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Fired Santa Barbara School District Teacher Vindicated In Court
In a blow to the Santa Barbara School District and a vindication for a teacher it sought to fire, the state Court of Appeals on Tuesday upheld a legal ruling in favor of a high school teacher who was fired based on accusations that he issued physical threats, made sexually inappropriate comments, used inappropriate physical force and swore when dealing with various students in separate incidents.
The courts found the school district’s allegations against Harmachis to be unpersuasive, however, and are ordering reimbursement of his attorneys’ fees. It also appears to mean that Harmachis must be reinstated, although Tuesday’s ruling by Division 6 of the Second District Court of Appeal didn’t make that clear. Harmachis has been on paid administrative leave for more than four years.
“In general, Harmachis presents no danger to his students, and is a relatively new teacher who acknowledges his misconduct,” according to the ruling. “In addition, he is a popular, spirited teacher who involves students in the learning process, and his motivation was to advance the learning experience.”
The appellate court ruling upheld two earlier decisions, and so was the third to be handed down in favor of the 52-year-old teacher. The first was the ruling of an administrative law panel called the Commission on Professional Competence in the spring of 2006. The second was the upholding of that decision by Superior Court Judge James Brown a year later.
“We conclude that, although reasonable minds may differ as to whether conduct by Harmachis was sufficiently egregious to warrant dismissal, the CPC and trial court did not abuse their discretion,” Tuesday’s ruling concluded.
As a result of the decision, the school district must repay Harmachis’ legal fees, which were covered by the California Teachers Association. During his administrative leave, Harmachis has been receiving his salary — now nearly $60,000 — and benefits ever since 2004.
Reached Tuesday, Santa Barbara schools Superintendent Brian Sarvis said he stands by the decision to fire Harmachis.
“We don’t think he should be in the classroom,” he said. “We think it’s detrimental to students.”
However, Sarvis said he does not think the district will pursue further appeals.
“I think that’s really the end of the trial,” he said.
Reached by telephone at home, Harmachis said he was happy with the verdict, although not surprised. He also owned up to making some mistakes.
“Did I try to embarrass some people in class? Was that a mistake? Yes,” he said. “Personally, I’d never really spent a lot of time trying to learn classroom management. Clearly I learned my lesson. I have invested quite a bit of time reading, going to seminars, trying to pick up new tools on classroom management. ... Let’s remember I only taught four years. In my head, I’m still a beginner.”
In June 2004, the brothers in the Dos Pueblos incident — neither of whom were students of the school at the time — had walked into Harmachis’ classroom to visit a friend who was in the history class. One of the twins wore a T-shirt emblazoned with the insignia of the Israeli Police Department.
Harmachis — who was known as an advocate for the left and a critic of Israel’s policies in the Middle East — claimed the shirt also bore the image of a gun, which he thought violated school policy. (The twins have denied the T-shirt depicted a gun.)
In any event, Harmachis told the boy to turn the shirt inside out or leave the room, and the boy refused.
The twins claimed he used excessive force in removing the boy with the shirt from the classroom; Harmachis said he directed the teenager out of the class by placing a hand on his arm.
A few months after the incident, district officials put Harmachis on paid administrative leave while they investigated the complaint. In January 2005, administrators reassigned Harmachis to teach at Santa Barbara High.
A month or two into his new job, Harmachis got into another confrontation with a student, this one involving the use of a cell phone in class, which is against school policy. In this instance, when Harmachis saw a female student talking on the phone, she handed it to the owner, a male student. When Harmachis asked the male student to hand over the phone, the boy placed it in his shirt pocket. After Harmachis made a few more requests for the phone, the boy stated that Harmachis could not touch him, to which Harmachis replied, “Touch you? I’ll knock your dumb ass out.”
The incident was reported, and again, Harmachis was placed on paid administrative leave — where he has remained ever since — while an investigation ensued. Then, during the course of the inquiry, the investigator turned up a third, unrelated charge: a girl said Harmachis had made inappropriate sexual comments to her and others in front of friends.
For instance, on one occasion, when the girl was violating school rules by eating in class, Harmachis stated, “Just because you’re good in bed doesn’t mean you can eat in class.” On another occasion, according to court documents, Harmachis used a sexual vulgarity in telling two girls that performing the act with their boyfriends would “prevent them from reaching their goals.”
Not long after the cell-phone incident and ensuing investigation, the school board voted to fire Harmachis.
But the courts, in essence, decided that the charges against Harmachis were trumped up. Based on the review of witness testimonies during a nine-day administrative law hearing in 2006, the courts concluded that although Harmachis “overreacted” in the T-shirt incident, he did not make anti-Semitic comments, or use excessive force in escorting one of the teenagers out of his classroom. Furthermore, the decision notes that the boys were not members of the class, and that one of them had defied Harmachis’ authority in refusing to leave.
Tuesday’s decision also notes that the boy with whom Harmachis got into the cell-phone dispute later testified that the incident was “no big deal.”
“(Harmachis’) overreaction in both the T-shirt and cell phone incidents was mitigated by Harmachis’ desire to maintain classroom control in the face of repeated challenges to his authority,” the ruling said.
As for the “threatening language” used during incidents such as the cell-phone confrontation, the court said there is evidence that the choice of words amounted to “no more than verbal hyperbole.”
The decision also noted that the girl who testified that Harmachis had made sexually inappropriate comments refused to make a complaint. Although she testified that the comments made her feel “weird and a little embarrassed,” she also said the comments “didn’t upset me,” according to court documents.
“The sexual comments are likely to have had an adverse impact on students,” Tuesday’s ruling said, “but Harmachis did not have improper or sexual motivations and sought to achieve class goals or to counsel students about life choices.”
In legal language, the district sought to dismiss Harmachis on the grounds of immoral conduct, unprofessional conduct, dishonesty, evident unfitness for service, and persistent violation of the state school laws and regulations.
Harmachis’ attorney, Bob Bartosh, could not be reached for comment Tuesday night.
Although the estimated legal costs weren’t available Tuesday, as early as the summer of 2007, Bartosh told the now-defunct Santa Barbara Newsroom that he was owed $237,000. At the time, Sarvis estimated the district’s legal fees had reached $200,000.
Click here for a copy of the appellate court ruling.
Write to rkuznia@noozhawk.com
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» on 01.13.09 @ 09:42 PM
You have GOT to be kidding me!!!!! “Trumped up” my you know what. This guy is 52 years old and he is without a doubt a detrimental presence in a classroom. Heck, he’s a powder keg looking for a match. God help us all if he’s a role model for our teenagers.
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» on 01.13.09 @ 10:15 PM
Two books, “White Chalk Crime” and “Breaking the Silence: The REAL Reason Our Schools Fail” are exposing administrative school corruption and abuse of power.
Our nation’s school teachers have been placed in an untenable situation—-damned if they do; damned if they don’t.
The twin boys are from Santa Barbara’s most esteemed, most wonderful, most blessed family. This was a moment of misunderstanding that will bring the eyes of our nation down upon us.
Administrative school corruption is emerging as our nation’s number one issue. Mr. Harmachis and students: this is an opportunity to build a bridge to a new school paradigm.
