If you hear the tapes, it is unbelievable what these women say and that they are teachers. Seriously, these teachers should face a penalty beyond losing their jobs.

I couldn't agree more, these people need to face some serious repercussions. I usually tend to side with the teachers, as my mother is one and has had to deal with some crazy parents in the past. But even if this girl was being disruptive in class, these teachers should have gone directly to her parents to address it.

The lack of morality that it must take to belittle a special needs child is beyond comprehension and I am glad the parents did what they had to do to uncover it. I'm also glad they keep perusing their goal to have the other teacher removed... even if she wasnt directly insulting their child she was overseeing the other aide do it and did nothing to stop it. If these tapes are comprehensive of 3-4 days, I can't imagine what this poor girl endured for 3 years...

this is one of those lawsuits that needed to happen. i honestly believe they should have been awarded more, not only from the district or the school, but from the teachers themselves. they harm they've done to cheyanne is probably immeasurable.

What pisses me off the most is that the administration was reassuring the father that their teachers were not doing this. If any mother or father EVER hints at such abuse happening in their classrooms, then it should be mandatory for them to investigate it before simply taking the word of the accused teachers. These women are sick.

What makes them think that they only did it to THIS child? My guess is if they were like that with her they acted the same way with other special needs students. I would hope these women are blacklisted from ever teaching again. THESE instances (the teacher not being fired because she is part of a union.. which is what ISN'T being said here) make all educators look bad. The other teachers should be calling for her dismissal too. Let her get a job fixing toilets or something else where they don't have to interact with people.

As a father of a girl, i just couldn't hold myself together seeing the Dad in the clip breakdown. Our children ...our most precious treasure ...how do we protect them from the ghouls out there ?

I can honestly say that i have become a better person, my attitude towards women has changed ever since i became a father of a girl. I wish people could see the girls around them and see them as someone's daughter. They would never have the heart to harm or hurt them in any way.

The fact that the school just put the teacher on leave, and is requiring her to take 8 hours of anti-bullying classes makes me so angry I'm choking back tears. No anti-bullying course could ever help such an ugly and cruel person. How in the world does the administration not realize that what she has done should require immediate termination of her position and efforts to make sure she never works with children again!?

They should also be charged with child abuse, because that's exactly what it is. The school administration that brushed it off for years and told the parents that their daughter was lying should also be charged with child neglect, because that's exactly what that was!

Chaffins should NOT have been allowed to resign. When she submitted her resignation, she should have been told that she had been terminated--and don't let the door hit you in the @ss on the way out. How these schools protect themselves from litigation at the expense of their students is ridiculous. At all cost, protect the school and the paycheck. A small version of Penn. State happening to a challenged student. This went on for three for four years. Now the school will pay...but at what cost to the students? Criminal charges should have been brought against the teacher for emotional child abuse. Instead, it will be all about money. The teacher is a disgrace and some classes on bullying are not enough punishment. She needs some counseling and jail time. The school acted no different than the administration at Penn. State.

You know what I heard on the tape, in conjunction with the school's denials and calling the girl a liar? MILLIONS in a civil lawsuit being awarded by a jury.

Ohio has sadly had a reputation as not serving the special needs kids well. Parents generally have to fight for the services their kids are supposed to get.

Thankfully the parents took action, those women's behavior is disgusting. I hope other parents whose kids suddenly seem to not like school take note. Bullies beware in this cyber age.

The time for all classrooms to have cameras with audio is long over due. Students will behave better and so will teachers. There will be much less bullying going on and more learning.

Amen! I teach in a difficult district, and if we had security tape, the good teachers would benefit just as much as the kids! No more "He said, she said"...

These two teachers are cruel and need more than 8 hours of anti bullying classes. How can any other parent trust that they will never do this again? Not only should the teachers be punished but the administator who the parents spoke to as well. My heart goes out to Cheyanne and any other child who has gone through this. Cheyanne is a brave and beautiful young woman who needs to be commended for coming forward and telling her parents about this. Also to Cheyanne's parents this is a lesson to all parents thank God that you listen to your child because you have saved many other children from going through the same abuse.

I worked in Special Ed. TRUST ME, the entire Special Ed program at any school knows what is going on in the class rooms.

THE ENTIRE SPECIAL ED PROGRAM AT THAT SCHOOL SHOULD BE LET GO. Not to mention the principal.

I have to agree with everyone's comments. This type of behavior is totally unacceptable. These two ladies should never be allowed to enter the teaching profession again.

However, I am not in favor of a large lawsuit against the school district. Yes, what these people did to this little girl is wrong... but guess who else will suffer when/if the school district has a huge pay out.. "the rest of the students and teachers" who are still there. They are just as innocent and shouldn't be punished because of two bad apples.

To this brilliant child... the future is wide open/bright and never let anyone tell you otherwise.

This is really sad to hear since there are so many loving teachers in this world. Obviously these women do not like their jobs and should leave. You hear about bullying all the time now, some cases turn deadly because of it. In Illinois/Missouri area (the state line, not sure what side) a 10 year old girl was found in her closet by her older sister dead. She had hung herself because she was being bullied at school and in her neighborhood. She begged her mom to home school her. It is sad that at 10 this is what happens. Bullying should be handled more firmly at schools and by police. Too many children lately have killed themselves because of it. It has bad to be bullied but by teachers, a stronger stance should be taken. God bless this father, because I am afraid I would have taken this into my own hands...escpecially with a special needs child.

An 8 hour anti-bullying class is it? And NOW on leave? I am sorry but these two have a REAL problem and 8 hours just wont cut it. Thats like giving a druggy or alcoholic an 8 hour class and sending them on their way.

I am glad they posted their pictures. May they be hung in the admins office of every school so they may never be hired again.

This makes me so damn mad I can't even tell you. My heart broke for the father he is so distraught. My son has special needs so I know how hard it is. If I could rid the planet permanently of those two so-called teachers and get away with it I would! And also the whole administration overseeing it should be fired also! Sadly, this does go on in schools don't kid yourself this is not an isolated incident. My teen has special needs also and I have dealt with teachers who have not cared and are witches..and I'm talking about some of the special ed teachers, the ones who are supposed to watch out for your special needs kids! I am so glad he went on Today show so hopefully that witch Wilt won't ever teach again! She was there when the aide was saying those horrible things and she is the aides boss and she stood by and did nothing and participated in it too! She knew damn well what the aide was doing with that poor girl all those years. Also, she should be fired alone for her comment to the girl about not grading her paper because she knew it would be an F! That is abuse..hello!

Also furthermore, that crap with the treadmill using that to supposedly help the kids to "focus" what a bunch of bull! Sounds like it was used to punish and intimidate the poor kids!

All I want is 5 minutes in a locked room with each of these (word rhymes with witches)! Let's just file under tough, real tough, love! And I would tape that too and make those idiots watch themselves getting their respective behinds clobbered day after day. Let's see how much they like that!! That father is a much better person than me! That sweet little girl. The whole thing has pushed my blood pressure into the stratosphere!!!!!

You know, this really hits a nerve with me. I was bullied in grade school by fellow students in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. And what made it worse was that the teachers bullied right along with the kids. I came home crying every day, I hated school, I suffered depression, and I wondered why my teachers hated me too. I wasn't special needs or anything, but I was the least popular kid in school who was poor...my parents couldn't afford the best things so I was picked on by both teachers and students. AND because the teachers were in on it, that only fed the fuel for my fellow students to continue. I was told that I asked stupid questions, I was told that I didn't know how to read correctly (the real reason was I needed glasses but the teachers were too busy putting me down to read the signs that I had problems seeing the blackboard), I was the one that would be punished when other kids would disrupt the class, and those kids would then turn and laugh because they got away with it.

It's an absolute SHAME that these adults act just like the kids!!!! I am absolutely outraged that these so called teachers thought this was an okay way to act towards a student! I agree with what somenone above said, that they should be blacklisted from ever teaching again. I'm glad these parents had the piece of mind to put a recording device on this girl to prove that the teachers were in on it too. NO ONE deserves to be bullied. NO ONE!!!

My message to others that are bullied, hang in there! I got through it, and now that I'm an adult, I'm a stronger person. I know that I can accomplish anything and that NO ONE can tell me otherwise! The same goes for you! Don't EVER let ANYONE tell you you're nothing, that you're worthless, because to me, you're a somebody! To those that love you, you are worth the world!

I TOTALLY agree!! I give a standing ovation to the parents who championed their daughter and stood up to those 'experts' -- my own daughter was a victim of bullying by a teacher in a special ed school -- The administration said THE SAME THING - she was lying, acting out, etc. I immediately pulled her OUT of the special ed system, especially since her afflictions were deemed 'Other health impaired" and had NOTHING to do with her mental capacity (a tested IQ of 170 ). I was told that I was setting her up for failure, the teacher told my Daughter, and in fact, the entire administration told her, that she was NOT being transferred out of the B.O.C.E.S. program, and that her mother was WRONG. I Informed my daughter that the law says that if I want her out, THE SCHOOL SYSTEM MUST TRANSFER her to public school. But it didn't stop the teacher from making her cry everyday by telling her that her mother was trying to HAVE HER HOSPITALIZED AGAIN because she would have an emotional breakdown if she transferred to regular school!! the only time she had "Breakdowns" was in this school, when the teacher would make her and OTHER students as well cry. 3 months after transferring to a regular program, MY DAUGHTER WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE HIGH SCHOOL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS with a scholarship in play writing. And do you know what the first play she wrote was?? About the DAMAGE that BULLYING does!!

