Nov. 26 candlelight vigil to protest DOE’s “gotcha” squad

Nov 16, 2007 4:20 PM

We all believe every student deserves a qualified teacher, and nobody disputes the DOE’s responsibility in that regard. But there is a right way and a wrong way to go about it.

A “gotcha” squad of lawyers and retired principals led by a prosecutor to go after tenured teachers is the wrong way. Let’s tell Chancellor Klein loud and clear that this city’s hard-working teachers and the students they serve deserve better.

The DOE should instead be providing the resources and support that struggling schools and teachers need to improve instruction.

The predominant issue underlying teacher quality is why so many good teachers leave. Resignations of certified teachers, not including retirements, hit a record high of 4,606 last calendar year – up dramatically from 2001.
 
We are holding a candlelight vigil outside DOE headquarters (52 Chambers St.) starting at 5 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 26 to protest the establishment of the Teacher Performance Unit and to call for respect for city teachers.

We will assemble at 5 p.m. in front of Tweed (52 Chambers St.). Please approach from the Centre St. side.