Tell me, Rabbi and Mr. Harmachis: Won’t either of you speak up for democracy, democratic education, and community? Would you enter into a dialogue to discuss your differences? Or do you stand, blinded and closed-minded, callous and cold-hearted, with weapons poised, as Gaza and Israel?
Tell me, you scions of Santa Barbara—-will you humble yourselves, lower your guards, acknowledge mistakes and make amends? Or shall we dig in, take sides, and build our proverbial walls as in Robert Frost’s poem?
God help us. Our society is unraveling. If we cannot find our common ground, we are doomed.
We are falling down the Rabbit Hole. Vet du var Alice i Underlandit er fer nought? Det er un plats du besoker ner du dromer.
I have a dream….We can reform education and restore justice in our schools. Please join http://www.sbschooltalk.com. Parents, teachers, and students working and growing together. What a world!
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» on 01.14.09 @ 05:07 AM
So this guy’s been getting a 4-year vacation basically at $60,000 per year? And legal fees are over $200,000?
And the district claims no money? Take a look people.
I have no sympathy for any of them here. “Paid Admin Leave”?? What a joke. It’s a 4-year paid vacation, is all it is. Once again, idiotic judges, and our idiotic legal system ruin the day.
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» on 01.14.09 @ 05:14 AM
This man is 52 years old. At this age he should know what is appropriate and what isn’t appropriate behavior in a classroom or anywhere else—without taking “classroom management” courses. I am not offended by his comments to the boy who refused to hand over his cell phone, but the comments to the girls displays a complete failure of judgment as a teacher. What values exactly was he conveying with his remarks. It was inappropriate, sexual, personal, and regardless of whether the girl sought to make a complaint, should have resulted in his dismissal. Moreover, he apparently does not keep his own political views and agenda out of the classroom; great teachers teach all sides of an issue and let their students develop their independent views. He is not a teacher and never will be. He doesn’t belong in a classroom.
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» on 01.14.09 @ 05:25 AM
No way is way off. No wonder our kids aren’t learning anything in school. 2 brothers come into a class in which they are not enrolled, disrupt the teacher, refuse to leave, and it’s somehow the teachers fault? I am a conservative mom who probably disagrees with Hamachis’ political views but respect him as a teacher. How can you teach a class when kids are eating, using cell phones and are basically being disrespectful to a teacher. Is that what the school district is promoting. The problem with the classroom is the lack of respect for teachers, and teachers’ inability to discipline without fear of being sued by parents. I usually disagree with the teachers union but not on this one. Another waste of money by the leaders of the school district.
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» on 01.14.09 @ 05:48 AM
Snotty, indulged, spoiled, thoughtless, clueless, obnoxious, greedy “American Riviera” white kids, whose “role models” are over-consuming Beverly Hill-ites, need to have their butts kicked from here to Saks Fifth Avenue and back. And they certainly need teachers who won’t tolerate vapid and rude behavior in their classrooms. Good for the courts in exonerating Mr. Harmachis; it’s just too bad that good kids suffer the financial consequences of an overly sensitive school district administration and board who tried to fire a well-intentioned (if slightly raw) new teacher.
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» on 01.14.09 @ 05:55 AM
This person has proved he cannot exhibit professional behavior in the classroom. He has an extremely biased world view and belongs in a university level program where more mature students can sort through his dogma and decide whether his views have merit. He does not belong in a secondary schoolroom with students who have less experience in dealing with his somewhat profane sense of humor; who, as well, have less experience determining the difference between historic truths and slanted half-truths. Go ahead and google his name. You will see. He has had a free ride for four years. Nice guys do finish last, the nice guys being the school district for once. Take a hint, sir. Pack it up and return to UCSB. Leave the kids alone.
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» on 01.14.09 @ 06:10 AM
Once again the districts’ strong arm policies aren’t working…some of this is because of inconsistent policy enforcement in the schools…if cell phones aren’t to be used, then ALL teachers must support the policy, etc. Otherwise, other teachers are “hung out to dry.”
What a sad story all around…
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» on 01.14.09 @ 06:24 AM
This decision is a disgrace. The School Board was fully justified in deciding to fire this pathetic excuse for a teacher. It is one thing to encourage the exploration and discussion of different and conflicting points of view. It is quite another for a teacher to bully students and force on them conformity with his own political views. As for his physical misconduct and his crude sexual comments and harassment, no city, school or student should ever be subjected to such behavior by a teacher and the School Board acted properly in excercising its judgment and deciding this joke of a teacher had crossed the line and should be dismissed.
The courts have chosen a very poor instance in which to second-guess that decision, not the first time this has happened in what has become a second-rate judicial system. It is my hope that, despite the expense involved, this decision will be successfully appealed and this animal finally barred from further access to the students and schools of Santa Barbara.
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» on 01.14.09 @ 06:44 AM
It’s about time! The judges/courts have issued three strikes against the school board. Get Matef back to teaching. The school system and the students need him more than ever.
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» on 01.14.09 @ 07:24 AM
It’s about time. For too long students have run the education system. Teachers have been reluctant to even think of demanding control of the classroom because of recent court decisions.
Finally some sanity in the classroom. Students ought to be respectful of the education they are entitled to and leave the bad manners for their home environment.
Congratulations to Harmachis - too bad we can’t know the names of the students involved. They are the real culprits.
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» on 01.14.09 @ 08:18 AM
Well at least they can now figure out a way to get his lazy carcass off the payroll…four years on leave with pay????????????????????
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» on 01.14.09 @ 08:35 AM
so has class size now risen by 10% because the school district now has to pay for this lawsuit?
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» on 01.14.09 @ 01:07 PM
so, 200k in legal expenses on the district side, 237k in legal for the teachers defense that will now be paid by the district, and 60k a year for four years (240k).
SIX HUNDRED SEVENTY SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS!!!!!!!!!!!?
This likely could have been solved in a meeting of the parties in the district office, but Sarvis and Co. are very quick to duck these situations and refer to their local, and expensive, legal council.
Any legal action the District engages in should be approved by the Board of Supes….it would save us a
FORTUNE.
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» on 01.14.09 @ 01:36 PM
I agree with some of the other posters. New teacher or not, this crackpot is way too old to have such pathetic people skills. And, I’m sorry, but teenagers are teenagers. Yes, the rules should be clear, they should be followed and a classroom should be orderly, but there’s no excuse for any of those reactions from an adult. Period.
As for the two boys who weren’t students, the funny thing is the teacher was right. He should have kicked them out of his classroom. But it sounds like he either wanted a confrontation or was too out of his league to make them leave just by ordering them to do so. And these kids are half his age!!!! Man, none of my high school teachers were such wusses.
I’m curious what this nut was doing for 20-25 years before he got in a classroom. I strongly disagree that he’s needed back in the classroom now more than ever. He’s a poster child for why we’re in such a sorry state with our schools. I would think good teachers would have the stones to stand up and say he reflects poorly on them!
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» on 01.14.09 @ 02:35 PM
Another mistake by this district. This is getting expensive.
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» on 01.14.09 @ 04:50 PM
I was a colleague of Matef’s at DP. I taught in his department. He is a charming and likable guy. Many kids love him. He knows his subject matter. And he should not be allowed to touch students with a 39-and-a-half foot pole.
I taught one of the twins that was at the center of the incident. The boy was quiet, respectful, and an excellent student. I did not have one issue with the child for an entire year.
