http://www.southbronxschool.com

Showing posts with label Jeff Storobinsky. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

BREAKING NEWS!!! Para Harassed at MS 61 in Brooklyn!

It seems that MS 61 in Brooklyn is turning into quite the soap opera. A dangerous soap opera.

For those who don't know or need reminding, MS 61 has been in the news lately due to the diligence of retired teacher Jeff Storobinsky and his Facebook group, Money Over Age.

First some background.

A former colleague at MS 61 who in the last six months had suffered a stroke and currently was undergoing chemo treatments, had passed away suddenly and in his grief he posted this on his the MOA page.

We all handle death in different ways. Some mourn privately, some want to mourn with others. Jeff clearly was in mourning. What came next was not part of the mourning process.

Jeff's fiance still is employed at 61 as a para. She has taken a lot of heat for being Jeff's fiance and being close and that is probably par for the course. We here at SBSB have no problem, as we are sure his fiance doesn't, that if yo
u don't want to be her friend, don't want to socialize with her that is fine. Let her do her job, let her work in a safe environment, and just be courteous to her.

This morning, September 24, 2014 Jeff's fiance Marisol found the following attached to her time card;

Take your time reading it and take even more time to put your eyeballs back in their sockets. Yes, even The Crack Team blushed.

Marisol is beside herself. She immediately left the building and headed home to the safe embrace of Jeff where she still remains.

Jeff, a Jew, in all probability will forgo celebrating the 2nd holiest day of the Jewish calendar in order to accompany Marisol tomorrow as they meet with NYPD detectives. Already this deviant has kept Jeff from partaking in the celebrations which will mark the beginning of 5775. Perhaps while at the local NYPD precinct Jeff might be able to seek solace in hearing the distant sounds of the Shofar from Williamsburg.

But where will the solace and safety come from for Marisol? How long will she have to be looking over her shoulder? For how long must she be escorted to and from her car? Will she be safe alone in parts of the school? In the bathroom? Walking out of her house?

Will there be a real investigation or will this be poo-pooed? We here at SBSB call for a independent investigation posthaste. This is not the type of thing that should happen in a school but sadly it is indicative of so many more problems which seem be just swept under the rug.

One thing we do know is that this incident never would have happened if the atmosphere at MS 61 wasn't so toxic.

Sunday, August 31, 2014

MORE Needs to Change

First let me share, for those who don't know, that I am a Jew. It seems important in this conversation, but from what I have been reading it is. I am not a Lower Eastside Jew, wait I am. My paternal grandfather and his family first lived on Ave C and 9th St when they first came over in 1903. Eventually they moved to the Bronx and my grandfather was quite active in Tammany Hall. Oh, and during prohibition ran booze down from Canada and after that sold Slivovitz out of the trunk of his Buick that my great grandfather had produced using my 6 year old father and his 8 year old cousin to smash the plums in the bathtub in his apartment on Walton Ave in the Bronx.

I also have some tried and blue Communists in my family. A cousin, the actor Howard Da Silva (He played Louis B Mayer in "Mommie Dearest" and Ben Franklin in "1776") was a Communist and blacklisted by Joe McCarthy.

When my dad's uncle went off to Berkeley in the mid 1920's, it was Howard Da Silva who turned him onto Communism. My great uncle was soon ushered out of the State Department just before WW II, moved to China after the war, fell out of favor with Mao in 1949, and moved to Rome where he lived until his death in 1977.

My great-aunt (My grandfathers sister) said to me about 20 years ago (This coming from a 91 year old short Jewish woman) "I'll kill anyone in the family that doesn't vote for a Democrat."

Oh, before I forget, I lost family in the Holocaust. My maternal grandmother's uncle (As well as her brother in law. He married her sister!) died in the Lødz Ghetto in 1941 along with his wife and his children. His name, Maurcy Trébacz, one of the most famous Jewish-Polish artists of his time.

So, enough of the bromides, M'kay?

But I am not writing to share my life or make my life the center of this blog post, rather I wish to share why I am disappointed with MORE and fear for it's future.

