The following conversation appeared on a Facebook thread concerning student teacher stipends and other bonuses promised to Hartford Public Schools teachers.  The conversation reveals how teachers feel lied to and cheated by district leadership.  The conversation does little to convince anyone that Superintendent Torres-Rodriguez’s comments on “teacher support” and “commitment to teachers” is nothing more than rhetoric aimed at creating a false narrative of HPS.  The conversation represents a strained superintendent/teacher relationship and reveals a serving superintendent who lacks credibility with her staff.

“Anyone get their student teacher stipend? We were told last check of July…”

         “I also didn’t receive my referral bonus which was supposed to be paid in July.”

                 “why would you refer anyone ugh.”

“I didn’t either, but was told I won’t get it because it she was hired before the form to fill out existed… for me, it is what it is.”

“She was hired in the beginning or end of April as a LTS to cover our 6th grade ELA and then transitioned into 6th grade math and is killing it… my principal let them know I recommended her for the position… I guess maybe they used the semantics to say no…”

         “The paper/form didn’t exist when I recommended her, but the $1500 referral offer did.”

“Why can this continue to happen? If we were as remotely as incompetent at our jobs, we’d be fired! So frustrating.”

         “has anyone called your union to intervene ?”

“many times and they’ve won most little battles but it’s frustrating that they keep having to fight so many!”

“I’m sure it’s my fault. I hosted a student teacher this year (who is replacing me!). The problem is that I resigned so I’m sure they are trying to wait out my last day before paying the money so I apologize for downtowns petty behavior.”

“I didn’t receive my course reimbursement either.”

                 “I did get course reimbursement, not student teacher stipend.”

“Perhaps someone needs to contact the department of labor over these shenanigans.”

“Nope, I didn't get mine. Boy do I hate false promises.”

“We aren’t getting it again? This is ridiculous.”

“This is so common in this District! Happens with pretty much all “extra” pay classifications. It’s appalling and utterly unacceptable that this is allowed to continue!”

“Typical Hartford promises they can’t keep a bunch of crooks.”

“Nope no student teacher stipend so pissed.”