Bombshell St. Ann’s report faults admin for hiring accused sexting teacher

December 11, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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BROOKLYN HEIGHTS – A REPORT COMMISSIONED by the elite St. Ann’s school in the wake of the arrest of teacher Winston Nguyen over allegations of soliciting explicit images from students was released on Tuesday, reports the New York Times, and heavily faults the school’s administration team for the scandal. According to report authors law firm Debevoise & Plimpton, Nguyen, who had been previously convicted of defrauding an elderly couple out of $300,000, was hired – despite objections from other staff – because “hiring someone with a criminal record was an opportunity to act in accordance with what they saw as the school’s values” of believing in second chances.

Additionally, some who expressed concern over the teacher’s behavior were “shamed” as being “racist or not progressive.” Meanwhile, other concerning events, including the existence of a Snapchat account that harassed students for explicit images, were not communicated to parents and staff, even as Nguyen began to behave erratically, staying overnight at the school and becoming inappropriately friendly with students.

Three staff members in particular were harshly criticized by the report: retired principal Vincent Tompkins, former dean Melissa Kantor, now assistant principal at Trinity School, and former upper middle school head Maureen Yusuf-Morales, who now works for a Brooklyn charter school.

Nguyen’s attorney this week said that the former teacher will accept a plea deal over the charges that will lead to at least five years in prison.

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