Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Teacher Fired For Wanting "Devil Spawn" Students To Drown Now Just Suspended
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jul 11, 2012
Modified Jul 11, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Szasz-Fabian Ilka Erika / Shutterstock
By
Garth Johnston
Published Jul 11, 2012
Modified Jul 11, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Christine Rubino, the teacher who was fired for saying on Facebook she'd like to see her "devil spawn" fifth grade students drown, got a break yesterday. Kind of. A Department of Education arbitrator has suggested that instead of being canned, Rubino should be treated as having been on a two-year suspension (without pay). But Rubino, who still wouldn't be back in the classroom in the fall, is reportedly going to appeal the decision.
Back in 2010, Rubino got in hot water after a conversation she had on Facebook was made public. "After today, I am thinking the beach sounds like a wonderful idea for my 5th graders! I HATE THEIR GUTS!" she wrote. When a friend replied "Wouldn't you throw a life jacket to little Kwami?" she just made things worse by retorting "No, I wouldn't for a million dollars." (For context, this was just after 12-year-old Nicole Suriel drowned on a school trip to the beach). She also reportedly called her students "the devil's spawn." Rubino was soon fired after a hearing officer found that she was guilty of "misconduct, neglect of duty and conduct unbecoming her profession."
Rubino appealed the decision and Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Barbara Jaffe later overturned the termination as too harsh since the comments were made outside of school, after hours, and among her adult friends. But now an arbitrator, Randi Lowitt, has "rejected the teacher’s request for back pay and to return to her classroom in the fall." Lowitt did, however, allow the termination to be changed to a suspension, saying the penalty is "based on the lie" that Rubino allegedly tried to have a friend take the fall for the Facebook postings (which she still denies).
Rubino is planning to appeal again, arguing that a two-year suspension without pay is a loss of nearly $150,000 for the teacher who says she has "suffered enough." If only she'd worked for the Brooklyn DA, none of this would have been a problem.
Tagged
christine rubino
DOE
Garth Johnston
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Mamdani names re-entry specialist as chair of Rikers oversight board
Christopher Watler will help the department that a federal monitor says remains in crisis.
By
Ryan Kost
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 3:52 p.m. ET
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
News
NYC weighs expanding upstate reservoir following drought
The Delaware River Basin Commission is evaluating options to increase water storage, including expanding a reservoir in New York City.
By
Rosemary Misdary
Legionella found in Staten Island building's water system after 2 positive cases
By
Catalina Gonella
Legal 'loophole' helps NY Gov. Kathy Hochul, Bruce Blakeman raise millions
By
Jon Campbell
Police identify 2 men wanted for stabbing an off-duty NYPD officer
By
Ben Feuerherd
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .