Below is an article from "news-press.com" written by Ashley A. Smith. This article highlights why it is important to investigate all aspects of bullying. One would never think a principle would be capable of bullying, since they are usually the individuals who are expected to set the example other people should follow. However, as stated within previous blogs, bullying seems to convey a power struggle. This article shows a possible case of a principle abusing his power in order to maintain it.
Lee County school officials are investigating bullying and misconduct claims against Fort Myers High Principal Dave LaRosa.
The
accusations emerged in an email this month by a sender named "Daniel
Ryan". That email accused LaRosa of bullying teachers and students.
LaRosa
was unavailable for comment, however, Amity Chandler, Lee's
communications director sent this email response: "Like many in
leadership, school principals will have supervised thousands of
individuals over the course of their careers. It is inevitable that some
may become dissatisfied with leadership. Unfortunately when an
investigation is opened it is human nature for people to jump to
conclusions.
"In every case however, the presence of an open
investigation is a process that should not be construed as an immediate
implication of guilt or innocence, but rather a reflection of our
commitment to our students and families."
Carol Camp, who worked
as an English teacher at Fort Myers High for 35 years, said she was
bullied by LaRosa and resigned after seven years under his
administration. Camp wasn't the writer of the email, but she was made
aware of it by other teachers.
Camp said she launched a formal complaint in 2012.
"I
had been there for 35 years, and I was truly under the impression that
this really couldn't be happening. There must have been some mistake,"
she said.
Camp says LaRosa accused her of not being a good
teacher. She was also moved to different classrooms, not given office
space and some of her belongings were thrown away while she was on leave
in Washington, D.C., taking care of her daughter.
"I was treated like a pariah," she said. "No one would speak to me."
Camp officially resigned in March.
She
said other teachers have been treated in similar ways but are afraid of
losing their jobs. Camp said she was approached by a group of them to
go public with her story.
"I don't wish him any ill will, but I
would like to see what I have gone through and what other teachers have
gone through not happen again," Camp said. "We as teachers receive
yearly in-service on bullying ... this year I wondered if my principal
read that as well."
The News-Press attempted to seek a reply from the sender of the anonymous email, but the sender's account has been closed.
http://www.news-press.com/story/news/education/2014/05/16/fort-myers-high-principal-accused-bullying/9155621/
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