Chicago-Area School Fires Substitute Accused of Taunting

A Chicago-area school district has fired a substitute teacher accused of taunting a high school freshman in a whiteboard drawing.

The Daily Herald reports Elgin Area School District U-46 had previously suspended the teacher. The district's safety and security coordinator would not name the teacher.

Freshman student Stephen Davis says the teacher had participated in mocking him with his classmates by adding his name and a vulgar phrase to a cartoon-like drawing of a person done by another student last week.

Davis recorded a video of the incident on his phone, which was posted on his sister's Facebook page.

The 15-year-old told the Daily Herald he had been "picked on since first grade because of his weight," but this was the first time a teacher had took part in the taunting.

“Everyone was standing there pointing at me, laughing, [while] I’m on the verge of tears," Davis told the the publication.

Illinois school districts hire substitute teachers when needed, and the teachers are licensed by the State Board of Education. The U-46 safety official says the district's decision could lead to the revocation of the teacher's license.

A message seeking comment was left with the Board of Education.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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