1

2
JANUARY 27, 2011
3

4
MY RESPONSE/
5

6
EXPLANATION/
7 DEFENSE to an
INSUFFICIENT SERVICE
8

10

11
REPORT (ISR)
12

13
ALLEGEDLY ISSUED BY
14

15
HERB RIEGER (title
16
unknown) at LIECHTY
MIDDLE SCHOOL
17

18

on MAY 29, 2009 FOR AN

19

20

21

22
ALLEGED INCIDENT ON
23

24
MAY 28, 2009.
25

26 I did NOT SEE this ISR UNTIL JANUARY 24,

27 2011. I AM RESPONDING IN WRITING ON
28 JANUARY 27, 2011 .

1
 1
1/27/11 MY RESPONSE/EXPLANATION/DEFENSE TO AN ISR (THAT I
DID NOT KNOW ABOUT UNTIL JANUARY 20, 2011, NOR DID I SEE
2 UNTIL JANUARY 24, 2011) ALLEGEDLY ISSUED BY HERB RIEGER
3 (HIS TITLE UNKNOWN; and NO LONGER EMPLOYED AT LOCATION
8058 ACCORDING TO A SECRETARY WITH WHOM I SPOKE ON
4
JANUARY 25, 2011) AT LIECHTY MIDDLE SCHOOL (LOC. 8058) ON
5 MAY 29, 2009 FOR AN ALLEGED INCIDENT ON MAY 28, 2009. I AM
6
WRITING THIS ON JANUARY 27, 2011 AT 10:41 am (pst).

7
First, I notice that on the top of the LAUSD form that there is a barely legible stamp dated
8
June 17, 2009. I am not sure what that date represents. Second, there is a date of June 6,
9
2009, which apparently is the alleged sending date. Third, the address it was allegedly sent
10
to is PO Box 341, Manhattan Beach, CA 90267. It also begins with “Dear Mr. Bonahan”
11
but “Bonahan” is crossed out, and my name is written, in hand, above “Bonahan.” They
12
have my (now former) employee number correctly typed as 704195.
13

14
The letter from the LAUSD begins with the standard notice of “inadequate” service at
15
“Leichty Middle School” (sic) ( does the “i” actually come before or after the “e” in the
16
spelling of the name? I’ve seen both ). There is one of three boxes checked as to what the
17
“issuing administrator” requested: “Do not reassign to this location.”
18

19
I remember an incident at this school which I will discuss further below, but did NOT
20
know NOR was I ever informed face-to-face, via telephone, or by mail that I had received
21
an ISR. Had I known I would have contested it.
22

23
I have been a successful substitute teacher for the LAUSD for thirteen years, beginning in
24
January of 1998. Prior to that I was a regular teacher for a district in Coachella Valley for
25
two years. At that time I had two bachelor degrees, one in English/education, another in
26
psychology, and originally graduated with academic honors from Calvin College in 1989
27

28

2
 1 (I’ve noticed some people assumed in non-confidential letters of reference I have seen that
2 I had a masters degree in education because I returned after my original BA for an
3 education credential (1992-94), but in fact, this was a second bachelor’s degree along with
4 teacher credential and all the requirements for a teaching degree (i.e. “student teaching” or
5 “practice teaching” as I have also heard it called; as well as passing the Michigan general &
6 subject teaching exams; and later the CBEST in California).
7

8 After teaching for two years in Coachella (’94-96) I left to go to seminary and pursue a
9 theology degree for ministry, according to what I felt to be a higher calling. I attended
10 Calvin Seminary (Grand Rapids, MI) for a year (’96-97) and then Fuller Seminary in
11 Pasadena working towards my M.Div (Masters-in-Divinity) for five years (1998-2003), at
12 which time I also started substitute teaching for LAUSD (January ’98). I have continued to
13 be annually re-certified as a 30-day emergency substitute since that time, while also
14 working on mostly evangelical projects for the Christian ministry I founded along the way
15 (Mustard Seed Ministries; a non-landed ministry, not a church). Yes, we are registered
16 with the state of California as a non-profit organization and do have a tax identification
17 number but do not accept contributions, donations, or offerings (at least not yet).
18