First, there are some very good people with MORE. These people are able to see both sides of the issue and able to listen to others. These people want to see MORE (As do I) be able to overtake Unity and take control of the union. But the perspective is that MORE will much rather deal with this "Social Justice" mantra than deal with the fact that TEACHERS ACROSS THE CITY ARE HURTING AND IN PAIN AND HAVE NOWHERE TO TURN.

Francesco Portelos was arrested and spent 33 hours locked up (And let's not forget this). My story. Christine Rubino. Jeff Storobinsky. ATR's? And let's not forget the countless stories that come into my email and DTOE's each and every day from teachers being harassed, belittled and discontinued.

Where is MORE on this? Not to be seen of nor heard from. Nothing. Nada. Bupkus.

When it was suggested that MORE picket and/or have a presser in front of Sam Pirozzolo's optical store, it was met with an extremely tepid response.

When I suggested to someone at MORE that they should have had someone or people picket the 84th precinct when Portelos was arrested (It was known several days in advance of Portelos' pending arrest) the answer I received was. "It will look stupid."

But how did I get to have this audience with such a person? This MORE person called me up, on a SUNDAY, and without even saying, "Hey Pete, this is *******," went into such a tirade, that the senior citizens at the CVS I was at were not only able to hear this tirade and imagine the frothing at the mouth from this person, but were blushing.

Yet, teachers do not get support, yet Con Ed workers do from MORE? Why do ConEd workers on strike get attention and teachers don't? Oh yeah, "Well if we show them support, they will show is the same." A lot of people are still awaiting our blue helmeted brethren.

But MORE has no problem supporting the march of a race baiting, anti-Semite while not supporting the cops and the NYCPBA? Edited for the crazies (IN RED) who forgot what I had written a week ago: Firstly, what happened in Staten Island was wrong. Do I think that people of color are treated differently by than others my some NYPD officers? Yes. Does this effect the way the community interacts with NYPD? Yes. Should the UFT have supported this march? No way.

The UFT showed it's hypocrisy in supporting the march for the act of one police officer. We as teachers are broad brushed day in and day out by the acts of a very few. We are railed against, beaten down and left on an island without any support. By making this march about the UFT's involvement we have put the 99% of officers of the NYPD who do the right thing in the shoes we don't like being forced to wear by outsiders. And.... The UFT could have showed it's support for the community in other ways than endorsing this march.

We as teachers could have been asked or encouraged to go out into that Staten Island community and found common cause with the citizens. We as teachers have been subject to heavy handed tactics by Tweed and worse, SCI. We, both teachers and the Staten Island community have been affected by the last 20 years in this city of a top down, heavy handed, oligarchy, near police state by our elected officials and those at 1 Police Plaza. Oh yeah, the old, "What have cops done for teachers?" But then what have ConEd workers done for teachers?

When I bring this up on the MORE listserv what happens? I get a phone call, while I'm in Chicago going to a Cubs game, telling me to cool it. This smacks of if not censorship, but rather being told to toe the party line.

I want nothing more (Pardon the pun) to see MORE succeed. But it is trying to be too many things to too many constituencies. MORE must concentrate on the teachers, the schools, the students, and education and only then will the social justice aspect fall into place.

MORE needs to show the same fervor for teachers that are mistreated and shat upon that it shows for others. It needs to be GEOGRAPHICALLY more (Again, pardon the pun) inclusive.

MORE, has a perception issue. It is real and there are a lot of people that feel this way. And this are not pro-unity, pro status quo people. These are people that truly are searching for an alternative and feel that MORE can be that great alternative but these people just have far too many qualms and concerns about MORE.

It's too bad that they don't truly see that.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Jeff Storobinsky Exposes The Truth in Brooklyn

The Crack Team is pleased to welcome once again guest blogger and retired teacher Jeff Storobinsky to share a few words.

For those who don't recall these pages shared some of Jeff's story back in June.

Jeff is in the process of suing his tormentors with The Crack Team's favorite attorney, Bryan Glass, representing him.

