Math Teacher's 'Banter' Like Sandusky's 'Horsing Around'?

When LCHS teacher said that calling a student and making fun of a student’s stutter was “,” I was reminded of former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky.

He said that showering naked with and fondling little boys was “horsing around.” Abuse is in the eye of the beholder, but those who abuse often choose to wear blinders. No matter what they believe, clearer eyes must prevail. I believe that neither of these people should be in a position of influence around children.

Some (not all) say Ms. Leko is a great math teacher. But there are many qualities teachers should possess. (Click here to see my blog post about the characteristics of a good teacher.) Ms. Leko doesn’t even uphold a baseline credo of “do no harm.” By belittling her students, she is teaching them that they don’t matter, and that people in authority have the right to hurt others.

The LCUSD has determined that Ms. Leko should attend sensitivity training. That’s a veritable slap on the wrist. Ms. Leko attended sensitivity training years ago, and . She shouldn’t need special training to know that bullying a student is cruel and inappropriate.

In a similar recent case in New Jersey, a special education student became so frustrated that people didn’t believe him when he said that his teacher was verbally abusive that he surreptitiously videotaped the teacher with his cell phone. The damning evidence led to the teacher being put on paid leave while the school investigates, and the case was elevated to the Gloucester County prosecutor’s office and New Jersey’s Department of Youth and Family Services. Perhaps if students videotaped injustice in addition to speaking out, adults would be forced to take stronger steps to protect them.

There are many fine teachers who would be thrilled to have the opportunity to make a positive difference in the lives of LCHS students. I wish our kids could learn from them instead of someone who doesn’t have their best interests at heart.