Garfield

Teresa Vessela (sped director) and Ja McZeal (sped teacher) are both very rude. They do not know how to handle the children they work with. They both speak to staff like they are incompetent. Ja McZeal has been aggressive with several of his aids. He’s very vindictive. You disagree with him one time and he’s out to get/have you fired. Ja McZeal has been seen several times by several different people intentionally triggering his students and making the aid deal with the escalated behaviors that he caused. If you have a special needs child i would not recommend sending them to this school and if you do make sure they are not in his class

I had really high hopes for this school when I first came in as a supporting staff substitute for the special education class. I had a poor experience with a teacher who was not trained but received the job and was barely being given training during the school year. I found this disappointing and dangerous as the teacher had no tolerance for those with special needs. They would yell and staff and students when they were frustrated. Definitely will never send my kids there.

Roosevelt has the best kids in the district. They are respectful and kind. The staff is very caring and works hard to develop relationships with students.