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Posted on 12/22/2007 6:31:09 AM PST by MissEdie
Teacher set to return to classroom By Schuyler Kropf (Contact) The Post and Courier Saturday, December 22, 2007
Grace Beahm The Post and Courier
Lori Teuton School district's statement Read the Berkeley County School District's media advisory MONCKS CORNER — Berkeley Middle School teacher Lori Teuton will return to her classroom, and the student whom she says threatened to cut her with a knife won't be there when she gets back.
After a 12-day holdout, the school district announced Friday that Teuton's grievance against the school has been resolved.
Her attorney said it means she can go back to teaching eighth-grade English in a safe environment, and that the 13-year-old girl who reportedly made the threat will be moved elsewhere — the key hurdle to Teuton coming back.
Teuton expressed relief Friday that the dispute is over. "I just felt like there are certain times in your life when you have to stand up for things," she said.
Berkeley County Schools Superintendent Chester Floyd disclosed the agreement in a news release. "We were able to resolve her grievance and she will return to her teaching position following the holidays," Floyd wrote. He declined a request for an interview.
The statement went on to say, "Matters involving personnel issues and student issues are often more complicated than they appear. Ms. Teuton and her attorney provided us with the time necessary to conduct a full review of her concerns."
Teuton said she'll pick up where she left off when Berkeley students return from the holiday break Jan. 3. She has been at the school for two years.
In early December, Teuton, who has about a dozen years of teaching experience, refused to return to class, saying her complaints about the student were not being resolved. She said she was made to feel unsafe after the student returned from a discipline trip to the school office and reportedly told another student in class "let's just cut her with a knife."
Teuton considered the threat to be legitimate, though the comments were never conclusively confirmed by school officials who investigated them, they said at the time. The student was allowed to stay. After declining to return to her teaching position, Teuton was put on leave with pay and offered a transfer to another school, which she refused.
Floyd's statement said he met with Teuton on Dec. 11 and again Friday. "By conducting a thorough review and considering all of Ms. Teuton's concerns, the district administration and school administration were able to make the decision collectively to resolve Ms. Teuton's grievance in the best interest of all concerned," the statement read.
Floyd did not go into specifics about what swayed his mind or what was uncovered during the administration's review, Teuton said. "He did not want to talk details," she added.
Floyd's message also said it wouldn't be appropriate for him to comment further on the details of the resolution because it involves a confidential personnel matter and a confidential student matter. There was no word on the student's future or placement.
"I'm excited to go back," Teuton said, adding that she told the truth throughout the ordeal while knowing her job and career were on the line.
The standoff was followed widely in the Berkeley County community, including by parents and educators. Laurie Fritz, parent-teacher association president for the state's District 19 PTA, which includes many of the schools in Berkeley County, said the district was right to change its course.
"I'm glad that the district got behind the teacher. Failing to do so, Fritz said, "would send a message" of what students can get away with.
Teuton's lawyer, Larry Kobrovsky of Charleston, credited Floyd for making a quick resolution of the matter, saying the dispute was settled less than 10 minutes into their one-hour meeting Friday morning. His client risked a lot before the issue was finally resolved, Kobrovsky added.
"Mrs. Teuton is a hero to all teachers," he said. "She could have taken the easy way but she stood on principle. Because of her, all teachers can stand a little taller today."
This is why teachers should be allowed concealed carry in the classroom.
I don’t think concealed carry will solve the problem in many of these classrooms.
A teacher I know had her life threatened..by one of these little criminals.
I think teachers should be allowed public carry..a Glock or SW strapped to the waist of a 90lb teacher might help command some respect.
This should have taken about 12 seconds to resolve, not 12 days. Cretins be gone.
The same type of school that punishes a student for making a wooden knife in shop class, punishes a student for cutting a sandwich with a plastic knife brought from home, punishes a student for drawing a picture of a gun, punishes a student for bringing a toy plastic two inch gun to school.
I could go on but it’s clear schools only punish good students. Let one threaten a teacher and it has to be proved beyond a shadow of a doubt. I guess a slash across the face with a razor blade should be what they need.
So they're not allowed to lay a hand on the kids, paddling or otherwise for restraint...yet you think carrying a weapon in class will help?
This teacher who's afraid to say boo is going to convince someone, anyone, she means business with a gun?
Pshaw.
She wouldn't threaten to defend herself from a rapist, much less an unruly brat gradeschooler.
The teacher husband of a friend was KILLED in the classroom by one of these criminals. If teachers are not safe in school, NO ONE is safe in school and no learning that is worthwhile can take place.
I understand they moved the teacher out during the review. But they left the suspect in the classroom to do what, stab another teacher?
(Of course nowadays my parents would have been charged with abuse.)
You are absolutely correct! Teachers have to exhibit a commanding presence, especially in urban areas. When you are left in the classroom with 30+ students alone, you better be in control.
Many of the upper grade students are large in stature and you have to be able to stand your ground. There is a delicate balance to being personable and respected.
In case anyone was wondering why public employees might end up joining a union.
They didn’t move the teacher, she refused to go back to work until the administrators at her school dealt with (punish) the student who threatened her. The school didn’t want to take that student out of her class, much less suspend her. The school district even tried to move the teacher to another school, leaving that thugette in the classroom.
You definitely have a point. The system is so focused on maximizing the number of “revenue units” (aka “students”) that we have reached the point where teachers and other employees seem to be treated as expendable in some schools. No teacher should have to fear for her safety in class, and administrators who won’t swiftly enforce reasonable discipline to protect teachers ought to be run out of the schools.
Got it.<p.If the thugette was threatening to stab a teacher, I wonder if the principal might have had a whim that she might stab other ones including the replacement.
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