Unit 5 Teacher writes in to her Administrators
By: Laura Feely, a Kindergarten teacher from Glenn Elementary School
To all whom this concerns,
I am at home this evening trying to decide what I should do and how to deal with this mess while remaining firm in my morals, beliefs and values. This morning during our meeting the Unit 5 attorney mentioned policy and his authority for that policy, as well as threatening gross insubordination. The Unit 5 attorney and the Unit 5 HR Director wanted me to agree to a policy that they could not even show or verbalize to us. I was told this was “not up for debate.” I would like this written policy that was espoused this morning. I would also like to see my HR file. I have had a wonderful 9 years teaching in this district with excellent evaluations. I do my job to the best of my ability each and every day for my students. I am so disgusted that I was essentially threatened to comply or face a consequence in my HR file. Today I showed up to teach following the current law. I was not breaking any law for refusing to wear a mask. I was exercising my right as a non-plaintiff to govern myself accordingly, as the ISBE and IDPH orders and Executive Order are in fact null and void at this time.
I was given the ultimatum to either comply by putting on a mask (which is a type of quarantine) with no order from the health department, or leave without pay. I would like to request due process, that the district obtain and deliver me an order from the health department stating that I must wear a face mask in order to teach in my classroom. If I get this order from the health department I will return to work and comply by wearing a mask. I like to follow the actual law and court orders. Please note: I am still within the 90 days of my body being chucked full of natural antibodies from having COVID just before Christmas, IDPH has this on file.
The Unit 5 HR Director mentioned that taking sick days while being excluded from school would not fall into the criteria of sick time off. When asked about this his response was “nice try.” I really can’t tell you how much mental distress I have experienced these past few years. Anxiety and even panic attacks have become a part of my daily life these days. Sitting through that meeting made my blood boil to a point that I left and immediately suffered a panic attack once in my car. That happens to me often when I feel that I am being bullied, controlled or being treated unjustly. I am not sharing this for pity, I am sharing this personal information to open your eyes to the mental health of your teachers and students. It is definitely an issue that is not being addressed in our district. I am having a hard time accepting these exclusion days without pay as this decision is your doing, not mine or the health department’s doing. I am at home anxiously awaiting my return.
The continued masking of teachers and students is causing way more harm than good. What is it going to take for this district to allow parents to decide for themselves what is best for their child(ren)?
Please let me know when I can return to work, as my students and parents are missing me already.
Here are just a few emails Feely has received from parents today in response to the above letter explaining her absence:
– I appreciate you, thank you for standing up for choice!
– Our family stands behind you and your decision. We hope as well the district will start to comply to our demands to allow our families to make the decisions to allow OUR child to not wear or to wear their mask as they please. You make our family so proud and hope many more will follow in your steps!! You’re a blessing to our daughter and to the school. We support you and will do our best to help push this through. Thank you Mrs. Feely!
– Hello Mrs. Feely, I want to let you know that I first and foremost I appreciate you as a teacher. [Child’s name has been concealed] has thoroughly enjoyed being in your class and loves having you as a teacher and her mom and I echo her sentiments. Secondly I personally want to thank you for your decision and position regarding face masks. I know that it was a difficult decision to make and action to take but I am proud and grateful that you had the courage to do so. You have my full support and if there is anything I can do, you have my support please let me know. Thank you again!!!
– Thank you for the note and Amen Sister! You fully have the support of our family and if there is anything more we can do, please let me know!
– I just want to let you know you have my support. Would you mind sharing the email addresses of the higher ups? I will let them know that I want my daughter to have her amazing teacher back in the classroom mask or not. We have gone through this long enough. These kids need consistency in the classroom more than a mask, vaccine or hand sanitizer that is burning my daughters sensitive skin.