19 On January 20, 2011 I accepted an assignment to Belmont High School. At the end of the
20 day I was given a message to call a John Braasfield (?) at employee relations at the LAUSD.
21 I did not know the name or person and thought it was from PERB because in December
22 2010 I had filed a complaint re the LAUSD. Nonetheless, it turned out to be from the
23 LAUSD employee relations and John told me, abruptly, and rather bluntly, without
24 warning, that a LAUSD committee had reviewed my file and decided to separate me from
25 employment based on three ISR (Insufficient Service Reports). At the time he called I was
26 under the impression that I had NO ISR’s at all ! I was stunned and confused and even
27 thought this might be a prank. I asked to speak to his supervisor who is Ira Berman and
28 Mr. Berman called me back shortly later and we discussed this matter a little further and I

3
 1 repeated I had no knowledge of any ISR’s whatsoever and he said I could appeal this in
2 writing, etc. That’s the history of how I came to be aware of this ISR from Liechty Middle
3 School. I did not see it until I picked it up at the LAUSD on January 24, 2011.
4

5 Now I am addressing the actual alleged incident in question. Here is what I see on the ISR
6 form: on top I am named as “Mr. Kok.” The employee number is listed correctly as 704195
7 . The location code is listed as 8058. The date is listed as 5/28/09 and the subject/grade is
8 simply an “8” . One box is checked as “Inadequate service described as follow” and below
9 that in handwriting it says, verbatim: “See attached letter. Thank you!” Under
10 recommendations, one of four boxes is checked: “Do not reassign to this location.” On the
11 right hand side at the bottom I see a confusing time/date stamp that
12 says “09 May 32.”
13

14 Attached is a typed letter that says the following:

Incident Report for 5/28/09
15
Sub: Mr. Kok #704195
16
“I was called to room 324 because I was told the classroom was too dark. I walked in and
17 some of the lights were not working. I asked the class: “Is it too dark in here?” The sub
became very angry and agitated that I asked the class that question. He stated: “Don’t ask
18
the class—ask me!” The sub was argumentative in front of the students. In front of the
19 students he kept saying: “Fix the problem or I will leave right now.” I told him a few times
that we should not be talking in front of the students but he kept arguing. I could have
20 easily found another classroom for the sub, but he was very angry and argumentative. He
21
created a scene in front of the class.”
[It is signed by “Herb Rieger”].
22

23
On January 24, 2011 after receiving a copy of this ISR I called Liechty Middle School and
24
asked who is the principal. The secretary said it is “Helen Carillo” and that she was the
25
principal last year and currently. I asked if Herb Rieger is still there and she said no. Going
26
back to the form I notice that the same signature on the attached page is the signature on
27
the “principal” line. I do not see “A.P” (assistant principal) behind Mr. Rieger’s name nor
28

4
 1 anything to indicate that he attempted to let people know that he was NOT the principal,
2 but perhaps an assistant principal ? I still do NOT know.
3

4 Now I will discuss what I experienced on this day to the best of my recollection. I remember
5 arriving at this relatively new school where I had previously accepted assignments
6 periodically. It is in view of downtown Los Angeles on Wilshire Blvd, across from a
7 Starbucks that I occasionally frequent, and not far from a Catholic church where I
8 occasionally attended daily mass at the time. In fact, I may have gone to mass that
9 morning. I remember Liechty has a later starting time that made it possible to attend mass
10 before arriving at the school and that I did so at least once prior to an assignment at this
11 school . I recall also having some very nice classes at this school previously, including one
12 assignment where the students watched “The Mission” with Robert Deniro as part of an
13 English project they were working on; but I also remember one somewhat less edifying
14 experience in a classroom with a student teacher from UCLA who did not treat me very
15 well.
16

17 I recall getting the key from the main office and going to the classroom. I recall the room
18 being somewhat dim, and I also recall one particular student who kept yelling at me, “Are
19 you going to teach us or not?” as the class began, before I even took attendance or had an
20 opportunity to look at the lesson plan. He seemed to dislike me before I had even met him. I
21 recall the rest of the students being fairly pleasant and patient. I recall the Latino custodian
22 being in the hallway, whom I had met on my initial visit to Liechty in the parking structure
23 when he wanted to make sure who I was and my purpose for coming to the school as I
24 arrived in the morning, since he had never seen me before. I recall there being some
25 comments about it being “too dark” in the classroom and I myself was having a difficult
26 time seeing very easily in the rather dark room, with some lights burned out or
27 intentionally kept off (?) Since the custodian was right there I asked him if he could
28 brighten the lights. He responded, mysteriously, “I can’t promise anything” as if he was

