable. I’m in a place in the doe where I feel like I have it good. Will I pass kids who do little work and can barely read? You’re damn right I will! Why? Because my principal is fair and leaves me alone. My evaluations are good and I can go home at the end of the day with no stress.

Please join reality and realize that a principal like dwarka can make your life in the doe hell. A fair principal can make your life manageable.

This is not teaching. It’s survival and move on at the end of the day and keep benefits and retire.

I try to do a good job, but I really do not care if any of the students I teach actually learn anything.

To all the bleeding hearts out there who feel differently, that is your choice. I choose to live in reality.

Anonymous said...

Meisha, like Richard and every other pos chancellor wants principals like this in place. It’s whack a mole. On the off chance this pos is given a cushy desk job another pos will be put in. The schools are exactly what the nyc political machine wants them to be...a shit show with a lot of mean girls in charge. Play their dumb game better than they do and stop giving a shit. That’s the true key to surviving the doe. Or fight them. Your choice.

JA said...

We have been reading about Dwarka for years. She is just ridiculous. Not only is she responsible for the ridiculous state of Bryant, but so is everyone above her. If any of them really cared about education, they would have sent Dwarka packing a long time ago.

I believe that the majority of administrators in the DOE are ill-suited for their positions. Most administrators, from assistant principals up to the chancellor, are incompetent, immoral, intellectually inept, inexperienced educators, and just plain ridiculous.

There would have to be a blog dedicated solely to "corrupt and stupid" administrators if teachers reported and exposed all the baffling, immoral, illegal, vindictive, wasteful, idiotic, harmful, etc. things that administrators do on a daily basis.

Nobody outside of the field of education can believe the accounts of what goes on in my school on a daily basis. I used to journal about all the ridiculousness but it has become commonplace now and I got tired of writing.

Anonymous said...

On this blog, I’ve read about the abuses of this principal currently at Bryant HS (alma mater of Joel Klein). There was also this principal at Lafayette HS (about 13 years ago) —who was extremely unpopular with just about the entire staff. Is this the same woman. Is this the same person?

Anonymous said...

The real question is that nobody knows why she is still there. We all agree that the school is a disaster, and the school got much worse since 2010. She has also ruined the reputation of the school for the neighborhood.

Anonymous said...

Karma gets everybody but the problem is that many people had to suffer at the hands of an ineffective person.

Anonymous said...

One of these days we will know why the UFT turns a blind eye on corruption, harassment, and wrongdoing. Shameful UFT!

Anonymous said...

Who is the current CSA representative? With over 15 Assistant principals who have left under Dwarka they really need to question what the hell is going on at Bryant.

Where is the CSA on this with such high turnover at Bryant????

Anonymous said...

What has the uft done? Not "they are on our side."

Anonymous said...

Next up should be ann Marie Henry Stephens from the Brooklyn Institute of liberal arts. She treats us like slaves. Huge teacher turnover in my school every year.

David Suker said...

Is Georgia in the Unity Caucus or independent? Just wondering.

Anonymous said...

Questions for Superintendents:

1-Why does Bryant high school have the lowest teacher evaluation ratings in all of the high schools you supervise?

2-What professional development have you provided Principal Dwarka to improve her teacher evaluations?

3-As Superintendent, how do YOU account for the lowest ratings year after year after year when Bryant has the HIGHEST teacher turnover in all of the high schools you Supervise?


Queens North Executive Superintendent-Mabel Muniz-Sarduy
email: MSarduy@schools.nyc.gov phone: 718-391-8155

District 30 high School Superintendent Elaine Lindsey email:
Elindse@schools.nyc.gov
phone: 718-281-3517

David Suker said...

Is Georgia in the Unity Caucus or independent? Just wondering.

Anonymous said...

There was a big story about this principal on TV. A physical ed teacher butted heads with this principal regarding materials for the gym such as equipment and the such. Crime stoppers actually did a story on this principal https://truecrimedaily.com/2015/11/02/meet-the-high-school-coach-turned-workplace-bully-whistleblower/

Anonymous said...

