Exactly What Does It Take to Fire a Teacher?

Teachers appear to have more job security than anyone else in the history of the world.  Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Barbara Jaffe just welcomed Christine Rubino back to the classroom – after an administrative decision was rendered to fire the disgusting teacher from PS 203 in Flatlands.

Facebook Posting

Posting comments on Facebook about how her unruly students should drown, Rubino wasn’t quiet about her opinions. On June 23, 2010, for instance, she wrote,

“After today, I’m thinking the beach sounds like a wonderful idea for my 5th graders. I HATE THEIR GUTS! They are all the devils spawn!”

Not only were her comments disturbing, but their timing was terribly offensive.  The day before her post, a 12 year old Harlem girl drowned on a school trip at the Long Island beach.

Judge Ruling

Judge Jaffe, however, said that since Rubino’s comments were made outside of the school building and after hours, they aren’t grounds for getting her fired.  And, the judge continued, he saw no evidence that she actually meant to harm the students herself or that her cruel words “affected her ability to teach.”

The judge even dismissed Rubino’s obstruction of evidence, as she had a friend lie and claim ownership over the comments made about kids. 

Heading Back to the Classroom?

Rubino, who makes $78,885 a year, can now get her job back.  The department may, however, appeal the decision.  Rubino’s lawyer, Bryan Glass, sounded a bit high and mighty, said, "A simple warning to Ms. Rubino about her mistake would have sufficed, and it would not have been repeated. Perhaps in this time of scarce resources, the substantial time and money on this case could be better allocated by the DOE supporting its teachers in the classroom rather than demonizing and punishing its staff."

Perhaps the time and money should be spent finding better teachers – ones who don’t long for a way to kill their students.