THE TEACHERS AND EXPERTS DON'T COUNT AS MUCH AS THE PARENT'S GUT!!! Parents, don't take the teacher's word as law - Tenure does NOT equate expert teaching!

The entire chain of command all of the way up should be fined and put in prison for their part in letting this go. these women, both of them should be put into a very dark, dark place and treated as badly as they treated this little girl because if they treated this girl like this, then the probably treated other special children the same.

I can only hope that KARMA is quick to get to these two women and slow to punish!!!! I hope that they get what is coming to them in a very bad place! Evil evil women!

What makes them think that they only did it to THIS child? My guess is if they were like that with her they acted the same way with other special needs students.

And that makes the situation even more disturbing. These are special need kids; how many times have they done this to kids that are unable to communicate and cannot report them.

The time for all classrooms to have cameras with audio is long over due.

And it is so sad that cameras are even necessary.

Thats like giving a druggy or alcoholic an 8 hour class and sending them on their way.

With new works or a bottle of vodka.

My honest thoughts? If a parent kills both of those women, they should get a free pass.

Not a joke, my true thoughts on it.

IMO, these two teachers should be made an example of to all other schools across the nation. When our own teachers lack any humanity such as these two represent, then it's time that the rest be put on notice, that if caught doing such things, you not only will be fired, but will never be allowed to teach, or even work with any children in any field ever again.

Three years!

THREE YEARS!!!!!!!!

For three years this poor defenseless child was abused verbally, mentally and emotionally!

What kind of animals could do this? This was not just an occasional frustration as can sometimes happen with any child, especially a special needs child. This was methodical, planned and pre-meditated.

This is CRIMINAL!

The BITCH teacher and teacher's aide should be fired and if possible charges brought against them. The principal and superintendent should also be fired and never allowed to work in education again.

What has our society come to when a special needs child can be treated like this and the schools excuse is that she is making it all up, or that the father is bordering on slander and harassment?

Why does a father have to put a wire on his own 13 yo daughter to get evidence? The concern must also be raised of how many other children were treated like this, normal students and special needs students?

This is a tragedy. This is an abomination. The father is right to press charges and to help to make sure this never happens again.

When I went to school, years and years ago, I received my fair shares of smacks on the hand from Sister Mary Discipline, but that's because I deserved them. We had special needs students then and we all helped them however we could and no one was ever abused or embarrassed.

This story should open all parents’ eyes to the fact that most teachers are hard working and very dedicated. It just takes 2 rogues like this to ruin it for everyone.

Hey Sandie, I'm right there with ya! I would like to be alone with those so-called teachers and beat the crap outta them. Damn that would feel good.

Psolaris, sorry that you had to endure what you did in school. That sounds like a total nightmare. You turned out great obviously you are a very strong person. I remember being bullied by a mean 3rd grade teacher and also one in high school, a math teacher put me down in front of the whole class because I had problems with math. She basically said I was dumb in front of the whole class.

Nancy, Kudos to you for listening to your gut! You are soooo right. We have to listen to our guts as parents, we know best for our kids as we are the ones who truly love them, not the teachers and principals, etc. Hang in there!

JustConcerned Stated: "What has our society come to when a special needs child can be treated like this and the schools excuse is that she is making it all up, or that the father is bordering on slander and harassment?"

Exactly. I have said it for years, that the society we live in has been sinking to new lows over the years. They try to tell you how to raise your children according to their wishes, and all the while, they turn a blind eye to such things as this. When I say anything to others about it, they get pissed and try and belittle me for saying such things. Well, to them, I say, your the problem, not the solution.

I am so glad that these parents continued to believe their daughter and found a way to expose the abuse and bullying that these teachers were inflicting on Cheyanne. The veiled threats of being charged with committing harassment and slander of this teacher/teacher aide that were verbalized to these parents by the superintendent are also unacceptable and should be investigated. These are the ways people are frightened into silence when trying to expose an abusive teacher. These parents and Cheyanne are very brave, and I am thankful that they have gone public with their beautiful daughter's abusive treatment at the hands of those who were paid to help and protect Cheyanne and the other students. The school system should make sure this teacher and teachers aid are never allowed back in a classroom with children...or in any employment position over children for that matter. It is sad that this type of bullying from teachers ever happens, but it does, and it is not easy to try to reveal the truth of what is going on in these types of situations.

I have had the horrendous experience of having my child witness and experience this type of bullying behavior from a teacher with more vulnerable students in the classroom, and followed similar path that these parents did...speaking to the teacher(s), going to the principle, the superintendent, etc. It seems in the defense tactics of those who attempt to protect such teachers are just as bizarre as the teachers...we heard all the same rhetoric...the kids were liars, the kids were the problem, the teacher has never had any complaints against her through decade(s) in the classroom, etc. Some misled people (and those with their own agendas) will come out of the woodwork to paint these twisted, bully teachers as "great, caring teachers"...practically deify them, and attempt to vilify and demonize anyone who speaks up against their abuse. It was sickening to experience and observe what went on in our community regarding an abusive teacher situation in which some parents attempted to address the situation, but unions hold a lot of power and teachers who will bully more vulnerable children obviously have no conscience in their behavior and retaliation tactics. Just as in every other walk of life, there are unfortunately a few who go into teaching to satisfy their own power trip and desire to abuse the vulnerable. People need to know that these type of teachers, unfortunately, do exist, and although there are many, many great educators who deserve our thanks, you need to listen carefully to your children and your gut...and take action when necessary.

I commend this family for listening to their daughter and acting to protect her...and now attempting to protect all the other children who may have the misfortune to be placed under either of these "educators" authority. Thank you Cheyanne. You are far wiser than those who were supposed to be teaching you.

Does the word "tenure" remind anyone of anything? Bad teachers all too frequently hide behind their rights of tenure. It's easier to pick gnat dung out of a desert than it is to get rid of bad teachers in this country.

The only reason for tenure is $$$$$$$$$$, free health care or nearly free for life and a pension taxpayers are saddled with for 3 or more decades.

No job should ever be tenured for any reason. It only encourages abuses. The major reason? Burn out.

i realize i'm responding a little late to one post, but i need to say this. regarding #1.16, ItsAboutTime's post:

"However, I am not in favor of a large lawsuit against the school district. Yes, what these people did to this little girl is wrong... but guess who else will suffer when/if the school district has a huge pay out.. "the rest of the students and teachers" who are still there. They are just as innocent and shouldn't be punished because of two bad apples."

i have to disagree here. nobody knows if the rest of the teachers are innocent. i would think that at the very least, they probably knew what was going on because people talk and brag. and if these two women are as bad and as arrogant and as inhuman as they appear to be, they probably joked about students in the 'teacher's lounge'. so that would make them (the other teachers) culpable, ESPECIALLY if they said nothing (i mean, the school administrators themselves tried to shift the blame back onto the student, even go so far as to threaten the parents). and if the teachers are being abusive, it's not a stretch to think that some other kids are likely doing it as well. i think the school needs to be torn down and rebuilt. not physically, of course. but each teacher/administrator should be looked at with a microscope, and if there's any hint of abuse, throw them out and replace them. show the kids that yes, adults DO care about their welfare.

so yes, i do think the school should be sued into oblivion. it would truly be unfair if this abuse was rampant and it's only now being discovered... and other children who were/are abused get nothing out of this. THAT, to me, is the unfair part of all of this. that others have suffered in quiet.

you don't take a chance with a child's future. because ultimately, that's OUR future.

Good for you, Nancy!!

3 months after transferring to a regular program, MY DAUGHTER WAS TRANSFERRED TO THE HIGH SCHOOL OF THE PERFORMING ARTS with a scholarship in play writing. And do you know what the first play she wrote was?? About the DAMAGE that BULLYING does!!

Although very different circumstances, I pulled my daughter from public school as a sophmore: that school and teachers and administration were not helping, they were harming this child. Bottom line is as you say: need to follow your gut level instincts, because we will protect our children!

People in positions of Authority have to exert power over something, even if it's over the Handicapped.

That is what makes them feel relevant as sad as it may seem.

It is called Human Nature.

@itsabouttime...the school district won't pay anything...their insurer will..and that's a fact of life in the good ol' USA for real...check it out if you're not believing it...

that said...OHIO must have a weak-kneed Attorney General, local police force and the like for allowing evidence like this not convince them that a investigation was(not)warranted for the evidence that the Dad had...so; unless his the father's attorneys worked pro-bono, they also received close to a third of the pitiful award for the damages caused by all those individuals involved...& they should be swiftly pursuing criminal charges against all the people that this father tried to gain some sort of resolution for his daughter from...

