A former Queens assistant principal allegedly had “sexual contact” with a student in a classroom at a high school where she taught nearly two decades ago, according to a newly revealed state investigation conducted in 2007.
Jessica Bader worked at George J. Ryan Middle School 216 in Fresh Meadows for nine years before accepting a job in East Norwich, LI, eventually becoming principal there last September.
She abruptly resigned the following month, prompting concern and questions from parents in the district.
On Friday, a News 12 Long Island investigation exposed the decade-long scandal behind her short stay as head of the school.
Bader, 51, allegedly had a sexual relationship with an 18-year-old student at East Meadow High School in 2004 and 2005, according to the state’s investigation.
It included kissing and fondling “in a classroom,” the state investigation found.
Jessica Bader, a former school principal in East Norwich, LI, abruptly resigned two months after taking on her new role. Instagram/obencsd
She was reassigned to an administrative role away from students and resigned shortly after, in 2005.
Her teaching certification was suspended for four years in 2007. But in 2013, the New York City Department of Education hired her as an assistant principal in District 26 in Queens.
It is unclear how Bader passed his DOE background check.
A state investigation found that Jessica Bader had an inappropriate relationship with a student in 2004 and 205, News 12 reported. News12 Long Island
In 2022, Bader applied for the Oyster Bay-East Norwich district.
News 12’s investigation found she left her misconduct at East Meadow out of her application and lied that her certification was never revoked.
After his mysterious resignation in October, North Shore parents demanded answers from the district.
Bader joined the Oyster Bay-East Norwich district in 2022 and was promoted to principal in 2023. News12 Long Island A state investigation found Bader had an inappropriate relationship with an 18-year-old East Meadow High School student and his certificate of teaching. he therefore he was suspended. News12 Long Island
The East Norwich district has reportedly not said whether they were aware of the previous allegations before hiring her.
During state hearings in 2007, Bader — who was not criminally charged because the student was not a minor — argued that the relationship was not inappropriate because it was consensual, the student was of legal age and she was not a student in any of his classes, according to to the documents.
“It was a serious error in judgment to believe that it is appropriate for any teacher to kiss or fondle a student in a classroom, whether or not the student was in a classroom taught by that teacher or even if that student has technically reached the level of majority,” wrote state hearings officer Patricia Rodríguez.
Bader testified that he made an error in judgment and was “under stress due to the birth of twins and the demands of his personal and professional life.”
Bader did not return a call for comment.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn