“We’re still stuck in a place where we are still financially burdened, we’re emotionally stretched. . . . A lot of people have lost relationships and homes. . . . So this has to continue to be in the mouths of New York City and people around the world, because otherwise we will be doomed to repeat this mistake again.” - Rachelle Garcia
In this episode of the New York Mandate Podcast, I talk with Rachelle Garcia, an elementary school teacher who taught in person at a New York City public school throughout the pandemic. When she decided not to take the mandated COVID-19 vaccine in September 2021, she was barred from the classroom after nearly 15 years as an educator.
Her request for a religious exemption was denied, and she went on leave without pay (LWOP). Her employment was later terminated after the LWOP period expired in September 2022 and she still declined vaccination.
Rachelle talked with me about why she took the LWOP option, how it affected her family, and where losing her teaching position left her.
We also talked about how pandemic policies affected kids, the power that parents have, and why she thinks it’s still important for there to be a public discussion about mandates, even though NYC’s have officially been lifted.
More from Rachelle Garcia:
Follow Rachelle Garcia on Instagram: @i_am_rayegarcia
Watch Rachelle’s September 20, 2022, January 6, 2023 and February 14, 2023 appearances on Fox News.
Here are some links related to things we talked about during the episode:
Unpaid Leave Option for UFT Members
You can find some of the terms of the LWOP agreement for DOE employees who didn’t want to take a vaccine on this page. They were also required to waive their right to sue the DOE.
1,300 NYC School Staffers Must Now Get COVID Vaccine — Or Will Be Let Go
This is an August 2022 New York Post article about the DOE employee LWOP period ending.
New York Teachers for Choice
This organization of teachers and parents opposes medical mandates for employment. It was founded by New York City teacher Michael Kane.
New York City Department of Education
The DOE manages New York City’s public school system, which is the largest in the United States.
Announcement of NYC Department of Education Employee Vaccine Mandate
This is the August 23, 2021, announcement of the vaccine mandate for New York City Department of Education employees by then Mayor Bill de Blasio, Schools Chancellor Meisha Porter, and Health Commissioner Dave Chokshi.
About the New York Mandate Podcast
The New York Mandate Podcast is an ongoing series of conversations exploring the costs and consequences of vaccine mandates in New York City. I talk with workers, students, and parents who have been directly affected by the mandates, as well as legal and policy experts.
In late 2021, the City introduced a series of requirements for workers and to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. These requirements were put in place through executive orders issued by the administration of former mayor Bill de Blasio. They covered nearly all workers in New York City, in both the public and private sectors. They also barred unvaccinated adults, including parents, from schools.
Current mayor Eric Adams kept the mandates in place until November 1, 2022 for the private sector and February 10, 2023 for City workers, and has encouraged private employers to put their own vaccine requirements in place.
The views expressed in the New York Mandate podcast are the personal opinions of the people speaking, and are not intended to provide medical or legal advice.
Join the Conversation
Have you lost your job, been put on leave, or lost opportunities to work as an independent contractor as a result of your decision not to comply with a New York vaccine mandate? Did you take a vaccine against your wishes in order to keep your job? Please get in touch with me at NYMpodcast@protonmail.com.
New York Mandate Podcast, Ep. 32: Elementary School Teacher Rachelle Garcia