I was in the administration building when the incident with the twins occurred. The principal—who was also an attorney, after hearing the report, was livid. He blamed Matef entirely (and our principal at that time was a pretty teacher-friendly administrator). The principal knew that a lawsuit with Matef was a “not if, but when” situation.
I am no fan of J. Brian Sarvis. He is not a good superintendent. However, he was correct on this call. Matef should be barred from teaching teenagers. I don’t care how much it costs, it will be cheaper than the Matef’s ultimate cost.
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» on 01.14.09 @ 05:04 PM
OMG, Something is way wrong with this picture. I guess the courts are saying the victim here is really Harmachis. What about the rights of the students involved? I guess they were left at the door when they entered HArmachis’ classroom.
I do give Harmachis points for asking the twins to leave, but once they refuse, there is a chain of command, call security and the APs, let them handle it. His job is done. But no, macho man had to prove his masculinity by intimidation.
The t-shirt event strikes me as hypocritical. Although Harmachis seems to claim the twins violated school policy by apparently having a picture of a gun on a t-shirt, and therefore enforced discipline with gusto. Apparently, Harmachis has something against Israel, or in his own defense, guns on tshirts, implying he is against violence? Yet Harmachis doesn’t have a problem using verbal threats of physical force to a minor. Can you say hypocrite….
Does Harmachis deny he sexually harassed the female student? Just because she didn’t file a complaint (who can blame her), doesn’t mean he should skate.
Bottom line, yes students can be jerks, but teachers are the adults/ role models and should act as such. There is no room in the teaching profession for this.
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» on 01.14.09 @ 07:57 PM
On 9/11/2001 this “teacher” told my daughter’s class that “America deserved it”.
Does anything more need to be said about this man?
It does not surprise me that SB school district lost this case, mishandling it the way it mishandles most of its business. Shame on the Board and Administration.
And to all the fantastic SBSD teachers reading this. Thank you for your dedication. Your students and their parents appreciate you immensely.
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» on 01.15.09 @ 06:33 AM
Principal Dave Cash hired Mr. Harmachis, but soon regretted his decision. “Goleta teacher” is correct that Mr. Cash found Mr. Harmarchis entirely responsible for the incident with the Schaeffer twins. Mr. Cash (the person who knew the totality of Mr. Harmarchis’ tenure the best) was adament that Mr. Harmarchis be terminated. Mr. Cash even went so far as to testify against Mr. Harmarchis at his hearing. Now the courts have overturned the professional opinion of a very competent administrator.
Dr. Sarvis is not as competent as Mr. Cash, but he is correct in this circumstance. Mr. Harmarchis should not be allowed to teach in the future.
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» on 01.15.09 @ 07:06 AM
Principal Dave Cash hired Mr. Harmachis, but soon regretted his decision. “Goleta teacher” is correct that Mr. Cash found Mr. Harmarchis entirely responsible for the incident with the Schaeffer twins. Mr. Cash (the person who knew the totality of Mr. Harmarchis’ tenure the best) was adament that Mr. Harmarchis be terminated. Mr. Cash even went so far as to testify against Mr. Harmarchis at his hearing. Now the courts have overturned the professional opinion of a very competent administrator.
Dr. Sarvis is not as competent as Mr. Cash, but he is correct in this circumstance. Mr. Harmarchis should not be allowed to teach in the future.
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» on 01.15.09 @ 08:17 AM
As we now know, separated understandings, by way of any, forgets nothing. For getting the symbol of a circle, some say zero and nothing for others, symbolizes small details people will initially know understands. Note to consider by knowing, sorting details of understanding, shows the probable end, everyone needs to do both: think and read, have answers.
If probable will not allow, think of pro and babble because the two ideas literally refer to incoherence. Pro as in professional means “for” and the rest “fess, ion, and al” means “ironing an electrified group for thee” that is not to be confused with my mother. Being a domestic helper, keeps and minds her own, hopes nothing stops her business, from having her children, from having it all.
Hard to envision but unlike most, likely more probable than many, all I can say to profess what happened is the “WORD TO YOUR MOTHER” because for love of mother says who I am. My mother bought me, the most important thing, even if we had little of nothing, all the books to read. Being brought up correctly, she knew right then and straight, books made a person out of me, more than any probable sense can know and just by looking. Humanity and inhumanity involved, I will forever understand, reading has simple answers.
The babble where the probable ends comes from, if being not easy and able to see, refers to Babylon, an ancient city with an edifice that collapsed resulting to the Diaspora, from the days none knew and none considered. Sadly, I know more of History myself because as to any stories, I can profess, I alone read books stored in my memories.
My understanding of history is a lot of not reading, stories any may ever remember, teaches nothing but read only, the essential needed to be read. Kids spend reading or in reading not the right books. Students spend more playing to write that in the end only pretend to write books.
Oddly more than time and no longer does everyone like books. This accounts for most of what ever we want; knowing students reading ends all ills. Social problems like illiteracy that ends guessing perplexing probability, initially begins with spirit. Of being able to be more productive, an ability probable to end inability, I want books becaause knowing America’s illiteracy, here is my version:
Babylon was one towering edifice the people built collapsed causing what scholars say “The Diaspora” too also because first being Charlton Heston escapes Egypt and Yul Brynner chased his storied chariot through the red parting see which the Red Sea split open in half for time to escape where the bald headed Pharaoh got his men drowned. So a good 800 years after the story where “The Tower of City” around circa 500 BC where every people all gathered from all parts with bricks and through there their misunderstandings could not build a proper tower because their scheme man tickled and killed over there people even where every one so many off in God got mad and like collapse the tower they like because they are all like not Oedipus have to like having calculators and no math build to like reach heaven because most importantly that by knowing only that.
I can not help giving myself an A plus plus because in abstract is the message America; I already pat myself in the back that I can write. Instead of being focused with Mr. Hermachis, I want to know what the kids read so people will not be and get or ultimately beget stupid. A total of wasted time; mine , people, my people, every, and everyone reading of an example of all stupidity.
Money allowed legal bills to amount close to half a million dollars is what detail I read. Not considering Euros, I am hoping this “will” never repeats because if there is a teacher who can count, like a mathematics teacher, students will never get to learn of this place like Babylon. But if ever again or if this just happened yesterday, there might be more than millions to pile towers and towers of edifices. I wonder if history that was a teacher or there was something to be learned? But if anyone who actually knows because thinking of illiteracy, I know a metaphor for if there was a tower built:
I forgot to save and finished the final level, am I going run or will I RAN to see I go there. I am thinking of being proper because property, people will never allow me being voluptuous by not thinking in I ROCK. Never mind…! Iraq is more of being like saying music television. I do not have time for Algebra because I am bored. Instead I “will” listen to some music by playing T.V. because it is already happening.
Ni entendo…?
Up, Up, Down, Down, Left, Right, Left, Right, B, A.
Select Start. All you get. Sonic Boom. Tiger Uppercut. All your base belongs to us.
Capcom is made in Japan.
For little Boy Bobby, only a lot of news, knew because people do not know what Zelda is really like.
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» on 01.15.09 @ 08:19 AM
Bad idea to name the twins, HOTEP. Everyone else seemed able to avoid it. You are totally accurate in the rest of your statement. As an attorney, Cash should have been very sure of his stance. Interesting that the courts rule in favor of cases like this. Look at the decision in the Madoff case… no evidence that he intended to divest himself of his wealth so his victims would have no funds to access for reimbursement. Geez, what is going on here????????
