Do Not Apply: PS/MS4
There are good schools, bad schools, mediocre schools. But in New York City we have a handful of schools that are so poorly run, so out of control, with administrations that are so incompetent, mean, arbitrary, or vindictive, that getting a job in these schools often means ending your career before it starts.
Last summer I started a list. I started with Bronx high schools, and moved on to Manhattan high schools. Since then I dropped Pablo Neruda (lack of evidence of an ongoing problem; there were a series of bad incidents of teacher harassment, U, discontinuance, but not ongoing) and added Bronx HS of Science.
Today, we have our second Bronx middle school (actually a K-8), Crotona Park West, in District 9. (First was the Bronx Green School, D11)
The principal is fast to U-rate beginning teachers. He has been docking teachers for taking sick days. He U’ed the Chapter Leader! (this is a big deal since it sends the message to the rest of the staff that he has no intention of playing by any rules.) His line is he was hired by chancellor and he is the rating officer. Period. He has the entire staff terrified.
If you know more details about Crotona Park West, let me know. E-mail is [this blog name] [at] [gmail] (and then dot com), or leave comments here.
If you know about other schools that fit the “Do Not Apply” category, let me know. E-mail is [this blog name] [at] [gmail] (and then dot com). Tell me, as specifically as possible, why the school fits that category.
JD2718 
He is a know it all a-ho*le!
he is a bad person and he lets teacher get their way he lets teacher spit in ur face and treat you like nothing!!! we hate him
I don’t know this man because when I worked there for one year he was not there yet. Thank God I left before he came in. I can only say that this is one of the worst places any human being can work at. Not just because of the administration but also because there are some teachers there that kiss butt when they should really just go home and clean their grandchildren’s butt. They come in clogs and step on everyone’s toes just to keep a job they should’ve retired from 20 years ago.
I recently interviewed there for an admin position. He was not there to do the interview but instead his only other AP, she was just as rude and unprofessional as I could imagine he was. They hounded me down to come in for an interview then never responded either way.
I was wondering why he needed 2 administrators
I bet that ap is the one who wears tights and t shirts all year around. or a sweater for a change! If you really want a career as an AP, STAY OUT!!!!!
He will only let you go after taking your license away!
and the ap has that attitude because “she has connections” with a retiree. watch out, very vindictive and whicked!
They have 2 APs and are looking for another one.
Is it still bad?
yo mama is a ass hole n ur aunt eat my asy ass toes
He is a wicked human being
He is not only wicked he’s not human!!!!
This non – human person is docking some teachers, aids, paraprofessional and etc for self treated days. So you better not get sick and if you do you better have a doctors note even if it’s your first self treated day of the year. And even with a doctor’s note he will still deduct you for the day. The only people in his staff that can come late, not get deducted for not coming to work are the coaches, some office people, some teachers and himself. He even send a teacher and secretary to the rubber room. He’s the one that should be send to the rubber room.
Really?!!Poor teachers in that school Vengeance is from the ALMIGHTY!!!
Maybe your child performed poorly and behaved inappropriately, therefore you have it for the teachers.
I’ve worked under this principal too in the past and all I can say if you are a female and young you will be okay, however, he doesn’t like males or older females staff members. He has a reputation of flying off the handle for nonsense and wouldn’t think twice of giving U’s to anyone who he feels are a threat to his ladder climbing career. This principal has two old time coaches who really run the school. One is an F-status who makes hand over fist in over time (per-session) and the other one is a hysterical 60 something (thinks she’s 40) who holds grudges against teachers who don’t play her child games. It’s a shame; the school can grow, however, the three need to go in order that the school can have a better working environment.
Has this information been verified? How? When?
Haven’t there been enough incidences of people who have grown despondent & desperate & have committed atrocities because nobody cared to watch the warning signs of people who do things like those described above. This could very well happen, and innocent people pay the price before someone wakes up and does an investigation. These are people who are evil. In this days’ economical situation, no person’s money, or, job should be played with; Bloomberg, Klein, Weingarten ARE YOU ALL LISTENING!!!!!!??????
Whatever happened to principals who treat their staff with courtesy & respect?? A happy staff is a productive staff.
Did you know he dressed up as a woman last Halloween? Boy did he have fun!! Too much fun.
I also worked under these people too. All I can say is that all of it is true what is written above. The principal only had a few years in the classroom in the South Bronx and became an Asst. Principal at PS/MS 4 a few years back. A few years back he did some immoral things in his office and some of the students found out and would talk about it among their peers, of course some of the staff knew about his behavior with a young literacy coach, but our jobs were on the line if we opened our mouths. The two older coaches knew about his behavior and couldn’t care less because they knew where their money was coming from-SHAME ON THEM!!!! They are all in on it and the students and teachers suffer for their immoral behaviors and silence.
Is “JOB ON THE LINE” the same as “MONEY”?
people have to think about what can you do to make it better? His personnal life is nobody’s business. should he keep it outside? yes! but the rest of the staff should think of a way of moving the pupils forward! After all that is the goal!
they are not there to watch over him.that is not their job. How many times have you asked them for resources and being denied? (not once,I bet!) Have you being there at all? You may not like it, but the truth is the truth!
I have gotten plenty of resources, ideas and support. They are not only willing to help but also extremely knowledgeable!
This principal is a complete A-HOLE!!! He thinks a jerk!!!
The principal before him was tough and always fair and understanding. When she left he took over and royally screwed up the sense of community within the building. He is an ASS!!!
you think she was fair??? Think again! At least he listens to what people have to say and tries to find a way to solve it. she wouldn’t even let you in the office!
I dont think we have been working in the same school. The previous principal was ” The Queen Of Mean”. A person that had problems with staff members of diverse racial backgrounds and who openly disrespected teachers.
By the way… Should we track students progress under that leadership.
How many teachers went to work elsewhere???
How is the shool doing in terms of student progress now as well as ratings?
If you think he’s listening and solving problems, then you must be doing some major ass-kissing!!! The teachers at this school are doing their job, but, if you are being led by people whose sole purpose is waking up everyday and choosing whose life they are going to make miserable, because they’re miserable, then what kind of leader is that. He is so blind, he can’t see that the ones who surround him are the ones he needs to investigate!!!!!!
simply this man prove how the system in new york work,sorry to say failing
oh my God this man is really sick persone,little kide find a big job and some peaple around him can do any thing for him to make himm happy,go to dalaiy news and look at his pic and you will feel sorry that peaple like that work in our school,his momy by the way sit in rubber room for long time
This principal got his job only because the prior principal believed in him. The only way he was able to get this job was because he did some major ass-kissing. What about when he was an Assistant Principal he screwed the coach in his office and by the way left the condoms on the floor for other teachers to see, played favoritism when he was in charge of the winter program by hiring and paying his mother a teacher that was forced to retire ( I wonder why?) an extra hour. And yes lets track the students success during HER tenure at PS/MS 4x, a school that was failing and about to be closed you need to think again. If you think that this miserable micro manager unqualified man is a good leader than you are not working in the same school as me. By the way “Madam Secretary” who failed the test 3 times and did not have any ambition till SHE came along and gave her a chance, thinks that she is an administrator, she can’t even write a decent letter. Maybe someone should call the Office of investigations on her. Double dipping , fraud, cheating ,misappropriation of school funds should I go on? I don’t think so, when is the gig over ? Let’s not mention that the real instructional leaders in this school are Sarah and Michele or maybe just Sarah! No wonders she makes more money than him (overtime) he has her in his pocket right where she should be because she so dam crazy that she could not hold any other position but to be in that room withthe other crazy ass-kissing nut. By the way who’s watching him, how many days does he take off, how many teachers has he screwed in his tenure, how many males work at PS/MS 4x. are you listening Bloomberg, are you listening Weingarten, are you listening Klein? What is going on at PS/MS 4x? Over 10 teachers and staff left during his first year. The warning signs are everywhere? ARE YOU LISTENING……………….
the coaches are not to watch over him, I agree. they know their stuff. Yes , sometimes they get overwhelmed,specially if they know we are struggling to teach the students or are having difficulty with class management, and don’t to anything to improve, if you need them, pass by.
Maybe you have a reading comprehension problem , Nothing was said about the coaches watching him!!! WHO IS WATCHING HIM? WHO IS WATCHING HIM????????
if you are reading ALL the comments, someone said that the coaches or other teacher know about his inmoral conduct and did not say anything about it. well, that is NOT their job!
His mother was sent to that room? Was he her principal? or was he clonned? Then it is obvious he did not get the position because of her, as many thinks!
No one said he got his job because of her. Hello!!!!!! He got his job because of all the major ass kissing to KSO.. But there was a major conflict of interest when he hired his crazy ass mother to teach during the winter program he was supervising. Then he has the ba**s to give her one hour overtime more than all the other teachers that he hired. Get out of town with the nonsense. WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This Blog is no longer about ” DO NOT APPLY ” it sounds to me that it is rank and file persecuting rank and file. I find that it is not about
the school but rather personal vendettas. I want to go on the record and say that these two women really support teachers 24/7. At least 20 teachers that I know of call them at home, during evenings /weekends and vacations. Not only do they respond but they know thir stuff. I
have not been in this school that long but I have learned so much from
them. During this past vacation I was on the phone three times with
one of them so that I would come prepared with my lessons. These opinions are one sided. They are always there, They are working long
after we go home. Pass by their working space, they are always there. If You want to do their job simply apply. This has become a toxic persecution.
I worked at PS/MS 4 and thought that this man was great person, boy did i get a rude awakening . When he became Principal he changed completely. Too bad for him that he is the way he is, God will take care of him. He proved to everyone that believed in him that he’s a jerk.
nobody has listened?? since 2009??
So, let’s get this right, in order to get an administrative position at PS/MS 4, you have to sleep with the principal?
Check out Daily News Halloween, 2007, What a great example he sets for our children. Go to the front of the school by the entrance of the exit for the kids for the afternoon, he gives himself permission to park his two cars in that space where it isn’t a parking space, it’s for children to exit safely. If you happen to work at this school, and meet with the principal for your pre-observation, and you do what he tells you to do, expect a U-rating at the post-ob. He needs to feel that he is in POWER! Also, if a family member (mother or father) passes away, and you bring proof of death, funeral, whatever, be expected to be get a doc in pay. By the way I have the picture of the daily news Halloween 2007, soon it will be posted on this website, beware of this man, he is evil, pure evil. If you disagree with this man at any point, be careful, you might be sent to 65 court street for a medical examination. If you see him walking by you by any chance and you happen to say good morning, don’t expect a response back, unless you are a pretty, attractive woman (female). This principal only has 2 years of experience in teaching, 2 years of experience in assistant principal and happens to find a principal job, due to being a favorite to someone. If you happen to stop by PS/MS 4, go to his office and check out his brand new furniture that he purchased last year, and a nice LCD so he can watch his favorite shows “Tom and Jerry”. If you go to the Library, check out the money waisted on furniture instead of materials that students need as in books, and materials for teachers as in paper, chart paper, pencils, and teacher guides. If you a parent is reading this, and you happen to not like your child, this is the place to send them. But if you expect your child to get an education, don’t even think of sending your child here. It won’t be the teacher’s fault, it would be the principal’s fault due to lack of support, materials needed to teach, and bad professional development. Don’t forget to try to contact the male secretary of last year and ask him why he was fired. Enough for now, but i will explain why the male secretary was fired but tomorrow.
I don’t see anything wrong with the halloween custome.He had a bet with the students and lost it, therefore, that’s the prize he paid charged by the students. Besides, many teachers were asked for input and why if you didn’t see anything wrong with that custome then, after given your input, you think it was inapropriate now? And then be the first one to called the Daily News to provide the picture taken with a staff’s camara!
By the way he was never fired he left on his own before he lost it all together. He was being asked to do unethical and immoral procedures , things that he did not agree to. one of the many reasons he left more tomorrow!!!!!!
I stand by my comment!! I think the previous principal put a lot of strategic things in place before she left!! He is just enjoying the benefits of her hard work!!! If you are honest with yourself….and come on…you know…..IT IS THE TRUTH!!! He is enjoying the benefits of her hard work PERIOD!!! Let’s talk about the ratings you mention!!! Do you think it was done honestly? Teachers were coached and coached to answer the questions the way they wanted the teachers to answer the questions. I wonder if they would get the same rating this year if the rater selected the teachers…What do you think?
The previous principal knew nothing about being strategic not even the word itself. She simply knew nothing and stole ideas from others. Her specialty was torturing teachers, writing them up and eating. The school never thrived under her leadership because of who she was and is. Lets not forget she picked our principal and anyone hired for any position while she was principal had to be okayed by her.So… if his mother was hired for a teaching position, then it was the previous principal who hired her.
sure believe that!!!! we all know how it works!!! So I guess Ms. Previous Principal also fu**ed Martinez in the Annex office and left the condoms around for the students to see.
KSO is a micro-manager. If something was going on in this building, regarding anything at all, she was quite aware of it. Quite aware of it. This is a fact.
KSO is a micro-manager. If something was going on in this building, regarding anything at all, she was quite aware of it. Quite aware of it. This is a fact.
Yes, the previous principal was tough, however, she changed the school around and the scores went up. The door of her office was open for everyone, but people listened to rumors that she was a tyrant and was not teacher friendly…she was friendly and listened to teachers maybe she didn’t do what everyone wanted her to do but she was there. Resto was then and what I hear form my former friends still a jerk.
The comment about “job on the line” means “money”….no I didn’t mean it to be “money”…many teachers were afraid to lose their jobs because they were not tenure teachers and U’s would prevent them from ever getting tenure if they opened their mouths…The coaches jobs however, were about money because both women have over 30 years in NYC schools. These two teachers could easily take a “U” rating…what do they have to worry about??? At one time many teachers looked up at these two women, but they allowed this new principal to get away with some disgusting behavior. These two with their clout could have easily called someone from the “ROC” and get this guy investigated. It’s not personal vendetta because these two women got very greedy with the overtime money, so much that they even made sure that they got paid first whereas, the other teachers waited patiently months for their overtime money. Apparently, it’s still happening today of what I know.
Also isn’t it their job to get resources for the staff? They aren’t in the classrooms teaching. The money that they make they should take phone calls now!! Over 100,000K plus overtime…(one made $20,000 in overtime one year)…so yes they should take phone calls and maybe even take a classroom when the staff is working short. They have years of classroom experience, but God forbid they humble themselves and work one day with students…they are still teachers you know. However, some of them get a different title (coach) and forget what a piece of chalk looks and feels like.
Therefore, next year I hear that Dept of Ed. is cutting teachers…maybe they should get some of these people who are abusing the system finicially and emotionally (resto). The money can go to new teachers with fresh innovative ideas for today students. I have to say there are many good older teachers that should not be cut from PS/MS 4 who work very hard everyday and contribute more to this school then these other clowns.
Quality Review 2010! What will be the rating?
Are you kidding me that bet was bogus your memory is shot it must be because of your age. he never lost a bet get your facts straight. He asked kids to sign up to wear costumes and if he got a certain number he would dress up like a woman, his idea. He came up with that idea on his own “the bet” was just a story he told the press to deflect some of the culpability for coming up with such a stupid idea not a bet. Get it straight sister . You’re no doubt one of the ass kissers. No one was asked for input you are out of your mind. Everyone found it inappropriate, especially for a first year principal with only one month on the job. However, it does not surprise me that you would try to defend him you are probably one of the idiots that yes him to death.
I am not, and by the way, I am a former. and I still think the halloween custume is just an excuse to attack him. I left because I disagree with many things. If you are not valued where you work and are not happy there, you should do the same! LEAVE!
Then maybe you should 1 look at my signature i am a former but most importantly 2 get your facts straight. Do not talk about the incident as if you know the facts. It’s evident that you have no idea there must have been a reason why you left. BE HONEST WITH YOURSELF…………………………………………………………………………………..
ok A. former
lets not forget the misuse of 3,000 dollars that was spent on that store or doll house that is sitting in the inside yard and has never sold 1 thing. What a waste. Who pays for his very expensive blackberry?, the school . Why is there never any money for per-session but there is money for him. How many other ways is he mismanaging the school’s budget. When asked for a report he blacks out the information he does not want the public to see.
The halloween incident is just one of the many mistakes he has committed. Do not forget the many injustices that have occurred at 4 it’s not an excuse to attack him as you would like to sugar coat . All the violations that he has committed against hard working individuals that need the paycheck to pay mortgages, car notes and everything else that we as americans dream of having. We go to school and do what we want to do almost all our lives, to teach, a passion that lives in almost all of us as teachers. and we come across a megalomaniac with almost no experience as an administrator with no leadership training or social skills to disenchant us from our dreams. How sad for the ones that have stayed. It is not like that everywhere there are schools that appreciate your hard work and acknowledge your efforts.
This is a shame. There are no comments about how this school has impacted student achievement. Well, i decided to do my research. It appears that under this principal’s leadership, this school has dramatically improved in the area of student progress. This school went from a C to an A. It also made outstanding gains in the percentage of students making 1 year progress. How could this have happened? When i further investigated, i realized that the school made remarkable gains in the DOE’s quality review and learning environment survey. Again, how could this have happened under a person who has been cited, according to the previous comments made by people classifying themselves as anonymous or former persons as someone who is unethical. It is quite clear that those who cite this principal negatively had nothing to do with this. Maybe it is those persons who needed to be rid of in this community in order for CHANGE to happen. The purpose of a school is to prepare children for tomorrow. Well, after looking at the results it is clear that this principal is doing just that. So my advise to the persons classifying themselves as anonymous or former employees is to reflect on the things you didn’t do or should have done to truly help the children in this community be successful. I do realize that its easy to place blame on the very person that was brave enough to make you REFLECT. In my opinion, this principal is a great leader who is making a difference.
Well if this person is talking this way then it must be either the principal himself or someone that is trying to get on his good side. Kiss-a**ers
In response to the above, get your facts straight sister, he has his minions covering his tracks. He hides behind all the women he has working for him. Sarah makes herself so indispensable she has everyone believing she has their best interests at heart, what an actress. Your research is warped. The persons who left PS4 were excellent, talented individuals and it is on their backs that the school progressed. A good leader leads by example, not fear & intimidation. Channel 2,3,4,11, etc. Anyone?????
Again an attack on a staff member that does not deserve this. This is your opinion. You may look at it this way but there are many of us who benefit from her knowledge and her experience. She really does help teachers. You really dont know her, your personal issues dont allow for this.
I agree. Enough attacks. The Blog Is Not About An Individual.
These are your personal issues . One major reason I am still here
is her support.
Imaging if she leaves, again Sarah is the one really running PS/MS 4.
In response to the above, get your facts straight sister, he has his minions covering his tracks. He hides behind all the women he has working for him. Sarah makes herself so indispensable as to make everyone think she has their best interests at heart, what an actress!!!!!
I know one thing. Want a good lesson, ask Sarah.
Of Course she’s been around since the pre-historic days if age hasn’t taught her anything time sure did.
There are people that have been in a profession for a lifetime and they do not know what they are doing…
THIS IS A PERSONAL ATTACK. YOUR ISSUES> NOT ABOUT THE SCHOOL!!!
I have been at this school for the past 8 years. The two principals previous to this one had a habit of constantly using
the P.A system to call Sarah to the office all day long. I would say the previous principal would do this non stop on
a daily basis. This is a fact.It is unfair to say that she makes herself indispensable. This entire building does that, Teachers constantly do this. This Blog is also doing this. She is not doing this!! She is a hard worker, a teacher advocate and very committed to this school.
Ok so it’s obvious that someone needs to wake you up! On paper everything looks good. However, The rating for that A was super low look at the grading mark. Almost everyone got an A. Second last year was the very first year that the learning enviromnet survey counted, prior to that is was just an idea that the DOE tried out. Third, the group of people that the interviewer interacted were hand picked by him. So of course he’s going to look great on PAPER but if you work here you know the truth continue to protect him that your day is coming soon. So do not talk about his leadership skills if anything I would give the credit to sarah who has guided him and taught him all she knows about what is needed to get over. even the CEP is entirely made up by them. There is no actual input from anyone else. The people who left, left because of the disrespect, contempt, and disregard he had for them. Do you think that 4 is the only school out there, There are over 1,100 schools and any one of those individuals that left are certainly being appreciated. By the way where is your name anonymous, you are quick to point fingers but your not trying to put your name out there. BE A WOMAN, you’re one of the ass kissers.
Ms. Outerbridge dumped the writing of the CEP on the shoulders of the coaches. She made up a bogus committee who did nothing and were allowed to do nothing. She had her own way of doing things, I guess you were not part of the decision making committee in her days.
The people who left, left because she staged their u ratings and the others could no longer take her ” Reign of Terror”. He was not even here when the real exadus began.
She did no such thing, she gave everyone their corresponding part then forwarded to sarah and her team for editing -I see you’re trying to look good on paper too!
Yes, kso did this. The coaches wrote it and she commanded them to do so. That is a fact!!!
Why did she depend so much on sarah?
Not True at all. Actually, Ms. Previous Principal was the queen of staging.
Poor thing, nothing really worked for her.
The scores dont lie!!!
Where is anyones name? Attacks,Attacks!!!
Thats not what the Bog is about…
How can you believe the crap you’re writing this blog is about the truth. what is the truth? Is the truth that Resto took the school out of a School in need of improvement or from closing it’s doors due to the lack of leadership that existed or the truth is that although the previous principal may have used a strong hand on people that were comfortable in there cushiony positions ( for years sitting around and letting the school break down) she changed the mind culture and made everyone actually work and earn their paycheck. He is sitting there because of her and only her remember who asked Ms. Young to give him the opportunity . He did not get there on his own merit like the other potential candidates he got there because of her. How much ass kissing did he do? He betrayed the AP from the ECC and stripped that woman from her position on ego alone. What about what he tried to do to the male AP that stayed behind . He got caught trying to pull another unethical procedure, but that u got reversed quickly. Docking his own hand picked AP when her mother died. Is it not hard enough to bury your mother. All you want to talk about is scores yeah there were procedures set for him. He would of never made the difference the previous principal made in her short time there it would have taken twice as long and he would have worked 3 times harder. Do you remember the Kalund days or even better The Ortiz Administration another one that was forced to retire. Wake up !!!! Speak Truths not fantasy.
KSO was the principal when the AP at the ECC was documented. This poor woman has KSO to thank for loosing her job. He was principal for a few months . The documentation was based on the previous year’s work, when KSO was the principal.
KSO did not change any culture at PS/MS4. She had her army and bashed the rest. She persecuted teachers, coaches,administrators,parents and the list goes on and on. She could have never demanded that others earn their paycheck when she did not earn hers. She used other people to come up with ideas and do the work while she stuffed her face. If she recommended any person for any position at all it was self serving . She got something out of it!!! Certainly not out of caring for the school or the children.
One thing you are right about is preparing the children for tomorrow by the teachers who are being guided by the coaches not him. There is nothing brave about him. He is just a coward who hides behind his title.
as for the a.p’s they ain’t nothing but ass kisser there self , the senior one all she do she sucked his dick so hard now he don’t want her no more , fake military bitch & the little short one that might be his baby.
you are getting out of hand, be a professional or at least act like one! As you refer the senior AP is a well respected woman, who CARES for the school and the students’ achievements! She is doing her job as she is suppoused to. If you have personnal isuues with her is because she gave you a letter maybe because of your lack of professionalism! You don’t have to be so ghetto to attack her like that! Respect to be respected!
No wonder OUR school is where we are! SHAME on us! Instead of looking for a solution on how to get along with each other, we are here acting like spoiled little brats! It seems that we have too many personnal issues with each other. Just remember that our job is to TEACH and lead by examples!
I Agree! First, teachers or whoever is writing all these personnal accusations with the sole purpose of stepping on someone’s reputation, you should first TEACH yourself how to SPELL! Shame on you! and you are the one who serves as model for the kids? You should be grateful that you still hold a job in a learning institution!
when you reply to yourself try to at least change your signature, you look as stupid as you sound in your response. Do you think we are children? You have made up your own stories, stop trying so hard………………………………………
This is so GHETTO!! A blog about gossip that lacks true information. Full of negativity!!!
now they have a retired superintendent in the ecc that’s why it’s no money in the budget , listen Bloomberg that’s where all the money is it’s in cs 4 pockets.
you are so silly! I KNOW what I am doing! I could be ALL “be”
“former” or “bingo” I signed “be” to replied to “be” at one point I signed “former” to replied to “former”. Get it? or do you need the ABC to go with it
the prinicpal is a real bustard he treat his staff like shit he speak to them like if they arechildren then he dismisses them without giving them a chance to reponse to their own defence
let’s hope you’re a math teacher and not an english teacher
Boys and girls, this is the blog owner.
1. Is anyone challenging that this school belongs on the list? Just sounds to me that most of you know it belongs, and a small number know it belongs, but blame the former principal. Let me know if I got that.
2. Do you have more specifics about what is bad about working at this place, and why new teachers should not interview there? That would be useful.
Okay, you’re right, we should get this blog back on track. For any new teacher looking to work at ps/ms 4, be prepared to get absolutely no support. Teacher Center does not exist at the school. It’s actually ADMINISTRATIVE CENTER. But if you do get hired, here are some tips:
1) Start your conferencing notes NOW! Who cares if you don’t know your students, it’s all for show anyway. Just leave the names blank and make up “Next Steps” your students might need.
2) On second thought, don’t write conferencing notes yet. They’ll change the template on you anyway.
3) Be prepared to teach with no curriculum. Doesn’t matter what subject you teach, they’ll provide no support, only useless “maps” to nowhere
4) In a school where children are first, there are no consequences for students. ever.
5) Expect to come into a school with a high teacher turnover rate. On the bright side, you’ll be a new teacher among many :)
6) If you’re expected to do something, be prepared to be informed two weeks after the fact, with possibly a letter in your file.
7) Always remember, bulletin boards, bulletin boards, bulletin boards! (and if your students have poor, or no work, be prepared to do it for them)
and just to set the record straight, kso was a crazy vindictive poison spouting bitch. resto’s experience in the classroom consisted of a ctt room where he spent most of the time in the hallway and not in his class, tho he is great at delegating (less work for him!). As for the fake military bitch, it’s not her fault she’s incompetent and worthless, she has resto setting the example. And for the short ap who is pregnant, we know it can’t be his because evidence shows he likes to use condoms, as was the case when he was screwing the literacy coach from the ecc.
Yes, the former principal certainly had a great deal to do with the start of the chain of teachers leaving the school. She had her chosen people and had no problem going after teachers.
Yes she did. She was cruel among other things. She also had many racial issues which blinded her already hampered
decision making abilities.
Ps.4 doesn’t belong on this list. Have u even been to the school. Please go there and find out for yourself why you’re wrong. Ps.4 is the best.
Leave this principal alone! How about other principals in the Bronx that have been removed from their positions because of ………..?
I’m sorry….SERIOUSLY? This has gone way too far. To involve a yet-to-be-born INFANT in these matters is ABSURD.
Also, does anyone out there have any other hobbies? The volume of potentially slanderous comments and offensive slams is evidence to the contrary. Might I suggest reading, travelling, or maybe knitting? Making collages? These are all productive ways to spend one’s time.
OMG, yes if you are thinking about applying at this school.
1)Remember that bulletins are paramount than students.
2)Coach Michelle if she doesn’t like you you will have only one month of help.
3)Lots of covering sick teachers’ classrooms.
4)Work over time don’t expect to get paid ASAP
5)Be a female (young)…tight clothes will get you places (Princ office)
6)Always reply with a “yes” to Resto…yes him to death.
7)Stay out of Resto’s way
8)Don’t ever forget your lesson plan…make a copy…save yourself from getting a U or a notice. Plus it’s in our contract to have one.
9)Make sure you wish Michelle and Sarah a happy birthday when the appropriate time arrives..gifts are accepted and highly recommended if you want a good relationship with them. Plus tell Sarah she looks great everyday even when she looks like a Cuban Mambo dancer. Plus always be kind to Michele because someone is always sick in her family or dying (a real Jewish yenta)..just put your hand on your heart and shake your head.
10)Poster your room to death…Resto doesn’t care about the actual teaching just that it looks like a bunch of students violently threw up their work all over the walls.
11)Remember the most important thing if you take a position…stick with your fellow teachers…stay away from the crazies…they will tell you in the first week of school.
are you thinking the same about that sweety ap, who turned out to be a phyco ? hope never makes it up the ladder.
As a new Teaching Fellow researching schools, this blog has been helpful to me with the “Do Not Apply” list.
But the majority of the comments on this post about PS/MS 4 are completely unhelpful to anyone attempting to make a decision about which schools to send their resume to.
I get it that this school is bad, but the teachers or former teachers who are commenting here do not handle themselves any better than it sounds like this principal has handled himself in the past.
Furthermore, many of these teachers do not spell check their posts, use poor grammar and are writing in an overly conversational tone that leads me to think they are not very good examples to students on how to speak and how to write if they do conduct themselves this way in front of a class.
(Let the bashing of my comment begin!)
It sounds to me that the reasons you all would caution anyone from working here are that this principal:
a) plays favorites, in particular he favors young women
b) abuses his authority and lacks self-control (having a sexual relationship with a colleague within the school building)
c) is not truly qualified to be a principal and because of his insecurity, consistently rates teachers he does not like as Unsatisfactory just to maintain his sense of usefulness/pride/power
d) the school is really run by coaches who you allege play favorites as well
It sounds like this school desperately needs some staff cohesion and shared purpose. The teachers who were being rated with U’s and who believed this was unjustified should get together and collect their complaints against Mr. Resto and present them to the Union with the goal of getting some professional development courses or discipline for the principal, or to get him removed.
It does sound like he should be investigated for misconduct, but it is not helpful to the teachers’ cause to engage in personal bashing, etc. on a blog that is just as accessible to the DOE as it is to you (not to mention it is accessible to your students!).
All of your legitimate complaints can be overshadowed by your out-of-control ones on this blog, and it will not help your case to have something done to rehabilitate or to remove a principal who is abusing his or her power if you are also behaving poorly. What example does this set for students?
M,
thank you. I think you nailed it. We’ll let your comment (and excellent summary) end this discussion.
Comments are now closed.
Anyone with something substantive to add my e-mail me at [thisblogname] at [gmail] dot [com].
edit: looking back, I think I would be more understanding of the teachers’ frustrations. And dealing with a situation as bad as this one is much more complicated than just getting together and deciding to do something. But the spirit was right.
Comments reopened, 7/3/09
Why all Ya niggas Hating on Ps/Ms 4x cause we the best n ya want to bring us do we it not happing on my time Becuase we are a school where Children come first so if dont know now you know nigga
Thank you, someone with some sense
I think the schools changed for the students I’m not sure about the staff but its beginning to be a great school to attend don’t listen to this blog its a hoax to make this school look bad. Also its your own opinion. Not most of the truth.
Ps/Ms 4 is a joke. I’m actually a student being allowed to write in this blog in my own classroom. Did you teachers know that there using Resto Bucks for the doll house. The only way to get these “Resto Bucks” Is to be seen stopping bullying activity. Know this idea was brought in on Tuesday at an assembly, I thought anti-bullying was cool until I saw that we are going to get rewarded for it. Basically they are bribing you to do something you should of done without rewards. Also for that teacher that said Students don’t get consequences is correct. So far certain bad students get away with a lot of things.
WAT IS UR NAME LIKE CAUSE SERIOUSLY i go to THAT SCHOOL.
Ps.4 is rocking ok? It’s not like the richest school and stuff, but they trying. Like every school, they dont have a 100% of students who want to learn, but they’ve actually improved. I love Ps.Ms.4
Ya dnt know what ya talking bout. Ps.Ms 4 is cool. i love my school. Haha!
why ya talking bout my school like that. what school u go to cause i bet ya school more wack k? Dnt be over here talking smack about ps.4. You got something u wanna know bout my school. come down here and find out. Yeah now u shut right?
The principal was finally removed! If you check the school’s website it doesn’t have his name and where his name was it says contact the superintendent. Someone finally did something right for a change. Hope whatever he was finally caught doing sticks to him like glue. Karma!
What goes around comes around….Karma is a B!!!!
Mr. R is a very unfair person. Claims that he runs a school where children come first, but at times talked to students in a way that if it was a teacher talking to them like that, would have earned a one way ticket to the Rubber Room. His goal is to inject terror in teachers and to ruin their career with fabricated accussations. It is a SHAME to have someone like him to be projected as a role model to OUR future generation since he is a liar, unprofessional, inmoral, unfair, and not that knowledgable.
I believe we need strong leaders who can also be humans. WE, the TEACHERS, are modeling to human beings, our future generation, and have the responsability to teach them not only the content but the values that would make our society a better one!
I feel sorry and ashamed to be part of PS/MS 4 because if the students’ future is given to MS. Villecas, it will only be WORST! A person who thinks that can do whatever she wants because she has the power. I still remember how she got an after school personnel fired for NO reasons and I clearly heard her say ” You don’t know who I am.” The next day, the woman was fired!
You are never too powerful for GOD! He thought he was the almighty! How quickly people like him fall! GOD has his way of evening things! R…Say hi to the little people while you are down low…Take a lesson from this! You are never too powereful for the most powerful one!
Does Anybody knows why the principal of this school is no longer on the NYC BOE website as the principal?
There are so many reasons why Vincent Resto could have been removed as prinicpal, one can’t even begin to speculate on which one of his evil deeds has finally caught up with him. He has given good teachers and administrators Unsatisfactory ratings because he is threatened by anyone with a brain or an opinion.
Allegedly: He has definitely misappropriated funds. He has falsely accused teachers of things like corporal punishment or verbal abuse to speed along the process of getting rid of someone by sending them to the rubber room. He has hired his mother to work per session and she didn’t even work in the school and others had retention rights. He dressed up as a woman on Halloween a few years ago. I mean really is that appropriate? The list goes on…
What a miracle!! He’s actually gone? Maybe some teaching can happen now that he’s been fired or quit.
Hate to tell you but the principal that you speak of is still there. I just received an invite from him inviting me to an Open House on Monday. However, I must say after reading this I am leery of attending. Knowing myself I could never work in a place with so much negativity, however as a recent graduate who is newly certified, I may attend just for the experience.
sadly to tell you but there is No negativity there. It’s pure reality! I am so happy to be out of that pulgatory! My heart goes to the wonderful teachers there that in despite of this “cancer” have faith in teaching and are committed to the kids.
I just went to the open house and he was there interviewing! He is still there, my invitation was from him personally. I wish I had seen this blog before wasting my time.
Thre are more helpful comments about this school at insideschools dot org
The negative ways in which this principal is described is very common. Although I didn’t feel this way ever about a principal or previous employer, I too had a horrible experience with a principal in Harlem. It wasn’t until then that I always blamed the teacher or the secretary for doing some wrong that would lead to a principal’s disciplinary action. I have always been a dedicated staff member with excellent qualities and experience. However, after my personal experience with this inhumane principal, I too understand where most of you are coming from.
While it might be true that he has good relationships with others, it may also be true that the people on his good list are doing what they need to do to survive. For those that are so unhappy and miserable there, I can’t understand why you choose to stay!!! You need to find a way out of there. Pride or just ‘P.S. 4 family’ bull is secondary. Your careers come first and this man is not concerned with your career. He is possibly concerned with a ‘power’ or ‘righteous’ disposition that goes beyond anyone’s control.
In my experience, I learned that the principal can do just about anything he wants, including making false accusations, fabrication of documents, false witnesses, including the support of our UFT reps. That was my case and fortunately, knowking your UFT Union Rep., I know that is not your case. However, unfortunately for her, she has been U-rated. My union rep. in Harlem sold her soul to the devil and just like others that supported her unfair and unethical actions, they too are slowly but surely getting on this principal’s ‘sh_t’ list. I am grateful that she was not able to U rate me, although at the last minute, on the last day of school, she gave me a very nasty and non-factual letter for my file. She had someone else deliver the letter to me and directed the person to give me the letter after she left for the day so she wouldn’t have to face me. That was her style–coward!
After my own investigation, I came to find out that the Harlem principal I am referring to has a criminal record, including some DUIs. She is either very legally savvy, has other ass kissers above her, has some sort of pact with Lucifer himself, or things have not caught up to her yet. But I believe in God and trust that her day too will come.
The fact that this Harlem principal has criminal records also speaks of how the DOE works–or does not work. Although I do not agree with Bloomburg’s taking over the NYCDOE, this principal and her Superintendent are perfect examples as to why our teachers suffer the consequences of the city government taking over the schools.
My advice to you all–google him, do searches, investigagte, investigagte and investigate. People like that, that try to find wrong in others or simply falsely accuse and intentionally hurt people the way he does–have some dark secret that will destroy them. It will either catch up to him and come to the light or God Himself will take care of things–slowly but surely. In the meantime, find a way to get out. Fight him from the outside and not from the inside. If you are a brand new teacher, DON’T APPLY TO P.S. 4 or any school with such reputation.
Dear Been There,
Thanks for sharing your experience! It really helps to know that there are other people that are going through the samething. Maybe this will give teachers the courage to stick together and stand by one another. By standing together, we’ll gain more power to defend ourselves from such unfair treatments and false accusations. Those who choose to be on the “ok List for Now” should know that by giving your backs to your peers when they needed you the most, you TOO will be standing by yourselves when the devil turns on you! My message, Stick TOGETHER!!!!!
Always remember that the ALMIGHY will ALWAYS be more powerful than any evil, or devil himself!
As teachers, we have to start finding the way of stoping this, ENOUGH!!! So if anyone has some ideas on how to start making a change, please post!
It is a good idea to google these individuals and open up their secrets to the world!
Terrible principal and that AP is 2x wost. I’ve never met a principal who will actually get out of his conduct ways to fulfill his goal. The AP, Ms. Drummond (Correct me if I’m wrong) is a very sad woman, whom supposedly came from the army with that horrid mentality. When she’s ‘bored’ at times, she gives out random “U” for the sake of it. Something small that can be actually fixed or learned by a small chat or meeting is considered a “U” in her eyes. As for the prinicpal, I’ve seen worse from him when he was an AP. The guy literally ran down four flights to chase two students, and if you call that normal, then you’re obviously bizarre.
He does flirt with the younger women, but the ‘Having sex with ECC teacher’ is all rumors. The day is actually happened, I was working with printing files whilst he was in his office finalizing the parent association letters. Many great teachers left the school due to the AP mainly, but Resto was always ‘good’ to me. I’m young, but I did see through his rudeness at times. If I can compare my current school with my past experience with Ps4, it’s 100x better in all honesty.
Yo True:
To thine ownself BE TRUE!! He was bad from the beginning & he’ll continue to be horrible to the end, if he makes it. All the negatives FAR outweigh the positives in Resto’s case.
yeah, how did TRUE know the exact time and day when it “happened”. Good memory there or just simply lining up?
and the people left because of the AP? who signed the letters and TR? The whole administration there S_cks! the school should be closed and reopened with new ADmin.
I just feel bad for your UFT leader. I worked at 4 long ago and I only know of great things about her. She had integrity, excellent ethics, reliability, excellent teaching techniques, fabulous interaction with her families and staff, her ratings always ‘S’–and the list goes on. I am sure that these qualities have only become better with experience and wisdom. The ‘U’ ratings she has received must be related to Resto’s feelings of inadequacy and incompetence. He feels threatened around people like your UFT leader. Mi advice to her: Salte de ahi chica que ese enano no vale la pena. A lo mejor puedes ayudar mas de afuera que de adentro.
And there were other great teachers at 4, like Ms. Ehrlich. And while something was a little off up there in her head, she too was an excellent teacher and I believe that she is also good at what she is doing now. However, her loyalty to her own needs comes first and she does enjoy the taste of power or just plain having some sort of control. Regardless of that, there is no doubht in my mind that her expertise as a mentor or Literacy Coach (whatever she is now) must be a great contribution to the school. That she kisses ass–I don’t doubt it, but I am not sure if she is capable of having anything to do with hurting the career of other teachers. Do you truly believe that she is capable of kissing his ass to the point where she actually goes to Resto to ‘report’ on staff? I think to some extend she is responsible for reporting certain things, like a teacher is not performing or cooperating. And by the way, does she still come to work late everyday and makes up some sort of excuse–that she has been in the building but busy talking to parents? It can’t be denied that she is a funny character! Ms. Ehrlich–que pasa caballero?
