Mold-fighting teacher helps school district clear the air

[Guest guest]

THE MONDAY PROFILE

Mold-fighting teacher helps school district clear the air

By a King

CONTRA COSTA TIMES - CA

http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/living/education/14693012

..htm

BRENTWOOD - It was a letter that arrived via certified mail from

Brockovich's law firm that convinced English teacher

to keep speaking out about safety and health issues on her

campus.

The letter from Masry & Vititoe Law Offices made realize the

urgency of dealing with the mold and asbestos exposure on

Brentwood's Liberty High School campus. At the same time, Cal-OSHA

was in the process of fining the Liberty Union High School District

$14,690 and issuing 13 citations for this matter.

" That made me think, well, if there is a statute of limitations and

I'm not informing parents, then I become liable and part of the

problem, " said of the letter, which came in late March.

Last winter, suffered from a persistent cough and was later

moved out of her classroom after two samples she collected came back

positive for a toxic form of mold. This prompted the usually shy

teacher to file a complaint with Cal-OSHA, which led to an

investigation of the aging campus.

Her persistence in urging the school district to create an

environmental plan and safety committee has branded her as "

Brockovich " and a " whistle-blower " among Liberty faculty.

" This one (issue) seemed to have immediate health consequences, and

then the long-term health consequences seemed very urgent as well, "

she said.

Upon hearing the recent news that was being involuntarily

transferred to Brentwood's new high school, students, teachers and

community members have rallied around the 1996 Liberty graduate.

They have been sporting stickers that read " Save Mrs. , "

voicing their support at school board meetings and signing a

petition in support of her remaining at Liberty.

" has shown great courage and tenacity in the face of

tremendous adversity, " said retired Liberty teacher Bill

Batze. " This experience has made her a better teacher. "

The young teacher of five years has been described by colleagues as

dedicated, articulate and intelligent. Meanwhile, some have accused

of destroying Liberty's image and that has made the experience

painful and isolating.

" 's courage has been stunning through the entire ordeal and

continues to be so, " said Liberty English teacher Beth

Decker. " Every step of the way she has been professional, dignified

and fair. "

Brentwood City Councilwoman and fellow Liberty teacher Ana Gutierrez

remembers as a Liberty classmate who helped her in student

politics. Gutierrez described as intelligent and hardworking,

the kind of student who would feel bad about throwing off the

grading curve for fellow classmates.

" If she believes in you or an idea, she believes in it

wholeheartedly, " Gutierrez said. " When saw that there was a

need in our school for light to be shed on health and safety issues,

one of the bravest things she did was point it out because it was

the right thing to do morally. "

She added that it is incredibly tough for someone as shy as to

be thrust into the spotlight over such a contentious issue and that

most people don't realize how much research she has done to protect

students, including her own sister, who is a Liberty junior.

has been digging for answers and asking questions for years as

a student and professional journalist. She wrote for several

newspapers while attending Brigham Young University, including the

Deseret News in Salt Lake City and the Daily Herald in Provo and

even taught high school journalism.

As a reporter at the Fremont Argus, investigated a lot of

Brown Act violations. After doing so much research, is now

considering going to law school to practice advocacy law.

" She is a journalist. She knows how to find information and use it, "

Gutierrez said.

Part of the reason that doesn't want to leave Liberty, though,

is because she holds several leadership positions there. She is the

shared governance council chairwoman, a small learning community

coordinator, and has been instrumental in the Biz-Tech Academy's

success.

Born in Singapore with half Filipino heritage, 's family

settled in Union City when she was 5. Because of her worldly

experiences, didn't want to move to Brentwood as a teen or

move there again as an adult.

" Your big goal in high school is to leave Brentwood, " she said. " Now

here I am trying to have a voice in the community and get the

parents to rally on school issues. So it is ironic that I would do

this. "

Spending her teenage years in the once-small town of Brentwood was a

tough transition for . She described herself as someone who

stood out among her peers.

" People who knew me back then remember me as being quiet, "

said. " I went to a private college and felt like I needed to speak

out more. "

Within her family, is known as the stubborn one. Students know

her as a strict and regimented teacher who wants to prepare them for

the real world.

has appealed the Heritage High transfer to the school board

and is awaiting a decision. District Superintendent Dan said

the transfer is not retaliatory.

" We share concern with the issues of health and safety that

has brought to our attention, " he said. " Certainly, health and

safety of students and staff is the highest priority. "

At last week's board meeting, Weintraub, one of 's

attorneys, asked the school district to reconsider its decision.

Weintraub was retained by the California Teachers' Association on

her behalf.

" People like her should be rewarded and be heroes or heroines in

this community, " he said.

a King covers education in far East County. Reach her at 925-779-

7189 or pking@....

• NAME:

• AGE: 28

• EDUCATION: Bachelor's degree, journalism and communications,

Brigham Young University

• OCCUPATION: English teacher, Liberty High School

• RESIDENCE: Brentwood

• CLAIM TO FAME: Exposed the presence of mold and asbestos at the

aging Brentwood campus, which led to a $14,690 fine for the Liberty

Union High School District from Cal-OSHA