In today's post, Jeff exposes and names his tormentor. Read on!

A NYC Teacher’s quest to restore his name and reputation. I’m Jeff Storobinsky and I proudly approved this message.

This is NARRATIVE # 5, which continues my story to seek justice and restore my name.

I will just summarize.

I am 55 years old, and taught for 30 years without a blemish of any sort, ever. A new principal (age 32) comes in last summer and decides to target me. I leave it up to you to draw your own conclusions.

I shall name this Principal and the school later on in this narrative.

For many years, I handled key quasi-administrative operations. I was trusted to get the job done and did. This was in addition to handling the technology needs of the building. These years had me teaching with a reduced assignment (less teaching periods).

There are those who might like to minimize my effectiveness and importance in my profession but that’s because they have always been part of the problem, not the solution. For 30 straight years, with 4 Principals with differing leadership styles, and having had an absolutely flawless record and file which speaks for itself is how I characterize my career. One cannot fake success and accomplishments over 30 years.

This past year, many of these key responsibilities were done, poorly or ineffectively at best, sparking debate within the school.

The school had on average 755 students. How many assistant principals do you need for such a school register? 1?, 2? , 3? Well, we had 4. A stellar 67 year old Guidance Counselor who was there his entire career was excessed in September, 2013 to make room for 2 new APs to be brought in shortly thereafter. After floating through at least 10 schools as an ATR (SUB) for the 2013-14 school year, he retired; not when he planned though. UFT help: NONE.

During my brief stay there during the 2013-14 school year, I politely asked the principal to reduce my assignment by a few periods (as was normally the case and was the case with others during this school year) so that I may better serve the school.

He then went around saying "Mr. Storobinsky does not want to teach”

What happens when I left? The principal then put TWO teachers into the technology room.

During this past school year there have been investigations into questionable school practices too.

Mind you, the principal is INTERIM ACTING.

Let’s now go back to the beginning.

I met this principal last September and within weeks I was on his hit list. My life was made a living hell, the worst emotional pain and suffering one can ever endure. I was under a doctor’s care during this time suffering from extreme stress and depression.

In February, 2014, I involuntarily retired, having been seemingly blackmailed into it.

For much more precise and pinpoint evidence, search through my previous postings and uploads made to FB in late June and July.

If you cannot find them request them and I will post them into the comments.

I also wish to mention that the UFT chapter leader instead of encouraging me to stay and fight and telling me that the UFT will stand behind you flat out told me “RETIRE”. I understand this as he is retiring in 1 or 2 years and like many chapter leaders, look out for themselves first and wish to stay on the principal’s good side. The UFT district rep proved equally worthless too as a very close ally of his who works at my former school lied and said that the district rep did not have a cellphone number.

Of course it will be argued that nobody forced me out that I left on my own (Legal term: Constructively discharged ).

However I equate it with the following: God forbid, if you are on the 61^st floor of a burning building and your choices are succumb to the smoke and fire or jump which would you do? I jumped.

After I left, my fiancé, Marisol Perez, an exemplary 17 year bilingual paraprofessional was subjected to humiliation and threatened by the principal “don’t be caught up in the web”, an obvious reference to her stating to her colleagues that I was forced out.

She herself fears retaliation as do other teachers from this very same school that have come forward with their stories that were published on Money Over Age.

I have taught technology since 2000 and had outstanding classroom management and instructional skills.

I was observed twice in one week in early late in 2013.

The first class, was a newly created hybrid class of troublesome students created and programmed into certain teacher’s schedules so that observing them would be easy to prove teacher ineffectiveness.

When I was observed with this class I had no experience with this class or established routines in place yet. The second observation that Friday was with a better class and I was engaged in a meaningful lesson and had lesson plan in hand with this class too.

It is not until June that I find out that I was deemed ineffective ( I never received a hard copy report of the observations ) and received a rating of UNSATISFACTORY which prevents me from working for the NYCDOE in any capacity post retirement.