As far as the secretary, she comes a long way and I think she does a great job. She failed the test three times but she didn’t give up and kept trying until she passed. Stupid pride did not stop her from making it. Giver her some credit please. I agree that her writing skills need a lot of work but she has improved. That she makes a lot of per session–that is probably not only true but righfully so. Do you realize that she is the only secretary in the school? A secretary’s job is not easy at all and she must be loyal to her principal while having a friendly but professional disposition with the staff. A secretary is privvy to a lot of things and Ms. Colon has no business being a ‘friend’ to staff so that she is not judged by the staff as an ass kisser or a thief. I hear that she lets a lot of you get away with being tardy for work and not reporting it to the principal. Colon–I think you’re good people and down to earth. Be proud of your accomplishment.
In sum, I truly believe that your problem is Mr. Resto. I think that his goal is to divide and conquer and it seems to be working at 4. The ones that are kissing ass are probably more afraid than the rest of you, but they cope with it in a different way. Others just vent but are rightfully afraid to do anything about it and prefer to keep it on the low or they too will suffer the consequences. And then you have the ones that do stand up for themselves and pay the price. You either choose one of these positions–kiss ass, simply vent or stand up for yourself while you remain there. But why not get out and hope that his turn will come.
I know that things are turning ugly for the principal in Harlem that hurt the career of many, including an AP with an excellent background with the DOE and stained my file–temporarily for 3 years. Her day will come–
Resto’s day, if he is truly as bad as he sounds and deserves it, will come as well. Remember that many principals have come and gone there and some of you still remain. HE TOO WILL GO.
Take care of yourselves.
Dear Been There,
Me quito la sombrero, usted si que tiene pantalones!
They need people like you over at 4! to dismantle al enano.
By the way, did you know that while some people were getting by walking in late at 4, others are hunted by the second? and the funniest thing is that a lot of people receive letter to meet with him regarding attendance and later dismissed with a hand shake, and only a few, the ones on his black list, get a letter to the file. so, in other words, he makes believe that he is fair by scheduling a meeting about lateness, but only those who received the cursed pay the price.
As you said, his time will come, and justice will reach everyone’s ears from wherever they are!
People seem to forget “What Goes Around, Comes Around”
For those at 4, in order to get by, all we need to do is be on Ms. Villegas good list. She reports and makes up a lot of things to the principal. If you want to save your career, find a way to buy her breakfast or ask her about her offprings!
Just a hint for the beginning of the school year! ;)
It seems that all of the things that you all who have written are doing so now that you NOT at the school. Perhaps if you all had stayed & created a united front, the Resto’s & Ehrlichs of the world could not get away with what they’ve done. Ehrlich has dropped dimes on lots of teachers, maybe you were lucky. She covers it by being soooo far up people who she feels could be a threat’ asses that everyone falls for all that sugary sweet B*******S**** & I heard Mr. Restos mom was in a rubber room, like mother, like son?????!!!!!
Stop complaining about your poor treatment and questionable acts that occur in the building. Stand up for yourself. These can be filed against teachers and administrators.
http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/respublic/teacherdiscipline.htm
How many teachers left the school at the end of 2009-2010?
From what I hear ..an astounding 15 staff members left at the end of the 2009-2010 school year…It is extremely sad for the students of this school who are amazing and so full of love once you get through the tough exterior. It is hard to look beyond the unfair treatment of the admin and the fact that most teachers do not feel respected as co workers but looked down upon …The kids of this school deserve so much better and if admin learned how to treat their teachers then more would stay.
oh boy! the number is unbelievable! and I heard that the previous year about 10 left! is this telling something? Hope some good and dedicated teachers stay for the sake of the kids. or even better, hope of a change in admin so that the great educators stay and more dedicated teachers arrive to stay!
the principal is loser and im tellin the truth cause i go there and i am glad im leavin my mom thinks the two new assistant pricipals are gay. and they hate kids thats why they give u detention.i advise u not 2 go there truely.
Mr. Resto still there? What a looser! What a shame for the NYC Education! I remember his first year as a principal and his famous introductory speech, where he told parents and staff how he changed his life from a drug addict to a principal! SHAME ON YOU! Someone with No Brains have gone very far! Was it thanks to mommy?
I too remember his DRUG ADDICT SPEECH! unbelievable!
PS MS 4X TEACHER UNSATISFACTORY RATING REPORT UNDER VINCENT RESTO AND MARIA VILLEGAS
2009-2010 About 10 teachers
2010-2011 Over 18 teachers
What is wrong with these numbers? It should only be 2 Unsatisfactory, one for resto himself and one for Villegas.
There is no doubt that you are better off remaining unemployed, substitute teaching, or not teaching at all if the alternative is working in this school. If you are looking for your soul to be crushed, your stress level raised through the roof, and to be constantly reminded just how horrible you are at what you do then this place is for you. This man that is being discussed here is truly one of the most horrifyingly awful people that I have ever had the pleasure to meet. I am still not sure what the goal is for him as a principal. Does he get a raise for each unbelievably rediculous accusation and unjustified U rating? I think theres a team of principals that have a bet to see who can give the most U’s. Resto obviously took home that trophy. You will literally go home everyday feeling like you just got hit by a truck of some kind. The administrators however will help you if your an english teacher looking to improve your fantasy writing skills. You will literally read things about yourself that have been created in their wonderful imaginations and things that you did on really nice memos that go into your file. Don’t worry if you didn’t actually do anything wrong, your totally screwed either way.
P.S.- It might not be this month this year or even ten. However, when you mess with peoples lives and therefore their families lives in such a vindictive and egomaniacal way, you will pay the price. I wish nothing but the worst for you.
Seems that their goal is the same: GETTTING THE TENURED TEACHERS OUT! When are we going to digest it? It is time to get together and stop this! We, teachers, need to fight back! or are you ready to be the next one who is harrassed and accused of whatever comes their mind? Didn’t we worked hard to achieve a decent job? A job that not everyone will take? because it reaquires more than caring and dedication and it goes beyond the 6 hours school day? LET’S STEP IN TO THE PLATE AND GET UNITED, READY TO FIGHT BACK!
Mr. Little man, resto, is now looking to rehired some of the teachers he intimidated in the past with his phyco administration. Maybe he can not add or put together that 22 teachers left this academic year 22 out of 41. Little man, are you still trying to figure it out? Are you wondering why they left?
Wow, 22 out of 41? That’s very serious and sad. I can’t believe that the Dept. of Ed. would still have this man running a school. I taught at this school at one time and he was bad then, however, it appears that he has been getting worse as time goes on. If teachers suffer than students will suffer too no one likes to work in a horrible environment. The kids can feel the tension that the their teachers are having a rough time with the administration. Why put these teachers and students in this situation? Where are the higher ups? I’m glad to be out of the school, but I still have many friends that work there who are just keeping quiet and are doing their best to keep their jobs. I say, “run for your lives”.
I worked there and know what its like to have the current principalsay something and not keep his word.ky fault for not having a witness.the kids are the ones that lose out when you have someone in charge who iis about power tripping.young females are his preferrence for staff.anyone who is mature and knows their job threatens this person. This is just one comment.maybe the reader thinks I’m biased it have an ax to grind. I say this can all the other entries be so easily dismissed
That’s really thinking at a high level
This school has sooo much potential!! It’s a shame that it’s ran by a person who is more hung up on his ego than the progress of the children he rules over. The administration upholds Resto like he is some kind of God while students are failing miserably. This is the only school I have ever known that has 16 yr. old 7th graders and are passive about it. Teachers are over worked and stressed by the massive amouns of paper work. It’s sad…
Resto only hires women b/c he wants to feel powerful. He by no means will hire anyone who is a treat to his ruling i.e. (MEN) If he hires a man it is one that will be passive.
PS/MS 4 is a hen house bottomline!
Resto rules by fear when he doesn’t need to. You are the principal!! If you want something done just say what you need. How can someone work sufficiently being afraid??
There are so many cover ups it’s ridiculous! If the administration (Resto & Ap’s) spent half the time trying to fix the issues that they do trying to cover them up. PS/MS 4 would be well on there way to brighter days. The list of things lacking is unimaginable…
*There is no science teacher for 7th & 8th grades
*They just got a math teacher for 7th grade
Like how are they going to be ready for the state exams in May??
At the end of the day…it’s the students who are suffering and they don’t seem to care.
There is NO ESL teacher for those students who by LAW are entitled.
Pull OUt teachers, music, art, resource teachers are used to SUBSTITUTE all the time! No LIbrarian!! are we still wondering why the kids, OUR kids, are failling! Sorry, but Mr. Resto and His AP’s are nothing but LOOSERS!
All together PS/MS 4 is lacking the following:
*Science teachers for 7th & 8th grades
*Certified Teachers
*An ESL teacher
*Sufficient student promotion (There are 16 yr. olds in the 7th grade!)
*Faculty is not paid overtime (they are no aloud)
*No student clubs for grades 3-7
_________________________________________________
PS/MS 4 needs new management! The list goes on and no one is sparking any questions about this? Why is the superindendant not doing anything? PS/MS 4 is below level on reading 1.5 %. There are 8th graders who don’t even know how to write an essay, let alone a complete sentences. The proof on the work hung up in the hallways from students. Yet, these same kids have been in PS/MS 4 from 1st grade!
If the teachers’ voices are unheard, can we get parents involved? This are their kids and their future. Are parents awared of the incompetent administration there? Do the parents in the Parent Committee awared of this? Parents have an incredible power that very few know: we all know this!
To Anonymous,
Some parents are aware but the majority is not aware…
Sad to say alot of the moves that are made are done w/o
notifying the parents. A perfect example would be Resto
deciding to combine the grades. 401 & 402 are now in one
class which is 403. The new class 403 has 40 students and
7 staff members (5 which are teachers) rotating teaching
different subjects. Can you imagine how kaotic this must be?
Were parents notified about this change? Absolutely not!
I heard some parent lost it on Resto in the office 3 days
after this huge changethen they decided to send a notice out.They said parents can come to an open forum and ask questions if they’d like between 9am & 5pm.
Like are they serious? Parents work! Who can come in to the
school in that time frame?!? Resto doesn’t want parents to
come..he thinks he’s slick. But every dog will have it’s day.
I believe Resto’s time will come. Everyone needs to stop being
afraid and banded together!!
*not
There is a petition to remove this principal resto. google: petition to replace principal vincent resto.
Yes!, it is time for him to go! but sweep the rest of the administration as well. They are just as bad and incompetent as him!
GREAT! I’ve been trying to get back into teaching for years – finally get an interview and I learn about all this. :-/
I just got called for an interview too…makes me think twice :(
I just came from an interview panel today and people from 4 were there! There was this AP Villega,interviewing there. She was not polite at all! While asking me a few questions, I noticed that she never made eye contact with me. That told me a lot! Besides, she is interviewing me dressed like she was going out for a picnic, jeans, come on! I am looking to work at a school not at a circus! I walked away!
i just got called for an interview i guess i shouldn’t go??? sounds pretty bad.
how did u find out about a interview panel??
lucky you! best thing you did for yourself. Music teacher started on Monday and quit yesterday. You got it right.
parents are pushing to get the principal and his office staff along with some teachers remove from the school…stay away.
If we want out kids to get the RIGHT EDUCATION Mr. Resto, school secretary Elizabeth Colon, and all tof he office staff need to be remove. We ask parents have to come together and get them OUT! Mr. Resto has staff employees from the main office, some teachers and assistant principals who meet in his office to pray. He has unlicense teachers teaching our kids. Teachers who have not been able to pass their exam and have been teaching our kids for years. That is 1 of many reason our kids are not getting the proper education. There only 1, ESL teacher for all the non-English speaking students, still no special education teacher for the first grade, no science teacher, no music teacher, no library teacher, and no resource teacher. Again we need to come together and get these people remove.
“WE WANT AN EDUCATION FOR OUR KIDS”
TO PRAY? Is that allow in a public school building? Please report them!
He can’t find any teacher from the ART List to fill these classes ? ? ? ?
I meant ATR List
u not crip
Petition: THE REPLACEMENT OF PRINCIPAL VINCENT
RESTO …www.change.org/petitions/the-replacement-of-principal-vincent-resto…Cached
you +1’d this publicly. Undo
This Petition is long overdue; the parent community will no longer be seen and … The following issues have been addressed by various parents to PS/MS 4 staff …
Apparently the new music teacher, hired before winter break, resigned in just three days of being at that school.
Do we know why the music teacher quit after just 3 days ???
Should there be any other reasons NOT to quit after all that is listed above. We all know that all is true! She was hired and received 0, zero, support! Nobody wants to stay in as a newly hired without support and then find out at the end of the year that resto revoked your NYS license! just like he did to few teachers last year. Who do they think they are? he and villegas were never able to teach themselves! When he was a teacher,he was always patroling the halls instead of teaching at the same school where his mother used to work before she retired. His mom used to make extra room in her classroom to take care of those kids he was not able to control! and villegas is nothing but frustrated of her poor teaching skills! she can only teach reading, go figure!
So you are saying that she got no support. Did anyone go on their own and try to help her out? Where was the UFT Chapter Rep? Did they introduce themselves to her when she got to the school and offer some support? A new teacher needs all the support we can offer; this is only way to keep the good ones and the ones who want to help teach no matter what the subject, be it Math, English or Music. . . . .
Can she teach? Are you serious? She is a failure in everything she does! that is why she used her “connection”, who is now retired, to get to the AP position. It is just a different way to climb up the ladder, in the past, people used to pay for a position, now it all depends who you know.
This man is absolutely the devil and I cannot wait for karma to come down on him. After multiple interviews/screenings, a demo lesson, he offered me the position as a 1st grade teacher and told me to take a day or two to decide. After calling back 10 hours later to accept the position, only because he advised me to take time, his secretary told me he filled the position already. To this day he will not return any calls to give me an explanation as to what happen. The vice principals, his little minions, were just as ridiculous in the process. I also had given my notice to my previous job because this was going to be my first teaching job. I was devastated. I just need to be grateful in someway, after reading all the other reviews that I didnt have to work under this man. Poor kids- this man is selfish on only cares about himself.
Anonymous April 30, believe me, you are better off. Consider yourself lucky not to work for that poor phyco. You have saved your sanity and health, which are both priceless!..On the other hand, he is still loss in his fantancy world, which is coming to an end!
Is all of this true? Is he really that terrible? What would you tell to someone who was given a job offer from this school? Public school job offers are hard to come by.
But if you’re a girl is this principal going to be improper? Hit on you? Will you even have to see him that often? How many teachers have actually left? Does he hand out Us? Did he actually have sex with a teacher and leave condoms? What happened to the male AP that was fired?
I’d greatly appreciate an unbiased, factual response. Thanks.
Yes, most of the things on this blog are true. He is really that terrible, but to mostly older teachers who he is trying to remove. If the person had never worked for the department of education before, and they were a very strong person that can handle a lot of critcism and knows how to yes people to death, I would say take the job so that you can get into the system and then transfer when open market hire is open at the end of the year. If this person was transferring from another school in the DOE then stay away all together! The principal will not be improper with you as long as you dont give the impression that you want to be seen in a sexual way. You will not see him too often, but you will see the AP’s multiple times a day in your classroom. U’s are handed out on a daily basis, but they are handed out to people that they have on a target list, which anyone could be on at any time. Approx. 30 teachers left throughout the school year. Now that the year has ended I would expect that about 15 more have and will leave. High turnover is a bad sign for a school. In fact, its mostly new teachers who have not been given U’s that are choosing to leave because they cannot stay and watch the terrorizing and harrassment of other teachers. It is true that he was having sexual relations with multiple employees and would leave condoms around, but recently that has not been an issue or the case. Basically, the main reason not to take a job at this school is because there is no guidance and no help at all for teachers. You will be expected to know everything even if you have just graduated college. I hope that this helps.
Thank you very much. He sounds terrible. But it is certainly slim pickins out there for recent grads
PLLEAASE!!!! Don’t mess up your teaching record by working in this school. The teachers that are still left in the school are only there because he has messed up their record so bad that they are unable to transfer anywhere else. On paper they look like they are unfit and they aren’t he just wanted to be vindictive. PRINCIPAL Resto will reap all he has sown and it will start with this coming school year. The school will officially be overcrowded because of the new shelter that just opened up down the block. Aside from that he has 20+ teaching positions to fill because that is how many teachers have left since the last day of school on June 26th!!! Do not work here!! I wish I had of listened and taken heed to what was written on this blog while I was in the midst of my interviewing process with Principal Resto.
DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND DO NOT WORK HERE!! DO NOT RISK YOUR RECORD BEING MARKED OR BEING FIRED AND NOT BEING ABLE TO WORK FOR THE DOE.
ALL YOUR YEARS IN SCHOOL AND GETTING YOUR CERTIFICATIONS WILL BE LOST!!
It sounds like working here even for a year isn’t recommended.
I hope Mr. Resto that the tragedy that occurred in Conneticut, cuts you deep enough to understand that teachers you deemed “unworthy”, sacrificed their time to ensure the safety of the students every single day, yet, you haven’t put any measures in the school to protect those students, or, the teachers. The school is “still” largely unprotected. How about spending some time taking care of that, instead of destroying careers!?
Is he now begging teachers to stay, that he will not give any U’s this year so that he goes under the radar of how come students are exceeding the benchmarks while teachers are rated U’s ! Seems that the two do no match.
Wow! If teachers are U’s, is he cleaning the test?
I visited many web pages but the audio feature for audio songs present at this website is in
fact fabulous.
In the greater scheme of things, no one really cares. people need jobs, people need education. life is not fair. we live in the greatest country in the world. anyone can become anything based on their will, luck and timing. believe in yourself and you will be great.
Teachers keep losing faith at this school, what a shame in the administration! 12 teachers left this school year! So my question is HOW DO YOU EXPLAIN THAT MOST TEACHERS ARE RATED UNSATISFACTORY AND STUDENTS ARE PASSING THE STATE TEST? Either the teachers are being rated unfairly or students test results are being altered?
The sad & ironic part of what is happening in schools across the board is that after going through a rather brutal regimen of training to become a teacher, it all boils down to “who you know” instead of “what you know. Those in the higher echelons of the Department of Education are protecting these “predator principles” & the result is that students are being cheated out of a sound education. At Crotona Park West, (PS4), the teachers have left in droves every year for the past 10 years. Countless hearings have been undertaken, where clear testimony has been provided about what this administration has been doing, & yet the Department of Education has failed them miserably. Those responsible for making up curriculums & state tests have no experience in a classroom, have no clue about what teaching is. These same individuals have tarnished a once “noble” profession. The new recruits are just puppets. They have no experience & those who could have provided solid practice & development toward educational success, have been unceremoniously dumped as “uneffective” just because salaries were cutting into budgets. Crucial after-school programs have been cut. Supplies are a rarity. Anybody remember Teacher’s Choice? It’s something like $45.00, Really? You keep expecting effective teaching to go on with less & less resources. What’s needed is a state-wide strike to paralyze everything, then see who’s really to blame!
Do not, I repeat again, do not apply to this school. Not even if you are desperate! This man is the devil. It is 2013 and the same things are still happening. It is only November 6th and already the music teacher and both gym teachers resigned! There is no science teacher! Children do not receive SETTS or ESL services. They do not have ICT settings. Teachers are still teaching in the wrong settings, better said some classes don’t even have teachers. This school is pure chaos! The kids have suffered way to long! Its a disgrace!
I left last year and so happy I did! Heard this year they have all new teachers. Same story new day. When is this man and his administration going to be removed? How does this school still exist? Guess its because its in the South Bronx and no one cares about those kids! Ultimately, they are the ones who continue to suffer.
Came back from an interview on Friday. Thank you for this website. Declined the offer. During the interview Ms.Villegas was unprofessional and the secretary was rude to one of the teachers. The faces of the staff members lacked morale and you could tell they wanted to tell you run for the hills. So sad that this has been going on for years and nothing has been done. Hopefully, someone will stop protecting this man and do what is right for the children.
Considering interviewing for a social work position at PS/MS 4. After reading all the above comments (many from teachers) should I even bother?