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» on 01.15.09 @ 12:22 PM
It took the courts two times to convict O.J. Simpson. Harmachis’ time will come again. The real problem is the Teacher’s Union. They will defend any teacher for any reason. The Board made the correct decision to suspend him. Invaluable time and energy went into the decision making process. Those of you blaming the District for wasting taxpayers’ money on cases of this nature simply don’t get it. Courts have excused those who violate the law time and time again. That’s not going to change. Neither should the principal of a school or the Board of Education cower in their responsibility to protect children.
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» on 01.15.09 @ 02:10 PM
How come no one asked the teacher before the problems got worse? In or out of class, the teacher should know the best answers. I don’t know about this guy Harmachis but the teacher was not suppose to touch the kids. If ever there was a problem, LAUSD takes this situation straight to the Board of Education with no questions asked.
In thinking about costs, the Union is suppose to be the one representing this guy and not the CTA. I can remember an AJ Duffy out at UTLA and he’s scary, enough for any Board. Unions are suppose to stand up for teachers if they pay their dues. I was scared of President Duffy because not only was he short but he sounds like the Penguin. Imagine any President of any group calling over the phone sounding like an arch nemisis. Pretty scarry.
Teachers are only human to make mistakes and in the end, will only be remembered for what they do. I only saw a lot of bickering and people talking about themselves. They missed out on seeing the bigger picture, a lot of waste which could have been prevented for kids. I think everyone should move one and next time start to ask so anyone knows what happens before it really happens.
Administrator should never neglect the teachers because they are also teachers, they still hold valid teaching credentials. No administrator should ever pay for a teacher’s fault because in the end, the teacher will be there or protect the administrator.
People could not see that, it is just the school and the student in the end. The school is a community and the student is their young. There was no trust happening that everyone was hurt in the end.
At-Risk-Youth, Special Ed., I believe instead of bickering, try talking to kids. Any would be surprise what they say. The Hippies, Yuppies and Squares of everyone’s generation did a lot worse. I’d even talk about the Great Depression if I can offer any suggestions. Waste prevention for any “generation” is learned by talking that it does no happen again. Prevention is just talk. So remember and also be ready to offer ahead by saying, moderation is toleration.
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» on 01.15.09 @ 03:31 PM
These young punks who think teachers can’t lay a hand on them and refuse an order by a teacher to leave their classroom do not deserve such immunity to being touched or yelled at.
Many young punks deserve to be yelled at by a teacher, or have a teacher grab them by he elbow and escorted out of the classroom.
If I were a teacher I sure wouldn’t take any verbal or physical abuse by a student and if a student refused to behave I would give them the choice to behave or be “escorted” out of the room by the minimum physical force necessary.
If they refused, after giving them a chance and a warning, I would physically push or pull them gently yet firmly out of the room. I’m not talking about hitting them, or hurting them—just pulling gently but firmly on their elbow or ear. Just enough force to get them moving. If they still resisted physically then it’s time to call the police and have the police remove them.
But the bottom like is the just can’t be allowed to get away with ignoring an order of a teacher to get out of their classroom.
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» on 01.15.09 @ 03:57 PM
Mr. Harmachis is a wonderful teacher I have known for almost 10 years and can tell you he is more concerned about and involved in the education of our youth today than ANY teacher I can recall in my lifetime. It should not come as a surprise to anyone here that there are a few kids who attend this school who could use PARENTING. But the steadfast (stubborn) refusal we see of Brian Staris the school district superintendent, to even acknowledge this and admit his own bad call (in spite of 3 FAILED attempts to oust Mr. Harmachis) is indicative of the kind of stubborn intolerance and arrogance I would like to see REMOVED from our school system. This is my own opinion, but one that I find hard to ignore.
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» on 01.15.09 @ 06:59 PM
As a teacher at DP, the dynamic thats occurring right now is quiet concern. The discussions about Matef are done one-on-one or one-on-one-one, in quiet low voices. Nobody is emailing opinions or posting them to the school’s communication forum, because nobody wants to publicly say what we’re all feeling (well, all but one other member of my social studies department who still supports him) but the conversations are going on. Concern because we are afraid he will be placed back at our school. We keep saying “we’ve done our time”. If he must be given his job back, he should have to go to another school.
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» on 01.15.09 @ 07:30 PM
That’s what Harmachis said to one of his female students. And yet he is being defended by some of you here? This guy gives all teachers a bad name. Please never allow this man near our children again.
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» on 01.17.09 @ 12:39 PM
I side with the teacher.
The vast majority of his students love him.
He deserves a second chance.
He was a little crude but lets fact reality: no harm was really done. High school student are old enough to be subjected to, and learn to put up with, and accept verbal comments, including from those with differing points of view, and learn not to take them personally or let them offend. I other words part of education is to thicken ones skin to be able to live in a non perfect world and to develop the ability to brush off such comments, especially ones made in jest, even if in poor taste.
In other words a woman, even of 16 or 17, can learn to live with a whistler of admiration by someone of the opposite sex, and take it in the spirit it was intended. A form of admiration. ( a form of compliment)
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» on 01.17.09 @ 05:40 PM
Regarding the comment from “Side with Teacher” that
“Part of education is to thicken ones skin to be able to live in a non perfect world and to develop the ability to brush off such comments, especially ones made in jest, even if in poor taste.
In other words a woman, even of 16 or 17, can learn to live with a whistler of admiration by someone of the opposite sex, and take it in the spirit it was intended. A form of admiration. ( a form of compliment”)
Yours is one of the most misguided and downright sick comments I have ever seen posted here. The offensive sexual comments weren’t made by some leering teenage admirer but by her TEACHER - someone she is supposed to respect, look up to and obey. That kind of behavior coming from a teacher is not a compliment - it is insulting, demeaning and totally unacceptable, not part of some ridiculous “skin-thickening” educational experience which female students should just accept and be flattered by. Pathetic - what planet are you living on?
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» on 01.17.09 @ 05:57 PM
That’s called sexual harassment. Teachers are supposed to be role models, not stinking perverts.
2nd chance? He had one already. He screwed up at DP and then he screwed up again at SBHS.
Of course his students loved him…they also love some of their peers, that doesn’t mean THEY are fit to teach.
Anyone with a 16 year old daughter raise your hand if you want Harmachis teaching your kid..
Some of you people have balls defending this guy- I know hundreds of teachers who came up against similar situations and students and didn’t handle it like this.
Have fun San Marcos. I am sure he will end up there next.
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» on 01.17.09 @ 07:03 PM
response to Justice:
I live in the real world.
A world where people often make inappropriate comments.
One needs to develop a thick enough skin, and self confidence, so that verbal comments, by anyone, can bounce off and not be taken seriously.
What planet do you live on?
One where teenagers need to be coddled and sheltered from the real world, and one where a person does not learn how to brush off comments or teasing and to not let verbal comments( often made in jest) or teasing get to you. ( I’m not talking about major sexual harassment like touching).
What ever happened to the wise old saying: ” sticks and stones…...........