Complaints to the EEOC or NYSDHR did not do anything these agencies are useless.

Anonymous said...

I've noticed that most of the tyrant principals are at struggling high schools. They direct their cabinet to low ball observations. That way if the kids are failing, they can put the blame on the teachers. If the students are failing and 90 percent of your staff is effective, it makes it look like it's the principal's fault.

Anonymous said...

She should have been removed after appearing on Crime Watch.

Anonymous said...

Don't be stupid. The uft told me a million times they were on my side but they still couldn't help me even though I was right.

Anon said...

No. Lafayette was Jolanta Roloff. Another DOE winner.

Anonymous said...

I do no see any proof of it the harassment, discrination, and corruption has been going on for 10 years.

Anonymous said...

The UFT is wing of the democrat party that controls nyc, If you still don’t see that the UFT will sell you out every time a democrat asks them to, you’re not paying attention.

Unknown said...

The UFT is supporting us.

Juan Subirana said...

Very well said Georgia. I was one of those APs who was forced out but was glad to be out of there under the circumstances. She would have ruined my career since I refused to bow to her.

waitingforsupport said...

@941am...true but a paper trail of who knew what and when and what they did or didn't do will only help Georgia. Also it's important to state how the principal's behavior is a detriment to the students' academic development. We're all mandated reporters-- along with the DOE. The more people who are directly contacted, the better for Georgia. Good luck. Stay strong. Keep the faith. You will be victorious.

Anonymous said...

The UFT Unity is totally corrupt not to stand against an abusive Principal.

waitingforsupport said...

She's giving them what they want. It could be to get rid of vets. Improve grad rate. She has something on the DOE. Whatever it is: if you can show how her actions are harming students, the DOE will act.

Anonymous said...

What happened to the missing money, nothing just more corruption.

Anonymous said...

Dwarka hated intelligent veteran teachers who did not bow to her but were giving her good results like the chemistry teacher that was ousted out. A waste of talent, and money just to bring the school to the ground.

Anonymous said...

The last 2 Chancellors praised her for bringing the school to the ground, and for creating a toxic environment.

Terry said...

David Suker asks an interesting question: Georgia, are you a Unity CL?
I think this matters. Unity people in High Schools in Queens are, as Georgia says, supported by the UFT. But the support, while it may help a bit, does little to make changes that obviously need to be made.

How is it that the UFT provides support but people don't stay in the school?

How is it that the UFT provides support but the madness, the absolute madness continues for a decade or more?

This is going on a lot of schools, where the UFT provides support but very little changes. What is the support, exactly?
Is the UFT supporting people by showing them how to use the transfer market?
Is the UFT supporting people by coming to schools and talking and handing out tissues and red shirts?
What is the support worth if, after a decade of abuse, it can't support the abused teachers enough o halt the abuse?
The UFT support is a call to support members, to have a strong chapter, to use the open market if you are miserable, to repeat the old "you won't lose your job" and so on.
Is this the kind of support you guys get at this school that everyone who know anything knows is a sad place, where nice kids in good people are sad and unhappy because the leadership need to go?

Anonymous said...

I have been teaching at Bryant for 5 years. Of course, I was scooped up right after college and the brainwashing began. The way teachers are treated ranges from immoral to illegal. Teachers strive to do everything that they are instructed to do (even if it does not benefit the students). Yet in many cases it is still not enough. The principal does keep a sizable inner circle happy in order to carry out her dirty work. Dwarka can dish out ineffective ratings without warning or justification. That is how her tyrant rule is conducted, without justification. Maybe I am just too new to the system to understand the motive behind ruining good human beings’ careers for no reason. The integrity of education and the success of students is the furthest thing from the agenda at Bryant High School. I pray not all DOE schools are like this.

waitingforsupport said...

I hear you @10:06am that's why you have to expose everyone a the same time like a gender reveal ceremony where the reveal is a color explosion. I guess that's why we need a real union, with real leaders

Unknown said...