I for one would have had a cot in a cell by now if that was me listening to those recordings of my daughter being abused by her 'teachers'...I would have had confrontations with all of them and surely would have lost my cool when replaying the evidence in front of them as they squirmed and denied that they never did anything wrong...and still I pray and hope that their justice is swift and measured with the same yardstick they used against a defenseless, precious, gift from God...

that being said...what the heck was the aide thinking calling that kid fat????...her friggin' 'boss'..the overgrown fat-headed POS next to her is obviously a two-ton tessie to begin with...oh..wait..that's right..she was whispering to the little girl so as not to be heard from the gorilla next to her a few feet away...

solution for these complete wastes of humaity would be a baseball bat to the head...after breaking every single bone in their body before the that last merciful swing to the head...

absolutely sickening....

JerkinCoolClothes...

Thank you for your insightful comment...I agree. These things usually do not happen in a vacuum. During the experience I related above, I was pulled into a classroom by another (actually kind and caring) teacher when walking down the elementary school hallway, and told by her, "Don't do anything, don't say anything, I've seen her RUIN children. I am worried about ________(my child)." I said "RUIN children?... all the more reason to put a stop to this now." In this case, everyone in the school building was afraid of this teacher, who was also a building "union rep.". So pathetic that so many innocent kids had to experience this teacher's abuse for so many years in her classroom. Thankfully, she was removed from that classroom and building....however she was transferred to a situation where she would supposedly always be under the direction of another educator in the classroom, but would be working with some special needs children (horror). As ewent said in a comment above, "It is easier to pick gnat dung out of a desert than it is to get rid of bad teachers". Thank you, too, for that comment ewent...so true.

There will always be "bad apples" in every profession. The teacher and her aide are both ROTTEN to the CORE! The video of that Father and how UPSET he is over the situation is truly, truly, truly -- HEART BREAKING! You try to protect your children ... but as a parent -- you can't be every where. Sad story I have to say!

I had to take an hour to calm myself down after reading this story it is so disturbing. My 13 y/o daughter is a high functioning austistic, learning disabled 7th grader. She did not choose this disability any more than she chose the color of her hair, or her parents for that matter. I tell people I would never trade her for anyone else because as a physican I deal with autistic children (and adults) who all have one thing in comon. They Know No Evil. They have the unique gift, as you will, to see only the good in others and are perplexed when someone does something, or says something, that disrupts that thought process. 'Normal' people, and children, have the ability and thought processes to figure out who is trustworthy and who is not but my daughter will see only the good in others and will filter out the bad as if it were never there. You will never hear stories of special needs children bullying gifted children nor will you ever hear a special child speak ill of their teacher. They will never whine that the test was too hard or the teacher didn't go over a test question in class. They don't care if their friends have acne, are overweight or can't run very fast. They are just happy to have you in their world, yes, sometimes it is a world hard to understand but it is a world that we should all aspire to be in where we could trust the sincerity of others' actions and words. Any special education teacher knows this characteristic about special needs children which is why this should be considered Child Abuse and a Criminal Offense. God help their souls.

Al...

So true...thank you for your heartfelt comment. My daughter (actually the same child who during elementary school, suffered tremendously under the twisted, demented, abusive teacher I spoke of above) is now a Speech Therapist and has also had the great pleasure and honor of working with many autistic children. She absolutely cherishes the opportunity to interact with these children, and says she would do her job for free...thats how much she loves her work with these special kids. God works in mysterious ways.

The teachers involved should be sent to prison for child abuse. Anything less is a failure of our system of justice.

A big part of the problem is that parents usually have no way of knowing what goes on in classrooms. Five days a week -- throughout their childhood -- you send them off to spend 7 hours under the care of perfect strangers that will tell you virtually nothing about what goes on. What moron thought this would be a good system?

As someone above said, we need video cameras installed in all classrooms and parents should be given the right to inspect the videos. If parents are going to entrust their children -- EVERY DAY -- to people that are basically strangers, there should be some robust checks and balances in place to prevent this kind of abuse.

I'm shocked the teachers are so unprofessional--one of them had the guts to fail her without marking her exam. Verbal abuse is bad enough, but this is the sort of thing that would prevent her from getting anywhere.

I am a member of a union and am happy to say that I have seen a couple of people get fired. It can, and does, happen. The people I know of went to the union for help and were basically told that what they did was too bad and they couldn't help them. I hope that's what happens with the teacher. I can't imagine anyone defending what she did.

JerkInCoolClothes

so yes, i do think the school should be sued into oblivion

BRAVO!!!!

Yes. A severe message MUST be sent to the schoold AND the community. The media needs to get off its selective reporting, sensationalism embracing, journalistic malfeasance and make this a national story.

Every school and parent needs to know this is most likely NOT an isolated incident. Unfortunately. When a child, ANY CHILD, complains, it needs to be thoroughly investigated. In this case it lasted 3 YEARS. This is unconscionable!

Punishment must be swift and severe to send a clear message that if this happens again the same consequences will be felt. Our justice system can no longer pander to their political partisanship and judgement must be fair and effective.

This needs to be expanded to ALL areas of our government. Had the banks not been bailed out, a very serious message would have been sent that their criminality will NOT be tolerated.

I agree with today's technology you should be able to pull up your child's classroom on your home computer and monitor their behavior and the teacher. I would also be a great way to see what they are teaching are children.

No question, the Principal of this school needs to get the axe, as well

Schools protect teachers, the medical profession protects doctors, churches protect preachers, cops protect cops, lawyers protect lawyers, government protects officials, etc., tell me something that I didn't know.

This kind of crap is going on in schools all over the country. Kudos to these parents for keeping after it until something, anything was done. Schools protect their own. Same kind of crap happened in my sons High School. Get on a teachers bad side and see how quick they are to take it out on your child. After meetings with the principal, the administrators and the superintendent all they could do was send me a letter stating that my son was 18 (he was a senior) and because he was an adult they would no longer discuss his school matters with me. Oh really? Had my son sign a power of attorney. The fight continues!

IWonder,

You are right. Society does group itself (humans are pack animals too!) and self-protect but I will tell you that teachers, doctors, preachers, cops, lawyers, and politicians are also parents and most parents will fiercely protect their children so when one child is hurt and abused the potential for any child to be hurt and abused exists so it effects the whole pack which is why this is so disturbing. These teachers have violated societal norms and hurt not only their profession but undermined parental trust with a vunerable group of children.

This is one of the reasons why video cameras should be installed in each classroom. Bad teachers will be removed and bad students who are acting out will be caught and removed thus allowing the good teachers to educate the good students.

I'd like to see their faces when they're both denied unenjoyment bennies!

Those slimy teachers felt comfortable and safe doing these things because they are members of the teachers union and know that there will be no or little consequence for them, an anti-American organization if there ever was one...just look how they have dumbed down our children, the hope of this country,...they graduate them still functionally illiterate.....and here in California they make them learn about fagz and lezzies..next comes the requirement to participate in demonstrations.....

The most ironic thing is, if someone in that school, including one of those two losers, even remotely suspected that a child was being abused at home, even if none occured, the government would come down hard on the parents, taking the child away while it was being "investigated" and ruining the parents' reputations. However, when the parents report abuse at the school, it's dismissed and the parents are even threatened for "harassment."

There is an anti-bullying class for teachers? We have to train them not to bully children? That's interesting.

Lawsuit against the school system? All that does is shift the burden to the taxpayer. The taxpayer is not the one who is at fault.

She can be protected by her union because she has "tenure"? Ok, maybe it's time to get rid of tenure. Maybe it's time to get rid of the union too. How about school vouchers so the parents aren't trapped in a system that ignores two monsters abusing their kid and instead allows them to put her in a private school? That would send a message to the rest of the school employees to shape up or you're going to be out of a job.

The rest of us in the private sector have to compete. It's time for school employees to have competition too.

I think we are seeing a picture of why bullying has been allowed to continue in schools. Many of the bullies are also teachers. That would explain why so many teachers "don't see it happening". More like turing a blind eye.

The teacher and her assistant should go to jail for child abuse! The administration should also be investigated for not reporting the abuse pointed out to them NUMEROUS times by the parents!

Verbal abuse is much worse than physical abuse!!!

This is a clear case of child abuse!

Cyber bullies are just as bad!

ewent, tenure does NOT cover these teachers' actions.

Jerry. That is soooo true!!!!

Heads should roll!

These two teachers need to be prosecuted for verbal and mental abuse on a disabled/special needs child.

They both should have been fired, not laid off or made to resign.

I hope the DA prosecute these two degenerates for abusing their authorities on a minor with a disability.

I would have made copies of the tapes and taken them back up to the school and shoved them up the backsides of those two hags, the principle and the idiot at the board of education!

I think there is a special place in hell for all who did not investigate this incident fully. I applaud the parents for standing by their daughter to protect her and the other children in the class.

It seems these ladies under-estimated the child and the parents who love her...Neither should ever have a job that includes any contact with children, special needs or the elderly. Let them apply to work in the prison system...see how far the BS gets them there.

Not sure that waiting for God to handle it will help. I say take action now and set an example.

Firing them is a start.

I didn't say that we needed to wait for God to handle it. I think that the teacher, the aide and all of the administration that was contacted before the tapes were turned in and did nothing need to be fired immediately.

Stone them both in the town square!! I have a special needs child; but, she has a voice. We discuss daily what has happened @ school good or bad.....god bless this child - it didn't appear she has much of a voice. Way-to-go Dad for bringing this out......