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» on 01.17.09 @ 07:28 PM
Regarding the comment from “Side with Teacher” that
“Part of education is to thicken ones skin to be able to live in a non perfect world and to develop the ability to brush off such comments, especially ones made in jest, even if in poor taste.
In other words a woman, even of 16 or 17, can learn to live with a whistler of admiration by someone of the opposite sex, and take it in the spirit it was intended. A form of admiration. ( a form of compliment”)
Yours is one of the most misguided and downright sick comments I have ever seen posted here. The offensive sexual comments weren’t made by some leering teenage admirer but by her TEACHER - someone she is supposed to respect, look up to and obey. That kind of behavior coming from a teacher is not a compliment - it is insulting, demeaning and totally unacceptable, not part of some ridiculous “skin-thickening” educational experience which female students should just accept and be flattered by. Pathetic - what planet are you living on?
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» on 01.17.09 @ 08:22 PM
Now there’s a refreshingly primitive response, Side With Teacher. I suppose the girls were asking for it, right?
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» on 01.18.09 @ 04:16 PM
Side with the Teacher/Real World Guy - The logic you express to justify these actions is so ridiculous. Last time I checked the CA State Standards for student learning, there was no mention of “Students will develop thick skin as a result of sexually harassing statements of trained professionals.”
Although the developing of thickening skin might be considered in a science class, I would suspect the social studies department didn’t include that in its curriculum.
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» on 01.18.09 @ 05:50 PM
response to Justice:
I live in the real world.
A world where people often make inappropriate comments.
One needs to develop a thick enough skin, and self confidence, so that verbal comments, by anyone, can bounce off and not be taken seriously.
What planet do you live on?
One where teenagers need to be coddled and sheltered from the real world, and one where a person does not learn how to brush off comments or teasing and to not let verbal comments( often made in jest) or teasing get to you. ( I’m not talking about major sexual harassment like touching).
What ever happened to the wise old saying: “ sticks and stones…...........
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» on 01.18.09 @ 06:15 PM
To whom it may concern:
By not allowing the teacher to know about the circumstances that surrounds a letter, the school may do the public wrong. In regards to the integrity of a school because there is a letter, the teacher shall act what the public expects from his duty. The school may silence a letter, but the teacher, like everyone who is a member of the public, will seek that the school shall resolve. If the teacher suffers detriment because a letter in school silenced his options, his choices may be limited in public. The same letter out in public shall only limit those choices because his options may already been limited in school. The school may teach the public in regards to a letter, but the public shall prevent such a letter in regards to us all.
The school may regard integrity solely to apply to their own domain as a separate entity, but integrity redefined by knowing that the choices we make by our actions limit the options of others, the public’s choice shall define the options that will limit all our choices. Integrity is circular that can only be made by the options we all have. Integrity out in the public is limitless, but in the school, there are certain parameters that may set morals and principles to guide the formation of integrity. Separating the school from the public, the issue becomes when does a letter makes the school suffer which endangers the public. By not trusting the teacher, perceptions, assumptions, and chance are all that guides belief that in our duty and obligation a letter may entitle. A letter may compel the teacher to act properly, but in that, the teacher will act in peril out in the public. In the school, everyone who is left with the duty or obligation may not know that the choices we make in the school because what a letter allows shall limit the choices the teacher makes in the end, and thus a teacher can only seek guidance on the issue of integrity.
In the search for integrity, the truest test of a teacher will reveal that integrity lies not only on bounded choices left by options silenced by a letter from school; circumstances must be factored into the equation that once calculated, the integrity of a teacher can only allow others to make unlimited possibilities to act because we all have a duty and obligation to that which the public must be entitled. Integrity lies not in trust alone, but the choices of both the school and the teacher that enables all of us to understand the integral component to resolution sought by the public compels that a school must act. Perceptions, assumptions, and chances do not even attach itself on the building the people expect that govern the performance of our duties. Integrity trusted as knowing choices made by actions can limit options others make, is the bond that uphold the institution that we call the school. We can not know what integrity is until integrity reveals itself by choice. We will then see that the choices we make only limit what others can make, and so the teacher can only act that to reveal how we are all integral in the end. The teacher’s choices uncover more than perceptions, assumptions and chances combined can ever know.
In the realm of the Law a letter from the teacher proposes not to incite, but rather integral suggestions for all to bond that what the Law seeks from a letter a teacher proposes the Law shall fix. If a letter or complaint about the Law unveils character, knowing everything what a letter can destroy unveils itself. The integrity of one teacher is measured not by the chances resulting from a letter ignites the school to be destroyed, but the school’s choices given by a letter, the public shall peril. Because the duty of the Law is to see that which chance must allow us to be enlightened, everyone’s duty and obligation is formulated with the equation that En Loco Parentis in Latin means in the place of parents. Where the parents are not, the school has to allow the teacher to reveal his duty. The Law has not determined any judgment in regards to the duty of the teacher, so the bar must be set as to what type of letter shall imperil us all. The Law will report for duty in the matter of the letter allowed in school can have on the public from the choices that parents make.
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» on 01.19.09 @ 09:07 PM
Personally, I have little problem with his treatment of the twins who had NO BUSINESS in his classroom in the first place, or the kid with the cell phone. But those comments to the female students are just outrageous. There is NO WAY girls should be subjected to sexual harrassment from thier teachers! That’s just absurd. I certainly wouldn’t want one ofmy daughters to be in a classroom with him. For God’s sake, if he doesn’t get it at his age that that kind of talk directed at teenage girls isn’t okay in the classroom (or anywhere) then there’s no hope for him.
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» on 01.20.09 @ 03:25 PM
This guy Hermachis was put out because of personal reasons, parents did not like him. The same parents who pun an over emphasis of their position at the school did not know that in the end they will be reponsible for the demise of their own school. I suggest the parents start getting their credential and see that it a battle out there. There kids are rebelious because they can not not contreol them at home and at the same time blame the teachers. When parents start to gang up on a teacher because of their personal agenda, they have to talk to the teacher first. He was new and desicded to do something else and not talk. Any psycologist will get casted a stone for that - loose their licence. This only shows parents what kind of people they are - lazy to not teach kids at home.
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» on 01.20.09 @ 06:41 PM
What has mesmerized me through this entire process is that the media refuse to report what the competency board realized and clearly stated in Judge Reyes’ decision: that former principal Dave Cash perjured himself; that the Gross-Shaffer family lied to Deputy Sheriff Hunter after waiting nine months to file a criminal complaint; that several district employees failed to convince the panel because “Mr. Harmachis was the only credible witness…” On top of that, the Gross-Shaffer family has steadfastly refused to show the shirt worn into our classroom. They continue to show shirts “like the one worn that day” or “just like the one I wore into the classroom.”
All opinions regarding this case or me personally need to be tempered against a background of duplicity and dishonesty on the part of the school district. If you want to come after me, do so. But do so with facts, not lies. Fortunately, an immutable law of the universe is the truth will out. One day the whole story will be known. And those that have accused me will themselves be convicted.
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» on 01.21.09 @ 07:28 AM
What this is really about is “coddling” and “protecting “our kids (little babies).
What many parents don’t realize is that its good for kids to be exposed to the real world and to be able to develop some “street smarts”.
What if these “protected” little babies are walking down Hollywood Boulevard some Friday night going to a concert and they come upon a group of street gangsters their same age. They won’t have a clue how to handle themselves because they were “protected” from the real world while in school.