Juan this is ten years later. I think it is time.

Anonymous said...

The uft is supporting nobody. Don't be a fool, unless you are a unity hack.

Anonymous said...

Georgia is not Unity.

David Suker said...

Thanks.

Anonymous said...

I remember when Bryant was on the PLA list 9 years ago or so because its graduation rate was like 57 percent. The next year it magically rose to 75% so the school came off the list. NO way does a school's graduation rate go up 18 percentage points in a year, but like someone said before she gave the city what they wanted. It didn't matter how she got there.

Anonymous said...

Nice work, be proud.

https://theintercept.com/2021/06/07/medicare-new-york-public-sector-unions/?fbclid=IwAR11f-JJN9qPkxuOCk40VgHnVduRNeXO-ju5aNa09L1S-G-eoEoLHzGeuu4

waitingforsupport said...

Bingo Terry. Sometimes the UFT (Useless For Teachers)leaders come in, talk with the wounded staff, chat with the admin and then leave with the parting words "we are with you. We will file a grievance. Apply on open market. Blah blah blah. They need to be voted out.

waitingforsupport said...

At 12:25 pm. They are not all like Bryant. However once a staff buckle under the pressure (which is understandable) and start to turn on one another--the monster admin power takes over. There are still some kind fair level headed admin in the doe. It's like finding a needle in a haystack.

Anonymous said...

I was there when the community and parents tried to get the DOE to remove her. The UFT rep & the DOE rep were standing side by side discussing what was going on & having a good laugh. The DOE rep even asked the UFT rep, "what do you think of all this?" and more laughter followed.

If the DOE was going to do anything about this situation, the former chancellor would not have called her the "best principal in the city" & the UFT response would not have been the lackluster effort it made to help the chapter at the time.

By the way, the CSA (the administrators union) didn't help much by trying to avoid the issue by saying, "we can represent two union members against each other".

Why the assistant principals continue to put up with that is another story.

Unknown said...

I am a unionists. This is something to unite us. There is a strong message to be delivered to the DOE. Schools that have abusive principals cannot be safe places for students in September.

Anonymous said...

Very true, Georgia. Kids need a supportive environment when they come back in the fall.

Anonymous said...

Thinking about that time
@NYGovCuomo
made New York teachers work during their spring break in 2020 and we were never compensated for it.

Im wondering if that was the only time in the history of labor unions that a union allowed anything like that.

Anonymous said...

I am finishing up my 5th year teaching. I spent my first 2 years at Bryant. My first AP relentlessly supported me, and I believe, protected me. I worked day and night to achieve the vision of the school, while also trying to support my students. These two efforts were not always harmonious, but there was always tremendous pressure to take on the pedagogical methods that were heavily "encouraged." I lost ten pounds I couldn't afford to lose trying to keep up. My second year, my protector left, and I was given ineffective and developing ratings, despite data-driven rebuttals in observation debriefs. I felt pretty destroyed after year 2, but loved my kids and remained dedicated to the profession, and was determined to save myself and leave. I am now trusted to run my classroom and my practice is respected. I receive effective and highly effective ratings, and can truly support my special education students with the freedom I am granted. I do not understand the punitive and dehumanizing culture that is enforced at Bryant. There was, and still is a lot of talent there. Teachers there truly cared about their kids and some even became discontinued due to the actions of the principal and other APs. We need leadership by way of empathy, encouragement, and guidance, not by negative reinforcement. I hope the UFT supports Georgia's call to action. She has been a light in a dark place for many years.

David Suker said...

Why isn’t this message being delivered by the UFT leadership, and why wasn’t it done a half dozen years ago or more?

Anonymous said...

Hope it works out for Georgia but any union that allowed this principal and many others to torment members for years should be ashamed. But they’re not. When the UFT looks at teachers all they see is dollar signs.

Terry, EXCELLENT point @12:13

Anonymous said...

Can anyone post the number of lawsuits and "settlement" money the DOE has already spent on those teachers her took her to court for unfair labor practices and discrimination?

