AHS Students Hope to "Bring Back Ms. Levin"

Albany residents may have noticed the colorful flyers taped onto benches and poles throughout the city last week, all proclaiming in bold writing: “Rehire Ms. Levin for the 2011-2012 School Year!”

Upon closer inspection, the flyers direct people to “Like” a Facebook page titled “Bring Back Ms. Levin.” Click on the page and a string of posts dating back to Jun. 24 reveal the efforts of a group of students who "loved Ms. Levin," are planning another flyer bombardment throughout Albany, and tried to garner adult support by speaking out at the Albany school board meeting on Tuesday.

Behind this makeshift campaign is a small contingent of rising sophomores who are leading efforts to bring back their former English teacher, Amanda Levin. 

“The one thing about Ms. Levin is not only was she good at teaching, she was able to connect with the students,” said 15-year-old Kevin Chung, who was a student in Levin’s freshman English class this past school year. “Not a lot of people could do that.”

Six students were present at Tuesday’s to show they mean business. Shy, endearing and somewhat nervous, two of them braved the podium during public comment and stated their case to a nearly empty room at City Hall.

“We know it’s a difficult process that’s much easier said than done,” said 15-year-old Chelsey Chen, addressing the three board members in attendance, “but she’s one of the teachers worth fighting for.”

Kevin Chung said their efforts started shortly after receiving an email from Levin about two weeks after the spring semester ended in June. In the email, a copy of which was posted on the “Bring Back Ms. Levin” Facebook page, Levin wrote to her former students and said, “I was not rehired by Albany High for next year…I wanted to let you know how great it was working with you all…”

According to Jacqueline Manibusan, executive assistant of the , Levin was among the teachers who were hired for one school year under a temporary contract that ended on Jun. 10. Manibusan was unable to provide information on the number of teachers whose contracts ended. 

Still, the students want her back.

“We need you guys to make this happen, to bring one of our most beloved teachers back," said Chen at Tuesday's meeting. "She engaged us in reading and writing essays, that’s something quite rare.”

The board members listened attentively, but the president of the board, , said there was nothing they could do. The board cannot comment on the issue because it was not on the agenda, said Low. Plus, members can't speak on personnel issues in a public setting. She referred the students to the superintendent's office.

"We're very pleased students have come to the school board meeting and that you’ve made clear what it is you’re interested in," said Low. "We encourage that and are pleased about it." 

Albany Patch was able to contact Amanda Levin via email and ask about her reaction to the students' push to have her rehired. Levin limited her reply to the following comment:

“I really enjoyed the time I spent at Albany High School, it was a great school and wonderful community. I am truly honored by the efforts of my former students. They are an amazing group of young people and I feel incredibly lucky to have had the opportunity to work with every one of them.”

According to a blog by Levin, it appears she has found a new teaching job elsewhere. In a recent post, dated July 6, she wrote, "I just had a job interview...When I got home an hour later the principal I had interviewed with called me. 'We loved you, why don't you come work here.' ...Yes."

Despite the grim prospects for the return of Ms. Levin, the students at Tuesday's school board meeting were undeterred.

“Now we go home and try to plan another event,” said Chen. 

Everybody makes mistakes ... ! If there's something in this article you think should be corrected, or if something else is amiss, call editor Emilie Raguso at 510-459-8325 or email her at emilier@patch.com.