Everyone, as a part of growing up, needs to learn how to deal with circumstances where the other person is rude, obnoxious, not “polite” or following the “rules” or coddling them.
It’s a mistake to make an environment at school where their is no need to learn the social skills of how to act or how to deal under difficult situations where the other person is saying something verbally abusive.
I fully agree that Sexual harassment may not be tolerated at schools. But what we are really talking about is much different than that. Its about protecting students from the real world where there are unpleasant or objectionable verbal comments made by others ( often in jest or teasing) and one needs to develop the social skills to “deal with it.”
The bottom line is this teachers actions did not really hurt the students. He gave them a taste of what happens in the real world and helped them prepare to deal with it. No big deal!
Some of you are blowing this way out of proportion because you personally don’t like the teacher and this is just plain wrong. I don’t like arabs either, but I don’t try and get them fired from their job to protect my little babies from the harsh realities of real world.
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» on 01.21.09 @ 08:31 AM
“And those who accuse me will be convicted.” That says it all about a man who refuses to see the error of his ways.
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» on 01.21.09 @ 11:59 AM
Social Studies, who said anything about not liking Arabs? What has that got do do with anything? I’m appalled at this 50-something-year-old guy’s general people skills — or lack thereof. And by your logic, since sexual assault happens in the real world, should these girls develop the social skills to deal with THAT now? I’m sorry, some actions are just plain wrong and no matter how you try to defend this kook, he doesn’t belong around students at all.
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» on 01.21.09 @ 01:51 PM
I can whole heartedly understand Mr. Harmachis cause because I have suffered more pain than he went through.
Oh, believe me. No Principal Cash or principles on cash alone can even answer. I know DPHS culture that the money spent on litigation will not be able to pay for the just paid or justice rendered.
Plainly, I can count because math people do. For example, in terms of liking a particular group like Arabs, I had a lesson about The Quadratic Formula and in the end I said without Arabs, there would still be “poop” in the streets.
I did explain in the lesson that Arabs invented The Quadratic Formula which is derived from The Quadratic Equation sequentially. Now for any teacher, or parent, or school to even complain as to get me booted out of school that a lawyer or a judge now has a hard time explaining themselves, all I am saying is people misinterpret each other because their own purpose clouts the over all purpose of the meaning of school.
In the end of all this, there can be more than what was bargained for if people do not do both; think and read to have answers. Maybe reading is funds as well as fundamentals. For math people all they really do is write an abbreviation which shows their true humanity in the end to understand. It is written after each proof that allows others to know, but as a teacher, I need everyone to research the meaning:
qed.
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» on 01.22.09 @ 10:04 AM
The teacher being arab has everything to do with it.
The incident really behind all this is the one involving the racist t-shirt.
The jewish student, Gross -Shaffer, who was not even a student in that classroom, clearly came into the arab teachers classroom wearing an inflammatory and racist anti Arab t-shirt with but one purpose—to piss off the teacher by showing off the t-shirt, and to cause trouble for the teacher b baiting him under the rule that says a teacher can’t touch a student. So he arrogantly refused to leave the classroom when asked, probably hoping to cause an incident.
The teacher got suckered in by a troublemaker student with clear intentions.
This is clearly what happened and it is clearly the fault of the jewish student and is a form of hate crime on the part of the student worth of being expelled.
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» on 01.22.09 @ 01:40 PM
“The teacher got suckered in by a troublemaker student with clear intentions.”
Oh, I see what you’re saying. The Jewish kid was clearly looking to bait the teacher so he wore a T-shirt designed to provoke him.
I guess the boy with the cell phone purposefully ignored the teacher to provoke him, too? And the girls tarted themselves up to do the same thing?
Yeah, a 50-year-old man who can’t rise above childish tactics that were “intentionally” deployed against him DEFINITELY belongs in a classroom. Someone with his maturity and self-control is EXACTLY the role model teenagers need to be around. If I were a fellow teacher, I’d be outraged at such behavior and wouldn’t want it to reflect on me. That silence is deafening.
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» on 01.22.09 @ 05:52 PM
Ramone is correct. Professional educators have the obligation to speak out. The public is, no doubt, curious about our collective reaction. I teach, joyfully, at one of the local high schools. And yes, I am horrified that this “educator” was vindicated. My colleagues agree. His excuses are pathetic, and actions even more egregious. I have worked with many new, inexperienced educators over the years, all of whom clearly understood the boundaries of propriety. Mr. Harmachis should not set foot in a classroom. Ever.
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» on 01.22.09 @ 06:01 PM
As a math teacher, I wanted to know if it was a Galil, Uzi, Desert Eagle, or even a Jericho 941 - all Israeli made. My kids would have a blast knowing about calibers and calipers or bores or velocities coming out of any nozzles. I would have to explain rate of fire and pounds of pressure needed to tell the difference between single action and double action of any fully automatic weapon.
I need to have another day explaining who John Browning was and what he invented, the automatic pistol with my all time favor, the 1911. (I miss Charlton Heston.) All I can say about Mr. Browning is think Belgian waffles and Brigham Young. Not the Olympics but close to Big Love. (I do not know how to italicize with this text field so excuse me…!).
In the end, I would tell the kid that Arabs prefer buying American goods, especially manufactured assault rifles by ArmaLites. They can fetch as much as $20,000.00 in Gaza because it is very precise even though really hard to clean and has more complex parts. At the end of class, I will tell the kid that there is a Principal out there who thinks “CASH” but take the shirt off, please, with a night scope vision on top, because he’ll have to Shalom you back to Temple Shalhavet.
Tova B’seva. Shalom L’chem
Shalom L’chem is the same Semitic, I mean semantic for Salaam Alaikum.
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» on 01.23.09 @ 07:26 AM
I do not know this teacher and i may not agree with his political views but understand his frustration. The kids did not do as they were told and gave him attitude. It has also come out that some had lied and the other kids said it was no big deal.
I am 50. When I was growing up, kids didn’t think of talking to adults and teachers they way they do now.
The attitude and group mentality has nearly eliminated any control teachers have. This is the legacy of squimish parents that are afraind to discipline their kids.
We need to start at elementary school level and bring back the paddle. This paddle should first be used on the whimpy parents that leave the schools to raise their kids since they don’t have the back bone to do it themselves.
My friends and I can’t hire these kids because of their attitude and work ethic. My friends that are supervisors at companies and county jobs have to go through special training just to deal with this new generation because they have such an “Entitlement” type of attitude.
I guess that is what happens when every kid gets a ribbon instead of just the winners. Winning motivates people/kids to continue working hard. Losing motivates people/kids to do better. Thus, constatly raising the standard.
Look at our Olympic Athelets. Constantly raising the standard.
“Tough Love”. Think about it.
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» on 01.23.09 @ 12:28 PM
Nobody wants to look at the t-shirt incidence by itself because that clearly is the fault of the Jewish student and not the teacher.
Everybody wants to bring in the other incidents because they can’t win their point based on the t-shirt incident.
I challenge just one person to stick to just the t-shirt incident and make a case that the fault is the teachers and not the student.