The other problem in most school districts is the funding for special needs children. In my state, they claim there isn't enough funding and yet nearly 1 or more students in every classroom has "special needs".

One little girl, a special needs 6 year old, was constantly being dumbed down by her teacher. I advised the child's mother to have her daughter independently tested because in my view, she was unusually intelligent. Some school districts do not have teachers who can tolerate savant mentalities.

The little girl was pulled from that teacher's class and yes...it turns out she had an extraordinarily high IQ, something Mrs. Witchie Poo claimed wasn't the case on the tests she had done by the "evaluation team" most of whom were union cronies.

With education union members, not even the Mafia rule of Omerta is as invincible.

Excuse me but those women should be charged with abusing a minor. Let alone a special needs child. And the superintendent and principle should resign for neglegence because of their irresponsibility and attitudes about slander instead of protecting the children from their criminal minded employees.

What these women said and did is downright sickening. It's awful the parents had to resort to taping the "teachers" in order for anyone in the district to take them seriously. The whole lot of them deserve the wave of negative reactions they're going to receive.

crys for serious consequences...hahaha...the union will thwart any of that...by the way , how come the union wasn't brought in on the discussion?...interesting

bet their pensions and benefits keep coming in...the recent vote in Ohio will see to that...isn't it cool?

This matter needs to NOT be decided by the school administration. This is a clear matter of criminal intent to injure a person of a protected class. 15 to 25 years in prison apiece with no parole seems about fair. De-certify their union will help also......

People "keep" these jobs because it is a job and that is sad. In this world, they think any jobs better than no job, but when it comes to education, child welfare things like that, if you don't like it, get out. This is why our children are growing up with not much education. The teachers don't care about these kids. They get paid whether kids learn or not. Same with government jobs. When was the last time you spoke to someone at DMV, motor vehicle, social services or anywhere and they spoke to you like they were happy to be there? I would kill for their job and benefits and appreciate that I had those things. No wonder people dislike them so much, they treat us like scum.

How many of these incidences have to take place? We talk about bullying in the classrooms, schools on line .. peer to peer, we talk about child abuse : parent to child

but what about the bullying that is prevalent in our schools. We currently have a commercial running that makes me ill every time I see it .. a campaign to stop talking badly about teachers "because I'm one of them"

So how about the teacher who told my, then, 6th grade son "I will make this the most miserable year of your life" and admitted it in an IEP meeting to the school principal, special ed director, school psychologist and we were told "sometimes we have to 'make a point with *these* kids or they won't get it' (oh these kids ? really?)

In 9th grade a teacher said he wasn't going to make an IEP accommodations for "that lazy assed boy" (to my face, in an IEP meeting)

In 10th grade a teacher said that he was stupid or he'd have gotten what she said the first time

In 11th grade (in another school) a teacher said she didn't have time for student not smart enough to keep up

in 12th grade a teacher said that she would not make a single modification the IEP required until HE showed some self motivation ... yeah, you've got a kid who reads at 5th grade level due to developmental delays (IQ of 80 , auditory and visual processing disorders ) and you're going to stick 12th grade work in front of him with NO modifications until HE becomes motivated?

I fought hard .. but got few results, maybe stories like this girls will start to make people realize that our special needs kids are at high risk and much of it coming from those who blame the child's parents ... when the parents are the only one's loving them enough to bring them to adulthood as great people despite the abuse poured on them by peers AND teachers.

Sadly, I know more stories from these schools than just my own child's.

MY OWN OPINION

FYI the only reason why a SPED kid with a 5th grade level of comphrehension is presented with 12th grade level work is BECAUSE OF NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND RULES coerces such------This is not the teachers choice-----in fact this was mandated by NCLB---so thank Bush rather than bash the teacher or school

my own opinion,

Sorry to hear about your son's experience - did you try to mediate or a due process action to get these teachers to comply?

Silly Shrinks NCLB is the force .. but the refusal to make the accommodations called for in the IEP is 100% on the shoulders of the teacher.

C NJ Mom .. over the 15 years we had to deal with the district we:

Filed due process 2 times (and won)

Requested an audit 5 times (which was done)

Had the state senate education committee audit the school system (they did .. for 3 years post this eval we had few problems .. it actually did the most good .. this is NOT the state department of education .. but the state senate's educational committee .. BIG difference)

We appeared before the school board no less than 10 times, (I say 13, my husband says 15, we have records of 10 .. but I didn't save everything .. it wouldn't fit in the house)

Filed due process again ... but didn't have to go to due process

and Went through arbitration (and won)

Did we fight .. yes .. and had we had more resources, both financial and physical I'd have done more ... my husband is disabled from a child hood illness and I have Lupus and was in and out of the hospital throughout my child's childhood

The judge/arbitrator/ special ed director/school board can all *SAY* these must be done but unless they are in the classroom making the teacher ... it's not going to happen if the teacher doesn't want to ...

That sucks, MOO. We haven't had it as bad as you, but I do wish you the best. I think if I were in your shoes, I'd do as this father in the story did and take it to the press. Just a thought....

@Silly Shrinks .. Politically, I'm somewhere to the left of Jimmy Carter but even I wouldn't blame this one on Bush. This happens for a much simpler reason: there are very few checks and balances in place to protect the rights of children in school.

Parents rarely have any way of knowing what goes on at school. That's a system that ensures abuse. Any time that human beings are allowed to operate in secret with NO outside observation, bad things happen.

You are absolutely right. I had the same response from a superintendant in our area. I advised him of a principal that had lied on her resume regarding drug use and the fact that she had not disclosed that she was arrested for drunk driving. His response-we did a background check and drug test when she was hired and that they were standing behind that. I informed him I could smoke all the way to the clinic and still pass his drug test. What an imbecile!

Sed...Absolutely correct. The School Board needs to fire the Principle as well. Good point. Penn State fired the President...Now this school needs to suck it up and fire the Principle.

The camera idea - I like it. Kids would be more accountable, teachers/aides - on the playground would be good too, it's a zoo out there.

I'm not surprised the administration lied. I'd love to know who really has the power in that school. I've seen at least one school where the mothers and fathers on the PTA ran the show and anyone who wasn't on the PTA was bupkiss. And the children whose parents weren't on PTA got put through hell if they didn't have friends whose parents were on the PTA. My problems were dismissed until one teacher saw what was going on. Oddly, she was gone the next year.

Sedjreck, surveillance cameras sound like a good idea to me, too. Supposedly, our school buses have them to help catch bullies there, why not have them in the classrooms, too?

Some people should not be around children at all. Some people cannot handle being around special needs children. I think a person needs the patience of Job to teach special needs children. And with the goal of mainstreaming special needs children, I think all teachers need to have experience handling them.

I recall one incidence of a teacher hitting a student in middle school (the student was immediately removed from the class and the teacher was disciplined). I also remember a teacher losing his temper with the class clown one time. But I do not recall repeated verbal abuse of any student. I went to public school. I heard things were quite different in Catholic school. Physical abuse was the norm there. (Children's heads being knocked together, children being hit with dust pans and rulers, etc.)

I'm thankful the father took his daughter's complaints seriously and acted to prevent further abuse. Not all parents can/will do that.

I like the camera idea as well. It would help determine cheating, bullying, and abuse by and to a teacher. This is a good idea Sed!! Good post. Could cure a lot of ills that are happening in our school system--like how often do the football players actually show up for class before they get that A or B? Sed...great post and great idea...Let's go for it!!!

I have said that about cameras in the classroom as well. I have a special needs child and, if I were able to watch video footage, I may be able to help them with any behavioral problems. I would be able to see the possible triggers so that they could avoid problems in the future. It doesn't work quite as well if you are physically in the classroom with them.

The daycare that my child attends has cameras in all the classrooms so there is never any question what went on. Then again, there would probably be quite a few teachers out of a job if there were video of their classrooms.

The superintendent does seem rather worthless. Before you know it he will be snapped up by a larger district for more $$$$$$.

The super in my district was one of the least accomplished English teachers who managed to get in with the 'In" crowd on the BOE. He went from a $92,000 a year salary as a middle school English teacher to a $210,000 salary as the super. He stayed exactly 1 year until he found another job at a higher salary in a neighboring school district. Only after he convinced the school board that the schools were too crowded and we needed another few hundred million in a brand new high school.

Mind you, this was only after about 8 years earlier when our idiot BOE created a "dual campus from two existing high schools".

Anyone who says education isn't a huge business corporate style is naive.

Ours came with scandals from Virginia Beach....he is a sad piece of work. But his bonus structure reaches into the millions.

As the mother of an 8year old special needs/Autistic son, I cried watching the video. Then I got angry. At the teacher, the aide and the school district. I hope that the family was able to move and start over in a new, supportive community. Clearly these women are so unhappy, ugly (possibly sociopathic?) on the inside that they have to reduce other children to feeling the way they do to build themselves back up. Both of their Act 33 clearances need to be blocked from ever being around another child-ever!

Sidenote:Really hope that neither of them procreated to make way for a new generation of bullies.

This story really makes me appreciate the wonderful teachers and the aides at my son's PA school, especially in the Autism Support groups, who exclusively work with special needs children.

