Outspoken North High Teacher Transferred Amid Controversy
Wednesday, June 10, 2015
Teacher, and Worcester Magazine columnist, Janice Harvey has been transferred to the Gerald Creamer Center for next school year. Harvey, the subject of Principal Lisa Dyer’s scathing email earlier this Spring, was notified of her transfer via a letter from Worcester Public Schools Human Resources Department.
The letter, signed by the head of Human Resources Stacey DeBoise Luster, stated that Harvey would be transferred “as you requested.”
According to Harvey, however, she did not request the transfer.
“I’m quite surprised to hear this. I don’t think it’s fair if Ms. Harvey did not have any input into the process. I was hoping differences of opinion could be worked out within the school,” said School Committee Member John Monfredo.
The Gerald Creamer Center is an alternative school in Worcester that serves students in grades 9-12 that had previously dropped out of school and have returned to finish their work towards a high school diploma.
"I have heard nothing from the school administration as to the reasonsfor this transfer, so I don't know what the underlying factors are from the administration's point of view," said School Committee member Brian O'Connell. "I am very concerned, though, that we allow our staff the right to express their opinions, verbally or in writing, as to issues of public concern, without fear of adverse impact on their employment from doing so."
When GoLocalWorcester reached out to Superintendent Dr. Melinda Boone’s office for comment, GoLocal was told that Harvey’s transfer letter was not public information and that “WPS doesn’t comment on personnel matters.”
"No teacher should be removed from his or her position because he or she spoke out in a proper and legitimate way on topics of public concern, whether or not the "powers that be" liked what was stated," said O'Connell. "I don't know whether this is behind Janice's reassignment; however, if it is, I am very concerned as to whether she has been treated fairly here."
"It's real difficult for both Lisa (Dyer) and Janice (Harvey) to work together. I'm not sure how the decision was made. As school committee, we empower the Superintendent and her team to make these decisions," said School Committee member Hilda Ramirez.
The email, in response to Harvey’s WoMag column “Coming Together, or Tearing Us Apart?”, read: “It then becomes apparent within her article that she cannot differentiate between “racial tension” and institutional racism. Personally, I’m embarrassed when she says our teachers and students are colorblind. As if our students don’t know enough to honor the beauty of their complexions. Are we not teaching our students how to overcome challenges they may face in our society and their history in the eyes of America? Are we not helping to instill a pride in them of who they are?
Why they are so disrespected and spoken to in such a condescending tone is something we all must ponder since she goes on to imply, she speaks for ALL North High teachers and students.
Cultural Competency 101: “colorblindness” suggests racism. Why do we have to be “colorblind” to educate any student and treat them with dignity and respect? Complexion is a part of one’s identity and the majority of us know the significance of identity to adolescent development. We cannot be colorblind if we are to prepare all of our students for success in the real world."
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