Back in 2008, a teacher, Wendy Portillo, was suspended from Morningside Elementary School, in St. Lucie County, Florida, after she held a vote in her kindergarten class which allowed the students to decide whether to kick little 5-year old Alex, out of the class. Alex, who was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome, had been referred twice to the principal’s office for discipline problems. Apparently mirroring the reality show, “Survivor,” the children voted him out of the class 14-2. His mother sued, of course, and won a settlement of $350,000. Ms. Portillo, suspended for a year without pay, went on to teach at another school, Allapattah Flats, where she’s under a federal investigation for discriminating against a little girl with a hearing impairment.
Ms. Portillo is now being provided “re-training.” Can you actually re-train someone not to be bone-headed?