East, these are not 'examples of higher education.' Higher Education would be college - post-grad, etc. This was done in elementary and middle school, which is part of the K-12 system. I think every parent who suspects their child of being bullied should send them 'wired for sound' like this father did. And I agree with the person who wrote that they should have surveillance camera in the classroom, in day-car areas, and obviously in Penn States shower room.

And obviously they are not the 'best' - they are the 'worst' and every business, school, non-profit has them. I would suggest you obtain a little 'higher education' so you're not so smug and wrong in your assertions.

Maga... if you didn't understand the intent behind the original message, you need to get a basic level of common sense.

You were on the OJ jury weren't you?

Maga,

Are YOU that damn dumb? EastRowanDad meant that the TEACHERS are products of hugher education! You have to have a college degree to be a certified teacher in most areas of the country.

Maga, EastRowanDad was making a facetious comment regarding the teachers. Teachers must have a college degree and he is saying that these two referenced in the article are indeed poor examples of what our educational system produces.

You did not understand the irony in his statement.

Maga - Really? Assuming the teacher went to college, she would be what EastRowanDad referred to as an example of what our higher education system is putting out. And I'm pretty sure his comment is dripping in sarcasm. You really made yourself sound ignorant on this one.

This not an example of the best of higher education. This is an example of an evil and mean spirit, plain and simple. Higher education or no education at all has nothing to do with pure evil.

And our politicians wonder why our student's SAT scores are lower than most other developed countries....Maybe, because they care more about protecting the school than educating the students.

Although Maga did misinterpret the usage of higher education in this persons post, I think that he/she does make a valid point. This is not an example of the best and brightest that our higher education institutions are releasing into the workforce. This is an example of people that are just plain inadequate at their chosen profession. This can be seen across the board in every major and minor profession, and is no a result of the best of anything in this country. The problem isn't our institutions of higher learning allowing unacceptable candidates to obtain degrees, but rather a problem with our society in which some choose to only do the bare minimum or substantially less because they know, at the end of the day, they will receive a paycheck the same as those that are dedicated. It seems that when something like this happens, we are so quick to throw every educator under the bus, and treat them all as if they are the same as these two pathetic excuses for human beings, when in reality this is representative of the minority of teachers. Please use your minds when developing opinions, instead of letting anger take charge.

I believe it is a deeper rooted problem of change in work ethic, moral values and instilling them into our children in the last 10-20 years. Across the board, different vocations, levels of skill...doesn't matter-people have a bad attitude towards people, life, everything. It has become so much what can I have, get from this. If we don't respect others and what we have this is what it comes to.

I was also bullied by peers in middle school. Yes, it has made me a stronger person, but I always wondered why the school let it go on when they could obviously see it everyday. I believe it has to start with the adults/parents around children to help them see that it isn't right behavior. As a teacher, they should always take the higher ground and never, never sink to a bullies level. Each Adult needs to examine their behavior!

Parents-always, always stick up for your children, love them unconditionally and try to encourage them. Let them know you care! These parents did right in believing their daughter.

What's in you (the ability to be a bully) is there b/c you won't acknowledge and FIX IT. Not the fault of College Professors, but of you.

Ooooooooo....my bad. I had totally read it the wrong way.

BUT, having said that, I have to note that Steve and Valarie's response seems to come from people who probably were/are bullies...Steve and Valarie...please refer to post 7.10. Now, don't be offended - I'm just trying to help you see your crappy attitudes with someone you don't even know and who ADMITs to having made an error in the way I read/posted about the first comment.

Oh and Valarie...I'm not dumb enough that I would misspell 'higher' (hugher)

MMMK. Can we all move on now? Both/all are right/wrong in their ASSertations of the others intelligence levels. Why does everyone on here have to resort to name calling and "Im smarter than you!" on here IMMEDIATELY, instead of using this site as a place for well intended debates and opinions? It tends to fall upon deaf ears that way.

Makes you wonder if they were aware there would be children involved when they decided to go into the educational system.

sickandtired, the problem is, they are in it for the money, not because of the children. The evidence of this stands out in this case.

I am praying for you. There are no words for your sorry and angst. I am choking up as I write this.

I'm sorry for your loss. I went through bullying when I was in middle school for 4 long enduring years. The teachers would sometimes participate and other times would turn their heads and ignore it.

I personally believe that you should take the bully's parents to court. I think if the parents of these kids were punished, they might start to care a bit more about what it is their kids are doing in school. The School administration needs to be punished as well.

Again, sorry for your loss.

What i am thinking of is an anti-bullying alliance of parents and like minded people ..something like OWS.

Whenever and where ever there is bullying which is not being effectively handled by the school, the alliance members should gather in front of the school exercising our right to a peaceful assembly with placards and shouts slogans against the school administration. Another group could assemble in front of the home or work place of the parents of the kids who are doing the bullying and hold placards and shout slogans telling them what lousy parents they are ....

Something pro-active from the people is the only thing that can make a difference.

Most schools bandy the words "ZERO TOLERANCE for BULLYING but no one really takes it seriously.

My heart goes out to you and your family during this difficult time.

I suggest that you and those other parents go to your weekly school board meetings and make the changes you need to in the school system. All school employees are under the jurisdiction of the school board. Fastest and easiest way to get this man fired!

My heart goes out to you! We had a 10 year old commit suicide in one of our neighboring school districts last Friday due to bullying. I want to know why 10 year olds are calling each other sl uts and other assorted terrible things. Her family has went public to try to bring this issue more into the light. Please know that we are supporting you.

facebook dot com/Ashlynn.Conner.Anti.Bullying.Foundation

Call a lawyer and take them to hell. No one should have to die to appease this sick society's bloodlust towards those it can't accept. Those school officials must protect our kids or else.

I'm so sorry for your loss. I too want to cry. I wish you the best and hope healing comes your way.

I've just got out of high school so i know how it is. I wasn't one of the popular kids, but i got along well enough that i was never really picked on, but i tried to stop bullying on many occasions. Our school dean's stopped bullying whenever they saw it, or even heard about it. Sounds like your principals need a lesson from them.

It can be frustrating i know, i hope that there is some healing fro you and justice for them.

I would like to help anyway i can.

I honestly think you should move and sue

What a heartbreaking thing for you and your family to be going through. I am so sorry for your loss and hope that your daughters life can still impact those around her by an example of what happens when people bully. No child should take their own life due to pressure from peers.

Pamela

I am so sorry to hear about your daughter. I had to deal with issues of bullies with my younger daughter, but nothing like your daughter endured.

The only thing I can think that might put a stop to issues such as what your daughter endured is to get parent organizations, politicians, and media involved. Bullies families and schools don't like to be embarrassed.

My daughter's issues were also in a very small town. There are a lot of good things about small towns, but lack of bullying isn't one of them. The "hierarchy" of kids from the older families tend to bully new kids until they are made to stop. In our case, the bully was a queen bee of sports and the coaches would let her do what she wanted because "she is such a good athlete". I went to the coaches, principle, superintendent, and finally threatened with police and Dallas media. THAT is when the school authorities stepped in.

My advice to you is to GO to the media, your representatives, any one who will listen and even those who don't. DON'T let them silence you. The squeaky wheel gets the grease and sooner or later you will make head way.

The mother of Amber Hagerman (Amber Alert) was from Arlington, where we lived at the time of Amber's death. Her mother went to media, congress, etc to get a law for quicker response to abducted children; Amber might have been found in time if there had been such a law back then. I hope you do as Amber's mother did. FIGHT BACK! Ta'Shika's (and your) story needs to be heard by a large audience. Bullying is something that is destroying lives across the nation and is tolerated by far too many school authorities. It has to stop.

Again, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope that you can take Ta'Shika's bullying and your loss of Ta'Shika and turn it to the benefit of all the other bullied kids and potential suicide victims. This might help ease your loss; to get something good and lasting accomplished from your tragedy. Good luck with your quest, my prayers are with you.

So sorry for your loss.

There are no words to say how sorry I am for your loss. We send our children to school and expect them to be in a safe environment. The school officials who turn a blind eye and do nothing are even more responsible than the kids who did the bullying. I am so sorry.

You need to hire a lawyer and go after everyone.Includeing the students.They are wrong things can be done.As well go after the kids parents.

Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss.

My mother has been an elementary school teacher in Iowa for over 30 years. This type of bullying is not isolated to small communities or large. Children that display bullying and hate speech behaviors reflect a lack of respect and self- esteem, possible problems at home, as well as learned intolerance behaviors. I am sorry to hear of yet another young person taking their own life, Ta'Shika is at peace. No bullying in heaven. The horrible issue, is the other children, that may go on to do this to someone else. My prayers are that soon, school districts impose mandatory cameras in classrooms, as well tolerance classes to teach children why this type of behavior is unacceptable. As for the bullying teachers, licenses to teach and assistant teach should be revoked permanently!! They should know better!

I am so sorry for your loss. I too am the mother of a child who committed suicide. The pain is overwhelming. If your child was being hit and spit on, why weren't any charges brought against those kids. Assault and battery would be appropriate for those physically trespassing against her. One thing you have to realize though, as far as making their parents accountable, most kids that act innapropriate learn from their parents. You may come up against parents that are very defensive even if their child's behavior pushes a kid to suicide. It's not their own kid so it doesn't hit home like it should. Once again, I am so sorry for you and your family. I hate to say this because it won't bring you any peace right away but maybe your outrage combined with your strength and knowing that you're defending the right of your child and others that have had to endure bullying, will help ease your pain. Don't let her death be in vain. Be her voice now and do everything you can to stop it. Lawsuits are usually very effective in getting someone's attention. Document every single meeting you've had with Principals, teachers and administrators. Documentation is key for your case. Good Luck and God Bless.

