Say WHAT?!

Okay, I know it was just yesterday that I said I was putting down my writing for a while, but the news I just read at Same Child Different Day has boiled my blood enough to write a book. Read Jon Gilbert’s blog on SCDD about the Florida teacher who was reinstated, by a unanimous vote, by the school board no less, after being suspended for having her Kindergarten students vote on whether or not to allow a child to stay in the classroom. Not just any child, but a child with Asperger’s. Interestingly enough, the child was not diagnosed with Asperger’s until after this incident. Does that mean the parents have this teacher to thank for bringing his problems to their attention?

But let’s take that label out of the equation for a minute. What if the child being voted on had no disability, and was the same color as everyone else in the class? Would it then be okay to ask Kindergarten students, 5 and 6-year-olds, to vote, VOTE on whether or not to allow that child to remain in the classroom? Let me answer that for you – Hell NO!

I know, dear readers, you may be wondering where in the world that calm, sweet little Deanna went to. Who is this woman writing this post?

She’s a parent. And I’m not just any parent, I’m a mama hen. I am just as outraged by the fact that this woman, this teacher, pressured those young, innocent minds to decide whether their peer was “good enough” as I am that she singled out the child with the disability.

Many people’s first memory stems from this age group. Imagine what sort of people these children will now become, thanks to the “guidance” of this one teacher. I could almost guarantee they will become a bully, always excluding anyone who is different. Hopefully these children have decent parents who are fully aware of what this experience could mean, parents who will get them the help that they will now need, (unfortunately), thanks to this woman

Let’s think about this poor child who had to stand in front of his classmates while judgment was passed on him. He was 5-years-old and being VOTED ON! I am so sorry for him and his family to have to endure such devastation. Read the original report in naplesnews. Fortunately the mother, in this article, said “This woman needs to be fired. There is no reason for someone with that mentality to be around children. I think nothing less than her being terminated needs to happen.” The article also says she will file a civil law suit. I so hope she wins. Though winning a law suit may not, will not, do anything to bring the boy’s self-esteem back up, maybe it will at least cause school officials to sit up and take notice, to realize that we parents are not going to put up with this sort of treatment.

I am absolutely appalled that they would reinstate this teacher. Not only did they give her job back, but they’re moving her to 6^th grade. Most of you recall how difficult those in-between years were. The child between the ages of 11 – 13 are already feeling weird, what with their limbs sprouting further and further, becoming aware of other children noticing them, and simply not being sure what to do with themselves. How will that child feel when this teacher singles him or her out of the class because he or she isn’t like the rest of the group? They will either be bullied or become a bully, no doubt about it.

Okay, I’ve said my piece and counted to three. Now it’s your turn. I appreciate all comments, but don’t just stop here. Jon, I’m taking the liberty of paraphrasing from your post here: “Please link this story, post about it, make it known, Tweet and Retweet it…Email (you can get a list of departments by clicking here) or phone the Port St. Lucie school board (772-340-7100).”

Shout for our children!