Wow, so much to digest. I have a scheduled interview tomorrow, I do not know what to do. I do not work for DOE, want to get my foot in the door but I am afraid for my license. If I end up taking this job, I wonder how likely I will be to stick around here for 7 months?! ( dec to June)
I am a 8th grade student at this school and right now at my perspective it is at its best
Maleek,
Why don’t students stand up to these administrators? Do you really think Ms. VILLEGAS should speak to students the way she does? Should she be allowed to stand on school cafeteria tables and yell at students? Why is she always yelling?
Dear undecided & Maleek Satchel:
There are exceptions to every rule, some suceed where others fail. Just be conscious of one thing; the testimonies you’ve read above, are not make-believe, just note the dates. This has been going on for a long, long time. Take a trip down to the UFT, either at the Bronx, or, in Manhattan, or better yet, go to the Regional office in the Bronx, & speak to personnel, & union representatives, it should prove to be an eye-opening experience.
How is it that PS/MS 4 did not have a science teacher for the entire first marking period, found out the substitute was recently hired, and ALL students received a grade of 85 on their report cards. Oh yea, and the AP Maria Villegas was their science teacher! I am embarrassed to say I work for this school. Next year will be the same story. All teachers will leave and only the 4 teachers that are in the “it crowd” will stay.
To Maleek:
The only reason kids speak well of this school is because you have no consequences. Sad to say, but when you get older you will look back and see how Mr. Resto and his administrators not only cheated you out of a proper education, but made you believe that cutting corners is OK. PS/MS 4 kids have little future. They live in homes that are impoverished and go to a school that promotes lying, cheating, and stealing. Ask Mr. Resto, he is a first hand thief. Hey Maleek, ever wonder why you don’t get reading books or why you don’t have science books? Ever asked yourself; Is it alright for Ms. Kim to speak to me in that manner? Why is Ms. Kim allowed to use corporal punishment? She grabs kids by their clothes and uses language as if were in the streets. If you ever think that teachers leave because of the students, you are wrong. Teachers leave and will continue to leave because of ADMINISTRATION! if Mr. Resto and his goons are there next year you will see all new teachers once again!
What a shame Vincent k resto, Maria Villegas, Kim carbuckle, Elizabeth, Bertha, and all the rest including teachers that out of fear continue to pray, yes you read it Right, they literally pray in resto ‘s office. If you want to call it pray, I recall is more like a budoo!
All the testimonies that have been written on this blog are “eyewitness” accounts of what has been going on. However, because, it’s all written, ANONYMOUSLY it can’t be used against him. That is why he got rid of all the old staff who knew what was going on. These “young pups” he’s got working for him now wouldn’t know their asses from their elbows, that’s exactly what he’s prayed for!! Those who are doing his bidding, can’t retire, they need to work, so, he’s got them exactly where he wants them, or, else! He’s got them wrapped so tightly, they can’t see, that the very GOD they pray to, is the same one who will mete out their much their deserved punishment. NOTHING gets past the “ALMIGHTY”, HE will take care of everything, it’ll be on HIS TIME, though, not ours!
Teachers at Public School 4 in Crotona balk at having highest rate of …
http://www.nydailynews.com/…/bronx/studentsfirstny-reform-group-issued-repor...
Jan 15, 2013 – Tuesday, March 4, 2014; NYDailyNews.com / Bronx … 2013, 6:00 AM. Print · Print ; Comment. PS/MS 4 principal Vincent Resto in 2009 photo …
PRINCIPAL VINCENT RESTO IS A DRAG.
nypost.com/2007/12/03/principal-a-drag/
Dec 3, 2007 – A Bronx principal raised more than just eyebrows with his … they saw first-year principal Vincent Resto ambling about the hallways dressed in drag … a man dressed as a woman and think it’s OK – especially his principal, who …
PRINCIPAL A DRAG | New York Post
nypost.com/2007/12/03/principal-a-drag/
Dec 3, 2007 – “For a teenage boy to see a man dressed as a woman and think it’s OK … Resto was appointed principal July 1, 2007, after serving as assistant …
Petition | IMMEDIATE ACTION: to our causes and our children’s …
http://www.change.org/…/the-replacement-of-principal-vincent-resto-immediate-...
Feb 10, 2012 – The only thing that can save our child now is a radical restructuring of PS/MS 4. This change may require bringing in a new school leader or …
Things at this school just keep getting worse… we are almost at the end of the year and investigations continue but no actions. Why is this administration still here! Yesterday he made a wonderful speech how our problems should be kept “in house.” Really!! The nerves of this man, Vincent Resto. He is not worthy of the Mr.! And of course the new chapter leader is one of his pets!
Saw Maria Villegas coming out of a hotel with Vincent Resto near Yonkers, NY!!!!!!!! Yes it is out in the open… Hopefully his wife and her husband find out soon….oh yea, lets not forget they enjoyed a mini honeymoon during PD in North Carolina:)
Kindergarten class in the ECC building now has 43 students! !! Kids with special needs are not getting services. …
Please bring up all those illegal matters to the media. How dare they deprive kids of an equal and fair education. What is wrong with mini resto? ESL students without receiving ESL, yet the $ for these services are being spent in luxury office furniture and retreats where he can get his alcohol level up to the ceiling!!! And Special education students being deprived of their only chance to make a difference in their life. Are there any parents, congressmen, or any human beings out there reading this? Let’s bring this to the media!
I left a couple of years ago. That was the best thing I ever did. I am actually happy and I love going to work again. I actually work at a school where administration respects the staff. Go Figure RESPECT… That is something Resto and Villegas will never have for their staff. Oh, and about the praying, it would not bother me if they were using it appropriately. Any Christian knows that the idea is to live your live as Jesus would. They should follow Jesus’ last commandment Love others. These people don’t love anyone except for themselves. They will even stab each other in the back if it came down to it. You can not pray and turn around and intentionally hurt others. These people have terminated people’s livelihood, careers. That is not what Jesus would do, so please don’t confuse them for Christians. All who still work there watch your backs. They turn on you in a second.
On a happier note, There is life after PS/MS 4. You should all try it and those looking for a job, keep looking.
It is no a pray…is voodoo.
I’ve never in my life have met an administrator so cruel and gutless like the principle of that school I was a student their a couple of years ago and honestly I dreaded every waking moment in that school not because I had any issues with my fellow student I had personal issues with the principal and assistant principles their in the school I felt like they had it out for me I couldn’t even defend myself just because anything I did was a punishment. It got so bad that my parents were at the school every other day just because I would call them or a staff member that looked out for me would call because of me being a target of bullying! I remember being in 7th grade i joined the school play and me going through all the practice and through all the hard work to finally put it all on stage to impress everyone the last minute I was removed from the play in a rage of retaliation due to my parents going to the board of E.D to file a complaint on them I was taken out of the play. I remember crying that week asking why me, I put a lot of effort into the play I had family already planning to go see it and sadly I was taken out of it as retaliation, came my 8th grade year knowing that I was a target I tried to stay under the radar so that nothing could get past me and the fun and anticipating moment know as prom and graduation through out that year everyone knew how to push my buttons considering I knew how to defend myself well verbally, it seemed they took my outspokenness to an advantage always getting me suspended humiliating me sending me to younger grade classes, I remember being in the same class as my 7 year old brother that was in the second grade how more humiliating could that be? Getting towards the middle maybe the end of the year I was smacked by a classmate, she broke my glasses leaving me with my face bruised and if that wasn’t enough I was being given a superintendent suspension I wasn’t allowed to the school till the hearing I was sent to a another school. Came the day of the hearing me and my mom were given the option of pleading no contense (saying I was guilty for it and taking way less days then expected) or take the hearing we thought about the hearing but pleading no contense was my best option so we did it came the day of the hearing and his assistant principle came to represent (when it was suppose to be him) and she said the principal demanded 90 days of suspension. That was so devastating considering the fact their wasn’t even 90 days of school. We plead no contense and I ended up with 15 days I was happy. Came the day of my return to my original school I was given the cold shoulder from some teachers that seemed to fear him and sometimes even being ignored I didn’t allow it to affect me I continued to do my school work. Came the last day of school and I was given the summer school paper with already planned trips to the Dominican republic and had already went through the fun I expected of graduation and prom came crashing down on me because I had to go to summer school. And if that wasn’t bad enough I went every day to summer school every single day I went and in the last week of summer school I caught a romatic fever virus I missed the last 3 days of school and my faith was in the principles hands he decided to hold me back another year! I was so emotionally hurt it was almost like I feel into depression I was only 14 wondering why did it have to be me to have to go through so much pain and emotional distress. My parents tried all they could but their was nothing they could do. I remember walking in my second year of 8th grade I walked in in tears running nose red eyes and a hoodie over my head to hide my shame. I went through that whole year being made fun of being called a loser and a failure I remembered wanting to just give up on school I didn’t even wanna go back to that school but with my family being the only form of wisdom I had I continued my education facing all the cruelty throughout that whole year. My parents were given a restraining order to not enter the school because a girl spit water on me and I spit it back and the principle gave me a 2 day suspension my parents were feed up and finally let him have a piece of their minds. In the end they were only given a letter stating they couldn’t enter the school. Came the middle of the year again and a huge girl fight broke out I happened to have been walking to an office for my working paper as soon as I seen that I left to only later being given a letter of suspension for supposably pushing a the assistant principal to the ground their was no evidence it was me but still I was to blame I got another super intended suspension oh how much it hurt me again I went through the process of going to another school and another hearing. I ended up tackling the hearing this time and got 30 day suspension my only chance of passing was to try my hardest at the suspension site get the good grades to leave 8th grade once and for all with only about 45 days left in the year I had to travel all the way to Manhattan to the suspension site taking the scary ride that I never traveled ever but finally had to the last 30 days I did my best and left that school with 85’s and 90’s and thanks to that I finally was given the opportunity to leave 8th grade. Nothing could stop that school from me finally leaving and once I left that school a big weigh was lifted off my shoulders. Now I’m a honor roll student in high school with a future of being a detective! That school was hell for me but I over came it and I’m thankful I would never return to it! For anyone reading thank you for taking the time to hear out my experience at that school of hell!
Good for you! It’s interesting to hear and read how this school not only ruins the professional careers of educators but of students as well. So many times, administration values the misbehaved students so much and speak so highly of them while the actual good kids, the real scholars are pushed aside. Talk about priorities. How about the constant harassment that teachers face not only by admin but by children too!!! Grown, educated and talented teachers being bullied by these parents and students and nothing gets done. I can almost fall out of my seat every time I hear administration wonder why teachers leave. Is it really that difficult I understand? Should we put it in common core language? Danielson language? Let’s not even get into the legal aspects or illegal aspects of this school…. Too much to even type. Microwaveable administration…little teaching experience… The real winners are the teachers who don’t kiss ass, come to work after the abuse, teach the impossible, and still come to work everyday. PSMS4 may have taken the pride of past teachers but this crowd is different and will prevail. All will receive their appropriate fate. New teachers… Stay calm, you will survive and you will move on. Keep positive despite the negative. No human is worth degrading yourself for.
PS MS 004 is a horrific place to work and i feel awful for the children who have no choice but to attend this school. They are getting a terrible education not because of their teachers but because of the RIDICULOUS and unrealistic standards held by the administration. Kids are not getting proper services or adequate help in the class ESPECIALLY for those teachers who are OVER capacity with CONTINUOUSLY GROWING classrooms well into JUNE! there are absolutely no resources however Mr. resto has enough time and money to install a GYM for the staff to exercise after work?? Teachers get treated like they are incompetent, uneducated, inexperienced and have to walk around feeling shame and rejection from the harassment that never ends. Not only is it the administrators that make them feel this- but the staff who is in their secret cult society that meets for prayer and probably prays that everyone else in the school is miserable so that they can feel some sort of power and joy due to their own miserable PATHETIC inferior lives. i cannot wait to walk out of this school once and for all and find peace and happiness at a place where I am appreciated, respected and genuinely happy. GOD BLESS everyone who works in this place – when I die I know I am going straight to heaven because nothing can be WORSE than this hell on earth…..
If you care about your child do not send them to this school. These adminstrators are bullies. They not only harrass and belittle kids but also their staff. Staff memebers have no voice. This year many staff members have spoken up and nothing has happened! When is the DOE going to stand up for their teachers and students! Ms.Thrower is famous for roughing up kids. She grabs them and throws them around. She locks kids up in her office. Consequences for misbehavior is hanging out with Kim Carbuckle on the 5th floor the entire day. How is Esposito protecting this man? This school is false… This year Mr.Resto informed staff that only 25 kids can go to summer school, k-8. He stated the chancellor ordered this and would not be happy if more than 25 are sent. Kids will be promoted and left back without grounds. Ms.Thrower n Villegas began setting up the science lab for the state test a week before. They helped the 8th and 4th graders cheat on the exam bc they knew they had not prepared the kids.
Once again this school will have a HIGH turn over rate….they wonder why. Here’s a few things : not even a Thank you during teacher appreciation week , not one meal during PDs yet they provided a nice hot breakfast for kids during testing, no one says goodmorning in that main office including Jenkins who is the only one allowed to have her daughter in the building however the memo given last week about following rules says NO ONE is to bring their children to work, no preps or extremely late preps and NO pay for them, no supplies, no modeling how to teach, aps are now here to be found and one in particular spends her time on tables yelling. Paras who think they are deans or teachers (Kim) there’s a lot of reason why people leave and yes, it is something wrong with the school… This school needs to start appreciating teachers and being fair and equal…too much favoritism.
I’m supposed to interview here tomorrow…..yikes! I’m going to have to reschedule!
BRACE YOURSELVES MY FRIENDS; THIS IS A LOOONG BUT MEANINGFUL POST. MY REPLY IS NOT FULL OF GOSSIP, IT’S NOT A ONE SIDED OPINION, IT’S MADE TO ANSWER THE QUESTION… ‘Should Teachers Apply Here’ AND IT’S MADE TO GIVE ADVICE TO THOSE WHO DARE TO STILL BE BRAVE AND ENTER THIS SCHOOL…
TO NEW TEACHERS:
Let’s be real, ‘You need a job!’ Despite reading this, you’re still going to go in for an interview. Countless New Teachers have come in September and cried the 2nd-3rd week of school, saying they should have listened to their parents, spouse and pet cat after they all have researched this school. You come because no one else is really willing to hire New Teachers as much as PMS 4 HAS to. Just like the above replier said– they are ‘rescheduling, NOT cancelling their interview despite reading the negative comments… I bet the above person still went. Let me just warn you of a few things: THERE. ISN’T. A. CURRICULUM. GIVEN. TO. YOU. New Teachers get tricked into joining the curriculum team to create them; they’re told it’s a great learning experience. HA… certified individuals are supposed to design curriculums, not people fresh out of college. But it can be done– I did it! (kill me) You’ll create everything from reading resources to assessments to essential questions to rubrics to worksheets– not even half of it. You’ll get Laughed at and discouraged by administrators when purchasing work related material online. You will have no life. You will be lost regarding what to do and how to do it. You will create a Lesson Plan, you will get advice on that lesson plan, then the super intendent will walk in and say, ‘Wow, that lesson plan was too long!’ you will then be encouraged to not write so much in your lesson plan a week later, just to be told months later to add a few things to your lesson plan making it longer than what it originally was. Students will disrespect you and you will feel as though you have no support– because you don’t, my friend. Students will physically put their hands on you– and you will get either a corporal or verbal punishment case against you– because it’ll be the student’s word against yours. A lot will be covered up by administrators. You will feel hopeless at times. Even worthless. You will be nervous and afraid to ask your school secretary a simple question. If you speak up you are immediately deemed as defiant. You will get meaningless feedback on your evaluations and observations… like an ‘ineffective’ for having a typo on your lesson plan. Sometimes you won’t get debriefed after a lesson, but will have administrators observing you 3 times in one week– and expecting you to grow from that! You will cry– I have seen grown men CRY at this school and NO it wasn’t Resto– though I’m sure he’s cried tears of joy a few times from getting results HE wants– we’ll get into that later. A few of you will quit by November, many of you will stay and leave come June. Welcome to PMS 4 where children are first and you are non-existant.
TO ADMINISTRATORS:
We all know you read this. *Wink* What can I say other than you make it easier for other schools! You allow teachers to go through what no other school will allow, we teachers mention it all in our interview and literally BAFFLE them. Teachers leave and use some of their practices learned at PMS 4 and are highly praised at their new school. ‘You have a 20 page lesson plan?!?!’ ‘You design your own curriculum?!?!’ ‘You updated bulletin boards that much?!?!?’ ‘You had 2,354 Charts posted up in your room?!?!’ When these good teachers leave it only leaves you to find new teachers– not new to the school but New to teaching in general– to indirectly train them to do whatever it is you want them to do. I honestly admire how you rule with an iron fist. Why? Because you get the results you want. Good job at getting your results, but you will never get loyalty. Just a little bit of advice: For once, PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH! And please answer these questions when you can… preferably Mr. Resto. I would email, but that would get ignored like the others:
1) Why don’t administrators come in and MODEL how to effectively teach a lesson? Why are you allowing new teachers to visit other teachers rooms that are deemed ‘ineffective’ or ‘developing’?
2) Why were there no highly effective teachers? Why did you literally base your rubic on ‘ineffective’ ‘developing’ and ‘effective’? First year teachers that got effective have the same teaching skills and ability as a teacher that has taught there for years? Really?
3) What was the point of having a wall of fame for teachers of best practices and ONE teacher was posted on the wall? HAHAHAHAHAHHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHA…. No, seriously?
4) Why can’t you learn how to create an appropriate bar graph? Because the ones you have posted all around the school SUCK.
5) Why don’t you update your bulletin boards as frequently as you want us to update our classroom bulletin boards? Those students from March that were scholars of the week deserved that much attention for the next 3 months? No other class had great attendance since March?
6) Why not buy a curriculum but spend thousands of dollars on pointless things– like a gym? Sound system equiptment put into the classrooms? An electronic bulletin board NO BODY sees because of the construction going on outside… sigh
7) WHY DO YOU NOT SAY GOOD MORNING? WHY DO YOU PRETEND YOU DON’T HEAR SOMEONE SAY GOOD MORNING? Why were you so friendly enough to say goodbye to teachers when investigators and ‘people in the community’ were outside wanting to interview us about the performance of the school?
8) Why do you not say THANK YOU when gifts were given to you for Christmas and your birthday?
9) Why didn’t you show any teachers any appreciation on ‘Teacher’s Appreciation Week’? No one deserved a ‘thank you’? Ok, forget the ‘you’… that’s a bit personal, not even a ‘Thanks’?
10) Why did you lose so much weight? lol nah but seriously I’ve been trying to lose weight for the longest! How’d you do it????
RETURNING TEACHERS:
…………. Hi.
See you in September if I’m not hired by another school. You are amazing at what you do– no one else does it like you!
Adding number
11) Why didn’t you let teachers know we were having sexy seducing pictures for the senior yearbook? Most of us could have compete with the sexiest picture taken by the MS AP.
Screaming on tables!!?? Are they hiring for dancing on tables? Who do I see Resto, Kim, Villegas, or Thrower? It might effective for losing weight & relieving stress!
Ok so I’m seriously worried !! I interviewed yesterday and had call back today. I was offered the position and accepted…..now I’m freaking out! What should I do? Can I still turn the position down as I’m not officially hired? What are the suggestions?
At the end of the day you need a job, however, understand be prepared to service all the kids by yourself PLUS act as a substitue for classes and go on trips with same day notice. Good luck!
Do not take the job, you will be miserable! !!!!
Newbie you will do EVERYTHING EXCEPT SPEECH!!!
I bet you $500 he/she still took it. LMAOOO sigh
I mean… 10 months of being miserable isn’t bad right? Unless they’re desperately waiting to get picked up from a school like me and feel STUCK. ughhh
Didn’t take it actually 😊 thanks for the help! Think I made a good decision
SOO happy to be out of this school!!
Wow—I can’t believe this blog along with a NY post article that I found. Since I have an interview I thought I’d get background information about the school first. At first I thought this was the making of a disgruntled teacher but the comments here goes back for years and are consistent. I am no longer excited about the possibility of working there.
^^^ Very Smart. Comments go back to 2009. 5 straight years of people complaining. Keeping in mind that there is a high turnover rate for this school Every Year, meaning that the majority of these comments are coming from New Teachers who ignored this blog (because they just wanted their foot in the door) and still accepted the position to come to the school.