Nothing I say can bring back your daughter or relieve your grief--still, ma'am--get a lawyer and make your daughter's death have meaning to these people. Fight for the others that are bullied to death. This is so sad...My heart goes out to you...

I was in tears when I read this article, and this post. I just wanted to tell Cheyenne that all people aren't like this. Where do these evil adults come from? I can't imagine what goes through their minds as they abuse and bully children. I get sick to my stomach just reading the stories. Shame on all of you bullies and heartless people. If the teachers were caught on tape, they should be held accountable. Eight hours of training is not punishment. For someone who obviously doesn't like kids much, it was probably a vacation to her.

Please parents, talk to your kids, and let them know that NO bullying, by an adult or child, should be tolerated. As a post before said, teach them to be on the right side; help those kids who are bullied and report the bullies, teachers or no.

Ms. Moneypenny,

I'm sorry to hear about your daughter Tashika Tengler committing suicide. It's terrible that children are so cruel, and the adults who should be protecting our most venerable children, don't. May time help to ease your pain.

my heart goes out to you...

now get some good lawyers and file a law suit...and do something positive with the money ...on your daughters behalf...

Im so Sorry for your loss & mad as hell that this happens. If I can help in any way Please let me know. I am putting your story on my facebook page. I am so Sorry. Let's make sure that Principal loses his Job! Can you put his name & the school on here?

There is nothing I can say except my heart breaks for you and I will pray for you. You are courageous to write your post. I only hope that a huge audience will learn of this tragedy, and that good will come of it by way of preventing this from happening again, to even one precious child.

Texana Deb is right. We learned from experience with local politicians and authorities (on other issues, not bullying) that the best chance you have to force changes is to make this as public and as widespread as possible. It's easy for them to blow off a few parents; getting rid of the press is impossible once they really get going. Small-town politics are a lot harder to deal with, and you really do have to force change. They will not do anything they don't have to, and no one wants Dateline knocking on their door.

Pamela, I am so sorry about your daughter. Do whatever it takes to get her story told nationwide. I know it will not bring her back, but someday it may help spare another family your grief and their child's pain.

Ms. Moneypenny, you have suffered the worst imaginable horror a parent could know. Don't try to deal with your feelings by yourself. Seek the help of family, friends and professionals. My sincere condolences on the loss of your daughter.

This is the reason why people who bully must be met with what they understand best. Children should not be committing suicide and especially not because of the ignorant rantings of people who clearly were not raised properly. My daughter was bullied in kindergarten and in first grade if one can even imagine that! In kindergarten, that was settled easily enough as we were moving and I then put my daughter in a Catholic school with a small student population and an excellant reputation. Everything was fine until a little boy started bullying her. I went the usual route.......talked to the teacher because my daughter and this boy were in the same class, talked to the parents, individually because they were seperated at the time. Talked with the principal who called both my daughter and the boy into his office and had a "talk" with them both. Nothing worked. Until the night of the Christmas play at school. I told the boy's father that I wanted to talk with him after the play (my husband died when our daughter was 10 months old so I am a single parent). So after the the play is over, I notice this man rushing to the school cafeteria where everyone's coats were and hustling his son and his younger daughter into their coats. Basically trying to run from the situation. Too bad for him he wasn't fast enough. I was so mad, I let him have it right there and then. No I did not deck him, not yet that is. I confronted him with the continuing problem his son was causing in my daughter's life. He had an excuse for all of it then he said that his son had already apologized to my daughter. As if THAT was the end of the matter. I told him that I had not heard his son apologize to my daughter and furthermore, that his son was still bullying my daughter, he told me that I needed to calm down and get out of his face. I freely admit that I was not utlilizing my quiet voice in the school cafeteria. I also admit that when he told me to calm down I called him a lot of four letter words that definitely should not be said in a school cafeteria, let alone a catholic school cafeteria. And THEN I decked him. I also told him that if my daughter ever mentioned his son's name to me again, under any context, he could expect a lot worse than the ego bruising he got that night. Never had another problem from them. Bullying changes the core of who your child is. I was starting to see that in my little girl even at that young age (she is now 11 and does not stand for any type of bullying to herself or others). She learned some valuable lessons that night. Ones that have helped her more than hurt her. She also knows that I will protect her with everything in me. Do I wish things could have been settled otherwise? That goes without saying. I tried to handle things in the manner that they should be handled but that did not work. I'd like to think that the boy and his father learned a lesson or two themselves. There is far too much of this type of behavior going on and it is up to those of us who understand that each of our children has the potential to wind up as Ms. Moneypenny's daughter did. Bullying must be stopped in its tracks because the suicide of children because of it, is totally and wholly unacceptable.

Justice for Tashika! - I am not a lawyer but you have a case. The "system" let your daughter down. Bullies "won" - I will stand with you in this fight, as will other "strangers." No child should suffer or lose their life because of bullying. My heart grieves with you that nothing will bring Tashika back. She was ignored by the persons that parents expect to watch over their children - there is no excuse, not for the bullies, their parents or the people in the system that failed to stop them even when told of the problem. Call Anytime- R in OH.

Pamela, I am so very sorry for the loss of your daughter. It breaks my heart to read your story. You are so brave to share your story. I hope you can get a lawyer and try to fight that school system. If you find a lawyer who says he can't do anything, then try a different lawyer. Again, I am so very sorry and you take care of yourself. You are in my prayers.

I am so so sorry for your loss. Your daughter's story is compelling and you should do what others on here have suggested, call the media. Sick them on all the bastards in that little town that did nothing, may they rot in hell.

I am saying this through tears: My deepest condolences to you! No parent should have to lose a child, especially to bullying. So truly sorry for your loss!

That said: My son is having an issue with one kid, called school, kids parents, been going on for a minute, nothing is being done. The kid almost got him labeled bully his first week, and that is not true. I am raising anti bullies, and I have proven this to myself. I hate to say it before I say it, but this is the only way I see it stopping this far into it: I told my son, who is a 106 lb 10 year old, that if the little punk (maybe 60 lbs soaking wet) says one more word, he is to grab him up, pull him real close and say "say it. Do it right now". If he does, he has my permission to get suspended for socking him one. And his step dad and grandmother. All of us agree. I was bullied for a minute, but not long because I was raised with "you dont start it, but you damn well finish it!" I only had to fight once in junior high and high school, and after I stood up, they stopped. I know fists arent always the answer, but when you dont get help from anyone else, take matters into your own hands.

I agree with you!!

I would sue them for everything they had and take a sizable chunk off them to start an after school program for kids with special needs to help them with homework time and to help them socialize with other kids (both like them and "regular") and give them someplace they can feel accepted. These two gals obviously weren't in the teaching game to educate, encourage, and support children, they were just in it for the paycheck-I'm glad they got caught and are now having to pay for it with one lost job and two very ruined reputations on a very national teaching community.

Melanie, I couldn't agree more. Not only the Superintendant but the school principle as well. Of course the teacher should have her license suspended for a minimum of two years, and fired from this position. Eight hours of training is a joke, all the teaches at this school should be required to take that training as a matter of course. $300,000 is wholley inadequate compensation for what their daughter endured. Bravo to these parents for sticking to their guns and protecting their child.

I totally agree.

You are absolutely right, teacher. Loving children and respecting them IS a basic requirement. Although it most often starts out that way, it may disappear over time. When a teacher realizes that he or she no longer cares the way they used to, or begins to resent the children, or begins to dislike their job, they should be intelligent enough to realize it's time to get out of the profession. I was very fortunate. Almost all of my teachers were terrific. Throughout 12 years of school, I had only two teachers who were basically quite vile. One, 80-year old Sister Mary Cat'o'ninetails, who taught third grade, actually used a whip on me, raising bloody welts across my legs and my back, and told me that if I told my mother, I would get it again twice as bad. My transgression? I had terrible stage fright and would freeze up reciting my lines. And when my mother finally saw those welts? Well, she and my father went to visit the nuns that Friday night, and it was the last time Sister Mary ever used that whip on ANYONE. But there was a price to pay. She "shunned" me & NEVER again acknowledged or spoke to me in class, even when I asked to use the lavatory. She would just gesture toward the door. :)

The second was my eighth grade science teacher in public school. Arrogant, coldblooded s.o.b., thankfully long dead, who, even though I often begged for his help during a study hall, continually said it wasn't his problem I transferred from a parochial school and was a year behind in science studies. He said he never gave anyone extra help and he wasn't about to start with me! Plus, he constantly belittled me in class. So, I went to the sophomore biology teacher who never laid eyes on me before, and begged HIM, apprising him of my predicament and telling him Mr. McR. wouldn't help me catch up and I needed help to pass my regents exam. He shook his head and made a sound of disgust, and said he had classes during my study hall, but WOULD STAY AFTER SCHOOL WITH ME for two hours one day a week if I wanted to learn. I loved that man!! When I received my grade for the exam on the last day, Mr. McR. said, and I will never forget that comment, "Well, you passed. I don't know how you did it catching up a whole year because I didn't think you had the brains." I responded, "Surprise, surprise. Since you didn't care enough to find out if I did, it's no thanks to you, that's for sure, SIR." When I went to thank the biology teacher & told him that I passed that exam, the smile on his face and tears in his eyes would tell anyone what kind of teacher he was!!

