Show of Hands

If she would prefer teaching high school let her. If she is afraid she will be ineffective in teaching.

Because she didn't have a problem with older students. She taught 2 languages to high-school students for *35* years. You can do that for that long and be a "dip" about teaching.

Why are you a teacher then dipshit?

You need (usually) higher education levels to teach college level, and the prep-work and grading is more intensive.

First, junior high is not young children. It's early teens and tweeners. Second, nobody wants to be stuck in a roomful of that age group. Sounds like her ruse to get out of it didn't work, and now she's mad. District all the way. Don't like it? Switch school districts.

Why is she even a teacher if she is scared of kids? Stupid stupid stupid.

That's the stupidest thing I've ever heard. Being a teacher and having a Phobia of kids is like being a doctor with phobia of needles. Dumbest thing ever.

fullofjoy, yay! I'm not considered a small child! But seriously, don't get a job as a teacher if you're scared of kids. If you are and you want to be a teacher, try specifically saying you want to teach college.

4dr ... You're kidding right? You are the one who needs to look at the facts. She taught for 35 years. The school finally phased out the French program. They didn't need her there any more. They found her another job, which happened to be at the middle school. She should have been grateful.

Discrimination: making a distinction in favor of or against, a person or thing based on the group, class, or category to which that person or thing belongs rather than on individual merit

It seems to me she is the one who wants to be discriminated upon

Is it right what the district did? Its debatable though I say they were perfectly within their rights. But is it discrimination? I dont see a case there at all

High school students middle school students...whats the difference? There really isnt one. Some of the kids are less than a year apart from eachother. There was no place for her-what could the district do? If they violated her contract that would be one thing, but I don't see any discrimination

And you need to learn how to properly use the words your and you're. ;)

I would not consider JR high, young children. Maybe she should find a new career. Especially since she is afraid of children.

Gotta hear the whole story people. District knew about her phobia and still hired her. Phobia only applies to younger kids. So when they wanted a new middle school teacher, they moved her without even asking. That's the bit... The teacher has a case here.

Seems like I do, Mable, since other people keep making the same non-pertinent comments without knowing any of the facts.

And I won't ever characterize someone else's comments as stupid, no matter how much I disagree with them.

Susan, wth? Do you personally know this woman or what? You don't literally have to keep making the same stupid comment in her defense.

See this is why we can't have nice things.

Don't be a teacher if you have a fear of kids. Duh.

The fact this suit even exists shows how sad this culture is right now

She shouldn't have become a teacher. Give up your license!

Do people that fear small spaces not have to work in cubicles?

Wtf? Why the hell did she become a teacher??

If you're scared of children, don't become A TEACHER!

Well apparently teachers teach and are obligated to teach what ever grade the school district needs them to teach and to sue because she is afraid is not a good and quite silly reason get therapy if she needs to the teacher has issues and shouldn't be teaching at all if its that bad

Susan ... let it go! The principle from 35 years ago is dead, and the fact that they were able to keep her in the same job for 35 years seems as though they'd honored the promise.

They have phased out the job, and yet they found her another position. Seems reasonable. Take it or leave it.

Yep ... A great run, and it is time to step aside.

Apparently she enjoyed teaching high school students because she did it for 35 years, and wanted to continue doing it.

Apparently she could stand high-school kids just fine, because she taught them for 35 years.

Which minds need high-school Spanish & French the most?

She taught high-school French & Spanish for 35 years.

Aren't most students young compared to their teacher? So I'm not exactly sure what grade level she was planning on teaching?

Thank you susanr/NiteOwl it all sounds so petty. I for one know anyone that teaches for that long love loves it. I saw it in my great aunt born way back 1905 or so, a school principle.

You should not be a teacher if your not willing to teach the minds who need it most.

... some people ... those in the entitlement class ... the rest of us earn our own way so as not to steal from the rest of society.

A good case for impartial teacher evaluations.

Ginger ... and what does your observation add to the discussion?

The tragedy is that there are people like this woman who feel entitled to continue to get paid long after their services are no longer required. And I'm encouraged that there are so many like mind people left. There's still hope!

Once upon a time in a graduate level course to train school administrators, the prof asked each educator on the room why the wanted to be a principal. One replied "Because I can't stand the kids." He must be related to this gal.

I want to thank 300+ of you for the ingenious comments asking why she's a teacher if she's afraid of children. Congratulations, that was a very original thought. None of the hundreds of other comments had thought of that yet! Really adds to the discussion. :)

If ya cant handle the wooden spoon, on the ass, stay out of the cookie jar lady

My kids have been bullied by teachers who are unhappy with what they are doing. Some have been teaching for years. Just because a teacher has been teaching for a long time, doesn't mean they are a good teacher.

Is this for serious? Then don't take the job. People are always looking for a reason to sue.

Well, if the teacher is going to be miserable, its best if she doesnt teach young children.

Why is God's name is she a teacher?

Not change.

It's just the way public education operates. You have to pick your battles with open eyes and be willing to accept the consequences. I don't believe the publicly funded court system is the place for this battle. I would launch a publicity campaign before I'd sue. Suing just seems like you want money

The potential outcomes. There's a lot of stuff my district does that seems unfair or unwise, but before I speak out, I ask myself if its worth losing my job over. I'm very well aware that my district leaders have the authority and pettiness to make me suffer if I publicly displease them.

I understand about the verbal agreement, but if her job was being eliminated for the online position, them it seems she had a choice to take the middle school job or quit.

I also understand the frustration that this may be in retaliation for speaking up about changes, but she should have weighed

I work for FedEx and have a fear of cardboard boxes. I'm suing. I specifically told them this.

Susan/smacc, I just commented way down below but it seems there is something fishy going on. Almost like the district was trying to force her to retire.