Judge Overturns Firing of Teacher Who Faced Drug Charge

Link: New York Times - Judge Overturns Firing of Teacher Who Faced Drug Charge

Category: Drug, Law, Education

Level: State 

Concerning: A problem/issue that individuals/families face

Why is this important/how does it affect families/individuals? This issue is important in that it affects Mr. Esteban’s career and future, as well as his students. In addition, this issue sets a precedent for future issues that involve teachers and drug charges. 

My Views: I agree with New York City’s decision to fire Mr. Esteban, and disagree with Judge Mendez of the State Supreme Court’s ruling that the termination was “excessive and shocking to this court’s sense of fairness”. The fact that the Judge overturned Mr. Esteban’s firing is somewhat of a joke to me. Twenty packets of heroin were found on this man...in a Manhattan courthouse! How could anyone take Mr. Esteban seriously after that incident, especially as a teacher? The instant the heroin was found on him, he lost his credibility and respect as an individual and a teacher. It does not make a difference that his arrest “was not for conduct at the school site, or involving any of its students”. His personal behavior is a reflection on his teaching abilities, as well as the school he was working for. In addition, if Mr. Esteban was irresponsible and negligent enough to bring twenty packets of heroin into a courthouse, what would stop him from bringing it into a public school? If Mr. Esteban had not been fired, there would have been uproar among his student’s parents. I highly doubt any parent would be comfortable with their child attending class on a daily basis with a teacher that had been caught with multiple packets of heroin. Although the State Supreme Court has overturned his firing, Mr. Esteban has decided he no longer wants to be a teacher in the public school system. Deciding not to return to teaching might be the wisest thing Mr. Esteban has done during his career.