Today, there is NO excuse for what happened to Cheyanne. Teachers like that have NO PLACE whatsoever in the educational system. Teaching children who are so challenged takes a special kind of person--tolerant, patient, kind, understanding, and again, patient. Those two women were power mad, cruel and, worst of all, actually ENJOYED inflicting humiliation and hurt. They need a few years at Guantanamo Bay and a dose of waterboarding----as inmates!!

I believed and tried to protect my son from the bullying he endured at school. My efforts made it so much worse for him that he begged me to stop. He wasn't a fighter, an only child, and had not witnessed violence in the home. He was a lanky kid until he was about 17--then he filled out. He stuffed one of his abusers in a locker and gave another a black eye, swollen lip, and very sore jaw. He was suspended for three days. I went to the school, picked up his homework. Told him to do his homework--then enjoy his three day vacation. It ended. That is not the way it is supposed to be. Our efforts can make matters worse for the children. How do we stop that? I see the effects on him as an adult and it concerns me.

Bullying is so mentally scarring you never forget it..........I still remember the name of the girl in my 5th grade class who picked on me and the bitch teacher who did too.......Gail Fraker was the classmate that picked on me relentlessly and Mrs. Sara A. Persohn, the old biddy bitch teacher would berate me every chance she got....she hated my brother too. This was at Forest Hill Elementary in West Palm Beach, FL over 40 years ago, but it still stings like hell when I think about it. May they rot in hell.

Reading things like this makes me think I was just very lucky.

As unbelievable as it sounds, there was no bullying here. Of course there was the occasional fight, but it wasn't the same.

Only one of my teachers didn't like me, but since it was because I scored higher than her pet in every single competition it was actually just amusing.

He stuffed one of his abusers in a locker and gave another a black eye, swollen lip, and very sore jaw.

Good job! Tell him that is what he should remember most... he stood up for himself and he should be proud. I only wish all kids were able to do that.

Actually, colorblind, that IS how it should be. Bullying is a natural course of life. You get bullied everywhere, but it's how the person deals with being bullied that matters. School is where kids learn this, if not in the home. It ended with your son giving them a bloodied lip, but it ended all the same.

I think we should let our kids fight back more often. Not teachers, that's a different case, but certainly with other students.

Bullying is natural but it should never come from the teacher. The fact that is was perpetrated against a special needs student makes it all the more repugnant. She should be fired. Her actions were utterly heartless.

FED UP unless you have been a SPED teacher as I and some other responders have been you don't quite get it hence your response was STUPID With a capital 'S'. Yes these teachers, especially the aid was out of line and definately do not know how to talk or deal with SPED NEEDS KIDS. Yet I find several issues in this entire issue disturbing. YES SHE WAS VERBALLY ABUSED BY HER TEACHERS no excuse or way around this. However the parent agreeing to put her on national TV to state his case was inapproriate of him for such an appearance can unconsciously teach this child a sense of empowerment against any potential future teacher than she does not like or who does not treat as a Princess! A video and the taped recording would have been more than enough to get the message out there.

I mean no disrespect toward DAD but I have seen this happen with special needs kids who have become celebritized by parents---just because they have Special Needs Does Not Make Them DUMB, STUPID OR IGNORANT (yes they do know more than most give them credit for including their parents!

Additionaly I would like to know where and how the superintendent came up with a theory that a treadnmill can be used to refocus children-----obviously said treadmill was used as punishment (the term refocus is used covertly to cover the real purpose) which turns the concept EXERCISE into a negative for Special Needs kids---BTW: Too many SPED KIDS ARE OVERWEIGHT AND POTENTIALLY OBESE. Therefore this School District Superintendent has walked far over the line of professional efficiency in representing his district.

I also believe that this district has suffered a severe misuse of school funds. Why on earth would a school have multiple amounts of treadmills! Treadmills are not cheap so I wonder if they are for use for fun, for breaks between classes and as a substitute for a PE TEACHER?????? What a waste of funds in academic settiing. A SCHOOL IS NOT A REC CENTER, DAY CARE FACILITY or PLAYGROUND; IS IT AN ACADEMIC INSTITUTION!

Hence this entire artilce brought to light the inadequacy and thorough disrespect for education in this country by teachers, Aids, principals and Superintendents----I am sorry sir----but in this county the superintendent should also loose his job for misappropriation of funds and failure to keep all students safe including from the abuse of teachers.

I like an earlier poster's idea, cameras in all classrooms. Especially in special ed, where a number of kids are NON-verbal, would be a big plus.

Silly Shrinks: The comment I made was to evoke thought: Justice remains unbalanced in the way abusers are brought into submission for the crimes they perpetuate against their victims.

Child abuse and neglect offend the basic values of our state. We have a responsibility to provide safe settings for at-risk children and facilitate permanent placement for children who cannot return home.
Matt Blunt

"Silly Shrinks" - if you were this Speecial Ed teacher, as you claim, I'd be very interested in knowing what cereal box offer you used to get your teaching "degree". I'm no expert, but I'm just going to take a guess that anyone who has an actual teaching degree knows how to spell words such as "definitely" and understands the difference between "loose" and "lose", not to mention the dozen or more grammatical errors. I'm going to go ahead and call BS that you are any kind of teacher, so I'm not sure why you think you need to qualify your whole statement by claiming to have been a teacher, other than somehow excusing the actions of the teacher themselves and putting the blame on the school system and the girl's parents, who are trying to expose the system for what it is.

Silly, the father was clear about his reason for going national with this. He wanted to prevent further bullying by teachers. I don't see your problem with this...if a child is lying, the teacher can bring a camera in as well to prove his/her innocence. A class room is a public place and there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. Teachers film their students all the time. You are worried about students getting a sense of entitlement over the security of both teachers and students alike? I find that enabling.

FED UP you sound like Cain--stuck in a state of Denial. And you second comment confirms such.

BTW there is a difference between DD and AT RISK KIDS---this child has a developmental disability , thus she is not potentially a drop out, delinquent, criminal, or simply learning disabled with a tad of a conduct disorder.

Also to anyone reading this---read further along as evidently this entire case may have come to a head a year ago in court hence I wonder WHY the DAD brought it to National TV now! SO if this is true why did the Today Show wait a year, better yet WHY DID THE DAD WAIT A YEAR TO GO PUBLIC!

By the way to ALLLLLL, when I type I don't watch my spellinggiph'/h/oit lufv.k Instead I type to help---why once a teacher always a teacher.

BTW: I am also an awarded author----shuckss isnt that why they hv spelhy'h checkers thingies

But if you prefer perfection, I's suggest going to a saloon

Silly Shrinks: Your ignorance is showing...... My comments are generic, just like your anger. Hence your comparison of my comments to politics.... I am by no means affiliated to our cancerous Three Branches of Government.... good journey to you.

Silly Shrinks:

FED UP unless you have been a SPED teacher as I and some other responders...

Good grief, Silly Shrinks; I hope you are no longer a SP ED teacher! Your ignorance about using exercise equipment to help to focus special needs kids is appalling!

And it's "aide", not "aid" BTW.

~ C NJ Mom, mother to 12 year old PDD-NOS ADHD IQ 143 mainstreamed boy

C NJ Mom: You have the floor.... My comments are irrelevant. I am having morning tea and responding to the news, nothing more, nothing less. Good morning to you and yours. :D)

Silly...Probably because he didn't see the results that he expected--the firing of the teacher and the aid. Also, it may have taken him that long to find a media outlet for his story. The father is not to blame here. Your focus on HIS actions is inappropriate at best. Put the responsibility exactly where it belongs, on the actors and the people who ignored the complaints. What if he is out to get compensated for his daughter's abuse so that he can provide a better life? He sounded sincere to me in his wish to prevent further abuse. Choked up, in fact. I know there are special education angels out there and I have met many. Still, it does not excuse the behavior that happened in that classroom. Instead of being angry at the father, perhaps you should be livid at a teacher that betrayed every good, caring teacher out there by her actions. Your anger is misplaced, ma'am--and I have to wonder why.

Good morning/afternoon to you, Fed Up. I think the trolls are feasting today.

CNJ MOM,

I didn't say it the superintendent DID---read the article! And Colorblind---please read thru my words, (sorry about the typos}, I didn't say Dad publizing this issue is a bad thing--I support it. However his daughter sat there, and will develop a sense of empowerment from such------to her she complained about a teacher (who was in the wrong and should be fired) and then got lots of attention AND ON national TV.

That's a lot of power to give any child better yet a Special Needs one. This kid is not dumb or stupid she knows what is going on.

Silly....You are an awarded author. So what? Does that make you somehow more credible in your opinion? Not to me. I have been an unawarded nurse for over 35 years. Who does that make me? Nobody special. Just another person that has been doing a job that I enjoyed for years and then was force to retire due to health issues. You, ma'am are an arrogant individual that has little or no compassion and empathy for this child or her parents....Put that were you place your other awards.

