May-June 2019 Advisor

DEFENDING

MAY–JUNE 2019 CEA ADVISOR 11

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Adrienne DeLucca, Legal Counsel

What to Do If You Are Accused of Inappropriate Conduct

Attorney Adrienne DeLucca, a member of CEA’s Member Legal Services team, represents teachers in matters involving salaries, benefits, and working conditions. Her cases include everything from enforcement of arbitration awards to tenured teacher termination hearings, unemployment, and unfair labor practice. Raised in what she describes as a rough New Haven neighborhood, she says, “I loved school, and as soon as I hit high school, I knew I wanted to practice law. I was a bit of a nerd. Without some incredible public school teachers, I don’t believe I would be where I am today.” She recalls growing up in a household surrounded by boys, three of whom were cousins living under the same roof. “We were a traditional extended family of Italian immigrants, with my grandparents, an uncle, and his three sons all in the same house. I played whatever sport the boys were playing, just so I could hang out with them. I endured several injuries in my attempts! I also loved theater and music, and for a while—before I decided to be a lawyer—I wanted to go to New York City and be an actress.” Sports weren’t the only thing DeLucca played. “I kid around that I am still in therapy for this, but since my parents couldn’t afford a piano, which I wanted, they got me an accordion and made me play for eight years. I’m not sure how they felt that was an equivalent,” she jokes. In spite of herself, DeLucca was the state champion accordion player in her age category from the age of eight until 15. “That’s when I rebelled and quit,” she

recalls. “My mother wore black in protest.” Months after earning her undergraduate degree from UConn, she began leasing and operating a full-service gas station.

False allegations of teacher misconduct are more common than you might imagine. Know what to do if you are accused, and— equally important—how to protect yourself against a potential accusation. 1. If possible, never be alone with a student—not in a classroom or a house, and especially not in a car. Never give a student a ride home. If you can’t avoid being alone with a student at school, keep the door open and stay in plain sight. 2. Always maintain a professional demeanor and distance. That means no flirting, teasing, or joking about sex. Don’t give gifts, unless you give one to every student, and don’t single out any one student for special attention or flattery. Never send emails, texts, or cards to students unrelated to school work, and don’t ask students about their social lives or comment on their personal appearance. 3. Physical contact is a particularly tricky area. Younger children often seek out and need physical comfort from their teachers. Use common sense. A high five to acknowledge a job well done is fine, but as a general rule, it’s best to avoid most kinds of physical contact with students. 4. Nip crushes in the bud. Never allow a student to obsess over you. While crushes can be flattering, they also can be fatal. An unfulfilled fantasy can result in a student acting out to gain attention or retaliating for being ignored. If a student expresses a love interest, respond with an unambiguous “no.” Don’t equivocate and certainly don’t encourage the student by acting pleased by the attention. 5. If a student’s behavior sends up red flags, it’s advisable to share this information with another adult and your union representative. In some circumstances, it may be appropriate to tell your supervisor and ask that the student be transferred. Even if you follow this advice, there is no guarantee you won’t be the victim of unfounded charges. If the unthinkable happens, remember this: Never give an oral or written statement to school officials without first consulting with your union representative. Even innocent statements can be misconstrued. Contact your UniServ Rep or local president to schedule a free Teachers and the Law workshop. GETTING SACKED BY HUGE AUTO AND HOME INSURANCE PREMIUMS? USI Insurance Services

“People are surprised to learn that about me. It was well before self-serve stations, and before people accepted women in such nontraditional roles. Boy, do I have stories.” While working full-time and raising two daughters, she pursued her JD, taking night classes at Quinnipiac University School of Law and finishing in four years. Her work experience includes a position as labor relations manager for Sikorsky Aircraft and serving as deputy attorney for the city of Middletown. The chance to represent teachers, she says, was an exciting opportunity. “For the vast majority of my education, I was a student in inner-city schools in New Haven. I jumped at the chance to give back to the wonderful teachers who saw something in me and encouraged me.” DeLucca says the teachers she represents never imagined needing her services. “Most people think nothing bad could ever happen. But the first person I represented had been teaching for 43 years when an unscrupulous, vindictive principal filed charges against her. It happens, and that’s why we’re here.”

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