Posted on 10/26/2005 1:03:07 PM PDT by Cagey
Virginia Beach parents and students are reacting with shock and surprise after a 6th grade English teacher, with almost 20 years in Virginia Beach schools, was arrested at school for being drunk in public.
On Monday morning, administrators at Brandon Middle School in Virginia Beach noticed 58-year-old Cynthia White behaving strangely.
They called on the school's resource officer, Roderick Marcelo, and after a brief investigation, White was hauled off to the Virginia Beach Correctional Center on charges of being drunk in public.
11-year-old Kala Matthews was in Mrs. White's third period class just before the arrest and said she knew Mrs. White didn't look herself.
"Like, her hair was all messed up and she just looked a little weird," said Kala.
Administrators waited to make their move so that English class didn't turn into Drama class, but kids like Kala caught on.
"Two other people who work at the school kept popping in and out of class, so I think they knew and they were trying to keep an eye on the class," said Kala.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time the school has had to deal with Mrs. White and alcohol-related charges. On March 2, 2005, White was arrested for driving while intoxicated in Virginia Beach. She refused a blood or breath test, pleaded guilty, served no jail time, but lost her license for a year. School officials say White did report that arrest to the school, but they wouldn't tell us if any discipline was handed down.
"I thought she would be a little more responsible," commented Kala.
"I hope she gets help for her problem," said 13-year-old Kionte Ingram, now a 7th grader at Brandon Middle.
Students say White was strict, but never noticed any problems with her in the classroom.
White has been put on paid leave until an investigation is completed. Pete Decker III, who represented White during her DWI case, said White was a sweet woman who took full blame for her misjudgment at the time. She was extremely upset about losing her driving privileges, fearful it would effect her ability to participate in her charitable activities, like Make-A-Wish Foundation and Habitat for Humanity.
If White refused a breath test in this latest incident, under Virginia law, she will automatically lose her license again for a year.
Wonder if she is any relation to Ron White. He's been arrested on the same charges!
And, short drives down to the Dew Drop Inn.
She must have pulled an all-nighter.
The cops should have checked out my HS gym teacher. He was either drunk or hung over every morning.
Hung over days were "Mr. G's quiet time." "You all have homework, so read quietly while I get some stuff done in my office." He would go into his office and put his head down on his desk.
Even in a big city school district he only lasted half a semester like that.
My students call me "Tater".
God LOVE Tater Salad!
Hey! When I was in college and some high school, I was drunk in class!
Bless Catholic high schools :)
Like there was someone else she could blame?
Well if I was a teacher in the schools today with the students we have today, I would drink too.
;-)
And midnight beer runs.
*Wonders if her liquor was paid for by a government grant...*
this has career busted written all over it
Pretty much took the words right out of my mouth.
He forgot puppie rescues.
To your face?.........
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