Silly, BTW, after three years of abuse, maybe the child needs a sense of empowerment? She certainly had enough criticism to last a lifetime. I read your entire post--I still find your opinion as enabling and lacking empathy. It is not up to you to judge what is or is not good for this child. Her parents can make the decisions about what she needs and how to discipline her if she gets too "empowered."

Shrinky,

Sorry for my misdirected comment.

Thanks M NJ!

Maybe, maybe not Colorblind. My statement's purpose was not to defend this child--my heart goes out to her------however after 27 years of experiences as a SPED TEACHER I don't say this out of arrogance I say it out of experience! Of course my heart goes out to her and the dad but........................celebritizing her for a brief moment is not going to help her get over the abuse but it may empower her in a negative sense. Also none of us know what was going on in that classroom---yes the teachers were absolutely unprofessional however what was she doing to provoke unprofessional responses.

I once had a child/student who pinched hard whenever she could get away with it or was redirected back on task--she would pinch the innocent child next to her with her fingernails . Yes we all told MOM, who denied such as she never pinches at home. So one day just before the PTA meeting my assistent turned on the video camera in her phone and just let it sit on one of the book cases, tapping the class so that parents could see how their children perform and act in school.

You bet the Mom of the PINCHER saw the pinching and was horrified ---she thought we had been lying as my child is an innocent princess! The next day this child no longer had long fingernails--they had been clipped. And Mom sent a note requesting that we let her know if pinching continues for if it does then this child will loose 1 favorite toy at home for the entire week following.

Amazingly within 2 days----all pinching by this child abruptly stopped---and yes she is a special needs child/student---- barely talks clearly, has CP and some other permanent bodily issues!

Silly...So you solved the problem in an appropriate manner. Good. I know the purpose of your statement and that it was "not to defend this child." Freudian slip perhaps? The point is that we all know that there are examples of the exact opposite behavior out there. You are not teaching anything that we don't already know. We are talking about this specific incident. You are defending the teachers by your examples. In my opinion, your anger is misdirected. You should be angry at these two for betrayal and minimizing all the good that Special Ed teacher everywhere do for the children you teach. Your experience has made you jaded. No need to play Devil's Advocate here...We all know who bought their ticket in this case. We all also know that these teachers do not exemplify all teachers.

The bottom line is what kind of a woman picks on any child, especially a special needs child. If she couldn't handle the job, she should have resigned, found another position or another line of work.

My cousin works with special needs children. Yes it's challenging. It requires an individual with patience and unconditional kindness and understanding of these children's needs.

There is never an excuse acceptable for emotionally abusing a child. And because the school did nothing when it was first brought to their attention. They should be sued and the ones who were made aware, should also be fired as well.

There is absolutely no acceptable excuse! Obviously no sympathy here.

Don't know where you're from, but please stay there.

Benet's right.

Actually, the public schools are now bastions of liberalism and an "anything goes" mentality (i.e., the definition of modern liberalism). The left are bullies and thugs, so that ties in too. Ever wonder why so many conservatives and Christians have yanked their kids out of public schools? Public education is now merely an inculcator for the Statists (i.e., the left). Unions (i.e., the left) run the show---along with all the PC NGOs and "foundations" who have wormed their way into public schools (see: William Ayres/Annenberg Challenge/Woods Fund). Oh, and before you speak further lunacy, let me just say that I'm an ex-teacher and teachers union representative.......but that was back when I was a clueless, young leftist.)

Benet- Baloney.....teachers are owned by their jackbooted union and the Dumbocrat party and that's why teachers like these will never be fired or at the very least be put in a rubber room for the next few years doing nothing while getting full pay...

no he bloody well isn't. the only thing you know about them is the "middle american" part. you can't infer religious beliefs or political alignment based on this. you know they are from ohio and are horrible people. don't connect them to other people you don't like.

Wiki...."Washington Senior High has approximately 50 staff members and approximately 600 students in grades 9-12."...

Such a small school, there is no excuse for this situation to continue as it had. Marietta is an old Ohio river town, probably anyone who could, has moved away. Ohio lost much of its industrial base, a shadow of what it was 30-some years ago.

Benet, your ignorance is abundant. Ohio was a blue state last presidential election. Ohio is in the Eastern time zone.

Benet: At least we don't have to worry about you having any entanglement with reason.

This has nothing to do with "middle America, salt-of-the-earth, Republican-voting, God-fearing white people". I am all of the above and pride myself on being a good, kind and honest person. I would never think of doing what these teachers have done. They are poor excuses for humans, no matter where they are from, what color they are or if they believe in God or not. They should be punished (....and I don't mean a slap on the hand) and never allowed to enter a classroom again.

umm I can only assume that jimcyr is a troll because no one is that ....wait. I'm sorry Jim. I'm sure you believe your Glenn Beck rant. You go ahead living in your own little world of crazy.

In a more serious vein, bulling in schools is nothing new. I'm assuming of course that the "leftist agenda" is part of the new creation of open mindedness as "liberal lunacy" Sign me up, btw.

As a young girl I was continually bullied in grammar school. For three years I suffered emotional and verbal abuse from the same group of bullies. My teachers or parents never did anything to stop it because I never told them. If they saw it happening they did not acknowledge it. So much of it goes unreported because kids are just too embarrassed or too scared to tell anyone. Bullying makes a person feel worthless and in time kids especially start to believe that there must be something wrong with them to deserve this treatment. The effects last a lifetime. I was lucky. My father put me in a new school when I went to high school, a place where no one knew me or the taunting I had endured. They accepted me as I was. If I had gone on to high school with those same kids, there is no doubt I would have committed suicide. The scarring has carried on for most of my life. I fight often with those feelings of worthlessness and undeservedness. As an adult I know that the things they said about me were not true, but the wounds go deep.

Years later I asked one of the bullies why he tortured me. He barely remembered it. I reminded him of the name he called me that spurred three years of hell. He looked truly shocked, and apologized profusely. He told me he would have called anyone at that particular moment that name, and had no idea it would stick or cause me so much pain. He seemed to honestly have forgotten most of the rest of it. It makes me wonder if bullies are even aware of the damage they cause. Well, perhaps today in this cyber world they are more aware, but then we have to wonder what has desensitized people so much that they feel no empathy for others.

By the way jim. I think those bullies grew up to be republican christian right wingers. Just sayin...

Benet..What a knothead. Bet your a highly educated Democrat, that has sucked every bit of free school aid money you could get, and this is how you repay society. Sheesh.

@Moe - PK, Private Schools, Private College, US Marines, Voted for Reagan, Voted for Obama.

I learned that the biggest bullies on the playground were always those with the most to hide (later becoming conservatives), and the things I fear most are not the gangs that lurk in the dark but the little old lady with a Bible in her hand. (She is the one trying to take away my rights and send my children off to unjust wars)

Well lets not forget the Kennedy's ( liberal as you can get). They had so much to hide they had to build a secondary closet to hold it all. I see it from the other side. I am so tired of the liberals thinking that just because I have worked by hind end off, and have a little extra money, that I should share it with those that do not feel the need to work for what they want. Instead they show up at the entitlement office, or seek treatment from the hospital ( without ever having any intention of paying the bill), and hold their handout.

I can't take it....this is not about Repubs or Demo or liberal vs conservative you ignorant ass*oles, its about a kid who was abused by a school system.

The teacher and her aide should never be allowed in another classroom, in fact I think they should be treated like a pedofile and not allowed contact with a child, not be within 1000 yards of a school or playground.

The school administrators should be removed (fired) immediately and their records be flagged showing incompetence, and child endangerment so they never are in a school system again.

Notice that there is no comment from the union? Even they know this is beyond their ability to put their spin on the story and save the disgusting teachers.

I think I need to agree with ahelir; everyone involved, including those who dismissed the claims, fired and permanently barred from any involvement with anyone under age 21. Including their own kids. Can you imagine having shallow bitches like that for mothers?!

@Moe_374852 Don't be naive. All that hard earned money you got taxed on...trillions and trillions went to a war so that a son could prove to his daddy that he was a man, or to build super secret prisons, or to ridiculously over pay for some black ops weapons program...all to defend us from the results of our own aggressive and abusive foreign policies. It is a republican trick to wave their left hand and say HEY LOOKIE HERE!, while they put their right hand in your pocket. Republicans sold this country to the Chinese many years ago so they could fund their multi-billion dollar portfolios and those of their contributors...All with your hard earned money.

YES!!!

My daughter was picked on by teachers and she was brilliant acedemically. I always felt like her defense attorney. They often profiled her because of something some other child did. That or maybe I wasn't donating enough cash.

I can't imagine having a special needs child. It would be so much harder and the child would have a harder time defending herself.

The thing about teaching is that it is a profession often chosen by narcissists. Narcissists like having positions where they are in control of helpless people. They bill themselves as angels of mercy while they are often pretty sadistic.

Doctors and nurses are also professions often chosen by narcissists.

Palin Supporter, I wouldn't advertise that fact. I'd bully a Palin supporter just to try to wake them up. Someone way smarter than SP needs to be supported. Just saying.

Doctors, nurses, and teachers are narcissists. You sir are a complete fool.