Comments on: PSL teacher who had students vote child out keeps her contract

By: Bryan Irrera

Bryan Irrera — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 20:17:55 +0000

“I didn’t think this was going to happen and I’m just happy I’m going to go back to doing what I love,” she said after the personnel hearing. By that, does she mean that she can now go back and torture/bully the helpless children in her class?

The school board is absolutely NOT right to reinstate this woman. She obviously has no sense of decency, no feelings in her heart.

How is the school board going to make sure that no other children are taunted and tormented in this woman’s class simply because she doesn’t like/understand them? Will she next choose to ostracize someone because they are in a wheelchair, because they’re deaf, because they have a speech impediment? What if she doesn’t have a child with special needs next time? Will she simply choose the Jewish child, the Muslim child, the fat child, the child with homosexual parents, the child with a funny name?

Because she is a “teacher” this is even more chilling, since the bullies in her class are obviously learning that their behavior is acceptable, since she is leading by example.

Deplorable and disgusting. It’s a shame this woman will be allowed around children again, to enforce her agenda on another unsuspecting class.

By: Rich

Rich — Sat, 13 Jun 2009 18:59:37 +0000

This teacher may have her job back, but after the poor judgment she showed, I would make sure that my child was not in her class.

This woman is not someone who should be making an impact on impressionable children.

>To err is human. To forgive is divine.

Beautiful sentiment. And my first reaction, actually.

But the damage is already done to that child. Do we just disregard that?

“Oops. My bad. Sorry about that.”

By: marc

marc — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 15:14:04 +0000

To err is human. To forgive is divine.

By: Samantha

Samantha — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 19:41:32 +0000

No one won in this situation, for all of the parents out there with children with Autisim you know how your child behaves, so should it be alright to condemn this teacher because his behavior is okay because of his disease? Why not inform the teacher of his behavior and play a proactive role. And Why on earth is it OKAY to keep this child in a class where there is at least 15 other students that have to learn required materials so that they may for one PASS FCAT and all other Things to be PROMOTED. have you parents, teachers friends & administrators forgot that one child has been blocking the learning process for atleast 15 other children. We as the Community are asking a whole lot from not just this teacher but all of our teachers. After all, she is human and is entitled to make a mistake. But instead of assisting this teacher, because if the parent and administrators would tell the truth Ms. Portilla requested assistance with this child,and she got little assistance from both.What does this say about the parent and the administrators? The teacher was aware that sometimes our peers do help us in learning and changing our behaviors. We use peer teaching techniques in classrooms everyday so why not allow the children to voice their opinion about their learning process. Stop beating up on this teacher and help!!!! Parents Do your job teach your child that they are going to school to learn not to disrupt the class, Administrators assist your staff a lot better teachers are not GODS get the proper help for these teachers. When they call, come don’t just chalk it up to its your job to deal with the behaviors and teach these kids. Teachers my advice to you is to document time date and circumstances when dealing with these parents that know they have difficult children and feel that it is your job to teach them discipline and well as reading writing and arithmatic. I feel so sorry for everyone envolved. Mother get the help your child needs, ms. Portilla continue to fight don’t allow the school district to suspend your pay, it is not your fault that you didn’t know that the child had a learning disability it was the school board responsibility to give you all info to better educate every child. Hold your head up and keep God First.

By: Kristen G.

Kristen G. — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:24:19 +0000

I think what this teacher did is aweful. For all of those who say the child won’t remember because he is five, your wrong. This will effect his self esteem the rest of his life. How could an experience teacher let children vote a child out of the classroom. I have a kindergartener who is not the best behaved. The teacher discussed his behavior with me and we devised a plan to improve his behavior in the classroom and at home. It took much effort and support for the both the teacher and myself, but I see a huge improvement. Ms. Portilla should have tried to use a plan like this. If she has so much experience, she should know many different ways of handling children with behavioral problems. In addition, if she didn’t know, she should have advised help from the school and from the parents as well. If I were the child’s mother, I would be so upset. I don’t think Ms. Portilla should ever teach children again. She has demonstrated that she does not know how to handle children who act up so she should not be in the position. For those of you who disagree, how would you feel if this happened to your child.

By: Jess77

Jess77 — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 15:43:34 +0000

For all the GREAT teachers that got laid off due to cuts - they keep this one??
They should fire her and bring back one of the teachers that love and care for the kids they teach.
A good teacher would have talked to the parents and suggested that this kid may have some sort of problem and should be tested. ESPECIALLY being a teacher for that long she should notice these things.

By: WinnsNoMore

WinnsNoMore — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:32:14 +0000

write to lannon……… school board members too

By: susan

susan — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 03:28:42 +0000

I still believe the teacher should be terminated.My son attended elementary school in Port St Lucie.He is an adult now but he still scarred from a teacher who would make fun of him in front of other students.Humiliation should be an automatic termination!!!!

By: Renee

Renee — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:31:10 +0000

I am a teacher myself.. I don’t agree that this woman was right in having students “vote” the child out of the class. If the student was disturbing the class she should have called admin and had him removed. I have had a student with the same form of autism in my class before. I admit there were times when his behavior was unacceptable and he needed to be removed from the class. However, I also am very disappointed in the mom who is clearly looking for attention. This should have been kept out of the news and remained private. The 5 yr old prob would not have remembered the incident if it had been handled privatly now he will always remember…shame on you mom and use better judgement teacher.. BOTH are wrong

By: Rich

Rich — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 02:00:40 +0000

Not for anything, how does a teacher DO THAT! Especially to a child that was later determined to have autism!
The School board didnt vote right…this woman does not deserve to teach again