It would help shine light for the superintendent and new chancellor to see.

How many lawsuits? How much money spent so far on Dwarka?

Anonymous said...

When I started out in the South Bronx in the late 90's a veteran teacher came up to me and said, "You will have to deal with lots of crazy kids. However, if you ever have to deal with a crazy principal, TRANSFER AS SOON AS YOU CAN!"

Anonymous said...

Didn't you hear, Georgia said the uft is with her...Whatever that means. The uft and $2.75 will get you on the train.

Anonymous said...

It took 4 sexual harassment lawsuits and a quarter million dollars in lawsuit payments to have Howard Kwait removed from John Bowne.

Anonymous said...

This letter is important, and I personally know two people who suffered terribly as a result of working at Bryant. It is also full of grammatical errors and poorly constructed sentences that interfere with its message. Please do not send this to any mayoral candidate or the DOE without getting someone to proofread and edit it for you. This kind of sloppy writing does not reflect well on our profession.

Anonymous said...

Georgia, how many teachers from Bryant have met in person with Queens officials and politicians to report serious misconduct? Issuing false observation reports to teachers and lying at hearings is a misdemeanor, at the very least. What have those wonderful people with offices in Forest Hills Tower been telling you?

Read Section 1116(b) of the New York City Charter.

https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCcharter/0-0-0-3212

Anonymous said...

I work at Bryant and all of the statements from Georgia are valid.. It saddens me to have watched so many good colleagues and friends walk away to other places throughout the years, some with lingering PTSD-like symptoms from their treatment and experience with Dwarka. Others now sigh with relief at their new schools. Every September, I wonder who else has left. No one should walk the hallways or teach in trepidation at a toxic work environment. It is the feeling I sense permeating throughout the building, causing people to ultimately leave Bryant if they can. I hope the DOE can see through the facade of inflated data and take action against Dwarka’s abuse of power.

Unknown said...

I am not an English teacher and your comment about proofreading is well taken, but can you please point to a grammatical mistake so I know what you are talking about?

Anonymous said...

Would this also apply to the assistant principals whose observations are changed and ratings lowered by Dwarka and then returned back to the AP to give to the teachers?
Does Dwarka have the right to change the AP observation reports even though she did not "observe" the class?

Read Section 1116(b) of the New York City Charter.

https://codelibrary.amlegal.com/codes/newyorkcity/latest/NYCcharter/0-0-0-3212

Where is chalkbeat? Where is NYPOST? can someone please tweet them the letter

waitingforsupport said...

@10:24 pm...hopefully the AP will give a copy of the observation to the teacher PRIOR to giving it to the so-called principal. The teacher will have proof of the AP's observation. This happened to me albeit the AP was an ATR. She not only gave me a copy of her observation but mentioned it in an email to me. Thank goodness she did it because the principal didn't use her observation but rather used one conducted by his pitbull AP. So if an AP is an ally hopefully they will consider doing this. It's more proof for you,too. You have to fight
the monster with all of the legal tools available.

Anonymous said...

I too have spent years working at Bryant, but am now retired. Dwarka undeniably took a school that had great regents scores/graduation rates and turned it into a train wreck....collecting the data takes a bit of internet research, but it exists.

She hired suck up APs ("Poncho" Morales, Huevos (meaning "testicles" in Spanish), and other fools.

The skank is even missing $200K from her budget.

Unknown said...

At Bryant the APs will do what the principal wants them to do. This is one of the reasons that about fifteen are not there anymore.

Unknown said...

12:35 I have asked that this stays professional and truthful. As far as I know there was no money fraud and I think that this was investigated. Also our graduation number improved. The reason is not the teaching strategies. It is that there is a lot of tutoring and individual support meaning people getting per session to keep monitoring the academic progress of the students. Many teachers just pass them because they do not want to deal with the pressure. Also the bigger question is how Bryant compares to other schools. We are lagging behind most of the City and State schools. And yes, this is documented. If these strategies were effective ten years later the school would not still be on a need of improvement list. And in anyway, none of this justifies the abuse teachers experience.