Yes, it is a fact that the Jewish kid was clearly looking to bait and provoke the teacher so he wore a T-shirt designed to provoke him. And he was sucessfull in his goal. he provoked an incident. And he got exactly what he deserved! This is a mitigating factor in the behavior of the teacher because he is human and has human emotions. Nobody could have resisted such baiting and such provocation. Unless they had a heart of stone. Give the teacher a break. Other wise this jerk of a student wins.
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» on 01.23.09 @ 01:55 PM
In not knowing this teacher and not agreeing with his political views, how is that possible? Sometimes by saying the truth often times hurt while others who will not say anything because those truths are more of being proper; propriety and impropriety contemplated.
The political views held out by some are just interpretation given and meaningless because simply such views will clout judgment for all that matters. To express as will profess what must be learned from any conflict sought out to be resolved, I can offer this one word advice, Mother.
What is our duty as teachers? It is our integrity as a professional to know and to let each other know what they are saying about us. Our duty has been boiled down to swallowing our pride over and over again that we clout ourselves with judgment. Should I let him know what they say about him or what their perceptions are? By not allowing each other to know in a professional sense is mean, offensive, and degrading.
My Mother was a great teacher. This is the reason why I became a teacher. She made a mistake that I paid the price for. I said the truth I had a right to say even if someone else thought of it wrong. I had every right because she is my mother and she is a teacher. The love I have for my mother and that their perception of love does make a contradiction. One has to go.
I was on my way out as a teacher. Only two weeks left and I pulled the bell and sounded the alarm. All I wanted to show was that the process was all wrong. There were red flags everywhere. From the beginning, to the end, all they wanted was to get rid of a teacher.
It was integrity they were after and it was a hard pill to swallow. What is the use of uncovering something that will not look good for families, school, teachers and the community? It was wrong to begin with that teachers should set the example by letting each other know.
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» on 01.23.09 @ 02:48 PM
The Board gets to discuss this in closed session next Tuesday. Keep the tape please.
Why not discuss in public view the finances involved?
Decision was announced by Court of Appeal on same day Supt. declared a freeze on spending and same day he announced hiring two special education directors and spending money on “experts” to study and figure out Special Education.
If the two Directors cannot figure it out, why were they hired? How many experts does it take to know that rules and regulations and needs of students were ignored by incompetent management personnel using lawyers to cover mistakes? The District’s history repeats.
The poor decision making by the Superintendent and attorneys in the teacher case suggest that some daylight on the decision making process would have and will save a lot of attorney fees on both sides (but all at expense of District) and wasted paid Administrative leave, etc. This is both a legal and policy question and it needs the benefits of the sunshine laws. The dragging out of the final decision was a ridiculous waste of money by management and attorneys who knew they had a loser but continued to incur expense to delay the day of final decision simply for the sake of delay. The final decision; teacher wins at Districts’ expense.
Who is accountable?
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» on 01.24.09 @ 07:33 AM
Wow. What an interesting story and then such curious postings! This remark “The twin boys are from Santa Barbara’s most esteemed, most wonderful, most blessed family,” really brought on a good laugh. You must be joking. These “esteemed, wonderful, blessed boys” walk in off the street to a classroom of a school they don’t attend, where a teacher is working, the kids enrolled in the class are there to learn, and demand to hold court? Sounds pretty arrogant and brash to me. What’s more, their parents back them up by filing charges, months later, attempting to make this a race issue. The fact is, one kid was wearing a shirt that had a gun on it, which is against school rules, and he refused to turn it inside out or leave. Now the esteemed family refuses to produce the shirt because the truth it exposes doesn’t favor them. Instead, they claim racism. None of the witnesses recalled any type of racial remarks being made by the teacher at all. So the parents of these esteemed kids teach their children about the beauty of obfuscation, revisionist history, and how to apply pressure by suing people even if you don’t have a case.
The only real question is, does the teacher have the right to through intruders out of his classroom, regardless of their religious affiliation or the “esteemedness” of their family? The courts say he does. And as a parent of kids who also attend public schools, I’m glad. I don’t want people walking in off the street, disrepecting the school, the teachers, and the students, and getting away with it. This case has been tried over and over and the teacher has been vindicated - time to move on. If these blessed boys have learned all they can learn in school, then perhaps it’s time for them to get a job and quit bothering people.
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» on 01.24.09 @ 10:35 AM
Think and read, have answers.
The Common Law is common sense, the sovereign’s sense and sensibilities.
Sovereign Power is the command to a noble from subjects, their sensibilities commonly incensed.
Try not to excuse yourself from being confused by asking the questions, the end only becomes rhetorical.
Expose woes only a burden to consider, discloses complaints by those wanting exposure.
If two are figured unabled, many more enabled so best to consider one true expense.
Requesting dear a please, endearing none pleases purpose of request already shown.
Do some math after reading because no reading can be done without the math.
Everyone is accountable because by doing and not thinking of what is to be done without knowledge from learning mistakes, any accountability places itself on acts bounded by no reasons.
Maxims of Ethical Jurisprudence.
Atticus was a Roman who lived in Athens. Semantics alone derived his name to that of ethics, etiquettes, showing manners of reasons. His only etic antic was living in Athens for 20 years because he did not want part in the bloodshed of Rome during the infancy of the Republic.
He was a friend of foes Julius and especially Cicero. Humanity without ethical reasons, Atticus came back to Rome after the civil chaos a rich man of the equestrian title in equanimity.
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» on 01.24.09 @ 11:07 AM
Another brilliant decision from the CA judiciary.
Bear in mind that Santa Maria genius Judge Zel Canter recently ruled that there was “no legal culpability” against the ranch-hands, foreman, manager, ranch owners, for their starting last summer’s ZACA Fire, when they went out, un-trained, to do risky mechanical work the morning the July 4th, during a Class One “Red Flag Fire Alert,”
and caused the 2nd longest-burning fire in CA history.
I guess that means that according to that judge, the fire just started itself, and that
God put those ranch hands in the area because HE has a wicked sense of humor.
A few weeks earlier, Santa Barbara genius Judge Frank Ochoa ruled that the lying
young drunkard who mowed down a respected psychologist, and left him to die
along the side of the road from (potentially) treatable injuries, deserves probation
because - even though she was photographed, and arrested, for drunken behavior
AFTER her vehicular manslaughter adventure, she managed to get herself pregnant
by a stranger during her Zona Seca training (which focuses on “accepting personal
responsibility for your actions”), and that even though she DID run down the victim
- who is still dead - and wreck THAT family, she shouldn’t go to state prison, even
after being convicted by a jury after a lengthy, expensive trial, because that might
work a “hardship” on her unborn baby.
So, the weirdo teacher is still on the public payroll, the SY Valley pyros who cost
the state millions in fire-suppression costs, are still at work, and the DUI
mommy-in-waiting is still on the streets.
Makes you feel pretty good about our California judicial system, huh?
Hope that when the governor and legislators “Cut-cut-cut Everything in the state
budget,” and call for “SACRIFICE” from all Californians, part of the cuts will come
from the salaries, perks, and benefits of our state judges. Yikes.
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» on 01.25.09 @ 10:58 AM
The post (on 01/23/09) by “Thinking of Tough Love…” claims to be by someone who “became a teacher.” Please, God, let this person not be (or have been) an English teacher! Or a teacher in ANY subject, if his/her writing is an accurate reflection of his/her disordered thinking. Or perhaps we can hope that he/she was just thoroughly soused when posting the rambling, disjointed non sequitur.
