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Conducting Orchestra Instead of Teaching Classes
By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 18, 2005
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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By
Jen Chung
Published Aug 18, 2005
Modified Mar 7, 2008
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While teaching in the public schools is not an easy job, is it so bad that teachers need to fake their sick days and take up other jobs? It was discovered that Dorrit Matson, a teacher at a Chelsea high school, had been falsely calling sick days when she was actually leading an orchestra! And the school's principal found out because he was listening to public radio and the broadcast said she was conducting the Scandia Orchestra! That's a sorta dooce, isn't it? Matson suffers from chronic fatigue syndrome, which is apparently blamed on a strained relationship with school administrators, and while she's been on unpaid leave since earlier this year (at her request), Matson has conducted twice. Matson's argument is that since she's away from the environment causing her CFS, then she is able to conduct! This is definitely a classier second job that former social studies teacher Matthew Kaye's wrestling gig, but the fact that Kaye had his mom or sister call the school saying he was sick while he was really on the road takes the cake. The Board of Education is investigating whether or not Matson should repay the school for the fake sick days and they are "seeking her termination."
And this makes Gothamist think of the Very Special Golden Girls episode where Dorothy finds out she has CFS - at first none of the doctors believe her, but then an Asian doctor confirms she has CFS and Sophia says, "I love your people! You created pasta!" or something like that. Also, did you know that Don Cheadle starred in the Golden Girls spin-off, Golden Palace?
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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