8-year-old Cassandra Garcia was already in a homework assistance program at Desert Springs Academy in Tucson, AZ. Nevertheless, when her teacher handed out end-of-the-year awards she decided to play a joke on the little girl and humiliate her for her struggles in front of her entire class.
The teacher announced the title of the award “Catastrophe Award for the Most Homework Excuses” and called Cassandra’s name. The child accepted her “award” to the sound of laughter and jeers coming from the entire class. When her mother, Christina Valdez called the principal to complain, she blew her off, saying, "It's was a joke that was played and that the teachers joke around with the children."
This is absolutely unacceptable behavior from a teacher. Humiliation is a form of bullying, and teachers are expected to set a positive example. Demand a formal apology for little Cassandra and ask the school to stop future “jokes” at the students' expense!