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» on 01.25.09 @ 03:18 PM
Response to your “hoping” questions Former Barbarian:
STOP.
It happened again. This time, a SNAFU of a “constructive dismissal” for HIM (he is not a she this time again). I just did not know of Mr. Harmachis until the middle of August last year.
As to the non sequitur argument you referred to, the thoroughly soused part is a type of reaction to being “restrained” where the act incurs liabilities that infringes my mother’s and my family’s actual “business” in town.
This is akin to calling me a fool while I’m prevented from telling you because you are saying I am a fool to begin with. Often, such situations are called arrogance. My reasons have more ethics involved than any one else can fathom. (Except the Almighty; the almighty talk about should stay at home.)
I was hoping a comical piece about Arnold Schwarzenegger would actually allow the people to mature in thought but the “Editors” did not believe so. Instead, I will say that I do have e-mails which describe the First Amendment and Cyber Bullying.
I am trying to convey this to my most humble litigator on the opposite side of the court that the Family Educational Rights Act has parts B, C, and D also. Do not confine your thought to only parts A. Rethink what transparency means now and everyone should just do what they are suppose to do; think and read, have answers.
The teacher is actually a mathematics teacher so that would answer the ANY part of your question. Any writing I have made is done to make people think that the answer is in the words so not disordered but actually jointed. I did say that mathematics had more vocabulary but people’s arrogance got the better of them to saying “English.” Here’s a rhetorical question:
You argue with a MATH teacher?
Any soused ramblings you are talking about or asking makes perfect sense. No fallacy involved. Just playing pseudo devil’s advocate because I know San Roque is the Patron Saint of Jesters. I think I know of him personally in real life, let us just say he is also a teacher.
Now you want the proof. Easy, look in Noozhawk again for the following:
spatsky
Mr. D. oneTeacher
Des M. Atticus = Semantics
E. Pluribus Unum (single entity – privy council) = US
Liz N. Otten = Listen Nothing
Sense N. Turion = Centurion
Connie T. Placien = Contemplation
J Q. Simpleton = Common Sense
Letter
In Godly Cents
What gun was on shirt?
Thinking of Tough Love
Willie B. Alright
Antennas
I only started writing around January 9, 2009 and those are all the same. There may be more.
This article concerns me the most because of people. Lawyers and Parents who have comments but do not think of such comments unless they are actually teachers at high school, like I have said passionately before:
I can already do, but reasons count. You.
Try thinking this one out and see what answers you get. See if I am right or wrong and compare and contrast. Who is non sequitur now?
The answer in all this for the “Easy Button” is Karma, like the comment of Matef Hermachis dictates by words alone on 01/20/09 wrote out:
Fortunately, an immutable law of the universe is the truth will out.
I’m going to point out that even though people did not like him, I hoped they all learned a lesson. Since the universe is mathematical for me to begin with, my advice is to start counting.
Education is The Law
qed.
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» on 01.26.09 @ 08:20 AM
Who is this insane fool posting these ridiculous off the subject comments near the end of this blog?
Please cease and desist! Get a life!
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» on 01.26.09 @ 03:00 PM
I have to side with the teacher on this one.
What he did was really not that big of a deal and it is being blown out of all proper proportion.
Its extremely clear that those that want the teacher fired want him fired because of who he is and not because of what he did.
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» on 01.26.09 @ 03:28 PM
You took my life away. Just give me my letter. It came from a prominent psychiatrist in town who services a lot of the kids but does not work for the district. DPHS has that and that is where my life went.
Please, cease and decist and cease? Because I am a teacher, I think you are not counting.
Start with this one:
COMPLIANCE
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» on 01.26.09 @ 06:23 PM
?
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» on 01.26.09 @ 06:40 PM
What others know of someone differs from who the person is. In knowing the person, one has to talk to them and actually get their perspective. In believing others of who am I is to believe ignorance is bliss. (Reference Letter for the perspective of who am I.) To actually know the person is to say I am his friend.
I did not know how new teachers were treated. I feel happy living in Santa Barbara. Is this what will bring the eyes of the nation down upon us really means? I’m proud to call myself a Christian believing that kind of talk belongs at home.
That is called being a professional. So does compliance mean I only hire teachers from my neighborhood who have valid credentials? Knowing the community, better check the mathematics. Did anybody else checked it?
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» on 01.27.09 @ 12:57 PM
Many of those who have gone before speak in riddles. They expect others to understand their particular variety of rhetoric. It gives them a sense of superiority, to be sure, that their words are garbled and not understandable to most. Actually, it is my conjecture that the CodeTalker is none other than Mr. Harmachis himself, or, his alter ego.
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» on 01.27.09 @ 06:54 PM
A conjectur is a statement that if a case is proven the claim fails for a theorem. Try this on for size:
While we complain about Darfur, let us all smile to China. In thinking about the future, let us not tax today; better to spend and keep the rich richer than having some politician get richer. Politician is already rich to begin with. Let us argue about inhumanity while the rest of the world gets smarter.
Here is a proof for economics:
There is no mass in the universe.
Validation:
F = ma, E = mc^2
m = F/a, m = E/c^2
Substitute a Brain:
F/a = E/c^2
Thinking:
Since acceleration is a measurement of meters per second squared and the hypothetical speed of light squared is also meters per second squared, dividing the equation above is just a ratio of Constants. I will call such constants A and C, both fractional numbers less than one but greater than zero. I will now show:
FA = CE (since I can also place constants either front or back as numbers)
The final result in not knowing the equation is in the FACE.
In my most humble inhumane of saying to you sir, all that economics have to really say is that only forces and energy make up the mass of the universe. It is all integral if the correct mathematics is applied.
Now put up a dissertation panel for the physicist because I just found the missing link between Einstein and Newton.
Want to see Stolkholm? Do not know about Oslo lectures. I am still claiming that the Fields is harder. Where’s the dissertation panel at?
Education is The Law
qed.
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» on 01.28.09 @ 01:13 PM
Did you check it? If you did not, please give the letter. Please, I am being restrained here.
Peace.
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» on 01.29.09 @ 05:57 PM
A prominent psychiatrist in town services a lot of the kids at DP.
Psyco Bable is me. Tee hee.
Who art thou and why is the not my friend.
Oh holy night.
Oh Holy Jihad.
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» on 01.29.09 @ 05:59 PM
Tell it to the hand.
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» on 01.29.09 @ 06:01 PM
They’re coming to take me away. Ho Ho . They’re coming to take me away.
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» on 01.30.09 @ 02:52 PM
Yes, they can take you away. It is called Forensics and the other ways is called a subpoena. Either way I have evidence to show it. As for the law, I already read enough to know that it is mathematical.
I can even go through other entities for discretionary disclosures, with no questions asked - warrantless. In my most reasonable way of saying to you this; I already know.
So by my mathematical calculations in being defamed for insanity in the love of my mother’s reputation in town, reading your triplet is diagnosable to having a mental condition.
Any psychiatrist will too stait-jacket such condition for medications after being prescribed by a psycologist in saying:
Do you feel guilty for your sins? After you do, ask me if I can forgive you. It is in the doctrine of the Trinity psychologists adhere to. They will ask this question; Your salvation lies in…
Are you ready to talk?
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