Choir Teacher Sued For Kicking Student
July 23, 2008 – 10:01 am by Kim
Whoever said that choir is not a tough, physical extracurricular activity apparently has never been to Mount Miguel High School. This is where 14-year-old Jade Ray is suing her choir teacher for insulting her and kicking her in front of 50 other students.
Ironically enough the alleged act of violence and humiliation occurred on Valentine’s Day during a planned choir activity. Jade claims that her teacher, Heather Hargett, would not let her attend the activity because she “looked bad” and was not wearing her choir t-shirt.
To make matters worse, Jade asked if the t-shirt really cost $15 and Hargett allegedly responded by calling Jade a “poor, ugly brat”. Then the worst part comes. After the verbal insults, Jade said that her teacher kicked her on her way out of the room.
The school district, Grossmont Union High, said that action has been taken to address the allegations. They had already rejected a claim for damages back in May, so I’m guessing they aren’t taking the allegations too seriously.
Heather Hargett has declined to comment on the case or the allegations. Jade’s attorney, John Gomez, is charging Hargett with inflicting physical pain and emotional distress on her student. He has already rejected a $75,000 settlement from the school.
Since the incident, Jade has switched high schools and is still traumatized by the event.
It’s hard to judge whether such an incident could occur these days. With so many strange stories in the news of teachers enforcing odd punishments or forming romantic relationships with their students, it’s hard to say that something like this couldn’t happen.
If the allegations are in fact true, this teacher is seriously immature. Calling someone a poor ugly brat is pretty low and something you might hear on the playground of an elementary school. No wonder California has such a high drop-out rate, I’d leave school too if my teacher was such a bully.