Now the reason for the “U”: In June of this year, the principal was putting forth his time schedule for this September. I, being in touch with many of my colleagues on a regular basis advised them via text what I felt was in their best interests, and to not feel pressured to vote a certain way since the principal had his own people trying to push his agenda.

The Principal calls me in June and warns me “not to communicate with his teachers” This phone call was RECORDED by my smartphone Call recording app.

After this phone call, it was relayed to me that I got the UNSATISFACTORY for sharing with friends my opinions; and that if I stopped, the UNSATISFACTORY could go away.

Earlier on, AFTER my retirement, there was phone conversation between the principal and me. In this conversation he says to me those ineffective observations would be discarded. Two things I have to emphasize; this was AFTER I had retired and that the phone call was RECORDED by my smartphone’s telephone call recording app as well.

I hereby go public with the announcement that I have filed a formal complaint and that the principal as well as his superiors and his superior’s superiors have or will be receiving a copy of my complaint shortly. My complaint is based on multiple counts of discrimination; 3 to be exact.

Let me briefly outline the 3 areas of discrimination I have experienced and am claiming in my complaint.

First : Age. I was encouraged from our first conversations to retire with the promise of unlimited “f status” or per session” He claimed and bragged How he would call up all the principals in our district convincing them of my worth. This was just bait to encourage me to leave.

He then goes on to say that I am teaching technology to sixth graders out of license with my Common Branch license. When I said I can teach Math which I taught from 1984-2000 he replied with “really ? Nah, you need to relax and chill at this part of your life” This part of my life? Really? Was I just told I’m too old to be doing this?

Stunned and bewildered, I left his office. Later that night I emailed him and told him politely I will stay on the job to 2016 or beyond, I do not think he liked that.

Lastly on this, referencing his past he referred to a former colleague as “an old Jewish guy”. Much more exists on this particular complaint of age discrimination.

Second: Physical disability. I am 75% deaf. My concerns to him of how I was discriminated against fell on deaf ears.

Third: Race. Of approximately 60-70 staff members servicing and teaching students, I was the only Caucasian permanent staff member left.

One of these acts of discrimination is horrendous, two are staggering, what are three equal to?

I obviously cannot touch upon everything or what my complete evidence is. Recorded phone conversations and voice recordings made from a smartphone are only part of it.

The NYCDOE Corporation Counsel will be sending the Principal himself a copy of this complaint too, as the complaint has to be responded to.

My former Principal’s name is Dr. Shannon Burton and he is the Principal of MS61 in District 17, Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

He is formerly from Yonkers’ Roosevelt High School and most recently from Prospect Height HS in Brooklyn where he served in both schools as an assistant principal.

Money Over Age and its over 8,000 followers and nearly 250,000 readers have been extremely supportive of not only me but other teachers who have fallen victim to Principals without principles.

I fear some retaliation on my reputation but am quite prepared to handle that. More importantly I am concerned about retaliation on my fiancé Ms. Perez, who returns there September 2^nd, but she is up to the challenge and is quite strong.

Nothing will ever erase the depression I was in and the toll it took on me physically, mentally and emotionally.

If the NYCDOE has allowed this Interim Acting Principal to become appointed then a great injustice to civil rights would have occurred.

An example needs to be set for what proper conduct for a principal should be.

Principals in their early 30s are too young, being closer in age to their students then the median age of their faculty.

Of importance too is to diversify schools with faculty staffing and students.

Please keep Marisol and I in your thoughts and prayers as we go forward.

Whatever the outcome is, we can handle it.

God bless, Jeff

Monday, June 30, 2014

The Same Principal in Brooklyn Targets Another

When I was in elementary school our principal Mr Murray explained to us that since principal ends in

"PAL," that means the principal is always your "pal."

Try telling that to Jeff Storobinksy and his colleague Sandra Amede.

Sandra is at the same middle school in Brooklyn from which Jeff retired from. Sandra decided to share with The Crack Team her plight at the hands of THAT principal.

