I was recently released from a contract position with UNM because I would not allow drug users and abusers to enter my GED class. Here is what occurred:
A program using TANF money (taxpayers' dollars!) was created with the New Mexico Works Program. GED classes were to be offered in the morning, and computer training in the afternoon. The classes were offered at the South Valley TANF Activity Center, managed by Lou Cimalore and his assistant clerk, Terry. The two supervisors to whom I reported, were Carol March and Marie McGhee from the University of New Mexico Continuing Education Department. The other two people are Case Managers at the New Mexico Works Program: Laura Chavez and Stella Ramos. None of these people had any business working with this type of program because none of them have the wherewithal to know what to do or how to do it. That is why I was hired. I have installed literacy labs across the nation, and have supervised multiple adult education locations. I am well qualified and well educated, and have worked in the field for over thirty years.
So, not only did these six not have any plan, they also did not have a workable plan. So, I implemented one. We opened the class with 13 adults. While the majority of the students were single moms, both Mexican and Native American, we had a married couple among us. The male began on day one to protest everything. He was disrespectful, rude and an instigator. He was often joined in this behavior by a young African American female. He physically threatened me and created hostility where there should have been none. Still Lou and Terry continued to give these known drug users money, in the form of cash cards, gas cards, and more.
Lou Cimalore was informed of this disruptive and unacceptable behavior from day one, and I sent an email to Carol March and Marie McGhee, asking for their help and support. Carol March and Marie McGhee continued to tell me I didn't have any say in this program. I was only there to teach. Apparently these ladies have never heard of classroom management. When none of them would make a decision, I put those participants out of the class.
About a week later I had the opportunity to meet with both Laura Chavez and Stella Ramos, the case managers. Our conversation naturally turned to the success of the program implementation. When I remarked that some of the students were not suitable for this program, Stella Ramos made a comment that her clients had issues. I told her, Not having money for rent is an issue; the babysitter is sick and I don't have day care is an issue. Coming high to class, using drugs, and threatening the teacher are crimes. So Stella took a different tack, and said, Well this is a pilot program. I told her Pilot program for you; I have been implementing these programs for years, and if you want a Pilot Program to be successful, you don't send the riff-raff, you send your very best-the ones who really want an education.
That was on Friday, January 23, and that's as close as I can get to this conversation. (I had also put my concerns in writing to Lou Cimalore.) On Monday, January 26 my position was terminated by Carol March and Marie McGhee. The reasons I was given were that I Called the students riff-raff and that the class was polarized, and couldn't move forward. When I informed the two ladies that the class was indeed moving forward, and that the students were some of the brightest I had ever worked with, they had nothing to say.
At this stage in my life I recognize ignorance very quickly, and I said to them, Are you telling me that I have to be in a dangerous situation, and I am not allowed to protect myself or the students? That I have to take verbal abuse and threats? They had no answer, so I simply left without further comment. Carol March told me that I was Not a good fit for the program, and that I am emotional. I later heard the identical words from Lou Cimalore, who also told the remaining students that I lost their files (wrong-I have a copy of everything, and I personally handed the student files directly to him) and that I had personal issues. (One of my issues is that they gave known drug abusers money, and another is that they refused to protect me or the other students.) Up to this point the majority of the students had perfect attendance.
Later, the 7 ladies still in the class informed me that they had been forced to fill out private information on their drug and alcohol use, and more. They told me that Lou had called it a test, and told them they had to take it. After they had completed this bogus test, they were asked to sign a release form. This of course is a clear violation of their civil rights as well as a violation of their privacy.
They have been set back to the beginning of the course, and each day involves further assault to their rights, their confidence, and to their intelligence. The ladies also informed me that our little black girl accused me of racism because I liked the Mexicans and Indians more than I liked her. And that I didn't like her because she was black. I don't like her because she is stupid. She got expelled from high school, has failed multiple government programs, does drugs, and then failed this program-all on taxpayers' dollars. And again she was supported in this behavior.
But the truth of the matter is that these ladies are WITNESSES to this whole mess, and they have never been interviewed.
So who is responsible for this mess? As far as I am concerned, Lou Cimalore and his little clerk Terry are 100% responsible for the program's problems. They simply did not know what to do or how to do it. But instead of letting the professional work, they just got in the way. And they flagrantly and arrogantly supported the wrong students. They were willing to sacrifice 10 for 3.in short, their inability to manage this kind of program kept me and the students in a dangerous situation.
Certainly neither Laura Chavez nor Stella Ramos had any idea of how a Pilot Program should be managed. And apparently Stella Ramos has an English problem if she cannot differentiate between the generic term for disreputable persons, and a direct slur toward welfare recipients in general. That she sent both felons and other drug users to class and then claimed she didn't know. Well, why didn't she know? She was the case worker.
And lastly, I hold Carol March and Marie McGee completely responsible for not protecting or supporting their coworker, who was the teacher in the classroom, and for showing total disregard for the very students for whom they claim to be offended. Neither one of these ladies is in a defensible position. They were informed in writing of the problems.
As a taxpayer I can certainly file a complaint of fraud with TANF, but my experience has shown me that this government agency is more likely to attack me for whistle blowing then they are for investigating the issue.
As a sidebar, I did contact Colleen Heidl, an investigative reporter for the Albuquerque Journal. I had a telephone conversation with her in which she indicated she was going to talk to her editor. Colleen also indicated she did not know what TANF was. I haven't heard from her since.
My experience tells me that she and her editor might probably be more interested in helping with the cover up for people who may no doubt be their cronies, than they are about the abuse of the students, and the waste of taxpayers' dollars.
Later while talking to Rita Martinez, the Dean, I found out that a letter had been placed in my personnel file which would effectively preclude my being able to get any other position within the system. When I asked Rita Martinez for a copy, she told me that if she sent me a copy that would make it official. No, stupid, it became official when it was placed in my personnel file.
So here is my emotional say about this fiasco:
Shame on all of them: Lou, Terry, Laura, Stella, Carol and Marie. Shame on them for being ignorant, and then being arrogant about it. That combination of ignorance and arrogance just produces stupidity. Shame on them for wasting taxpayer's dollars. Shame on them for keeping the teacher and students in a dangerous situation. Shame on them for trying to cover this up. And shame on them for being sanctimonious and hypocritical.
If they stop telling lies about me, I will stop telling truths about them
I have all the documentation I need. And witnesses.
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