No justice for good teachers

By all metrics and measures, I was considered an outstanding high school science teacher in the Middle Country Central School District. Not a single complaint in my file for 15 years. My attendance history was impeccable. I was usually the first teacher in the building and one of the last to leave. My volunteer activities were unmatched by anyone in the district. One day, a former student (a 10th grader, previously on my 9th grade roster) filed a rather generic complaint with the Principal. The student, who always referred to me as her “pal”, now felt that my kindness, generosity and care made her feel awkward. That’s about it. While she may have felt that she was the unique recipient of my help and concern, the fact is, all of my students had the same opportunities in my classroom. I think I was a friendly teacher and tried to be fair to all. I struggled to understand her complaint, though never blamed the student. Kids are pretty emotional beings; we don’t always understand their actions. This single complaint cost me my job, my career, my savings, my reputation and the prestige and pride that goes with the job as a science teacher. If only the community and taxpayers knew what goes on, and what it costs. It goes much deeper than money. Oh, almost forgot: the student retracted her statement two years after her initial complaint.