I just came from an interview and was offered a position and took it. I’m not too excited about that new school (because of the location and other things) but I know for sure I won’t teach in fear! I only pray that those still looking to get out, find a way. God Bless. This school has a lot of potential– and it will be reach if the administrators change or leave (ALL OF THEM). Point Blank.
Reading emails from my new principal makes me feel so happy and valued! My new school is having a calendar of monthly trips and family days ( something we did NOT get at PS4) I am so happy to be somewhere where scholars really are first.
After building great relationships with my students and their parents I am departing them due to the cruelty, dishonesty, lack of interest into the bettering of the student as a whole and just no type of administrative support whatsoever. It is already bad enough that we are challenged on every side by state and city expectations, parents and our students themselves. The students at PS/MS 4 have a lot of potential and it is crucial what happens to them each year, year by year, fabulous teachers leave because they are abused, unappreciated, belittled and realize that there is no life outside of PS/MS4. It simply is never enough for the administration at this school no matter how hard you try. The children get away with everything because at the end of the day their only punishment is to stay in the main office or roam around the building with Mr. Pina and Ms. Kim. Both individuals who have no credentials to be deans but yet they do all the work of a dean because administration is too busy having meetings, but you hear them laughing through the door down the hall. Mr. Resto does not know his students as he is never outside to greet them or ask them questions in order to better service them. It saddens me to see teachers leave year by year and this year I was one of them too. I remained hoping that something would change or they would in fact see how valuable their teachers are. This does not happen at PS/MS 4. You are completely constricted to a specific lesson plan format and teaching model. You are restricted from bringing in fresh ideas because the only thing they want you to do is a to, with, by and independent within two periods (which is almost impossible due to the needs of the students, they lack tremendous prior knowledge and basic skills because the teachers they continue to hire are new and have NO REAL MENTOR). This puts kids back as well as the teacher’s ability to teach adequately because you have to scaffold constantly. They give you the run around for copies, materials are never sufficient especially for special education teachers, you cant ever speak your mind and if you call out expect to be looked down upon. They don’t really care about their staff’s wellbeing, they care more about “can you come in to work, the kids need you etc etc”, all because he wants to have the best scores. If you plan on working here expect to have them in your room all the time, not for constructive criticism but to put down your ability to teach and the creativity you bring to the table. Expect to go into work with the best attitude possible say “Good morning” and expect no answer in response. Expect to be treated good only on the days they feel as though you did a good thing for them. Expect them to speak down to you and in return you question whether or not you were truly meant to be a teacher. Expect to work during every Christmas break, spring break, ALL BREAKS, because Mr. Resto and family must have the highest scores -__-. Expect to hear on a daily basis “it’s all about the scholars”, “well then make it happen”, “at the end of the day its all about the kids”, no you all are just manipulators and you use that for us teachers to exploit ourselves because you don’t know anything about teaching. How is it that in a school with so many needs THERE ARE NO SERVICES FOR THE KIDS and about 85% of the students come from either broken homes and/or shelters, you can only imagine the amount of issues these kids have. What about the wellbeing of your staff? , what about showing them your appreciation during teacher appreciation week?. I still remember going into the office and they did not even say thank you. Honestly It was a TERRIBLE experience. There were days where I didn’t sleep because I was mortified that the assistant principal would come in and my lesson plan was not good enough. There was always something lacking in my lesson, regardless of how amazing it was. They really play with your self-esteem and ability to teach. Then you ask them please model for me how is it supposed to be done and instead they’re always in a meeting in his office with the door closed, especially Ms. Villegas and Mr. Resto, no one can knock on that door or come near the door except Ms. Colon. They hire novice teachers and non-tenure teachers so they can abuse them and exploit them because they know we are stuck with them, as he will NOT release you no matter what, oh but he will give you a bad rating and countless letters to your file, saw it happen with my very eyes. Everything for them is corporal punishment but they can grab kids, hold them against the wall, push them, scream at them but the moment a child hits the teacher, they treat it as though it was nothing. I honestly feel so sorry for them that they think they can mistreat people and get away with it. Then they hide under this “God is good” façade and it’s all bull because people that are God fearing don’t mistreat their staff as much as they do. DO YOURSELF A FAVOR AND DO NOT APPLY HERE UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE MISERABLE, YOU ARE A MASOCHIST OR YOU THINK THAT YOU REALLY NEED A JOB SO YOU CAN DEAL WITH IT, TRUST ME YOU CANT! It will be the most MISERABLE 10 months of your life, as they will require so much from you that everything else in your life will start to crumble. Take it from someone that knows them. I AM SO GLAD IM GONE!
I CANNOT believe Ms. Kim Carbuckle is still there! I am 28 years old. I attended PS4 from 1992-2000. When I was in Kindergarten, Ms. Kim was a teacher’s aid or assistant. One time she bursted into my kindergarten class and cursed out/threatened my teacher for talking behind Ms. Kim’s back. (Mind you, the room was filled with 5 year olds.) When Ms. Kim left, my teacher broke down and cried in front of all of us. This was so ghetto and inappropriate. This was 23 years ago and I still remember. I’m shocked that she has been working there for so long. Unless it’s a different Kim Carbuckle??? Correct me if I’m wrong.
I will pray for PS4. Besides the random ghettoness of the school’s staff. I had good memories.
Feijoo will rate your room ineffective, tell you to change it 10 times in one week and make you come in Saturdays and stay late to do it and it STILL WONT BE GOOD ENOUGH. No supplies are given yet she sends school aids to borrow other people’s stuff. Not even a THANK YOU! I hope adminstration reads this so that they see that YES people leave because of the school. Teachers are told they can’t receive supplies because Mr. Resto has commanded Mr. Piña to stop ordering supplies. If you work here good luck seriously… Your sanity will go out of the window along with your pride and dignity. Forget about your husbands and children… You will be too miserable to enjoy them.
How unprofessional this administration is!! Teachers despite their feelings, e-mail them cordially to inform them of their departure from PSMS4 and Resto and his APs NEVER REPLY… Not even a “thanks” or “good luck” … So RUDE!!!!! This is a direct result of uneducated people….they won’t even respond to other administrator e-mails.
*Rolls eyes*
For those of you complaining on how administrators treat students, you know you can report them for corporal and verbal punishment yourself, right? Putting it here does nothing. Feijoo used to scream like Godzilla and when someone reported her she started talking like Mary Poppins. Enough Said.
You clearly are a teacher that doesn’t “complain” so I’m assuming you are one who is with the adminstration. Good luck next year.
haaaaaaa…..False. I’m a teacher that complainED all the time– to the right people. It produced the same results as posting on this blog honestly, because I was told countless times ‘things take time’. But let’s be real; posting on this blog does nothing but allow teachers to alleviate stress and vent. Looking at the LEARNING ENVIRONMENT SURVEY REPORT of this school back from 2012-2013 I don’t see low percentages of teachers saying ‘They trust the principal at his word’, ‘leaders give helpful feedback about teaching’, ‘Understand how children learn’ ‘gives support to No Extent’… I’m DYING to read the survey for 2013-2014 school year, because I know I put disagree or Strongly Disagree for a lot of those choices, and my peers, out of fear of the AP walking in and out of the room, put agree or strongly agree– or either they put those choices because they didn’t care since they were set on leaving.
So don’t Assume. You only make an Ass out of you and me…
And thank you for the Good Luck Wishes, my new school looks Very Promising towards enhancing my career!
I agree ^ I put strongly disagree for the survey. I made the mistake of being scared in previous years. This year, I did changed and got the hell out. I don’t care what happens to this school or the adminstration, I’m just glad people are getting out and making changes. Good luck to everyone wherever they are.
If you’ve clicked on this webpage because you’re looking into whether or not you should work at PS/MS 4, well then this is your lucky day because I’m about to save you from HELL.
What you’re about to read may seem unbelievable and untrue. Unfortunately, everything I have written below is true, very true… and very sad.
Aim: How can I explain the unreasonable and disheartening acts of the administrators at PS/MS 4?
Objective: I can describe the ways in which the administrators at PS/MS 4 made teachers’ and students’ lives a living hell.
Standards: Administrators have extremely high standards for their teachers, but extremely low standards for themselves.
Let’s start at the beginning…
~ 9 teachers quit by November. With the job market and the economy nowadays, 9 teachers quitting is really unheard of. Doesn’t that send a red flag to anyone? All the other teachers that survived past November truly died inside by December. Teachers were the walking dead every day until June 26th.
~The music and gym teachers quit because they weren’t getting paid. Yup, that’s right, weren’t getting paid. Hmmm… really shady business going on here.
~Because the music and gym teachers quit, students did not have music for the rest of the year and didn’t have gym again until about February. I’m pretty sure that’s not legal… Students in grades 3-5 did not have science either!
~The administrators forced a special education teacher to sign off a student on her roster as being “present” in her classroom, even though that student was placed in a general education setting and clearly not present in her class. Why you ask? Oh wait, maybe it’s because the school gets funding for every student with special needs in a special ed setting, so the school gets more money for that student that is supposedly “present” in that special ed class, but really, that student wasn’t there at all. I’m pretty sure that’s not legal…
~ Administrators are continuously being “investigated” but these investigations go nowhere and nothing ever gets accomplished. I wonder why? Oh wait, I know why… maybe it’s because the Assistant Principal Marisol Feijoo’s mom is the Senior Superintendent of the NYC Department of Education!! Don’t believe me? Google search her mom, Laura Feijoo… oh this explains a lot about why the shady business at PS/MS 4 goes unnoticed. Hmmm…
~This school does not have/use substitute teachers, so when teachers call out, students are split up into other classes and even into other grade levels. Sadly, grade level instruction is lost for students on these days and teachers have class sizes that exceed 40 students. Students first? I think not.
~ You will have missed prep after missed prep. You will not be compensated, no matter how many times they say you will. Know your rights. You have the right to ONE prep EVERYDAY and a total of FIVE preps a week. The administrators will pretend they don’t know this.
~Field trips are cancelled often. Many are planned the day before and cancelled the day of. Students cry and rightfully so. There are no fun activities for the kids. Clubs and extra-curricular activities are nonexistent.
~ The administrators will interrupt your class as you’re teaching in the front of the room to make you sign a piece of paper that is a formal, legal document that commits you to something. You end up being really unclear, unsure, and confused about what you just signed, mainly because you were just bombarded by their rudeness in the middle of your class. Be careful what you sign yourself up for!
~Students run around the school building when they are supposed to be in class. They punch each other, spit at and bite teachers, they throw things out of the classroom windows, they curse off the school staff and NOTHING gets done about it. There are no consequences for their behavior. Oh wait, I’m wrong… actually, students get to play on the computer or on an iPad when they misbehave!! No wonder why kids continuously misbehave! Thanks for the support administrators (hint.sarcasm.hint)
~Despite what I just wrote about the students, the kids here at this school were actually NOT the problem. I loved the kids a lot. The administrators on the other hand…
~Students with special needs DO NOT receive special education services. Read the students IEPs and see for yourself that their needs are not being met according to their IEPs. I’m pretty sure that’s not legal…
~There is 1 ESL teacher for all of grades K-8 and 1 Special Ed Teacher (SETTS) for all of grades K-8. Do the math… these 2 people cannot meet with all the children in need! No Physical therapists, no counselors, and clearly no love for the students that are hurting.
~The APs actually told the teachers that they don’t have enough staff to accommodate students with IEPs. If only the parents knew what goes on here…
~There are no IEP meetings, but teachers are forced to sign off on these legal documents stating that there was a meeting that took place. I’m pretty sure that’s not legal…
~The administrators YELL at the students EVERYDAY. The worst part is, they yell at them the loudest during morning breakfast. They will yell and scream at the kids right in their faces! There’s nothing I love more than being screamed at first thing in the morning as I try to drink my orange juice (hint.sarcasm.hint)
~Kudos to those few teachers that tried to speak up on behalf of their students. Unfortunately, the administrators did not take your creative insight, but instead put you on their radar as a teacher with a big mouth/whistleblower who would tell all their secrets…
~I received 1 box of pencils for the entire school year. Thank you Mr. Resto for this box of pencils. Other than that, teachers received NO supplies at all. Resto will promise to give you EVERYTHING and ANYTHING you NEED TO DO YOUR JOB AS A TEACHER, but believe me, you will receive NOTHING. Nothing but empty promises.
~Students are forced to stay in their peed pants all day long! The APs will tell you that their parent was called and there was no answer at home, but then nothing gets done and sadly the student sits in his or her own feces the rest of the school day, smells the classroom, and gets made fun of by other students. =(
~There was a second grade student who was placed in a first grade classroom all school year by Feijoo. She did not notify this kid’s mother about the change. This second/first grade student ended up bullying another first grade student all year long. Nothing was done about it. The bullying continued. It continued so much that the first grader who was being bullied RAN OUT OF THE SCHOOL AND DOWN THE STREET BACK TO HIS HOME!!! The teachers were in a panic looking for this missing kid. NOTHING was said about. No media, no nothing!! Did we not learn from Avonte’s tragedy?
~Teachers are required to post every students’ grades and reading levels on a wall in their classrooms. That way, students can see their grades posted up on the wall, compare themselves to other students, and then tease the kids that earned lower grades and call them stupid.
~Students are expected to line up in height order when walking in the halls. Why you ask? So Officer/Commander Feijoo can ENSURE that all students are adhering to her law as she passes by your class in her hallway. She will quickly scan every child lined up in height order and reprimand the teacher (in front of her class) when they are not in the correct order. It’s so sad that students actually tease each other, as they call one another shorties and tallies, because they are forced to line up by size. How does this build community?
~On the topic of community… there is no such thing as a teacher’s lounge, no thank you for teacher appreciation week, teachers are left to solve their problems on their own. If you ask for help, you will be seen as incompetent and may have to write your OWN REFLECTION explaining your incompetency. Nothing like digging you into the dirt huh.
~Teachers waste all their time (and money) “decorating ” their classrooms, making process charts, and putting up ridiculous bulletin boards just so the school looks good when outsiders walk through the building.
~Speaking of outsiders, hey Superintendent—next time you want to visit PS/MS 4, why don’t you make an UNANNOUNCED appearance? Every time you visit, teachers are forewarned of your arrival, classrooms are decorated even more so, and students are given the riot act to be on their best behavior before you come to visit. And you Superintendent, are so stupid that you actually believe this show that the administrators put on for you!! Sure, the halls and our classrooms look awesome, but you’ve failed to realize that the teachers and students are hurting… really badly hurting.
~Let me remind you that students in grades 3-5 did not have science this past year. When the science test was coming up, the lab part of the test was pre-prepared and set-up and students reviewed and went over the actual lab based part of the test weeks before the exam. I’m pretty sure that’s not legal…
~Word has it that the teachers often gave their students the answers on the State Exams. No wonder why PS/MS 4 is “A” rated!! The admin will repeatedly make the teachers aware when their students are failing. They will repeatedly let you know that you an ineffective teacher because your kids are failing. No wonder why teachers gave their kids the answers on these state tests!
~The administrators are continuously “plotting” how to GET YOU! They love coming to your classroom to observe you the day after you get back from being out with the stomach flu or returning from a funeral, just so they can try to “GET YOU” on one of your not-so-great days. They absolutely love “GETTING YOU!”
~ They will observe you on the day(s) when the copy machine is broken (which is almost always) and you don’t have enough copies for all your students, or when your smartboard is broken (which is almost always), or when your class is twice its size because another teacher called out and there is no substitute (which is almost always), just so they can say “WE GOT YOU!”
~There is no routine set in place for the end-of-the-day pick-up for students and no sign-off sheet when parents pick up their child. Because there is no policy or procedure set in place, many times students are going home with adults that do not have legal custody to take them home, yet nothing is said when dad (who has a restraining order) picks up his estranged child… oh wait, until the mother calls up or storms into the main office wondering who picked up her child??
~Resto will not return your emails. Scratch that- he will not return your emails that may be used as evidence against him. He is really shady… If you work here, make sure you get everything in writing because like I said, THEY ARE OUT TO GET YOU!
~The administrators will make up stories against you to try to get formal letters placed in your professional file… or worse… to try to get your teaching certification taken away from you. For example, they might make up a story about how “you aggressively approached an administrator and how you made that administrator fearful of you due to this aggressive behavior.” I know this wouldn’t look good in your professional file, especially when you’re trying to get a different job!
~One teacher tried breaking up a fight between students and in doing so, put her hands on the students as she pulled them away from one another. She ended up having charges pressed against her for “laying her hands on a child” and the administrators did nothing to support her in this legal issue.
~Colon will never answer your questions. She will be so rude to you and make you feel like a peasant. You as a teacher, as an adult, are not allowed behind the counter in the main office… not even to make a copy. You are a peasant!! You may stay late for a PD workshop or take part in after-school. Good for you, but make sure you keep track of your hours worked because you’ll find that they jip you and you don’t get paid for all those hours you worked! But if it was Colon’s paycheck, she’d definitely check twice to make sure all of HER hours have been accounted for… but for you, ehhh nobody cares. Do yourself a favor and don’t even bother signing up for those extra sessions to begin with, because you more than likely won’t be paid the correct amount anyways.
~You may be rated as ineffective in certain teaching components. When you ask why, they have no evidence to support their evaluations. The admin should really go for Danielson training on what an ineffective teacher really looks like, because they truly have no idea.
~ Lesson plans are 10 pages long. That’s for only one lesson for only one day. Often, teachers were expected to write 3-4 lessons per day… you do the math.
Sadly, teachers that work here gained weight, some lost weight; some teachers had to postpone their wedding plans, others got divorced. Some teachers miscarriaged during pregnancy, others unable to get pregnant altogether. Many teachers are now taking medication that they have to be on for the rest of their lives… all as a result of working here at the hell I call PS/MS 4– in this very STRESSFUL environment that consumes every aspect of a teacher’s life! As for me, I’ve developed paranoia after working in this school. I hope to one day find an administration that isn’t out to GET ME!!!
This school will “clear house” of its old teachers (by old, I mean the teachers who have survived a year or two of working here) and get brand new, excited teachers straight out of college and suck their souls from their bodies.
As for you fellow teacher looking for a job, please don’t apply here. The energetic, loving, compassionate, caring, and hopeful teacher that you are will be sucked right out of your body by the demons known as Principal Resto, AP Villegas, AP Thrower, AP Feijoo (and a few others). Please look elsewhere… if you take my advice I will sleep easy tonight knowing that I saved your life.
I know that Karma will turn around and bite all these administrators in the …
(This post took me about an hour to write. That’s about a quarter of the time it took me to write 1 lesson plan for 1 day while working in this hell hole).
If you work for the newspapers or the media and you read this, please do me a favor and leave your contact information here in this blog, so I can share my stories with you personally and try to make them as public as possible, so people are aware of what goes on here.
Teachers, students, parents, etc- feel free to add on to my bullets explaining something that I may have forgotten (I’m sure there’s plenty more…)
Please keep praying for the young students that still have to go to school here at PS/MS 4. We cannot forget about them!
To expand on the student whom was supposed to be in second grade but was ILLIGALLY changed placed in a first grade classroom, it is also important to point out that the teachers from second grade were instructed to write his failing grades even when he was not in the classroom. THIS IS ILLEGAL! They were instructed to falsify DOE documents! At that point, what are they supposed to do when presented with this task from your administration?!! They were all first year teachers, and basically treated as puppets. The underlying message was, do as I say or I will make sure YOU pay the price. We all knew this was real, they write you up, rate you ineffective and basically make sure you don’t have a job by the time the year ends. THIS PLACE IS A CAREER DEAD END!! Do yourself a favor and go somewhere else.
Here’s some help: Anyone wishing to go ON RECORD with any evidence, or back up this testimony, can make an appointment with Ms. Ocasio, she is an investigator with the UFT. Send her an e-mail, locasio@uft.org, or, call her at (212) 598-7785. Call ASAP!
Expounding on the 2nd grader bullying the first grader:
VERY TRUE!!! The story will get you teary eyed! A 2nd grader terrorized students in his second grade classroom all through September-October. Literally punching students for no reason. This student definitely couldn’t perform on grade level, and was merely pushed along from first grade even though a request was made for him to be held over. After Feijoo realized his behavior was unbearable upon the 1st year second grade teachers, she placed him in a 1st grade classroom, with a teacher who is not certified to teach, and let’s face it, had AMAZING (sarcasm) classroom management skills. (Take a WILD guess on the strategies used to calm that kid down…….yea…..)