5
 1 indicating it was not his choice or determination, (as if somebody had instructed him to
2 keep the lights dim or to only put light bulbs in a few of the sockets ?). Apparently he called
3 somebody who turned out to be Herb Rieger (according to this attached note I see with the
4 ISR).
5

6 When Mr. Rieger, who appeared to be young to middle-aged Caucasian man, arrived I
7 recall him being somewhat overbearing as if he considered himself to be “more important”
8 than me, as if he had to show who was the boss. I often wear dress pants and a blue blazer
9 to assignments (or did at that time) and sometimes people misinterpret it as me thinking I
10 am “important” but I do not dress as such to impress nor as a “power suit”, but simply
11 because it is functional and hopefully identifies me as a professional person with a
12 professional purpose, not as overly important nor to suggest I have authority over anybody
13 (apart from leading the classroom as a substitute). Yet Mr. Rieger apparently thought he
14 had to be “forceful” or appear “strong” in front of the students in his interaction with me.
15 His posturing towards me led to a confrontation rather than a resolution.
16

17 Ironically, contrary to what Mr. Rieger writes, it was I who was thinking we should NOT
18 be having a confrontational lose-lose discussion in front of the students about something as
19 relatively innocuous as better lighting. I do remember him asking the whole class if it was
20 too dark in a “leading manner” as if he was telling them how to respond. This led to a
21 dilemma for me, because it was, in fact, some of the students who had already commented
22 on it being too dark, as well as my personal observation, yet now Mr. Rieger seemed to be
23 strong-arming them into saying that it was fine, as if it was just me who was “uptight”
24 about the lights.
25

26 After he asked the class about the lights I found myself feeling defensive and also belittled
27 by this man. I did NOT feel as if he was treating me in a professional manner, but as he
28 himself indicates on the paper, as a “sub” (he does not even write out “substitute teacher”

6
 1 or as some schools say more warmly, the “guest teacher”) . I have been at schools where I
2 have felt very welcomed and wanted with a warm response from secretaries, staff, students,
3 and regular teachers, and then I have been to schools where I feel like a mere “sub.”
4 At this school I felt both warm and cold treatment. In this case, I definitely felt like I was
5 being belittled, and spoken to in a condescending manner as if I was almost “worthless” as
6 a human or as a “sub.” At that point Mr. Rieger gave me NO CHOICE but to make a
7 stand based on personal principles and personal integrity and the right to be treated with
8 dignity and respect as all humans should expect, regardless of degree, credential, skin
9 color, etc. or be EMASCULATED.
10

11 Furthermore, I pride myself on being a good person working as a substitute teacher in the
12 classroom, not as a “sub.” I also pride myself on my academic achievements and experience
13 in the classroom and always try to follow a lesson plan, if any, and leave a sub report at the
14 end of the day (or fax a typed report later). I also like to have a seating chart, but do not
15 always find one.
16

17 I did NOT believe I was being treated with the minimum amount of respect and dignity
18 that I deserved and because Mr. Rieger created a confrontational situation in front of the
19 students, I had NO OPTION but to say that “If we do not get better lighting, I will leave.” At
20 that point Mr. Rieger really belittled me and said “Breathe, breathe” as if I was extremely
21 angry and needed to “cool down.” I was NOT extremely angry, but suddenly he was
22 “pushing me up against the wall” so to speak. He was treating this as a “confrontation”
23 rather than as a legitimate request and apparently considered me to be acting a little “too
24 big for my britches” to dare to ask for better lighting as a mere “sub.” It was almost as if
25 he felt that he had to “keep me in my place” rather than as if he was thinking about the
26 welfare of the students and the educational process.
27

28

7
 1 In response, Mr. Rieger simply said, “Then leave.” He did NOT offer to find another
2 classroom nor explain that there was any electrical problems or other issues that prevented
3 this room from being better lit. He did NOT ask to speak with me quietly in the hallway. In
4 fact, I adamantly disagree with what he wrote in his attached letter, because it was, IN
5 FACT, Mr. Rieger who was being confrontational and not allowing me an option to be
6 respected in front of the students or for a discussion outside the classroom.
7

