Resignation of MAMS Teacher Sparks More Protests

Roughly 50 students and parents started more protests in support of Stefan Serie, a Merrick Avenue Middle School health teacher and coach who claimed that he was forced to resign after appearing on an episode of the Bravo reality show, "Princesses: Long Island."

In July, hundreds of supporters rallied for the teacher to get his job back.

Protesters stood outside of the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District Office holding signs and chanting before the district's monthly work session meeting on Wednesday night.

During the meeting, parents walked up and down the halls of the district's office screaming, "Bring Serie back."

Serie, a Long Beach resident, said that he was forced to resign or be fired after he was seen taking off his shirt during a pool party scene on "Princesses: Long Island,"  according to an article in the Daily News.

It was a coerced resignation,”  he told the Daily News. "I want my job and tenure back. I think I deserve it.”

The Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District's Board of Education said that they could not legally discuss the details of the matter.

Christine Grassman, started a Facebook page in support of the teacher and has led both rallies.

"We are still waiting and they are not giving him his job back," she said. "They are playing games with us and they know we are not playing. This community will continue to respond." 

Lily Salmeron, 13, said that Serie was her favorite teacher. 

"I think that it is totally ridiculous that he was forced to resign," she said. "He was an amazing teacher and he taught me how to stand up for others and not just be a bystander." 

Grassman said that she will not stop protesting until Serie gets his job back.

"This was a man who was a highly effective teacher," she said. "He was loved and respected by this community."