This change was not documented in the system!!!!!! 2nd grade teachers still marked him present on their roster. When report cards came around, they gave that child 1’s and 2’s… So even though he was improving academically in a 1st grade classroom, his self esteem was immediately lowered by seeing that. Furthermore, that student continued his ways to bully the 1st graders, which resulted in 1 boy running out of the school and his mother finding him on the street.
Grades K-2 has a separate building fom 3-8. Teachers never see Mr. Resto or other AP’s in the building– only when the superintendent is around, a PD is conducted, or they are doing observations. Because of that incident, that was the first time all year the principal decided to walk through the building just to poke his head through the doors to see how the students were doing…. He literally just swiveled his head around the room for 3 seconds and walked out. Both mothers should have sued. Me staying at that school and witnessing all of this haunts me…. Even in this summer break. I’m glad I got the email welcoming me into another school, even though that school may not be the best school, it will not come close to the worst of psms4.
I witnessed this too. The worst part is that they tried to blame the teachers that ran all over the school trying to find the boy for not calling the main building when they did their part and alerted school security. Nobody knew where the kid was! When his mom found him she came in screaming and yelling, but in the end nothing happened. Everything was brushed under the rug, and nobody talked about it again. Truthfully, I thought this incident would’ve ended up in the paper or at least be the beginning of a REAL investigation, but nothing happened. Parents should’ve done something, but they didn’t! If I would’ve found my son in the middle of the street when he should’ve been in school, you bet your life I would’ve had Resto fired, along with his incompetent AP Ms. Feijoo.
What a shame!!!! This school should have being closed long time ago! You have Mr. resto (yes lower case) making indecent proposal to teachers, making it intimate with some, ended up marrying one of them, who later went to be an AP with Mr. Acosta, then only to divorce her to mess around with one of the APs at PS4, who was married to an musician wanna be. Now they are both divorced! Commenting on that comment of how the APs now make students lined up by size from shorter to taller, if Admins lined up by size from shortest to tallest, resto will be the first in line, oh, wait, that will apply for IQ too. Starting with the lower score!
There was a interview session at the Brooklyn Museum for Art, Music teachers. People were warned to stay away from their table.
Fantastic Job for the lack of effort put I I the very brief an forced upon response e-mails that Feijoo sent out. It’s hard to have respect for someone who hasn’t respected you and those response e-mails are proof that through all the demands teachers were put through they still don’t deserve a “thank you” but merely a “good luck”. Till this day no one gets a thank you. I will not bash the school, because I’m moving on and the only way out of being in a situation like that is to remain positive, however, to meet have received gratitude cuts deep.
To all teachers at this school (PS/MS 4), can you please let me know if anyone is happy? Also, does this principal/AP’s give everyone bad ratings no matter what? Are certain subjects better to teach here if you teach at the middle school(IE Math, Science, Special ED, Phys ED, English, History)?
How many teachers are coming back next year? How many teachers quit last tear? Are there any teachers who have been there for more than 3 years?
Please email me at varun.b.gupta AT Gmail if you do not want to answer everything on this blog.
Thank you.
Every single question you’ve asked has already been asked and answered in the comments above. Lol I understand you Don’t want to read everything or don’t have Time to read Everthing but, it’s there… If anyone is still willing to work at 4 and have these questions but don’t want to save their soul by researching and actually reading true personal experiences of teachers here, then good luck to you! And I genuinely mean it. You will NOT die at psms 4… Well, at least you won’t physically.
There’s a 96% chance you will not be happy, this is from me personally speaking to about 96% of the staff. Many tolerate the place. They take the bull in stride. The job pays their bills. I will tell you that many of the teachers that have taught here for years are either Paras or Subs. This school, unlike other schools, have a large budget for them to stay permanently…. However, if your a para thinking about becoming permanent here now, YOU WON’T. You want to find out about the other 4%… Again good luck.
I can’t speak for everyone getting a bad rating. Many that has gotten poor ratings either feel it was constructive feedback or just plain unfair. It all depends on how your a ‘reflective teacher’. All I know is my AP lied on my last observation.
What do you mean are certain subjects better to teach? If your talking about the students, I know cluster teachers (those that taught S.S., Science, Gym, Music) had the hardest time dealing with so many kids. Because students weren’t around their classroom teacher they considered those subjects/periods like a hang out time. Many students didn’t listen and was RUDE…. But hey, that’s at every school. When I was in junior high I also acted a fool during those periods or when my teacher was absent. Now regarding AP’s, they will treat you the same, no matter what subject you teach. Because they don’t provide much support, many of those teachers quit by January, and new ones coming in quit shortly after.
Your next 3 questions have definitely been answered above, and I can’t answer them due to me running the hell out of there. All I can do is tell you to grab a red bull and READ the above…. It won’t hurt if you do and decide then, but it will hurt you if you don’t and accept whatever position later. For the 3rd time I wish you luck.
Here’s the truth… everything above is no exaggeration but if you are unemployed and need to pay the bills well then take the job- struggle for the year and then hopefully a better school will hire you next year because you have more experience. It sucks the big one but it pays the bills.
To the administration – have you been humbled yet by all of this!? I heard SO many teachers left this year! Shame on all of you. Would it have been so hard to be SUPPORTIVE and NICE to your staff instead of tearing them apart, making them feel like failures every day and ignoring every and any teacher that walked by you. Unfortunately when you sell your soul to the devil nothing can really humble you or make you feel remorse for the despicable way you carry yourselves – but there will be a time when the immunity fades and you WILL have someone greater to answer to. When that day comes all the teachers who fled from your school will be watching with GLIMMERING eyes and listening with JOYOUS hearts from the glorious sanctuary they found refuge in to escape the hell on earth that is ps 004!
This school is definitely incapable to open this fall due to lack of teachers. Can’t wait for the worse to happen, kind of cause and effect.resto, villegas,thrower and feijoo put themselves in this position, record breaking indeed! Hahaha
9 teachers from the ECC are not coming back! Does anyone know how many teachers from the main are not coming back?
How many grade 3-5 teachers left?
The art teacher of 15 years left his summer! What does that tell you?!! There is no special ed teacher for the ecc building. The whole school based support team left!
I wonder if Mr. Vincent Resto will make his famous speech the first day of the school year about how he really feels like this years team will be the best and how he selected only the best teachers. No, Mr. Resto, you selected the only teachers who would actually accept the job. You had the best teachers this past year but you along with your APs did not appreciate them. Now suffer the consequences of having no staff or sub teacher staff. Every year the turn over rate will increase, and you will make history as the adminstration who led to PSMS 4 fading out. Your A’s mean nothing… All it stands for is for the asses you all are.
Ima tell u da truth… Keepin it real.. Rite now the way things are going… They think that they are untouchable … They’ve been getting away with this because they have the big people on board… They’re day is coming… They can’t prove themselves anymore … U know why?… They’re running out of gas…every year… More teachers r leaving… Why is that?… They get me sick to my stomach… They’re disgusting… They’re fake… I’ve seen it all… I don’t know how they’re getting away with so much… Please help us!!!!
Middle school lost 6 of their teachers! That was almost all of them…lmao.. n we all know that whoever is “coteaching” with Ms.Jenkins will be teaching alone… then jenkins will get all the credit. Ms.Jenkins shame on you for lying about being in a classroom. You are not a mentor nor a lead teacher! You were barely in the classroom because you were preparing to take the AP position from Ms.Villegas. she was on Resto’s D*** all year for the principal position. I dont know how that nasty casper looking troll really thinks she is an example of professionalism. ?. Villegas, along with the others, is unethical. She will say something and tell you I didnt say that if im asked. Fyi: stop contacting ppl on their personal phones. Idiot… you will pay with your son….he will be treated unfairly by his teachers, he will despise you for spending little to no time with him, and he will learn that daddy left you because you are a whore!!! A master in sucking penis!!!! Thats what you have! As for tangela thrower… get pants that fit.. you are disgusting… so happy I wont have to see your extra butt checks or back fat, watever it was and is…your weave is disgusting and you are the epitome of ghetto and rachet!!!!!! FEIJOO without mama dearest you are done… keep praying to those voodoo dolls. VIncent disgusting resto you are not a man of god. YOU ARE THE DEVIL IN DISGUISE. Stop using god as a cover up.. you have the small man complex… both figuratively and literally…
Meh… so much for talking about professionalism. Smh
Oh how happy I am to not be returning…. Will continue to pray for the individuals whom souls will be tormented this upcoming year:(
Jenkins never lesson plans. She steal other peoples plans but yet gets the credit. How about as the English teacher in middle school you learn how to freakin spell and speak properly!!! You know nothing about the English language because you can even speak it. ANDDDD Resto says no teachers children are allowe yet Jenkins has her daughter there every day in the main office on the computer hanging out with administration. Shame on you resto for playing favoritism. We all see passed the fake personas of you all… That’s why so many left. Feijoo, I hope you feel the pain you caused these children everytime you yelled at them and threw their snacks and food out before they were done.. Villegas you have a nasty attitude and I am SO glad I won’t have to hear your voice say “can we have one conversation….can we keep the side conversations to a minimum…”
Nice test scores… Not really… Guess you couldn’t manipulate as much as prior years.
SEND IN THE CLOWNS!
This school is full of the fakest adminstration. They have no respect for teachers lunch periods as they force them to keep kids and hold meetings during their lunches. Everything is last minute. They go down your throat to make you sign up for some PD or curriculum team and if you don’t do it your looked at wrong. Curriculum team consists of you being alone after waiting atleast 30 minutes for the computer lab to be opened and then Jenkins is no where to be found so you have absolutely no direction or help. Not to mention that when teachers start to quit, you get no preps and no heads up about it…. Don’t plan on getting paid for these missed preps. Worst time of my life was here.
I am so pleased to have found this website!!!! I interviewed here, and was hesitant with parking/tolls situation. It sounds like teachers are treated horribly and there is a lack of respect from administrators. How is the school in reference to speech teachers?
They treat speech teachers like shit, especially feijoo who in the past has made them do her IEP paperwork and more recently told them to not service students at various times of the day despite the speech teachers schedules. They are inconsiderate. If you are hired through an agency, you will have more control over your life, if resto or one of those horrific APs hired you, you will be a sub and everything in between.
Last year I spent all week BEFORE the first day (legally for teachers) setting up my room… And it still wasn’t good enough for FEIJOO who made people come in on SATURDAYS! On top of that, the first day back (for teachers) is supposed to be for CLASSROOM SETUP. Teachers are NOT obligated to set up their room a week in advanced. They are supposed to be given time on tier first day to set up. This school DOES NOT GIVE YOU TIME TO SET UP ON YOUR FIRST DAY. You new teachers will be in meetings hearing worthless speeches all day tomorrow with MAYBE 30 minutes for your classroom. I hope you atleast get breakfast. Please someone post about restos first day speech tomorrow so we can see if it ever changes.
And yet, people who claim to be happy to move on with their lives by leaving this school still find the urge to look back from wence they came.
Focus on your new school with your new kids and your new AP and do something more productive with your time. Use your freedom to heal your wounds… not pick at the scabs.
*Spoken by a parent whose child USED to attend here but pulled them out after realizing an AMAZING teacher left*
So why are you writing here?
Who was the amazing teacher
Anonymous Sept 2, you sound ridiculous! The very reason why we choose to write here and to keep it consistent is to avoid not only amazing teachers, but amazing individuals from entering this place and becoming miserable.
If you were so called *Spoken by a parent whose child USED to attend here but pulled them out after realizing an AMAZING teacher left* then you would UNDERSTAND the purpose behind this blog.
Job postings in the general help wanted section of the NY times now…. Wow. They can’t find anyone to work there I guess.
Hey administrators ! Nice typo in the NEW YORK TIMES ad….Apparently looking for a technology teacher with a NYS teaching LICE…hm funny i didn’t know lice could teach.
they also spelled license wrong under the technology teacher AD – said they are looking for a technology teacher with a NYS teaching LICE. hm funny i didnt know lice could teach. GREAT spell checking ! and to think we’d get mocked for typos on lesson plans!
Sept 2nd you know you are one of the assministrators!!!!! Yes assministrators!!! Stop playing..8th grade math teacher already quit…and it starts:) Resto you lost 50lbs using the student fitness room whom you stated this year is not used by assministration..liar….you are beyond pathetic and your little lover maria villegas is disgusting…villegas—the woman who sucked restos **** to be AP and work her way up to principal…. Thrower—the disgusting fat AP whose butt crack is always showing..poor thing so fearful of resto you are…feijo-girl if it wasn’t for your momma having pull in special ed you would be no where…you guys are beyond ineffective..wishing resto, villegas, feijoo, thrower, and kim the worst year possible…
That’s what a younger administion will do. They will burn bridges to give themselves a name. They’ll do watever it takes. Its all about them
Yall are some miserable bitches
I wish I could upload the audio piece of feijoo screaming like Godzilla at second graders during lunch.
In response to “y’all are some miserable bitches”
1. What makes you think everyone here is a female.
2. You are probably one of those APs trying to get some argument out so you can sleep better at night.
3. If you don’t like it, guess what? Don’t read it!!
4. Misery loves company, so if you are taking time to read this, you are miserable too.
5. If you are a parent of a student in this school writing that, than you are a perfect example of the ghetto trash that these teacher have to deal with on a daily basis.
100% of the teachers last year took the school environmental survey.
85% of you said the principal understands how children learn.
71% said the principal knew what was going on in your classroom
74% said he is an effective manager who makes the school run smoothly
79% said the principal encourages open communication
79% felt supported by the principal
85% felt supported by their assistant principals
71% looked forward to coming to school everyday
65% didn’t want to work in another school
70% said school leaders recognize teachers for their accomplishments
Anything above 60% is considered good in an elementary/k-8 setting… though the progress report is different from the school environment survey, ALL of them work together and these scores make it seem like things are running fine at the school.
Is the surveys rigged? Did a bunch of them lock themselves up in a room and fill it out for you? Or did you not put this info down yourself? Your explanation doesn’t matter, as this info will forever represent this school. Maybe the 15-25% that spoke the truth are only posting on this blog and the high turn over rate for over 80% of the school backs up their claims. However, If you were intimidated then, and feel the need to speak after you left (the posts this summer AFTER school is over is a perfect example)… What point are you proving? You ever saw a fight getting ready to break out, and the people in it only want to throw blows and get hype when someone finally steps in and holds them back… Don’t get offended, but yea, that sounds like this.
The only good thing about this blog though, is that when you google this school, it’s one of the first sites that pops up…. but then again, it also makes many of you sound bi-polar if you took the survey and expressed you felt supported. You hated the school but couldn’t or wouldn’t express it where the info counts and is available on the DOE site. More attention is given to schools with poor scores– why should anyone step in, if the info that’s prevalent mentions things are fine and dandy?
I researched this school some more and found the petition to remove Vincent Resto had a lot of signatures– one coming from Elizabeth Colon… I mean come on, the school secretary definitely didn’t sign her name, especially since claims here supports she is apart of that administration. This explains that some of you that were upset with his leadership wouldn’t put yourself out there to express it either. You rather remain anonymous, which I support and respect (I’m doing it myself) but it leaves no credit to the people complaining and wanting a change.
A ‘so called’ parent wrote on this blog… how can we prove that? ‘Student’s’ wrote on this blog saying the school is great… how can we prove that? If you look at the times of some of these posts, many are minutes after each other– do you guys meet up and write together, or is it one person replying to themselves? I couldn’t help but notice these small things.
I do feel the need to point out who I am, but what point will that prove? I could be a new teacher who hates this school now or one who loves it and feels everyone who made a post here is wrong. I could be a parent or an old teacher that left. I could be a returning teacher. I may be a reporter who was told to investigate this issue further. I could be one of the Assministrators– which, by the way, I love the play on words. I purposely won’t reveal myself to express the credibility of this site. I will say though, that I have contacted Carol Harrington, who represents your district, to which she expressed that it’s hard to help those that don’t want to speak up. To my knowledge she has visited the school and many were hesitant to tell the truth when questioned– which she understands. The administrators are intimidating and you all need your jobs. But let’s face it, change with them will start when you REPORT THEM the correct way. New teachers, learn something. I will continue to follow up, but most likely won’t respond to any who will feel the need to attack this post– which should come shortly :-)
we would have spoken up if we weren’t watched by hawks on the days investigators would show up at the school. the administrators never came outside during dismissal unless it was to keep tabs on the teachers in order to see who would be speaking up and out. colon would sit in on UFT meetings to ensure no teacher spoke up. if you spoke up, they would do nothing but try to make your life miserable every day at work. we teachers need our jobs and MORE importantly our sanity to perform at work on a daily basis and maintain loving and healthy relationships to COME HOME TO when we leave work. so that is why we remained anonymous – because of fear, intimidation, and respect for our own reputation as teachers. it is all mind games and control in that building, and that is the sad truth.
You keep saying “I wish I could tell you who I am…”
Frankly, no one gives a shit who are you, not to mention not giving a shit about what you have to say.
Obviously if you worked here you would know that teachers were forced to take the survey on school computers with their APs watching over their backs.
If you worked here you would already know that while talking to the UFT investigators at school, Feijoo was told (by resto) to sit outside the door as an intimidation tactic while teachers entered the room to speak with the investigator.
If you worked here you would already know that teachers who have contacted the UFT investigators are not allowed to post on this site, so while it might seem like no one is doing anything, you’re too dumb to realize just exactly what is going on…
Again, keep talking out of your ass. You know nothing.
The school fixes these surveys because I know for a fact some teachers refused to complete it so that 100% number is false. Also, they were all put in a room at the same time by adminstration to complete this survey on school computers while waiting outside….can you blame teachers for being afraid to be honest? Teachers would have gotten observed 3 times a day if they spoke out. The fact remains that no matter what people say, nothing has yet changed. This principal and adminstration sold tier souls to the devil for this reign they have…. I wonder what the price will be.
I honestly don’t know what to do.
Reading the posts from the summer made me question whether to accept this position. I still took the job and hoped for the better. Upon meeting the administrators I found nothing to be true on this blog! ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!!! I had heart to heart conversations with them. I spilled my frustrations, they listened and gained my trust.
Then it happened: the one day that the copier for both buildings broke down is the day they decided to observe everyone in their rooms. They walked in and stayed for less than 5 minutes and mentioned me not doing things as if they stayed for the whole period. It’s over 2 weeks and we’re still waiting on all the materials needed to teach the subjects required of us. I just spent over $200 for my own printer, paper and ink since I was told it’s ‘my fault’ I’m not prepared to service my students. It’s my fault their not engaged. It’s my fault my students disrespect me.
When the administrators expressed their concerns they were very demeaning. One spoke with her hands flared up like she was ready to strike and the only thing preventing her was the lunchroom table she stood behind. The other spoke with clear disgust on her face. I’m just tired of crying. These poor kids are suffering and I try my best, but clearly fail. One teacher already quit. That was before this encounter. She was lucky because their words would have tormented her soul like it’s tormenting mine. I can’t help but feel like I won’t make it.
I’m not a disgruntled teacher. I’m here because I honestly want to improve but feel like I’m alone. I’ve researched (googled) ways to enhance my methods– many tips don’t seem like it’ll reach my kids, but hey, I rather try. Any advice on those who left on what I can do to service my kids so that I won’t give up this early? I’m officially frightened by these threatening AP’s.
Wow, my heart goes out to you. First off, it’s not you or your teaching skills that are the problem… Don’t think that way. It’s an absolute shame that you are researching techniques for your class because no one will give you the guidance. The biggest problem with this adminstration is that they DO NOT KNOW HOW TO DO THEIR JOB SO THEY CANNOT HELP OTHERS. They need professional developments on how to be adminstrators. I am assuming that the one talking with her hands is Villegas because she is very disrespectful to teachers… She’s the one with the most teaching sense out of the rat pack so she assumes she’s the best. I feel really bad for you. The teacher who quit did the right thing because they will all year make you feel as low as low. Also, they will observe you on Mondays, the day after vacation and like a teacher last yr, on your birthday. It doesn’t matter to them. At the end of the day, it will always be your fault. I suggest you really take time to think about things. It will not get better, I’m speaking from experience… And not every school is like this. The children cannot be controlled… Their are no rule for them, adminstration allows them to walk over the teachers. Last yr kids walked out durin observations and adminstration would do nothing and blame the teachers. If you called security, you would be looked at as incompetent. Best of luck, please think of your sanity and future.
