Popular teacher gets 'pink slip,' students protest

By Jessica Benson
Staff writer

Lawrence - Nicole Shadeed was valedictorian of Lawrence High School's class of 2000.

In 2004, armed with an English degree from Harvard University, she could have had a job almost anywhere. But there was only one place she wanted to go: back to Lawrence High School, this time as a teacher.

In the three years since, she has earned the respect of other teachers and is popular among her students.

That's why she and others were baffled when told she would no longer be allowed to teach at Lawrence High School.

Due to her popularity among her students, her passion for the job and her qualifications, Shadeed could think of only one reason why the school administration wouldn't want her around.

"I've been very vocal in the school," she said. "It's more of a personal thing."

Despite receiving her "pink slip," Shadeed has no intention of changing her outspoken ways; she attended Thursday night's School Committee meeting to make it clear that she will not go quietly.

"You cannot make me go away or shut me up by not renewing my contract," she told the board, her voice wavering on the verge of tears.

Shadeed pointed in particular to a letter she had written last fall, complaining about overcrowding and violence at the high school. In the letter, she noted that fights were breaking out in the school, leading to bloodshed, and blamed the "double-sessions" at the school, which the teachers union had fought so hard against.

The letter was published in The Eagle-Tribune in September.

Natasha Alba, the student representative to the School Committee, also blamed the letter. "The only teachers they are looking for are teachers who keep their mouths shut," Alba said.

A small group of other students also attended Thursday night's meeting to support Shadeed. Alba said even more students at the school are outraged by Shadeed's dismissal, but were unable to attend the meeting. They are planning a larger protest if school officials don't reverse their decision, Alba promised.

Among the students speaking out the loudest is Reynaldo Vasquez, who called her dismissal a "disgrace."

"Miss Shadeed is a perfect example of what a teacher should be," he said. "She came back to service the community, and this is how we repay her? This is a joke."

Faced with the complaints from Shadeed and her students, members of the School Committee said they, too, want answers about why she was let go.

"It'd be nice to know," said Vice Chairman Gregory Morris, while member James Vittorioso left the meeting in protest, telling Shadeed that his "heart breaks for you."

Mayor Michael Sullivan said the board doesn't have any authority over personnel issues. And Superintendent Wilfredo Laboy explained that by law, personnel matters cannot be discussed publicly.

But Laboy did promise to review Shadeed's case.

"I will look into the concerns that have been shared," he said.

Shadeed is one of half a dozen or so teachers whose contracts were not renewed for the coming school year. Some of those teachers who were let go had been given outstanding evaluations by their superiors, according to Frank McLaughlin, president of the Lawrence Teachers Union.

With no other explanation for it, McLaughlin said the letter she wrote to the newspaper last fall "absolutely" contributed to the loss of Shadeed's job.