I recently obtained a subtitle teacher certification so I can start working at a public school. However, I recently learned from DESE that my finger print/ background check came back not cleared. I learned that after all those years of working in a mental health department with clean background checks over the years that DESE found that I was arrested back in 2010. I called DESE to see what can be done about that record as I was wrongfully arrested. They refused to talk to me over the phone but only would send me a letter. They wouldn’t give me a definite answer if this record that happened 12 years ago would affect me getting a job at a public school. I was arrested because someone came after me with fists in the middle of verbal arguments. Naturally I fought back and defended myself. That person had a bloody eyebrow. Cops was called, they only talked to that person because they’re hearing. I, on the other hand am deaf and the cops didn’t even bother to try to communicate with me. They arrested me immediately and took me to jail. There was communication barriers that I didn’t know what was said or what was happening. I kept begging for resources to be able to communicate effectively but no one even tried. Then I got released less than 24 hours later. I thought it was the end of it til this came up on my fingerprint/ background check. I’m hoping that some of you will be able to advice me on what I should do in order for me to be able to teach. Will this arrest record from 12 years ago prevent me from getting my job at a public school?