“Dignity and Democracy in Education:

Blowing the Whistle on the Culture of Fear and Corruption in NYC Public Schools”

 New York, NY — New York City teachers are under siege.   In schools across the city… usually in hushed tones… teachers talk about their contractual rights  —  rights hard-earned over many years of service: tenure; fair, objective and honest performance evaluations; the freedom to openly discuss educational issues without fear of retaliation. They worry that these rights are being gradually eroded or simply given away. After 10 years of living with a hostile, anti-union, and anti-teacher Department of Education, some educators have decided to confront this mentality head-on.

WHAT:  A Public Forum on New York City Public Schools.

WHEN:   Saturday, February 23, 3:00-5:00pm

WHERE: CUNY Graduate Center; 365 5th Avenue; New York, NY 10016 Room 5414 (34TH ST MIDTOWN)

WHY: MORE believes that teachers can’t teach — nor can they advocate effectively for students — in the existing culture of fear.

This forum will include a panel of accomplished educators who have bravely chosen to confront the Department of Education directly on these issues. They will tell their own stories — stories that involve putting their own careers in jeopardy by publicly advocating for their students and suffering vicious reprisals from the system as a consequence.

Together we will consider how to push back against the culture of fear; how to challenge hostile work environments;  the role of the UFT and union chapters in fighting for freedom of speech and freedom of thought; ways we can all work together to protect our rights on the job.

WHO: The Movement of  Rank & File Educators (MORE) – The Social Justice Caucus of the United Federation of Teachers is sponsoring this event.

Panelists include:

Lois Weiner, Ed.D. Scholar-Activist, Author of “The Future of Our Schools: Teacher Unions and Social Justice” & Professor of Education at New Jersey City University

http://www.loisweiner.org

Francesco Portelos - S.T.E.M. Teacher, UFT Chapter Leader & whistleblower , “rubber roomed” for exposing alleged financial corruption of school administration

http://protectportelos.org

Harris Lirtzman - Former Special Education/Mathematics Teacher charged with “employee misconduct” after reporting misadministration of his school’s special-education program

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/07/nyregion/state-backs-up-accusation-by-harris-lirtzman-bronx-teacher-on-special-education-gotham.html

Moderated by:

Brian Jones - Teacher and Co-Narrator of the film “The Inconvenient Truth Behind Waiting for Superman”, MORE’s  Candidate for UFT Secretary

http://brianpjones.tumblr.com