Teh One Who Knocks
05-11-2012, 12:01 PM
The Orlando Sentinel
SANFORD — A Seminole County reading teacher who strayed far from Charles Dickens and Stephen Crane has been suspended for playing profanity-laced rap music to her high school class.
Heather Michelle New, who teaches at Crooms Academy of Information Technology in Sanford, is serving a five-day suspension without pay that began Wednesday and continues through Monday.
Ron Pinnell, head of personnel for Seminole schools, said an investigation after receiving complaints revealed that New, 32, played two inappropriate rap songs to her class last month.
Crooms Academy received national recognition last year for its on-spot technology when it was named "Most Connected Classroom" in the country by U.S. News & World Report. But raunchy rap songs were not what district officials had in mind for the school to be plugged in digitally.
One of the songs New played in class was "Rack City" by rapper Tygra, a song dealing with drugs, sex and prostitution that repeatedly uses a disparaging reference to blacks. The song contains at least three dozen inappropriate words or phrases, including a reference to sex with a grandmother.
"There were all kinds of references to all kinds of inappropriate things," Pinnell said.
The second song by rapper Jay-Z with a disparaging allusion to blacks in its title, was equally offensive, he said.
New, who has been a teacher in Seminole schools since 2009, could not be reached for comment.
Pinnell said he did not know why New chose to play the songs, except perhaps to be accepted by students.
The School Board approved the suspension Tuesday based on Superintendent Bill Vogel's recommendation. He charged her with misconduct in office and violation of the code of ethics and principles of professional conduct for Florida teachers, as well as violation of local school board policies.
Pinnell said the district will ask the Florida Department of Education's Professional Practices Services to investigate. The agency could pursue further charges against New and levy disciple up to revocation of her teaching certificate, although lesser punishment might be expected.
SANFORD — A Seminole County reading teacher who strayed far from Charles Dickens and Stephen Crane has been suspended for playing profanity-laced rap music to her high school class.
Heather Michelle New, who teaches at Crooms Academy of Information Technology in Sanford, is serving a five-day suspension without pay that began Wednesday and continues through Monday.
Ron Pinnell, head of personnel for Seminole schools, said an investigation after receiving complaints revealed that New, 32, played two inappropriate rap songs to her class last month.
Crooms Academy received national recognition last year for its on-spot technology when it was named "Most Connected Classroom" in the country by U.S. News & World Report. But raunchy rap songs were not what district officials had in mind for the school to be plugged in digitally.
One of the songs New played in class was "Rack City" by rapper Tygra, a song dealing with drugs, sex and prostitution that repeatedly uses a disparaging reference to blacks. The song contains at least three dozen inappropriate words or phrases, including a reference to sex with a grandmother.
"There were all kinds of references to all kinds of inappropriate things," Pinnell said.
The second song by rapper Jay-Z with a disparaging allusion to blacks in its title, was equally offensive, he said.
New, who has been a teacher in Seminole schools since 2009, could not be reached for comment.
Pinnell said he did not know why New chose to play the songs, except perhaps to be accepted by students.
The School Board approved the suspension Tuesday based on Superintendent Bill Vogel's recommendation. He charged her with misconduct in office and violation of the code of ethics and principles of professional conduct for Florida teachers, as well as violation of local school board policies.
Pinnell said the district will ask the Florida Department of Education's Professional Practices Services to investigate. The agency could pursue further charges against New and levy disciple up to revocation of her teaching certificate, although lesser punishment might be expected.