Again, not only was The Crack Team appalled and in tears after reading of the abuse Sandra had to endure, but several members were seen in the corner wretching up their lunch and and one member had the same reaction that Mr Spock had when he accidentally gazed upon the Medusan ambassador, Kollos. We can only hope and pray that Dr Miranda Jones is available to heal him.

FYI, what is in bold, is emphasized by Sandra.

-->

My interim acting Principal without principles believes that it is ok for an assistant principal, (interim acting), to conduct an observation from her office window on the second floor, and rate the teacher ineffective. He goes after you because he doesn’t understand that there is a difference between professionalism and personality. My principal did not like the idea that I kept the UFT up to date with regard to the new agreement, and his blatant disregard for the new contract, where the Chancellor makes provision for professional development, parent engagement, and other professional work. He came up with a schedule that was totally opposed to what Chancellor Farina proposed. The Chancellor was addressing the fact that parents were marginalized for the last 12 years, and proposed a time for parents to meet with teachers at the end of the day on Tuesdays, and professional development at the end of the day on Mondays when all teachers can meet. My interim acting principal proposed for parent engagement between 12:22pm and 1:22 pm. What about the parents who have to go to work?

In the context of professional development, his exact words were, “Why would you want to be ordered to go to library after teaching periods 6, 7 and 8, to sit for 100 minutes of PD? How feasible would that work?” This is a direct attack on the Chancellor, and her vision for teacher improvement and professional growth.

He tried intimidation, bullying, and threats. He tried to hijack the School Based Option (SBO) process -A collaborative process where a principal asks for a modification to the contract, and members collaborate and vote to decide. He started creating division among the staff, using promises, intimidation, and threats where necessary.

For example he would say, “No one wants to be an ATR. Who would hire you making $85000, to $100,000, when they could hire two new teachers?”

He even succeeded in winning over the UFT delegate, who he releases to attend chapter meetings, and who reports to him on return, instead of reporting to the members. As a matter of fact, on the last day of school she approached members with a petition to have the Chapter Leader removed so she can become the chapter leader. Members were outraged.

In my case, I am pro union. I understand that workers’ rights are incredibly important for any organization to be successful in the long term. I also recognize these rights exist at a high cost. People sacrificed their lives so we could have rights as workers. Understanding this aspect of me, the principal through illegal means invaded my privacy, by illegally getting into my personal email account (claims “an anonymous staff member”). He obtained all the emails I sent to the UFT, and the Deputy Chancellor regarding his bullying efforts, and unscrupulous activities. He used this illegally obtained material to place a letter in my file, threatening disciplinary action and termination. Is this really ok?

All the emails attached to the letter to file were asking for clarification, and advice regarding my duty, since they directly affected my teaching, making arrangements to better my teaching practice, or violating my rights as a worker. He conveniently omitted the emails sent to the deputy chancellor, regarding how he felt about her idea of PD for staff, time for other professional work, and time at the end of the day for parent engagement.

At the January ELA departmental conference, I asked him to purchase basic materials for instruction for my level 1 students, because without the books everything becomes abstract to them. He was rude to me in the presence of my colleagues. Two days later he apologized to me, by myself which does not count, since none of the staff members in front of whom he was rude to me, were present. He considered my actions -asking for basic materials for instruction- a personal attack on him, clashing or bumping heads.

At my summative conference he said, “You are an excellent teacher. You fight for your kids. You don’t put your students out. You work with all your students including the ELL'S, and you do an excellent job. You weren’t teaching gifted and talented, and 95% of your students were successful on the state test. Your overall rating is effective. I have no problem with you professionally, but on a personal level, we have problems… We clash, we bump heads. I don’t know where we got off-track. In the light of this new information (the emails he illegally obtained from my personal email account). Next year I think we gonna bump heads… People come to me and say, Ms. Amede’ this, or Ms. Amede that... That’s what I think. What do you think?”

I had no idea what he is talking about. I simply said, “I haven’t thought about it.”

My name is Sandra Amede` and I approve this message.

Wow! Seems like Jeff and Sandra worked for Frank Burns, or worse.

