April 25, 2020
View this in advance of the HBO airing of Bad Education
For a real eye opener go view and listen to Coach Mike Bayer’s podcast before viewing the movie.
Thanks to COVID-19, Bad Education is getting hyper-press coverage from Newsday to Esquire to the New York Times to CNN, etc. The publicist is on overdrive. Since there are no movie and theatre openings, the film be in the running for the awards season?
Newsday’s recent coverage did not have a balanced response to the hoopla surrounding the movie. Tassone was an educational professional who made deplorable and criminal choices. Serving time does not absolve him from being accountable for his actions. He and his subordinates stole $11.3 million from a public-school district. These actions unequivocally impacted the Roslyn School District, the Roslyn community, and its students for years.
In Coach Mike Bayer’s podcast, Tassone hesitantly admits to lying, cheating, and stealing and claims to be ashamed and guilt-ridden. Tassone cowardly lays the blame on the deceased Gluckin. She left the system in October 2002, yet, the thieving continued and even accelerated. He was led astray by one and only one thing, GREED. A crook is a crook is a crook.
Shockingly, Bayer assuages the damaged Tassone and finds his mea culpa “really inspiring.”
Has he made adequate redress or shown a scintilla of remorse to Roslyn? Hardly! Not only did he take his share of the 11.3 million dollars, but he still collects his $175,000 pension tax-free and his health benefits, paid for by the Roslyn taxpayer.
After years of being in absentia, Tassone’s appearance on Coach Mike Bayer’s podcast is disingenuous. His life’s story of disappointments and failures is unimpressive. Should he be granted salvation for recovering from his criminality like a AAA member? For sixteen years, he chose not to speak to the community! It took a star-studded satirical movie to draw him out of hiding. He’s enjoying the revived celebrity.
Unfortunately, the school district and community will have to contend with the aftereffects of this scathing interpretation. Contrary to its title, Bad Education, the staff delivered a superb education, even when pressured by a “Bad Administration.” The newly hired administrators and elected board have persevered and succeeded in turning around our traumatized system. Regardless of all the “titillating” publicity that Bad Education has generated, the Roslyn School District’s rebuilt reputation will remain intact.
Copyright 2020 Judith D. Winters, content may not be used without express permission of the author
Comments
I don’t have HBO so I can’t go watch but I read your review and just letting you know I was here and read it.
Author
HUgs thank you dear…no loss the movie was a bust as we all had anticipated.
We were wondering what the young writer is doing now?
Author
Amy I am posting the new FAQ’s by week’s end…you should have some of your answers there…thanks for checking in here..
Dear Judi, Thank you for this information about the HBO movie, Bad Education. The actual story is shocking. I do not have HBO or cable TV. It may be possible to watch it on YouTube soon. However, do I want to see it? No! I would prefer to see your production. I am on your list to purchase your book as soon as it is on the market. I trust the “legal eagles” have dealt with the censorship and there will not be any! It will soon be in print I hope. Blessings, Mark
She didn’t deserve such a nice husband, if that’s indeed what he was as portrayed in the film.
Author
He was a slime ball too…you’ll have to read my book about his involvement in the scandal as well
This is an edited correction of my previous post.
Bad Education
The bad educator, Frank Tassone did a podcast right before the movie was released last weekend. He described himself as a great person who made a bad mistake that ruined his stellar career. Many of my colleagues and I, however, found him to
be a bad person way before his criminality was revealed.
I have always loved teaching, and since 1980, I have loved the Roslyn community. I still remain in contact with many families. Right before Frank’s arrival, the former Supt., Dr. Segal had nominated me for NYS Teacher of the Year. In late 1992, I was awarded the 1993 title.
In 1999, I authored a N.Y. Times article about my Bronx housing projects scholarship foundation. The Monday after it was published, I have to say that my article was the talk of the town in Roslyn – but not by Frank and the central and high school administrators. One of my few allies secretly informed me that Frank had gag ordered them not to mention it or congratulate me.
It was during the summer of 2001 that to no avail, I was continuously communicating with Frank about my unfair, overloaded teaching schedule for the upcoming school year. The administration had also disbanded my very successful Enrichment and Support Program (ESP) without telling me, the counselors, or the community.
Yet, I was a strong, outstanding teacher who could happily go into my classrooms and do my job despite their victimizing me. Surprisingly, however, this externally high functioning woman was internally physically affected by the stress of my toxic job environment.
During Frank’s tenure, several other dedicated but unhappy Roslyn teachers, guidance counselors, and administrators resigned. In exchange for my health and longevity, I, too, decided to walked away from my comfortable, 31 year, relatively plush, high paying position. So, on September 10, 2001 I gave the district 30 days notice.
The next day was 9/11. The central administrators came to the school buildings to check on things. They knew I was a NYC resident with a 6 year old. Transportation to the city was questionable. I was sitting at my desk, visibly shaken. They saw me and walked right past me.
The high school nurse offered me her sneakers, and one of the assistant principals, who I thought was one of the “boys” came to my classroom to ask if I needed anything. He was genuine, and I was thankful.
After I resigned, I wrote personal notes to the Board president and members whose children I had taught. I thought we enjoyed respectful relationships. None of them responded.
In 2015, with the support of Roslyn families, including the beloved late Asenath Anderson, former Board President, I was inducted into the National Teachers Hall of Fame. As a result, I met President Barack Obama in his Oval Office.
Recently, I was shocked to see Frank on Lexington Avenue one day as I was walking home from the gym. He didn’t notice me passing by. I had to do a second take. He looked awful; he had difficulty walking, he was physically unkempt, and he had a sad facial expression.
I did not greet him.