180 DAYS
by
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On December 18, 2003 I gave Bill Bellkoe a Christmas card which contained the following note: “Dear Bill, Thanks for all your support this year. It has been rough to say the least. Thank you for allowing me to shadow Mary—two classes observing Mary helped me a great deal. I know you are looking out for me—thanks. I am glad I have had the opportunity to work under you—you are a strong leader—that is why B. C. Patanjali is such a fine school. Have a great holiday! Fondly, Katrina” When Bill read this note he told me that he felt that I was saying good-bye to him forever, instead of saying good-bye for Christmas break. Frankly, things were so hatefully intense at Mountclair—I wanted to run away from The Souless School District forever. I continued to love my job and the people and certainly the students at B. C. Patanjali Elementary School—in spite of Mountclair. On December 19, 2003, I had a casual conversation with Bill Bellkoe during which he referred to me as a “good teacher.” Considering all the professional and emotional adversity that I endured during the 2003-2004 academic year, hearing those words from this man whom I so highly respected kept me going! Diane Ridgerdan was always there to remind me that Bill Bellkoe was not an easy administrator to win over. If Bill thought you were a good teacher—than you were a good teacher! This was the positive statement that I needed to focus on when dealing with the tyrant, Brenda Craiger!
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About the Book
Have you emotionally suffered through sabotage and administrative loopholes in your place of employment, which resulted in wrongful discharge? Crystal E. Emerson has written an extraordinary and poignant documentation of truth. She has experienced the unethical behavior of administrators and other professionals while working in a public school district in the state of Pennsylvania. During the 2003–2004 academic year, Crystal experienced divided professional loyalties and lived and worked through this emotional dichotomy for 180 days of employment. This was a test of personal and emotional strength and a time to trust her instincts. The law assumes that public school administrators will behave in an ethical manner. The PSEA (Pennsylvania State Education Association) members assume that union representatives will support them during times of professional adversity. This book is a personal account, of a professional position, in which these two assumptions have failed to occur. There is a need for all public school administrators to abide by more strict laws. There is a need to implement a law that requires all observations and evaluations performed by public school administrators to video record the session; this video recording should be submitted to the state department of education due to a mandating law. Such a law would help teachers in extreme situations who have been subjected to heinous actions of administrative personnel. It is Crystal’s hope that her 180-day experience of emotional adversity, sabotage, harassment, and undermining has not occurred in vain. Never before has a book been so poignant and honest! This is an account of utter emotional and professional strength. You will be enticed as you enjoy reading 180 DAYS!
About the Author
Crystal E. Emerson has worked in the public school system in the state of Pennsylvania for several years. Crystal holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Secondary Education, a Master’s of Education with a specialty in Special Education, a teaching certificate in English, and a teaching certificate in Special Education. Crystal has experienced the unethical behavior of administrators and other professionals while working in a public school district in the state of Pennsylvania. It is Crystal’s hope that her 180-day experience of emotional adversity, sabotage, and undermining has not occurred in vain. Crystal’s down-to-earth account of her employment during the 2003–2004 academic year in a public school in the state of Pennsylvania is a work of truth, honesty, integrity, and emotional and professional adversity. Crystal resides in Pennsylvania with her family. Crystal continues to work in a public school district as a Special Education Teacher.