In June of 2007, I experienced a devastating blow to my teaching career when I was unjustly terminated by DPS. Being terminated from a contract teaching position potentially ends a teaching career permanently. Everything that I had worked so hard to achieve was abruptly ended by being terminated.

        My family and friends lost faith in me because my termination. They had begun to believe that I deserved what had happened to me because the system wouldn't unjustly terminate anyone. "DPS can only fire someone who has done something really, really, wrong" is what I heard from my family and friends. I went to see Detroit Federation of Teachers President Virginia Cantrell and was relieved that she was willing to speak with me about my situation. I explained to President Cantrell how I had been unjustly terminated by DPS and she took action by sending my case to the union's attorney. It was through President Cantrell's swift response to my situation that things started to look up for me.

         President Cantrell took a real interest in my case and believed in me. She took the time actually listen to my situation and fight for me. Virginia Cantrell, President of the Detroit Federation of Teachers personally took my case to arbitration along with Labor Relations Administrator, Toni Clover and the union's attorney, Eileen Nowikowski. It was through President Cantrell's diligent and relentless efforts that I won my case and was returned to the status of contract teacher at Detroit Public Schools. Not only did I get my position back at DPS but also I am to be paid my full salary for the year that I was off work and the district is required to make me whole. In addition, my record is to be expunged of everything that led up to my unjust termination.

          My teaching career, dignity, and self-esteem have been restored with many thanks to President Virginia Cantrell and the Detroit Federation of Teachers union. I could never have succeeded on my own.

Dear Fellow DFT Members,

The Rise and Support letter that was recently sent out by Gregory Johnson is not the whole truth!  It is slanted at best, if not missing some very key facts about his behavior and as to how his behavior was interpreted by other individuals that attended this event other than DFT Executive Board Members.  In addition, there were comments that he made to President Cantrell that afternoon that are clearly missing or omitted. This letter reminds me of some materials that they have distributed in the past by other members either about themselves or others.

I was there on August 22, the day of the "Call to Action" by President Cantrell, we had been told the week prior that this was a peaceful assembly for support of public education in Detroit, it was also intended to be used to urge the School Board and the Superintendent to work together along with teachers and the community to build a stronger more united DPS that will be embraced by the parents and students of the city of Detroit.  Unfortunately, this event was tainted by grandstanding from Steve Conn and Heather Miller along with their chanting BAMN supporters, Keith Johnson passing out material that he is running for DFT president, and Gregory Johnson the executive vice president of the DFT acting out against what this DFT event was intended for so that he could draw attention to himself.  Not only did Gregory act in a manner which was not in accord with President Cantrell's directives, his actions were interpreted by some that attended the event not only to be inappropriate but out of line.  

Gregory Johnson made a physically threatening remark toward President Cantrell that was overheard by other DFT members.  Following the event there was a planned special DFT Executive Board Meeting.  At that meeting it was an Executive Board Member (not President Cantrell, she was in her office on a phone call) that made a motion to suspend Gregory Johnson temporarily based on his threat and behavior towards President Cantrell at this particular DFT event.  The motion was seconded (by another individual not President Cantrell, she was still in her office); the board members attending voted the motion unanimously.  It was not the sole action of President Cantrell that Gregory Johnson be temporarily suspended but through the actions of the entire DFT Executive Board that attended the meeting.  According to the DFT Constitution and Bylaws there should be an investigation and informal hearing conducted.  So he will be given the due process that is specified within the DFT Constitution and Bylaws.  Gregory Johnson will at that time have an opportunity to explain his behavior and actions to the DFT Executive Board.

In addition to this DFT event being hailed as an event that signaled the beginning of unity among all the groups and individuals that make up the Detroit Public Schools, Helen Moore, known as the ‘Queen Mother of Detroit’ came to show her support.  It was the presence of Ms. Moore that should have showed to all that attended, that this DFT sponsored event was truly creating a positive and united relationship among those from the community, DFT and DPS, and that possibly things are beginning to head in the right direction.  Sadly, during Ms. Moore’s address to those that participated and the media attending was when Gregory Johnson chose to become extremely loud and wildly frantic in his chanting using a megaphone. 

Having been at the last several DFT rallies never had I seen this type of behavior or outburst exhibited by Gregory Johnson nor had I noticed him to be overly involved in expressing his concerns for clean and safe schools, oversize classes, or the lack of books and supplies.  It is the type of behavior that Gregory Johnson displayed at this event that negatively impacts and overshadows positive events, diminishing the professionalism that educators expect and want from their union representatives.  As educators, we want individuals in the DFT leadership roles that represent us with a professional demeanor and attitude while working for the members whether it be in public arena, on personal business or as a membership body.

It is a shame that Gregory Johnson is only giving a partial version of the truth in his appeal to DFT members.  The members of the DFT deserve to have the whole truth; we have had too many half-truths or no truth from the past leadership of both the DFT and DPS.  It is the lack of the truth, infighting and turmoil that is leading so many to turn away in disgust from the public school district as well as other entities of the city.  It truly pains me to see such a great public school district and great city have so many wounds and watch as some individuals continue to pick at those wounds instead of allowing them to heal so that the district and the city can become strong, vibrant and whole once again.

May the Truth Prevail!