Anon2323 said...

Much respect Georgia, very well written. However, I have been hearing this lunatics name for 10 years on blogs and at times on Chaz Blog it was getting annoying and that was years ago. How can this bipolar, fraudulent, sick-minded, manipulative loser be there for that long without UFT or a CL with staff to get the press (Sue Edelman), call 311, and pressure her to leave?


I agree it's well past the time to rise up.
https://www.insideedition.com/11915-report-student-says-she-had-affair-with-a-female-teacher-but-the-principal-covered-it

Chaz of course knew:
http://chaz11.blogspot.com/2016/12/be-warned-avoid-this-school-at-all.html

Anonymous said...

Our schools should be free of corruption, discrimation of any type, retaliation, and a toxic environment where the staff is continuously harassed.

Anonymous said...

Those DOE investigators do not investigate anything.

Anonymous said...

They like to go after older teschers.

Anonymous said...

Dictators do what they are pleased.

Anonymous said...

She seems like a sociopath. She likes to see people suffer and has no moral conscious.

Anonymous said...

I agree that investigators do nothing. Whatever happened to the investigation into the grade fraud at Maspeth. Again, like always the ends justify the mean. Who cares how they got a 99 percent graduation rate as long as they got it.

Anonymous said...

WHY ARE TEACHERS AT BRYANT STILL BEING OBSERVED THIS WEEK????

WHY IS THE DOE NOT SUPERVISING DWARKA????

SUPERINTEDENT LINDSEY PLEASE EXPLAIN WHY DWARKA HAS THE LOWEST TEACHER RATINGS YEAR AFTER YEAR AFTER YEAR????

Anonymous said...

Carranza just ruined if it was not bad already. And after all that, he quits and gets hired in CA, for the same Co. That made millions from the DOE. What else is new.

Anonymous said...

The DOE has received Billions in stimulus money, tax payer $ at work!

johnny said...

So how exactly, do I report, the punitive, biased, and hateful behaviors of my principal? Because she is exactly that, and I'd love to name her, but to be frank, I'm not sure I should, because of the repercussions I would suffer of which I've had enough (repercussions delivered solely by her in an evil way). She is not for the students, not for the teachers, only for herself and her job.

johnny said...

How do I report my principal?

James Eterno said...

Email us at iceuft@gmail.com

waitingforsupport said...

@johnny...and in addition to conferring with James remember to not let her get to your psyche. Remember that you earned a master's degree just as she did. You must be doing something right for her to be on you. If you have a cellphone, record her--it is legal in NYS. Stay confident. Do your very best. However, i bet everything you do is probably "not good enough" for her. Keep your head up. Stay strong. It will get better.

johnny said...

This is in response to "Waiting for Support". Thank you for responding to me. I don't know how you did it but you read my mind and expressed my feelings and pretty much described the circumstances to a T. I appreciate your words of support. I've worked hard for 4 years as a new teacher, beginning a new career, and received no support from my principal despite this year getting the 2nd highest rating on the student survey of teachers in my school, getting nominated for a Big Apple award, and very recently an award for "Trusted Teacher" besides all the positive feedback from my students, and the relationship I've developed with them. Now, maybe that doesn't count for much. I'm not sure I've only been at it for 4 years so I don't know all that much, but I do know that my students are learning and want me as their teacher. And I have a great friend/teacher/mentor here who has helped me tremendously and validated my work. What I have gotten from my principal is denigration. I am not going to go into detail right now with regards to all the abusive moments and overall corrosive tone; suffice it to say that my probation has been extended. I'm ok with that but not with the emotional abuse and stress. I've decided to look elsewhere for a teaching position even though I don't want to leave my students. In 4 years never a kind word from this principal.
I'm tempted to name this principal because it's deserved, but her name is already out there as the (a) principal from Hell in Jamaica Queens, and I noticed no one on here mentions where they work. At this point I'm not sure if I have anything to lose.
Thanks again.

Anonymous said...

