A Greek-American teacher in the U.S. was fired for not getting vaccinated against COVID-19, was vindicated in court but is unable to return to her school.
Chalkias, who worked in New York, complained that despite her legal victory after being fired for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, she has not been allowed to return to the school where she worked.
Longtime NYC teacher wins court battle over COVID vax — and is still barred from school https://t.co/J5K5e5H1j7 pic.twitter.com/ct4izBOCQ5
— New York Post Metro (@nypmetro) September 3, 2024
Speaking to the New York Post, she said, “I did everything right to fight for my rights,” but now “I feel disgusted that the harassment continues.”
“I’m not a criminal, yet they make me feel like I’m breaking the law,” the 55-year-old Chalkias continued, describing the treatment she received when she showed up at PS-85 school in Long Island.
Last month, a judge ruled that Chalkias, who has 30 years of experience in education, should be reinstated as of August 1st.
Chalkias was fired on September 5, 2022, for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine, citing religious reasons as an Orthodox Christian.
According to the ruling by the Queens Supreme Court, which Chalkias had appealed to, the decision against her was deemed “arbitrary, without real basis, and lacking sufficient explanation,” and the court ordered her reinstatement with back pay.
“However, when I went to work, they told me there was nothing for me. The administration said they had no instructions regarding my case and there was no position for me because I was out of the system,” the 55-year-old teacher stated.
She also mentioned that her annual income was $128,000, and she needed just six more months to qualify for full retirement.
Finally, it is noted that the Long Island Department of Education has appealed the decision to reinstate Chalkias, citing court rulings that have upheld similar decisions against other educators in her situation.
