Posted on 05/26/2005 8:11:47 PM PDT by Dan from Michigan
Substitute Teacher Fired for Taping Mouths
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - A substitute teacher who was fired after putting small pieces of tape across the mouths of first-graders because they would not stop talking said she did not mean any harm.
Vigo County schools officials fired Sheryl Smith this week after parents told them that she had taped six children's mouths at Fuqua Elementary School.
"A substitute teacher used extremely poor judgment," said John Orr, director of human resources.
Smith had put the tape on vertically, and it did not cover the children's mouths, although they could not talk. She did it because some of the children would not be quiet, Orr said.
"That's something we don't tolerate in the Vigo County School Corporation," Orr said. "She is terminated ... she will not work for the corporation anymore."
But Smith, who often substituted for the class, said she taped the students' mouths in a playful way.
"It was a little piece of Scotch tape," she said. "I was just joking with them. I think it's blown clear out of proportion."
Orr contacted Vigo County Child Protective Services about what happened but believes the agency would not pursue it because no children were injured.
None of the kids appeared upset in class, and the tape wasn't on very long, Smith said.
My only problem is did the teacher cause undo physicial or mental harm to a 6 or 7 year old child. I think some sort of action was necessary. Let us not forget schools no longer use red ink to guide students' learning, or perish the thought, using 1, 2, or 3 for a grade instead of A-F.
GIVE ME A FREAKING BREAK
Exactly, give me a break.
I'm fine with this as long as the subs don't go crying to the principle when we give them the old routine. Same goes for teachers. We'll see who can dish it and who can take it!
They sure would pitch a bi*ch if we did this, wouldn't they?!! They would be screaming that we were abusing our children and insisting that social services take our kids and put them in foster homes. Yet, somehow, it's ok for them to do it.
I believe the teacher intended (not in fun) to degrade the kids, and only cried foul when she was told her job was over!
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