The UFT is supporting a Principal out of control harassing, and discriminating against teachers.

Anonymous said...

Johnny, keep your head up. You are young in this career. Hit the open market and don’t look back. Have you also tried OLAS and Long Island schools? A lot of retirements happening so jobs should be opening up.

waitingforsupport said...

@johnny. You're welcome. There are nasty admin thru out the DOE. You're there for the students. They know it and will remember it. What subject do you teach?

waitingforsupport said...

@johnny. I forgot to mention that I had an admin like the one you've described. The emotional toll i endured under that beast is indescribable. It made me question my skills for a moment but then I remembered that the beast was simply wrong. The students parents saw what i was doing and were better off because of it. Let's just say i got out. Every school and admin i met thereafter appreciated my work ethic in writing, parties and gifts. I'm telling you this because I want you to know and believe that things will get better. The students need more people like you. Record that beast.

johnny said...

I teach English. Grades 10 and 11. They had me teach grade 6 two years ago which was fine. I never saw such an enthusiastic bunch of kids. It invigorated me and I'm not a kid myself. I'm hanging in there. Thanks again for your understanding.

johnny said...

And I will record her if the opportunity comes.

johnny said...

Ok. Thank you.

Anonymous said...

When I had an apartment that had a roach problem, I tried a million solutions, but none worked. The only remedy was to move which I did. Same thing with a bully principal. The best thing to do is leave the school. I know moving is easier than changing jobs, but sometimes it's the only solution for your health and well being. I have been in 3 different schools as an ATR and all the principals were great. In the school I came from, the principal was a bully.

johnny said...

That's my plan. I'm already working on it.

Anonymous said...

I’ve known teachers over the years who’ve enjoyed taking on bully principals:

“I’m not working any harder. You want to give me a U-Rating? Then give me a U-Rating!”

“I’ve survived the last few principals. I’m going to survive you also!”

“I’m telling you what to do because someone has to! Maybe a bunch of teachers should invite the superintendent to drop by unannounced and see what really goes on over here!”

Anonymous said...

Corruption, any type of discrimination, harassment should not be tolerated in our schools.

johnny said...

Agree %100.

johnny said...

Want to say all that, but can she put a disciplinary letter in my file for that and what are the consequences if any?

Anonymous said...

Four things to do to get rid of a bully principal (you can stop them dead in their tracks with these 4 actions):

A.) file a complaint with the NYS Commission on Human Rights -- the bully is promptly stopped. To file a complaint it is completely FREE and effective. If they retaliate - they bury themselves -- as it is illegal to retaliate against any employee who files with NYS Commission on Human Rights).

B.) Get the media involved - not just once, but in an ongoing fashion.

C.) Hire a lawyer to write a letter about the bully principal's retaliatory practices -- address it to the principal, but, CC it to the Executive Superintendent.
D.) Get a special ed. teacher to go-over the school's IEP's with a fine tooth-comb. Examine the IEP's closely. Any out of compliance IEP's file a complaint with the NYSED Office of Special Education. They will send investigators to your school & investigate the said, IEP's. If there are violations & they are sustained by NYSED - the sustained violations get mailed to top DOE personnel at the District level & DOE Central - now the bully principal will have to explain the violations. If the principal retaliates -- that is illegal and you add it to the NYS Commission on Human Rights complaint.

Trust me, the aforementioned steps will stop a bully principal dead in their tracks. Trust me.
You have legal rights -- use them. No school staff should be subjected to the wrath of a bully. You can fight back, but, you have to be willing to take action without fear of retaliation. If she retaliates, you can legally use that against her.

Anonymous said...

The DOE and the UFT like corruption so much.

Anonymous said...

Why isn't she removed?

Anonymous said...

Just a fiasco.

Anonymous said...

I think it is clear that changing grades harms students. She has been in the paper, and on the news for that.

Anonymous said...

I wonder who is protecting a dictator, and an incompetent principal who likes to harass people?

Anonymous said...

She likes to go after older teachers that oppose her

Anonymous said...

