An epileptic former public- school teacher is suing the city’s Department of Education, claiming he was “blacklisted” after repeatedly suffering seizures in front of students.
Peter Burkhart, who taught in Queens at PS 151 and IS 10, is asking for at least $6 million in the suit filed in Manhattan federal court.
He admitted in his court papers he suffered seizures every couple of months, “during which various dis-inhibition gestures, utterances and behaviors were exhibited.”
After a grandparent complained that he’d exhibited “inappropriate behavior” during one seizure, the DOE launched a probe, which culminated with Burkhart being banned from teaching, according to the suit.
Burkhart alleges it was solely because of his epilepsy. He said he appealed to DOE, but was ignored.
He had quit the middle school shortly before being banned and had been trying to get work in one of the city’s high schools.
A spokeswoman for the city’s Law Department said she hadn’t seen the suit.