Teacher Francesco Portelos who was removed from I.S. 49 on Staten Island in April has been streaming live video of himself sitting in a so-called rubber room.
The 'rooms' are designated for teachers within the New York City Department of Education who are under investigation by school officials for a variety of alleged infractions.
Teachers generally sit and wait in the rooms during the school day until their disciplinary hearing is heard.
The 'rubber rooms' existence is denied by the DOE.
All teachers who have been removed from the classroom work "in an administrative capacity," according to school officials.
"They gave me assignments after the first article in the Post. They give me busy work like call these extensions and make sure these people are still working there," Portelos told Good Day New York.
Portelos called into GDNY on Friday and said that he was facing retaliation after he accused the principal of engaging in financial misconduct.
"I had a four and a half year stellar record as a teacher in my school. Once I brought up issues about the budget back in December, I went from getting letters of recommendations from the principal in October to being called a 'hindrance to the community' in January," he said.
The DOE said the charges against Portelos are serious including that he is difficult to work with and is disruptive.
Portelos was transferred twice.
"I'm ready to answer all questions. I don't need to sit in a rubber room for two years," Portelos told Good Day New York on Friday.
The DOE told Fox news Friday afternoon that its is "taking action to address the situation."
Tuesday, June 18 2013 11:01 PM EDT2013-06-19 03:01:57 GMT
Photo courtesy of @N42_21_W71_04)
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the Wednesday morning rush.
Riders should anticipate some changes but "near normal" service on the Long Island Rail Road for the Wednesday morning rush. Crews have bee working to repair tracks and switches after Monday's derailment.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 9:50 PM EDT2013-06-19 01:50:52 GMT
FDNY photo via Twitter
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Emergency responders rescued a worker who was trapped when a trench collapsed Tuesday evening at a Queens construction site that was supposed to be closed.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:34 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:34:07 GMT
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around.
It's a sight that can trigger dread. The low-battery message appears on your cell phone when there's no charger around. Now New York City has teamed up with AT&T to install 25 solar powered charging stations over the summer.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 4:55 PM EDT2013-06-18 20:55:38 GMT
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village pleaded not guilty.
A man accused of fatally shooting a gay man walking with a companion in New York City's Greenwich Village afterward claimed that he opened fire because the victim "thought he was tough in front of his bitch," prosecutors said in court papers Tuesday.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:32 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:32:12 GMT
NYC
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.
Nearly 3 million New Yorkers' homes are now in evacuation zones that cover more than a third of the city's population, under new maps released Tuesday.In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, officials said last month, the number of zones would double and encompass about 600,000 more residents.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 3:05 PM EDT2013-06-18 19:05:09 GMT
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Police are looking for a man who stabbed another man in Times Square Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.The victim was stabbed in the chest, the NYPD and FDNY said.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 12:20 PM EDT2013-06-18 16:20:04 GMT
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
The director of the National Security Agency said Tuesday the government's sweeping surveillance programs have foiled some 50 terrorist plots worldwide, including one directed at the New York Stock Exchange.