Sadly this is the norm, not the exception. There are way too many horror stories out there like this.

Wait! This just into the SBSB newsroom! The Crack Team has obtained video of the principal addressing the teachers during a faculty conference.

Sunday, June 29, 2014

Abusive Letter Sent to Jeff Storobinsky

On Tuesday we posted the plight of retired teacher Jeff Storobinsky and the abuse he endured at the hands of his principal at the middle school he was at in Brooklyn.

Remember how Jeff mentioned receiving an letter from his principal? An letter that was sent in anger without thinking?

It is now early in January 2014 (I am home), after a bungled faculty conference where a strong teacher challenged the principal and the principal rushed out of the library rather than to answer questions he went straight to his Personal Computer and wrote me a letter that if he was in a rational state of mind he would not have sent.

Well in a SBSB exclusive, The Crack Team has gotten it's hands on a copy of the email. Let's take a look (Click to enlarge)!

This letter is written in the tone of a father to a irascible little boy. It's as if Jeff is now on punishment and must go sit in the corner and go to bed without dinner. Funny, Jeff is a 55 year old man with several degrees, a father, a homeowner, a fiance, and a proud American. Why must Jeff be talked to this way? Why must Jeff be treated this way?

To answer the above questions we turn to SBSB mental health expert and an honorary member of The Crack Team, Dr Hans von Schlaggel, director of the Institut für schweren psychiatrischen Erkrankungen, or in English, Institute of Severe Psychiatric Disorders.

Danke, Herr Bronx Teacher. There are many reasons that Jeff's principal treats his as he does. Some might say the person Jeff is dealing was never breast fed, some might say that this person has a...how shall we say, a sehr klein Schwanz, but vat really is the issue is a lack of self esteem and egotism. Just let us take der look at too issues.

Fragile high self esteem drives these people to act superior to disguise their inferior feelings. Controlling others is one manifestation of their need to act superior.

Der Good! And....

Egotists are self-centered. They have been seduced by their first-person viewpoint. It's all about them; they are motivated only by their own self-interests. They lack empathy for others. They are controlling because only their needs matter.

Again, danke to Bronx Teacher and The Crack Team and much Fröhlichkeit to Jeff! Auf Wiedersehen!

Thank you Dr Von Schlaggel.

There you have it. Remember, 30 YEARS OF IMPECCABLE RECORD UNTIL 2013!

No one deserves this.

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

A Principal Ruins a Teacher's Career in Brooklyn

The following could very well be considered part II of last night's blog post but it deserves it's own special mention.

The Crack Team just got this story of a middle school teacher from Brooklyn. His name is Jeff Storobinsky who suddenly had to retire this past February for the abuse to stop.

The Crack Team has seen and heard quite a bit but after reading this they were moved to tears. We all felt sick to our stomachs and feel that not even a dog would be treated this way, yet teachers are time and time again.

We have highlighted in red what we think to be of importance.

When will all of this end?

-->

My Story: A 30 Year NYC veteran teacher disgraced and humiliated.

My name is Jeff Storobinsky and I approved this message.

Here is some insight into my personal life and the events leading to my unwanted exodus from the NYCDOE

In 2000 I was granted full custody of my two children I always taught them to always be honest and take the high road in life. Professionally I have navigated that same way; keeping confidences, being loyal to my bosses and helpful to my colleagues. What transpired since September 2013 is an example of pure horror, embarrassment and disbelief.

On June 30th, 2013 my former boss retired after being at the helm of our middle school for 5 years. She was and still is an amazing principal with principles who I cannot put into words how much I learned from this principal. Prior to this principal and going back to 1984 I was every principal’s trusted teacher. I was held in the highest esteem by superintendents and beyond. My Personal file was as immaculate as a file can be with not one blemish in it, nothing but accolades. With my former boss I was quasi administrative having done programming, Galaxy, Famis, BEDS, Surveys, in charge of technology for the building as well as teaching to sixth graders. I am sure I have left out a hundred more responsibilities. I exceled at all of them.