Ten years with her nonsense just to destroy a school thar once had a 46 aa an average test score to a less than 20. A complete relentless quest for stupidity. She still cannot admit that she failed.

Gatinvisible said...

Haven't they figure out what to do? Why Mulgrew hasn't said anything about corruption, discrimination, and harassment?

Anonymous said...

There are probably less than 20 employees left since she started to be the principal. She started by going after the strong ones, and older older ones that would oppose her tactics of terror with a lot of lies.

Anonymous said...

Exactly right.

Anonymous said...

Dwarka forced many APs to change ratings on teachers that were doing a good job for opposing her tactics of terror.

Anonymous said...

Lindsey is corrupt also she wanted it to keep a bad principal in Townsend Harris, and she has removed teachers with her signature from the classroom illegally violating tenure rights.

Anonymous said...

The superintendent protects her.

Anonymous said...

Why is it that the EEOC did not do anything to investigate a toxic environment?

Anonymous said...

Ten years ago the school was doing much better, and everybody was much happier.

Anonymous said...

Maybe she has something on a big wig...

Anonymous said...

What is the EEOC doing?

Anonymous said...

The UFT in 10 years they just watched
From the sidelines the relentless quest of stupidity drive the school to the ground.

Anonymous said...

They will probably not investigate anything

Anonymous said...

It is just crazy that nobody is doing anything about it M. B., 53, who suffers spinal stenosis, arthritis and herniated discs, says Principal Namita Dwarka changed the locks on the ladies’ room adjacent to her classroom, forcing her to use one down the hall. That was on the news, and the NYSDHR did not find anything wrong about abusing a disabled teacher.

Anonymous said...

Excellent point I guess they are waiting for the ship to totally sink. It shows also how useless is the UFT.

Anonymous said...

Why would anybody protect her when the only thing she did is retaliate against people, and bring the school to the ground?

Anonymous said...

Do you really think she does not know the school is a disaster? They cover for the Principal, and look the other way.

Anonymous said...

Lindsey supports Dwarka all the way they all cover for each other.

Anonymous said...

I guess they just want the school to hit bottom by not wanting to remove the Principal.

Anonymous said...

After appearing on Crime Watch, and bringing the school to the ground she is still the Principal.

Anonymous said...

They had 10 years to stop madness.

Anonymous said...

It is a toxic environment for teachers and students.

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately you are not far from reslity.

Anonymous said...

This Principal likes APs that do what she wants so she can go after anyone she desires.

Anonymous said...

She should have been removed a long time ago, but some big wig is keeping her there and making all these chancellors who have praised her the best principal in the city.

Anonymous said...

She definetly got away with a lot a bad stuff, and she is responsible for all the bad results in the regents. We have a useless UFT, and useless investigators that only sweep everything under the table.

Anonymous said...

Once you start giving credits as a candy store you cannot expect good results in the regents that is why this school will get much worse. Committing fraud is a crime, and to pass students that are ill-prepared immoral. Teachers are mandated reporters if you turn a blind eye on corruption then you are also neglecting your duty.

Anonymous said...

Changing grades, and earning 6 credits with APEX over the summer. All types of illegal stuff has been reported to the press, yet all investigations and complaints disappear after a while. So who is protecting this Principal when she should have been removed a long time ago? Is it the mayor himself?

Anonymous said...

We will find out who is protecting 20 years of corruption, abusiveness, and harassment when the real investigations begins.

Anonymous said...

She got rid of good experienced teachers that were given her good results. How crazy is that?

Anonymous said...

Di Blasio, Carranza, Fariña they all praised her so we think she has something on somebody in the higher up chain. All investigatuons from SCI or OSI is swept under the table. Until now she got away with everyting. More than 100 people had testified against her.

Anonymous said...

Do you really think that after 10 years of abuse the Union does not knows yhat the school is a mess, and it is spiraling downward. Believe they have known for a long time maybe when the ship sinks then they will say something.

Anonymous said...

It is outrageous after more than 10 years neglecting students, and abusing the staff but she is still there.