8 I believe the way Mr. Rieger writes his attached note indicates his disrespect for me as a
9 “sub” or as substitutes as a class of persons, in general. I believe that his note highlights an
10 all-too-often-found disregard by some persons in education for substitute teachers in
11 general as if we are “temps” or barely worthy, if at all, of any respect. I do NOT know what
12 prompts this disregard for good humans and good citizens who offer their service to the
13 school district as substitute teachers. All substitute teachers, at minimum, must have a
14 bachelor’s degree, meaning four years of college. This alone speaks volumes about the
15 person and his or her character and education and ability to lead and help others. If Mr.
16 Rieger or others do NOT respect this, then how can they, themselves, expect others to
17 respect them ? They also rely upon academic degrees and experience as the basis for being
18 respected.
19

20 Anyways, since Mr. Rieger did NOT , in fact, offer another classroom nor explain why
21 there was a lighting problem (if he had given me an explanation that there was a problem
22 and no alternative at the moment I would have conceded to simply putting up with the dim
23 lights for the time being, but he did NOT indicate why the lighting could not or would not
24 be corrected. I simply did not understand what was going on, unless there were
25 instructions or orders to keep the rooms under-lit for budget purposes, albeit I do not
26 recall any other dimly lit rooms at Liechty. If he had explained quietly to me that this was
27 the case, even if I ethically disagreed with such a decision I would have accepted it for the
28 time being and perhaps written about it later. )

8
 1

2 Thus, I packed up my bag and began walking out of the classroom. Mr. Rieger did NOT
3 say “We need to talk about this.” He did NOT say “You will be written up for this if you
4 leave.” He simply said “Then leave.” So I left.
5

6 I turned in my key at the office and signed out and did NOT hear anything further from
7 the school or Mr. Rieger. I did not receive a phone call nor anything in writing. I used PO
8 Box 341 in Manhattan Beach (90267) for a short period of time but did NOT receive any
9 ISR’s from Liechty or LAUSD or any other ISR’s at this mailing address or any other
10 mailing address. I did NOT know I had received an ISR from Liechty Middle School until
11 January 20, 2011 and did not see this until January 24, 2011, and am now responding with
12 an explanation on January 27, 2011 (finishing at 11:54 am, pst).
13

14 I believe I was not treated properly by Mr. Rieger. I disagree with his use of the words
15 “argumentative” and “angry” as being “suggestive” catch words used by people with mid-
16 level manager “authority” to speak condescendingly of others (and to control others as
17 “objects”) as if they (we) are of less worth and as if they (we) should be “obedient subjects”
18 rather than human beings worthy of respect and dignity. This is not a communist country,
19 nor is a school supposed to be an oppressive regime. This is America.
20

21 That’s not to say I do not respect the decision-making authority of a principal or assistant
22 principal in regards to various operational decisions, but also expect that it be done with
23 regard for the dignity of other people, and not to belittle, in case of emergencies or special
24 issues, at least some sort of explanation. If there was an electrical problem, all I needed was
25 to be told and I would have found a way to cope, and asked the students to cope. If it was
26 done for budget issues and he had explained to me that he was “following orders” I would
27 have accepted it for the time being and perhaps written about it later.
28

9
 1 Under Penalty of Perjury
2
(John) Philip A. (Vander) Kok
3
Former Employee #704195
4 BA/BA/M.Div

5
Some people ask me why I include “John” and “Vander” and it is because I began
6 changing my name “by usage” some time ago, and in the classroom after several years I
began going by “Mr. Vander” rather than “Mr. Kok.” Kids seemed to have a little too
7
much fun (or even ridicule) with the name “Kok” while Mr. Vander seemed to resonate
8 better with the students. I also added “Vander” to reflect my Dutch ethnicity. More than
once people assumed I was Asian based upon my name, on paper, before meeting me and I
9 simply wanted to be known according to my ethnicity and heritage, i.e. Dutch-American.
10
And I simply grew to dislike my given first name, partly because of the way people
intentionally mispronounced it and also because I wanted to establish a new identity
11 according to my closer walk with Christ and in Christ later in life.
12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

10