In July, 2013 they brought in a 32 Year old man with a PHD who was previously an AP at a high school. In July, those that were against me (For the closeness I had with my former boss) got to him and immediately the handwriting was on the wall. Yes, I had power in the past, but never abused it, I never ratted anyone out. I would give my boss the pulse of the building but would never engage in “he said this” or “she said that”

In September 2013, I was greeted with a FULL program (Something that I did not have since 1999). Others though in less prominent positions still maintained their reduced assignments.

So the school year begins; Mr. Storobinsky is teaching and teachers come asking for a laptop, an elmo, a projector etc; I’d say watch my class for a moment I’ll go to my office and be right back; anything to help. The main office would call up: Our Printer won’t print. Teachers would call up “no internet” or can you configure an ipad or my personal equipment to the school’s wireless network?

Unfortunately, during the summer when massive cleaning is done, custodians move and disconnect technology. Cables are snapped, IP addresses are lost etc.

Mind you, this is only the first week back! I am leaving out ADMINISTRATOR names as my point here is to tell MY story without embarrassing others ( I will leave the future up to those who have the knowledge and power to make right what was done wrong)

I am 75% deaf (Got measles at age 2 in 1960) No hearing in my left ear and only 50% hearing in my right ear; it’s tough. Surgery to repair this has only recently been perfected.

The school has a population of around 755 students with 4 APs, 3 of which are women. Two of the 4 AP’s are genuinely decent human beings

Anyway, back to September. One of the female AP’s asks me a question, I did not hear her correctly; I asked her to repeat the question, she did by screaming it into my face, this has occurred for years even when she was an ELA teacher.

At some point later on in September I went down to the principal’s office, I told him I am finding servicing the school and a full program difficult; would he consider taking away 3 periods so I can effectively do my job. I also told him I was being unfairly harassed by one of his AP’s. In moments he referenced that I am teaching technology with a CB (Common Branch) license. I said I will gladly teach Math which I did from 1984-1999. His answer: “C’mon, you’re too old for this, you really want that, you’re going to be 55 in November, right? If you retire, I will give you 3 days a week of F status (part time work), you’ll make a fortune, you can even do it from home” Unbelievable, right? Yes, I have proof this happened. My mind in disbelief leaves his office, I am shocked as can be.

I continue to work unabated, helping staff, teaching my classes.

My fiancé, a paraprofessional in my former school (still is) has been there since 1997 and is the best of the best. A couple times a week she would be there with her one on one along with the class the child is in. On occasion, a teacher would need my help and she would watch over the kids as I left for a couple of moments or needed to use the men’s room. This AP would come in and say “Where is Mr. Storobinsky?” Now mind you the teacher this para is assigned to is this AP’s friend. This teacher leaves this para alone with a class for 10- 15 minutes on occasion, was this para questioned as to where this teacher was? No, double standard, of course.

The year continues as I plug along giving the job all my energy. I’m a graphics artist too, and we had purchased 2 years ago a huge wide format printer. Always, teachers, admins would ask “can you make a blowup of this” time, time, time. I bent over backwards to appease everyone. I also asked the Principal who his BEDS ( a state survey) designee was knowing the sensitivity and license concerns involved. He did not seem concerned. Bottom line, it was done in secrecy and God know who is in jeopardy license wise. I texted my colleagues check the NCLB (No Child Left Behind) report, ask if you are highly qualified or Not highly qualified. I was protecting my colleagues and bringing the administration to task for not having distributed the BEDS forms and code sheets. BEDS has to be signed off by the teacher and turned over to the BEDS coordinator. Hence I am talking recently (since I retired in February) Principal calls me up warning me to stay out of school business. Back to October and November I continued to work my butt off, parent teacher conferences were a success as parents couldn’t get enough of me and loved me as they have for 30 years.

On December 13th, 2013 as a result of a prior accident literally 11 teeth came out from my mouth. Frankenstein looked better than I did.

Nothing temporary could be done as there was nothing to connect to in my mouth. I then began a procedure to have my mouth seeded with implants, a procedure that will conclude at the end of this month.

