So much of the work of the Child Advocate Coalition LLC has focused on the impact of mandates upon our children.
We always knew the pressure upon the teachers would reach a tipping point.
I bought a fresh bag of Granny Smith apples a few days before school started. I didn’t pay much attention to each individual apple; I just assumed they were equally fresh, and gradually made my way to the bottom of the netted bag.
To my disgust, one apple was completely deteriorating and leaking juice on the few remaining good apples. It was a teachable moment. I showed my boys what it means when one says, “It just takes one bad apple to spoil the bunch”.
What if the reverse could be true? Could one good apple save the bunch?
Meet Lea. She is that good apple, trying to save the bunch. I am so grateful to be able to share her evolving story.
Kristen: Lea, please introduce yourself: Tell us a little bit about your career. How long you have been a teacher and what you enjoy about your profession.
Lea: My name is Lea Arcidiacono and I have been teaching in NJ for 12 years. I spent 3 years teaching in Philadelphia before moving back to NJ. All of my years, teaching in NJ, have been dedicated to special education students.
I taught severe special needs students for 8 of those 12 years. Those students were amazing and really taught me a lot about life. I worked with students who had Down syndrome, Autism, Learning Delays, speech delays, and behavioral issues. It was challenging, at times, but I wouldn’t have traded that experience for anything. The last few years, I was working with students in small groups (still special education) but these were students who were just a little bit behind with math and reading skills.
I love teaching. It just brings me joy to see the growth from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. I can do many things in life, but nothing brings me joy like teaching. I knew in first grade that I was going to become a teacher.
Kristen: Tell us about your current dilemma, in your words. If you feel comfortable, explain what, why and how you are opposing the employer mandates.
Lea: After 12 years of dedicated service to the classroom, students, and the district, I was told to leave and don’t come back “until further notice” because I refused to wear a mask, get tested, and take the shot.
Growing up Catholic, attending Catholic school, and attending church on Sundays, I learned morals, values, and beliefs that God takes care of me and guides me. These shots are made with aborted fetal parts, and I do not believe in abortion. So, I do not get “the vaccine.” I also do not believe that it is right to stick things in my body that don’t feel safe to me.
The Bible says we are to value our bodies and treat them like temples. I am not “overly” religious, but I do try to lead my life morally and in the way that God as told me. I am very cautious with my health. I am a marathon runner, participate in martial arts, and workout in the gym multiple times a week. I eat, mostly, healthy and believe in natural supplements and vitamins.
I submitted my religious exemption for these “mandates” and was denied immediately.
I submitted a letter from my pastor, the EEOC guidelines, and a personal religious attestation. However, I do believe there is a serious, and scary, attack on religion in our country. The human resources director did not want to accept my exemption and did not want to have a conversation either. He told me to comply or take unpaid leave. I explained that I would go into work on 9/2 without complying with these illegal mandates.
Upon entering the school building, I was asked to leave and not come back. The District, to this day, refuses to admit they illegally fired me (although that is what they basically did because I have no return date). I am in charge of my body. And, if I think something isn’t right for me, I am not going to let someone tell or force me into doing something. I can’t, and won’t compromise my morals, values, and beliefs because people in power told me to.
Kristen: Who have been your helpers and inspirations along the way to pursue this path? What gives you courage, and what would you want others in your situation to know?
Lea: I stood my ground and refused to comply and give up my morals and values. I stood up because I know there are other educators who feel the same way, but are afraid to take the next step. I am here to encourage others to take the leap. If you don’t stand up, they will continue this nonsense.
We can stand together by showing peaceful non-compliance.
In the end, they won’t win because they know what they are doing is illegal. They are making children suffer and the mental health issues are going to be astronomical when this is all said and done.
I stood up and did not comply because I was called to do this by God. I feel like He led me to be strong and be an example for others. We can do this. A job is just a job. In the end, we are just a number in the administration’s eyes. Jobs come and go. But, we only get ONE life. How do you all want to live it? Complying with something you know is wrong? Or, standing up for what you know is right?
There have been many people who have inspired me along this journey. First, I think about the children. I am doing this because I want to change things for them. They are the future of this country. I want to leave it better for them. I want these children to grow up in a free country. Not under the boot of a dictator.
I am also inspired by those who have fought for our country. The men and women in the military. They fought, and are fighting, to keep us free. The least I can do is stand up and resist tyranny because these military men and women have done so much for our country.
What gives me courage is the fact that I may be helping someone become brave and stand their ground. I want to help others (especially fellow educators) to know they can be brave. They can resist and it will be okay. There are always ways to solve a situation. Just think outside the box.
I also believe God Is guiding me along this journey. I am not scared at all. I know I will be fine, in the end. So, I want others to know they can do this too. Stand up. Stand for what you know Is right. Protect your body and don’t give in to the pressure. These people want to break us down. But, together we are all stronger.
Kristen: How can our readers help and support you?
Lea: People can support me by simply standing up for what they know is right. Resist these “mandates” and take the leap. I always say “jobs come and go….but we only get ONE life.” Change can be scary, but you CAN do this. And, if I have helped at least one person, then I did what I was meant to do.
Kristen: What does the next year look like for you? What do you hope for as an outcome?
Lea: Well, I am not sure what next year holds. Honestly, I just take things day by day right now. I have “Plan B” in the works, so I know I will land on my feet no matter what. I stay positive, as much as I can, and just try to focus on making the future better for all of us.
As for an outcome, I want my district, and other districts, to learn they cannot treat other human beings like this. I want these districts to understand there are LAWS they must follow (and not just the ones they pick to follow). I want them to really understand the Constitution and our rights.
Will all of that happen? I don’t know. But, by standing up for what I know is right and just, maybe…..just maybe….it can bring about some change.
Kristen: Share your favorite memory of being a teacher.
Lea: I have a TON of favorite memories as a teacher. But, I think the one that stands out most is when I was teaching the severe special needs students. They were on this Michael Jackson kick for weeks. We were having a Halloween party in the afternoon. They asked for Thriller to be played on YouTube. So, like any good teacher, I put it on for them. Well, the entire class got up, and proceeded to dance, every move, with the video. They were having a blast and it just put a huge smile on my face, and theirs, to see something so simple made them so happy. And, some of them really knew ALL the moves!
Editor’s Note: Thank you to Lea for sharing your story. We are rooting for you, and all of those pursuing freedom from Unconstitutional mandates being imposed upon our children and their best advocates, their educators. We will be following your journey and root for you all the way.