During the interview and hiring process they were ALL SMILES. What a show they put on. As you have read from previous blogs, they are great at putting on shows… putting on shows for parents, teachers, and even the Superintendent (wait until she comes on by to PS 4…the administrators will run around making everything LOOK pretty). Now you know the true PS/MS 4…
I feel so bad for you. You need to swallow the fact that this is going to be the worst year of your life. I can speak from experience and working here was truly the worst year of my life. Please DO NOT quit. Working in a city school in the south Bronx really looks good on your resume, so stick it out. If you quit, you will be blacklisted and unable to work in another city school forever. Please try to keep your head towards the sunshine and just keep pushing through. Know that the administrators have that “incompetence” speech every year, at the beginning of the year. Last year, they “were appalled at our lack of teaching skills…blah blah blah.” This speech was intended to put a fire under our butts and make us strong, better teachers. Little do they know that negative reinforcement does nothing for kids, let alone adults. We walked out of that meeting pissed off at the administrators and it did nothing to make us better teachers; just made us hate them even more. They will continuously tell you that you’re doing things wrong…know that you are not the only one…they’ve been saying it to teachers for years! I had more teaching experience than all 4 administrators COMBINED and they always tried to knock me down with their insults (they call it constructive criticism).
So here’s what you can do…
Stop crying. Learn to laugh at them because truthfully, they are some of the dumbest people I have ever met. You need to learn to laugh at the unrealistic things they want you to do and carry on your business.
Nod in compliance. When they give you suggestions and tell you how to run your classroom, just nod your head and go “wow that sounds great!” Better yet, when they give you a suggestion, ask them for an EXAMPLE. Haha they won’t know what to say to you. They will pull something out of their ass. And again, nod your head uh huh…
After you nod your head in compliance, close your classroom door and run YOUR classroom the way YOU KNOW how it should be run. Do your OWN teaching and pretend to give them what they want.
I always had a stellar lesson plan on hand and I would change the date on the first page of my plan EVERY DAY (it was the same lesson plan, but with a different date). That way, when they came to collect plans, I would just hand them this plan that had been sitting on my desk for months! That way, I wouldn’t have to kill myself making these unrealistic lesson plans every weekend. Listen, they know how to play the game…you need to learn to play the game too.
Also, share your lesson plans with the other teachers teaching the same subject. Then, change the name on your lesson plan and call it your own. It will save you a lot of aggravation and stress doing it this way. When they call you out on sharing plans, make them aware that are you showing Danielson Framework 4d- Participating in a Professional Community domain, by collaborating with your colleagues and planning together! Like I said, learn to play the game.
They actually aren’t allowed to collect plans anymore according to the UFT. Remind them of this and contact the UFT (even though they are worthless). Your plans should be for YOU as the teacher and used by only YOU the teacher. Make your plans that help you as the teacher, and as mentioned before, keep that other lesson plan on hand with the changed date.
When you are called for a meeting with your AP or resto, VIDEO RECORD the conversation. If you want, tell them you are videotaping them for the purpose of using their suggestions as a reference to better your teaching methods. If you feel uncomfortable doing that, there were plenty of teachers that brought their bag into the meetings with them and videotaped their conversations with their phones in their bags. This will help when you need to provide evidence to a UFT investigator (you might not think about that now, but you’ll see around February/March how this may come in handy)
Stop wasting your money. Listen I know you want to make sure your students have every opportunity to learn the material you are teaching, even if this means making your own copies and buying your own materials. Don’t even bother. The administrators won’t appreciate it and neither will the parents. You can only do so much with such little resources. When they come to observe you and the copier is down, tell them that this is why you don’t have “worksheets” to give your students. If they dock you for this, contact the UFT.
Like I said, be the best you can be…for you and the students. Don’t listen to them. They have no idea what they’re talking about… no idea. Teach well and teach the way you know how. Laugh at them and dry your tears. It is what it is…
Stick with it til June
Wow! Haven’t looked at this blog in a long time and I just got flashbacks to the horrible days at 4. However, it was also my most memorable year of teaching but I was one of the lucky ones. I had all the same experiences as what has been listed on this blog and everything you read is true, believe me. I saw it all… But I have to agree and say stick it out. When you transfer to another school you will appreciate it more. You will also get so much experience you will look amazing on interviews! It is not like this in other DOE schools. I have no clue how this administration is still there, but they are, and I truly hope the current staff can try to band together and make changes. I know that many of you are scared to speak up, especially being brand new and not tenured. But if you all stand together and help each other that is the total insult to them! I had an amazing year 3 years ago with my 2nd grade team because we stuck together and worked hard and I mean HARD!!! Ms. Sara Ehrlich was one of the best people I have ever met in my life and she guided myself and others, giving them the best teaching practices to last them a lifetime. For those of you newbies now I’m sorry that many of the seasoned teachers are gone, but try and form your own bonds to get you through the year! Work together and June will come quick… And get on open market the second it opens up! Fax your resumes alllll over and you will get something else. Suck it up for the year, work together, and believe me it will pay off.
Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do… everyone refuses to believe the blog…until you get there… They will continue to make you feel incompetent, you will not get supplies, only the chosen few will be allowed behind the office to make copies, it WILL ALWAYS be your fault! It will not change it will get worse. Sorry to tell you, but you will spend alot of money in that mock of an educational institution. The kids will do whatever they want without consequences…and beware because they will have the students lie against you… they bribe them with “goodies.” Feedback is useless and watch out for Villegas and Resto… They go happy go lucky with putting things in your file…quit or get prepared for a year of hell!!! Pure hell… sorry for being so brutal but that place is not only a scam, but pure HELL!! They are so incompetent…Resto will never answer your questions and I know that youve noticed that there is no open door policy….will continue to pray for the poor souls in that place whom dreams of teaching are being shattered by these uneducated, unethical, degenerates…. Sorry you got deceived by those ghetto rachet scam artists…
A Question: DO YOU THINK THEY KNOW ABOUT THIS BLOG & DO THEY READ IT ???
Of course they know. They write on here too
resto has referenced it many times and accused people of being the ones writing in it
I hear that administration is focusing on to model to, with and by method for the new teachers….. That method SUCKS….it doesn’t work when the kids can’t even read!!! How the hell do you want kids to write essays when they don’t even know the alphabet. The kids in this school are very low functioning and the 10 page differentiated lesson plans are USELESS. the SETTS teacher is covering a class for a teacher who quit. This is absurd. Teachers are depressed because they spend entire weekends typing away on a computer things that are so far beyond these students intellectual capacity. I don’t see how this school scores an A rating. Thank goodness I found a new job, current teachers, watch your back….they will observe you on the worst days and everything will always be your fault.
I wish all the teachers jere luck I couldn’t imagine if I had to go back this year! I am so happy I found another job. My advice would be to try your best with the students. If I was still there I would laugh off the administration nothing you will do will impress them nothing will be what they want they will always find a problem so instead of trying to please them just do the bare minimum they ask of you. If they are still on your case print out the UFT contract about the lesson plans and attach it to the lesson plans you write they will have noting to say but they will make your life hell for it. I wish I would have stood up to them last year but just like all of you now I was sacred I needed a job I needed a way into the DOE and this place was it. If you can get by without being on their bad side and just go as unnoticed as you possibly can I suggest you do that but if they are already observing you all the time and on your case stand up to them and try to not let them get to you. Just know they are incompetent and know nothing about educating students or being in a classroom they are Restos puppets and terrified of him because he too is a joke of a leader and will abuse his power over them. Do your best to stick it out and switch schools in the open market but this place is not worth tears and destroying your life get out if you feel that way and just try to not allow the unprofessional, inadequate administration get the best of any of you they don’t deserve your time! Best of luck and stay strong!
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Anything change?
Not at all!! Adminstration continues to be a terror and DOE continues to sweep it under the rug.
This is the worst school ever!!!!! Why did I accept?!?
Why is it that DOE continues to protect Resto and the administration at 4? Esposito’s departure wasn’t s happy one.. Your next little man Resto, with your little side kick midget whore Mara Villegas..
Bad school
It’s been years since people have been writing on this blog, waiting for something to happen. It hasn’t yet, don’t ya’ll get it, it’s not going to happen in YOUR TIME, it’s gonna happen on HIS TIME!! & it’s not Resto that’s being referred to here.
Resto left his wife, whom he also met at 4, Ms. Acosta, for Maria Villegas…Ms. Villegas states: if I could give anyone advice, it would be to never get married. She states that she would have never gotten married to her husband or had a child because he is a lame upcoming musician. News alert: Resto is a lying “Christ” following womanizer. He loves to prey on 1st year female teachers. The tighter you dress, and more spandexs you wear, the safer you will be. DOE is beyond corrupt and can’t allow Resto’s actions out in the open. Why do you think Esposito is gone? Pure corruption!!!!!
has anything changed here?
Shout out to the person who conducted the quality review for PSMS4. I’m so happy you were ‘Blown Away’ by our school! I must say I was also blown away when Mr Resto and the administrators told me not to teach my kids for a whole week just to prepare for this lady to come and review our school. When I first was told to not focus on instruction, I ignored them the first day. How The Hell Can I Not Teach!?!?
The next day my room was unlocked with the lights on and my papers all over the place. My assistant principal came up to me and said you really need to step it up. The students paperwork was disorganized. The rest of the week I DID NOT TEACH MY CLASS. I did everything to impress them, to make sure everything was right for the quality review. The worst thing about this was when everything was over; I lost my class. It was hard checking their behavior when i was told to ONLY focus on putting on a show (quoted by my AP) Since the quality review, it has been so hard to get them back on track. The saddest part is that most of this work will be thrown away by June (as told by an experienced teacher)
I’m just tired of the circus acts.
Smells like the doing of Maria Villegas!
It was all a set up! The whole quality review was so fake. The district’s superintendent was taken by the hand and told to only look at the following rooms and to look at the following students. If they would’ve had a real QR their cover would’ve been blown wide open. Not having a special education teacher for two and a half months for a 12-1 class and then sticking 3-5 children from that class into other classes without any notifications.. without any school work.. without any learning…teachers didn’t t even the children damn names… was definitely a huge law-suit if parents only knew. The school relies on newbies because the school is a revolving door.
Sounds like Maria Villegas. She is the devil, lol! Ask Ms. Harb.
It is beyond me or anyone I work with why every single directive we get from the administration comes at the last minute. As I write this, the curriculum is being written for next week. So much for planning ahead. Working in this school means constantly working behind the eight ball and never being able to plan ahead or organize. Admins coming in constantly with last minute projects that are an ENORMOUS amount of work due yesterday happens several times a week. Additionally, there is never any follow through which makes the work we do have no value. Is this how you want us to teach? Give the kids last minute tasks that are seemingly impossible, give them NO time to complete the task and then never give help, extra time, advice or constructive feedback. That is how we are treated. I have no problem with an administrative staff who demand high standards, but it needs to start with them. The lack of organization wreaks complete and utter havoc on the entire teaching staff and it NEVER ends. Where are the school schedules for trips, assemblies, conferences, literacy events, and other special events? We never know about any of these events until very short notice when we have already spent hours on plans that we no longer can use. It’s maddening. Sadly, this could be a good school with some very simple changes at the top. You cannot expect teachers to be happy and therefore effective, if you are disorganized and unprepared.
Back to this hell hole tomorrow. Can’t wait for June to come so I can leave like every teacher does!!!! I hate working here:( Its been the worst experience ever! People do not teach at 4, we have to put on a show for the 2 worst administrators in the world: the elf Resto with his little midget Villegas…None of these two individuals know what it is to be an effective teacher… Resto can’t do basic math or Ela.. And Villegas she’s only good for stroking his ego;) thats how she stays on his good side and his ego is not the only thing she’s stroking. ..
I wonder how many teachers will join open market this year and leave …. The BEST decision I made was to leave. I actually have time for my family now and I don’t have to deal with fake people like Feijoo who used to tell us not to talk to certain teachers in the building all because she didn’t like them. Updating bulletin boards every month is a joke. Your basically working to put on a show. Good thing Is that this administration is super predictable so you can beat them to the punch most of the time… I guess that’s what happens when you have little classroom experience.
I can honestly say no one would understand the pain this school leaves you with if they never had to spend days of their lives in there! Its been a couple of years already that i left that school and I can truly say im still affected by what I had to face in that school. They ruined me mentally as teen in middle school and thats something I would never let go, so no one can come here and say we can’t express ourselves about this cancker of a school; because by all means we are all united because we all can come and express our hatred together, and know we didnt face things alone in the school and that we arent the only ones !
A memo came out about PSMS4 being a Teachers of Tomorrow school, and if you are a 1st yr teacher that remains with the school you will continue to be eligible for the incentive.
If you LEAVE, YOU WILL STILL be eligible for the incentive as well. Don’t Stay! It doesn’t hurt to go on interviews and at least get a glimpse of how life is outside of psms4.
The many smiles on teachers faces I’ve seen since September was on April 15th…. the opening of Open Market. No gossip…. just truth.
If you stay it will be more difficult to get the award as you have to be rated effective or highly effective; something that is extremely difficult at this school. The observations are biased and the AP’s lack any versatility. If it’s not the To, With, and By you are wrong. If there is no rubric you are ineffective. Please run for the hills and get appreciation elsewhere. Btw, it is teacher’s appreciation week. Be prepared for… Nothing.
Surprisingly they had Great gifts for teacher appreciation week.
The better to make you stay and suffer more next year.
Its going to be a large turnover… again!
Wow found this blog searching for Resto (formerly Martinez) my current AP at MS232 — If you think you are the only ones being tortured while the DOE ignores your repeated complaints you are sadly mistaken- it appears that your pincipal was trained by our principal Niefi Juan Acosta – Now Google that! Many of the stories are similar only Nieifi has annexed his “gym” room to his “Living room” and is likely living in the builiding! If you think Delores Esposito covered for them – Leticia Rosario is just more of the same and remember she was hand picked by Carmen Farina…!
When Lord, When!!??
It’s crazy… I first saw this blog after I accepted to work here at PS/MS 4. I came to find all of the things this blog were true and needless to say I was MISERABLE. Resto ended up getting Feijoo to trump up a slew of accusations to fire me. I have to say I have never been so RELIEVED!! The administration is so bad it actually turned me off to ever wanting to work in the DOE ever again! Everyone is soo tired of how they are being treated but no one wants to stand up to do anything. SMH… it’s a shame. I now have a career and I’m making 4x the amount resto paid me. LITERALLY… Why stay miserable in a school when you can leave and actually be happy and enjoy what you do somewhere else. I want to encourage anyone reading this… take the leap and go!!!
^^^ Sounds like Mr. Vargas.
Congrats!
This blog started after Mr. Vargas began working tere.
LOLOL… No it’s not vargas just a former office worker. WOW.. I didn’t know vargas left and i’m glad he got out. He was a good man. The only one to actually have enough balls to stand up for what’s right!!
Not working for those incompetent fools, Villegas, Resto, Thrower, Feijoo, is the best feeling in the world… they are miserable, very miserable people. They have no family life and hate to see othera prosper and happy. Thats why villegas and resto are acrewing each other. Lol.. they pay for their actions every single day, thats why they arw not blessed and miserable.. have fun this summer interviewing you no ass at all having midget!
You have one life to live. Regardless of what you are going through, you have a unique gift…something special that only you are capable of bringing to life. Do not give up on yourself…even if you feel that things are not going your way, and even if others do not acknowledge your brilliance. Enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Laugh, love, explore and make a difference wherever you are.
Do not miss out on your own life. Do something everyday that reminds you of being fully alive. Determine to enjoy your life in small as well as big ways. You can not get out of life alive. So bust a move! Create impact. Live a life that has meaning and value to you. Do not worry about what others may think or say about you. Learn to live above the opinions of others. Live full. Die empty!! You have GREATNESS within you! – Les Brown
I WAS ONCE LIKE YOU WHEN I WAS AT THIS SCHOOL. MY EXPERIENCE WAS LIKE A NIGHTMARE, I WAS SO GLAD I WOKE UP. MANY THOUGHT I WAS OK BUT I WASN’T. LIFE IS TOO SHORT TO BE MISERABLE SO I “FIRED” RESTO BEFORE HE FIRES ME FOR WHATEVER NONSENSE REASON. THE ADMINISTRATORS ARE WAY MORE MISERABLE AND ACCOUNTABLE FOR EVERYTHING. FIND A BETTER PLACE WHERE YOU CAN BREATHE AND APPRECIATE LIFE. DON’T WORRY AND DON’T BE SCARED. WHEN YOU STEP OUT OF FAITH, GOD WILL SEE YOU THROUGH…BUT YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE FIRST STEP. STAY AWAY FROM TOXIC PEOPLE IN YOUR LIFE, GET THE LOSERS OUT OF YOUR LIFE. FIND YOUR DREAM AGAIN AND DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN TO SEE IT HAPPEN. IT’S POSSIBLE. YOU HAVE GREATNESS WITHIN YOU, LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL OUTSIDE PS4.
Where you will be 5 years from now is determined by the 1) books and
audios you listen to 2) the people you meet 3) and the places you’ve
been
Happy that I am almost out this hell hole.. See you in September, not!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
congratulations!
congratulations!
THANK YOU for this post. I was invited by this school to do a demo after an awkward interview experience (on their part, not on mine)!! Told them I was hired elsewhere.
To quote Beyonce, “Thank God I dodged a bullet!”
You sure are happier somewhere else. Congratulations!
Wow I guess I “was” going to interview with them in early August…..I guess not
Do not take a job at this school, even if you are desparate! You might as well stay unemployed then work for these animals. Last year was my first year of teaching and they made my life hell.. glad that I found a new job at a new school:) Vincent Resto is an idiot and his team are his asslickers..
PSA: if you’re on Open Market and haven’t gotten a call for an interview since April or May when you first applied, please keep in mind that you must continually apply to schools frequently since many of them update their openings of positions daily. I suggest you log on to the system once a week to apply to new openings that best suits you.
Best of luck
Will here be a high turn over rate again?? The year I left my entire building with the exception of 2 teachers left… everyone get out of there, this school isn’t meant to keep teachers for one year , two year tops… Run !
Why do you still care? Go enjoy being at your school.
Guess you are either a teacher who loves the school or admin who is trying to make themselves feel better about being there. Whichever you are, if you are so worried about teachers moving and instead of writing here, you should do the same. Clearly you are looking nice for something by even being on this site.
To those of you returning or who have accepted a job here… Here is an example of types of emails you will receive from this horrific place :
A few important points about what need to be in place by end of day TOMORROW, 3/20:
-Student work! I distributed bulletin board feedback last week with a deadline of today, so please update bulletin boards accordingly if you have not done so already. No student work displayed should be dated before 2/28 (inside or outside classroom) and comments need to include specific next steps on the part of teacher and student as well as a corresponding rubric. Student work should also be plentiful and be placed above and next to bulletin boards, and I will assign school aides to assist you with completing this process tomorrow.
Thanks to those of you who have taken my advice and mounted lines to display additional work within your classrooms!
Remember there is no such thing as too much student work :)
-An abundance of words on the word walls. From my classroom visits, I still observe that word walls need additional vocabulary and students need to make better use of them. Please add power words, important sight words, as well as content vocabulary words to word walls tomorrow. Ensure that they are neat, clear and visible to students. Word walls and the classroom environment should be reflective of the current ELA/Science units of study via charts, student work, etc.
-Organized classroom environments with neatly organized classroom libraries, ARC bins and leveling charts. No bins should be placed outside the classroom library as all bins should be utilized by students. Please reach out to your colleagues about exchanging bins if you find that you have too many. Also ensure that your ARC leveling chart is clearly visible.
*Please also finish decorating your classroom doors by end of day*
-Please update your ARC charts to reflect current student levels and celebrate those who have recently moved up! Students should be able to accurately speak to their levels as well as articulate next steps for moving up to the next level outside of “reading more.”
-Opportunities for students to be actively engaged within the lesson via the use of turn and talks and higher-order questions. Students need to be actively discussing the work with their peers. This routine also helps to promote a positive classroom culture and climate. Remember that building positive relationships with your students (along with delivering lessons that promote a high level of engagement for all learners) are the keys to preventing misbehaviors.
The following are reminders from Mr. Resto about what needs to be in place, so let’s make it happen:
– Teachers are in possession of a comprehensive lesson plan and it is readily accessible upon request (HARD COPY not in the computer)
– Classrooms are organized and clutter-free, print enriched, and student work is posted with student and teacher comments.
– Bulletin boards both inside and out are up to date with teacher and student comments and an abundance of student work
– There is evidence in the classroom of data driven instruction
– All common planning sessions are taking place with an agenda that has clear focus points
– Centers are clearly labeled throughout the room
– All transitions are smooth to include arrival, between classes, lunch, and dismissal
– Teachers are in possession of a data and conference binder
– All ARC reading data has been updated
– Teachers are in possession of student goals as well as their goals
– Classroom libraries well organized with leveling chart
– Teachers are in possession of all materials that support the daily curriculum
– Students in uniform
– Small group instruction should be evident if the resources have been provided to support that approach to teaching and learning
– Students can work in the hallways, auditoriums, etc just like we do on a daily basis.
I know it all seems like a lot, but most of this you are doing already. We just need to tweak a few things to make this a successful visit. Please utilize tomorrow as an organizational day to have students publish pieces that need to be published and complete additional performance tasks which can then be displayed, etc. I know Fridays are testing days in the morning, but please make sure all lessons on this day are well-prepared, rigorous and support a high level of student engagement. Also ensure a successful transition plan for students once they complete their exams so there is no downtime
hahahahahahahaha!!!!! By the end of the day?????? like the following day????? JESUS!!! HAVE MERCY!!!!!!
This school, alongside its administrators, is a pure joke. If you care about your child don’t send them to this horrific place. Resto is a thief and continues to use funds for his personal needs..
PLEASE DO NOT APPLY, ACCEPT A POSITION or SEND YOUR KID TO THIS SCHOOL. THIS IS THE SCHOOL “WHERE SCHOLARS ARE NOT FIRST” and YOU WILL NOT RECEIVE THE APPROPRIATE SERVICES YOUR CHILD MIGHT NEED. YOUR CHILD WILL STILL BE THREE GRADES BEHIND.
You know what I don’t get, there are too many students with cellphones. Take those cell phones out and record when you see your DEANS grabbing your shirt, your hair or your ear. This is physical abuse that is carried out everyday here. Unbelievable!
OOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRR you can report it yourself………..
Yea… Unbelievable!
LMAO..Report them for what!?! For years they have been reported to the union, SCI, OSI, and the chancellor. And the results have been????? Exactly! One day we will see Vincent Resto on channel 7/12 news being taken out of the building in hand cuffs for fraudulent activities. He steals money to Not only did he marry AP Acosta, he is now having an affair with AP Maria Villegas. Ms. Colon is the guard to his office and makes sure they get their one to one time during the day. Villegas feeds Resto during lunch time and they have been caught engaging in inappropriate touching behavior. So continue to report, but nothing will happen, as we can all see.
This place is a shit hole! 8 more months of pure hell!!!!
I feel the same way. I wish I never accepted this position. It’s like walking on eggshells!
This school has so many open investigations, it’s beyond scary…..Resto they’re coming for you..
If you don’t care about your child send them to this school! Pure corruption and a straight up cover up.
14 more days in this hell hole!!!!
This midget is a joke! Villegas keep riding Resto. He will do the same thing he did to Acosta!!!!
The end is near! A friendly reminder to run for the hills if these people make you an offer. If you decide to work for this school remember that you will be selling your soul to the devil. For those that choose to stay behind it says a lot about your character. How can you stand behind such false individuals! How can you people continue to lie for them! How can you continue to be part of the fraud. Ms. Jenkins I pray you loose some weight and that you stop stroking Villegas ego. Resto I hope DOE catches up with you and you get exactly what you deserve. Villegas I hope you continue to learn how to provide sexual favors to Resto because this is the only way you keep him in your good graces. You my dear are an idiot. Ms. Colon I pray that Mr. Resto continues to treat you like the GED having garbage that you are. You get a dose of your own medicine working right next to him. You are in hell every single day. lol. You know you hate him too! Remember the conversation we had in front of the school:) Ms. Thrower you look disgusting and hopefully you stop showing your butt when you bend down. It is very nasty and disgusting. This place is horrific and I pray for the souls that have to stay behind due to not finding a new school. As for myself, I am out of this purgatory!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Just wondering why you are saying he married AP Acosta – his wife Desiree Resto was formerly Martinez? No? Was she really Acosta? She was the Henchman for Neifi Acosta who was recently removed from 232 based on his Discrimination practices- keep reporting never give up – The eeoc is finally stepping up against the DOE and that is what helped us at MS 232 if there is the discrimination tell EEOC
Good bye to this dump!
These administrators are beyond corrupt. So happy I found a new school for the next school year. Run far away if they make you an offer. If you accept you will want to kill yourself on the first day of the year.
YAY!!! I was picked up by another school!!!
Can you believe the scum of the earth, Vincent Resto, is training other principles to be corrupt!! Good job DOE!!! Keep having incompetent psychos like Resto train future leaders. That’s exactly what DOE needs. Individuals that will continue to steal funds, sleep with staff, and create false allegations against good individuals. Villegas you must be super happy. All the head you gave him under that desk did not go to waste, only your marriage did! Hope your son pays for everything you have done in his educational endeavors. I hope he gets bullied every single day of his life!
I’m new to this blog and what I’m reading goes beyond what anyone should have to read. A trusted educator does not assault a child with words such as the ones you have chosen to use. It’s scary to know that children are exposed to teachers whose inner being is dark and abusive. Children go to school to learn and they are protected against bullying, as this is unacceptable behavior, yet you choose to wish that upon an innocent child. You should learn to deal with your own misery and not use a platform such as this to spew ugliness against children, or does this help you sleep better at night? Why don’t you choose to be a better person rather than a bitter person? Obviously you’re too weak and choose to discard your oath as a teacher to perform your job to the best of your ability….Remember that any darkness that you wish upon anyone finds its way back to you. We need to protect our children and not expose them to people like you. God doesn’t like ugly….
God doesn’t like ugly. LMAO…Guess he can’t stand Vincent Resto and the rest of his elves! And if people get what they deserve then yes, she will pay through her little offspring!!!
You know whats interesting some of you sound real salty especially the response above this one.
I’m new to this blog and what I’m reading goes beyond what anyone should have to read. A trusted educator does not assault a child with words such as the ones you have chosen to use. It’s scary to know that children are exposed to teachers whose inner being is dark and abusive. Children go to school to learn and they are protected against bullying, as this is unacceptable behavior, yet you choose to wish that upon an innocent child. You should learn to deal with your own misery and not use a platform such as this to spew ugliness against children, or does this help you sleep better at night? Why don’t you choose to be a better person rather than a bitter person? Obviously you’re too weak and choose to discard your oath as a teacher to perform your job to the best of your ability….Remember that any darkness that you wish upon anyone finds its way back to you. We need to protect our children and not expose them to people like you. God doesn’t like ugly….
Maybe you should see how they speak to the kids at PSMS4. Guess its ok that Kim Carbuckle chokes kids and embarrasses them in front of their peers. Guess its ok for Villegas to curse at kids and scream while standing on top of the cafeteria lunch table and embarrass them in the auditorium. Guess its ok for Resto to steal funds for his personal needs and not provide the children with the resources that are needed. Guess its ok that these individuals are fraudulent and those kids from that community are getting cheated out of a quality education because they live in an underserved community. Yea, that’s ok! You sound like one of their followers that kisses their asses. I left this year because one year of hell was enough for me! Those “educators” that stay behind are worse than the administrators. They are the ones doing the dirty work for them! They stay because they are not quality! They are garbage and no other school will take them! So keep your mouth shut and keep kissing Villegas and Resto’s non having asses!!!
As I said, it’s my first time on this forum and curiosity got the best of me. Therefore, the people you speak about are unknown to me and I don’t need to know who they are. However, I do see that you put a lot of energy into negativity and shamefully you bring up an innocent child again. I question your morals and integrity when you wish wrong upon any child. Your ranting about everyone you mention must be exhausting! It’s said that what you see in others may be a mirror image of yourself. Now that you’re out of there you should focus on the wonderful and delightful road you have ahead of you. Follow the yellow brick road, don’t look back, but remember what you don’t wish upon yourself, family or your children (if you have any) you should not never wish upon anyone else….Life is a full circle.
Haha, anonymous my ass!!!
Really, you are new to this blog and all you focused on were the last few statements. You don’t even believe that lie:) Or maybe you do like all the other lies created by you and your administrators.
Same crap, new year!! This school will NEVER change.
And there you are!! Well I guess that is where you belong since you didn’t leave. Well sounds like you are just as crappie! Enjoy another year.
If you want to become a principal just follow Maria Villegas lead. Have an affair with a married man, that was formerly the principal, Vincent Resto, and boom ..There you go your now the principal of PS/MS 4.
This place is beyond depressing:( Administration does not care about the staff. The kids continue to suffer. If you are a first year teacher, do not do it to yourself. Go elsewhere!!! Run as far as you can from this “school.”
????
Villegas sucks at her new role! She is incompetent.
Really?????
Scores RISE!!!! What a beautiful title………
Lies, Lies, and more lies!!! This school is so bogus!
Lies, Lies, Lies!!!! Well to simply put it, “You are a LIAR!!!! The only person that is bogus is YOU!!!! Again, PS/MS 4 Rose Indeed and continues to Rise!!!!!
You sound like Villegas lmaoooo. Hit a nerve for you?
HAHAHA!! The scores that administration forces teachers to give to students. Are those the scores you refer to?!? The scores that are made up at the end of the year so students can be promoted!!! The community knows the lie that PS 4 is and will always be. It went from being in the hands of a corrupt principal, Resto, to an unethical, unprofessional, adulterer Villegas, who lacks integrity! What examples of leadership! I’ll continue to pass while you continue to lie about your happy. Everyone in that place is miserable.
Get rid of the dude already….look at the guy he is from a foreign country and now he is here in the USA and acting out against our culture and our schools and educators….The man is a poison get him out
Years ago my child was hired to work at PS/MS4. After a few days my child quit because of the lack of support from the leadership (then waited 5 months to be paid). My child then worked in South Florida for a year, but didn’t like not having family around (the school leadership was hurt that my child left, they liked my child and supported my child) My child is now at another DoE school. Working with a mentor and working with a nice staff who are there to help & support. When will the DoE learn not to just put bodies in a building and call it staffed and doing a great good. But hold their leadership up and be accountable to for their actions or lack of. I’m posting my child sex because I fear that the leadership WILL try to find anyone who posts here and make their lives a living hell. IF YOU DON’T THINK THEY DON’T READ THIS SITE, WAKE UP AND SMELL THE COFFEE ! ! ! ! !
I am glad they read it! Just in case they do not look at themselves at a mirror, they have this site so they can see how FUGLY they are!
We coming for that *** Resto!!! Brace your self, because my god will show you!!
I tried my hardest not to say anything but the school aides help test one on one with the 1st and 2nd graders. Your kids are not allowed to talk during lunch, if they do they are not able to go out for recess which is only 15mins out of the day. You have AP Fejio trying to sleep with every young guy in there and holding their jobs against them if they don’t do so. As well as having teachers jobs against them if they don’t go out and hang out with her. That’s that. You also have an AP or “secondary/CO Principal” that looks after the whole building but really just middle school because Principal Resto is back. BUT she does not walk pass the 3rd floor (middle school are the 4th and 5th floor). She’s always locked up in her boyfriends office “MR. RESTO” which is on the second floor. Trust me look at the cameras DOE! Let’s not forget her cooking him lunch andddddddd bringing him to work sometimes as well as leaving with him after work. If there are any events going on for staff outting she will not attend unless he is going. AND AGAIN THEY GO AND LEAVE TOGETHER. She is not a saint as she poses. She too have a power trip which if you were to date have a certain tone of voice she will put you on radar for your license to be revoked. I didn’t know all that swallowing was just to have power, I’m pretty sure that we all thought it was to be Principal and get her own school. Lol to that. But none of this compares to the time she was going through her divorce and texting someone at work all about it but when he showed no interested. Let’s just say he isn’t there no more. Oo yea. Did anyone know the old business guy who used to work for the school? She slurped him sooooo well that when RESTO found out he messed with his checks and forced him out of the building. Tsk tsk come on V. Not only can you not run a school but you can’t even handle your men. I know everything and then some. There will be more to come out soon. Let’s just see how this goes. Thrower has skeletons and so does Resto. But RESTO RESTO RESTO RESTO. Not only did your wife meet you in the building you are in today. (Which goes to show you prey on your staff) but I’m pretty sure she had a feeling about this but you couldn’t show much proof in being exposed so she can take much. Hey who knows. Maybe you guys still are together? Maybe you guys are just together on paper. But whatever it is PRAY. Because I do have her email, and have no problem having a perfect conversation with her. Think hard and mighty on who I am people because this website won’t be the only thing with info. So will the press… on a side note ladies and gentlemen. The teachers try their hardest to help your student but it’s never enough for the admin. Appreciate them more. I promise you they are in that building because of the big hearts they have. More out of fear because of their license being fuked up. But trust me they do have great intentions when they teach these kids… that’s it for today folks tune in to more news next week Thursday ;-) if there’s any questions you may have. ASK THEM I WILL ANSWER THEM ALL! (Former employee in the building for years)
Dare have a tone***
We want more!!! Blast them, aren’t they doing fraudulent things with the special education population. Hmmm!! Wasn’t Resto being investigated last year yet was still on the school premises. No way this man had a “Principal fellowship.” He’s a horrible principal himself. So what could you possibly teach to another principal??? Frauds!
I cannot believe this Blog is still going! I worked at this school many years ago, under the same administration and I can’t believe the same shit is still going on!! As I read these comments, the PTSD sets in because I know what those poor teachers are going through. I refuse to even drive by the school and once I left, I never went back. There is hope out there to those of you who feel stuck at PS 4. I am at a great school now with the same population of kids, but with a great administrative team that are truly there for the children. Go on Open Market and get out of there while you can.
I wonder how this can possibly still be happening. How could such corrupt individuals, (RESTO, VILLEGAS, THROWER, and FEIJO) still be at this school!!!! What else does DOE need to understand that these individuals are frauds!!! I swear they must practice voodoo..lol..Just spoke to a new teacher and it already has begun!!!! I pity the souls that work in this school because you have no morals or ethics.. None what so ever! If you stay after 1 year then you are worse than them!!! Handcock you know a lot!!!
Please understand that PS/MS 004 is absolutely not worth any goal or need you might think you have as far as employment. I Googled PS/MS 004 after my initial interview and my computer almost blew up. There is so much horrendous information on this school, which is part of a larger broken system within District 9, and an even bigger DOE. I read through it all including this comment feed and thought that although PS/MS 004 was more than likely a ‘tough place’ to work, that the people posting are more than likely disgruntled employees or ex-employees.
If you are reading this and think that you would risk your physical and mental health, emotional well-being, your career future as a teacher, in order to pay off student debt or because you need to get a job, a foot in the door – whatever, please know that you will regret your decision if you accept a job at PS/MS 004.
Beyond any challenge faced by a teacher from the student population, it is the administration that makes this an unsustainable daily nightmare. My experience with this administration is nothing short of staggering in their incompetence, corruption and absolute egregious manner in which they conduct themselves with both the students, as well as the faculty and staff. Everything that I read on this feed happened to me and more. Principal Resto is more than likely protected to a certain extent by the Superintendent of the district as there have been so many complaints about his harassment of teachers. I have been harassed of out there with the help of Vice Principal Thrower, Vice Principal Villegas, and Vice Principal Feijoo. Being unprotected against the chaos and violence that occurs regularly in the classrooms is bad enough. When reporting the events that transpired in my classroom, there began a series of retaliatory fabricated write-ups that I received in addition to teacher observation grades that began the year as effective with 1 developing, to mostly ineffective and developing. There is a reason that I was 1 of 26 new teachers when I started. I still did not heed all the signs. The teachers that stay somehow manage their day to day at PS/MS 004 for reasons such as loan forgiveness or to have DOE tenure (which is a 132 page gauntlet at PS/MS 004 and not anywhere else).
I truly hope that a prospective teacher candidate who is considering an interview with PS/MS 004 reads this and decides to work anywhere else, do anything else for employment while continuing to interview for a job in teaching. I know that I wish that I had done so. I met some incredible teachers and staff members at PS/MS 004 who deserve a world better than the administration and conditions under which they are subjected to on a daily basis. DO. NOT. APPLY.
Thank you for sharing. You saved a new teacher’s career.
I had PTSD after working at this school. The principal and vice principals are literally the most evil, disgusting human beings I have ever met. They make up observation notes, give you a laundry list of RIDICULOUS things you are doing wrong with zero suggestions of how to improve. They are literally clueless when it comes to disciplining students or handling parents. Administration should have your back and should want you to improve in your practice. These people seem to get off on watching their teachers fail. I thank my lucky stars everyday for getting out of this place and finding a job at school that cares about their teachers and treats them like human beings. The administration at this school is doing a disservice to some of the neediest, most vulnerable students in our country and my heart goes out to those children. I have always considered myself to be a kind hearted human being, but because of the way these people tortured me, I wish hell upon them. DO NOT SYEP FOOT IN THIS SCHOOL. There are places out there that will treat you with respect and help you be the best educator you can be, but this is NOT one of those places.
I wish I saw this BEFORE I applied, not after. I currently teach here. It is definitely the worse school I’ve ever worked in!!! Principal Resto and his gf AP Villegas are vindictive as hell. What people said above is true!!! If you disagree with them, they will make your life HELL. They love brown-nosers and yes-men. If you have any sort of opinion or thoughts of your own, keep them to yourself if you want to survive. They will make sure that you end the year looking like the most incompetent untalented unmarketable teacher ever! They are not here for the kids. And I feel really bad for the special ed kids the most, none of the IEPs are met. Colon is bi-polar. Idk much about the other 2 AP’s to say much about them. My interactions with them have been amicable. Even though I am new to the DOE, I am not new to teaching so I know a BAD environment when I see one. I am losing sleep and have so many issues due to the depression and anxiety I have since working at this place. The students could be better, but there is very little as far as discipline at this place so what can you say. I should have seen the red flag when I was one out of the new 30 teachers this year. There are only a handful of teachers here with longevity and Idk how they do it. I’ve talked to the security and other teachers, they said every year the turnover is ridiculous. I pray for the kids and teachers here with truly good hearts (because they do exist in this hellhole). In conclusion, RUN FOREST RUN!!
I can’t believe those administrators are still there. I’ve been in the DOE for 2 decades and this is the school I started at. These administrators came while I worked there and I ran for my life. The fact that they are all still there and the same horrible, abusive things are still going on make me lose all faith in the DOE. Thankfully I found a different school and left that hostile environment. It was the best decision of my life. Get out if you can and don’t look back.
It’s crazy…. I worked there some years back. I can’t believe Resto is now back at this school. While Villegas, colon, thrower, feijoo and colon are still there. What a shame! But not surprised ! Where could they actually go and work? After working here I gave up working in the DOE all together… the politics and foolishness is worse than corporate america. Every now and then I come on this blog to see if it’s still active. Colon is probably still coming to school with her scarf and pajamas, still living in the basement (Hot ass mess). I bumped into thrower about 3 years ago… sloppy as always nothing changed. Vengence is the lord… this administration was terrible.
Woah. You saved mine.
-a new teacher
RUN! AS FAST AS YOU CAN!
Same disgusting atrocities continue to happen!!!! When will this school get shut down?
My life in general when I worked under this admin was soooo difficult and was sooooo stressful. But at the end, I became stronger and better. Now, I can say that compared to all the teachers I work with at my new school, I am better in many ways. I mean nothing surprises me anymore. I survived for a decade at PS/MS4 under them, now everything is easy. Nothing is a failure, it’s either you learn or you win.
who are the aps and principal now?