I had surgeon’s notes and all documentation to substantiate the fact that I could not work as I could not speak properly and it would put me at an awkward disadvantage. The principal did not believe me so I took a selfie and sent it to the entire admin body and payroll secretary, embarrassing but necessary.

It is now early in January 2014 (I am home), after a bungled faculty conference where a strong teacher challenged the principal and the principal rushed out of the library rather than to answer questions he went straight to his Personal Computer and wrote me a letter that if he was in a rational state of mind he would not have sent.

Highlights from this letter include the following:

Parents and students think you are a joke (been adored for 30 years by parents and students)

If you return you will be investigated for any missing inventory (in the meantime on PD day in November I gave him a complete audit of all school technology assets)

There is no technology in this building (hmm how about the grants I helped write and the years before putting technology into every classroom)

You are to have no contact with your fiancé during school hours.

You are barred from using any technology in the building whatsoever

Your ineffective ratings shall remain. ( Never received my observations), he also said later on that was just said that to me to retire, that he would remove them and tear them up (Proof exists)

If you do however return, you will no longer teach technology, you will teach ELA and Social Studies.

He said that I said “I do not want to teach” I asked him to reduce my teaching schedule slightly so I can service the school more effectively NOT that I did not wish to teach. (Proof exists)

Shortly thereafter he dismantled my office, broke open the closets and I have no idea what he did with what.

Without teeth, and under extreme emotional and psychological duress I retired in mid February 2014.

I started my FB community moneyoverage on 3.1.14 .

This principal has been heard bragging how he would get rid of senior staff.

Every memo derogatory to me is in my possession , as well as other “UNDENIABLE” proof

When my fiancé confided in her friends that I was forced out and all the unsavory things being done to me she was confronted by the principal. She was told “stay out of the web” keep your mouth shut, you’re still respected here. After humiliating her, making her cry he then hugs her for appearance sake under a second floor camera.

This past week, the icing on the cake was finding out that after being forced out because of my age and threats, and intimidation I am to receive and end of year rating of “U”

I have touched based with a wonderful lawyer, the NYC Human Rights commission and various units within the Education department.

Recently a message is conveyed to me through a third party that this principal is possibly going to remove the “U”. Am I being played with? Is this not adding insult to injury? Was the “U” removed? NO

How and why has my illustrious career been reduced to shambles?

I have lost $750,000 in future income and had to go belly up on unpaid QPP and TDA loans which are now taxable. My original plan was to retire in 2020 at age 62. This is a financial hardship and nightmare.

The psychological, emotional and mental toll on me has been the worst nightmare of my life.

I am taking money I cannot afford to part with to heighten public awareness and to pay facebook thousands of dollars for to advertise as far and wide as I can.

Lastly, how do I know so much of what is going on in my former school? Simple at least a third to a half of faculty texts or calls me daily for advice and to fill me in on what they perceive is wrong or questionable. They trust me, plain and simple.

There is so much more to this, but I cannot go into it here due to its sensitivity.

In my life I have never made waves; always a team player and supporter of the underdog. It is here and now I make a stand, perhaps a part of a few vanguards setting the way for justice and fairness and accountability.

If you truly wish to help you can like the facebook Host page (community) that hosts the post you are reading now at https://www.facebook.com/NYCMoneyOverAge We are currently up to over 2,050 page likes and steadily growing.

Another outlet is respectourseniorteachers.org a safe place to post under an alias what you feel is right and wrong with the school system and a myriad of other topics.

Lastly, nycprincipals.org exists as a relay service to forward to the correct and reliable people any reports of misdoings that you are aware of. These will not be posted; it exists strictly as a relay service.

And the Campbell Brown's of the world want to do away with tenure?

What is sad is this is not being done in a vacuum, this is not the exception, this is the NEW NORMAL!

Worse, is that this can't happen without an enabler, THE UFT!

Jeff is the real deal. Jeff is a mensch. This story needs to get out there. Soon.