3 Jersey City Public School Teachers Resign Amid Controversy

Jersey City NJ

03 June, 2021

9:48 AM

Description

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Three Jersey City teachers resigned from the district last month, including the Dickinson High School teacher who was recorded in a racist rant against Black students. The Jersey Journal confirmed that Howard Zlotkin, the science teacher from Dickinson High School who went on a vulgar rant and singled out Black students during a Zoom class, resigned in May. The incident happened in late April when a discussion about climate change devolved into Zlotkin's views on Black Lives Matter and George Floyd — the rant was riddled with expletives aimed at the students. Following the incident, Zlotkin was suspended from teaching with pay and Jersey City Public Schools were investigating the incident. Zlotkin had been a teacher at Dickinson for 20 years. Zlotkin's daughter, Aliya Jackson, 32, wrote an open letter to his students, apologizing for his behavior. Last month, activists and residents rallied to call for Zlotkin's resignation. Two other teachers resigned from the district last month, according to the Jersey Journal. Francisco Realpe, a Dickinson High School teacher who is facing two sexual assault charges, also resigned. One of the charges is from Union Hill High School in Union City and the other is from Dickinson High School. A McNair High School teacher who was suspended following allegations of inappropriate behavior and sexual misconduct also retired.