CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A Rossview High School teacher has been suspended and now reassigned to an alternative worksite pending an investigation after leaving written notes for a substitute teacher describing some students as “stupid” and “annoying,” and later referencing those comments during a livestream on the video platform Twitch.
Substitute notes prompt discipline
According to a Jan. 23 letter of reprimand issued by Rossview Principal Dr. Meghen Sanders, biology teacher Vaughn Hart left notes for a substitute teacher on Jan. 16 that included “derogatory language to describe students” by name. The reprimand letter, obtained by Clarksville Now, states Hart referred to certain students as “so annoying” and “so stupid” and wrote, “Jesus God this class sucks!”
Hart teaches biology courses that include students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), which are provided to students with learning disabilities and other qualifying needs. According to the letter, students with IEPs were grouped together in the back of the classroom, farthest from Hart’s desk. Two English Language Learner (ELL) students were instructed to sleep or work on assignments from other classes.
School administrators met with Hart on Jan. 20. In the letter, Sanders wrote that Hart described the language in the note as casual communication intended for an adult substitute and said the seating arrangements were meant to better support students. She also said the ELL students in question had completed their work for the week, so they were being allowed independent work time…