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PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (WPBF) — A former West Gate teacher says she was fired for refusing to give students who didn’t complete a project a grade of 50 percent
“They said you have to give a 50 regardless if they turn anything in or not, and I said what are you talking about, I’m not hearing you right,” said Diane Tirado.
Tirado was hired over the summer to teach eighth-grade history at West Gate K-8 School.
She gave her students two weeks to complete an explorer’s notebook project.
But when some of them didn’t turn it in, she found out about what she calls a “no zero” grading policy written in red in the student/parent handbook. Tirado said it sends the wrong message.
“A kid looked at me, just like this, and said ‘I don’t have to do anything, and you have to give me a 50,’” said Tirado.
She was fired shortly after. Her termination letter doesn’t give a specific reason because she was on a probation period since she was a new teacher.
Following her termination, she wrote a note on the whiteboard to her students.
She made a post on Facebook which has now gone viral.
“I’m not putting in fraud, because it is fraud, how can I grade something I never have in my hands,” says Tirado.
WPBF reached out to St. Lucie Public Schools. They sent a statement reading in part, “Ms. Tirado was released from her duties as an instructor because her performance was deemed sub-standard and her interactions with students, staff, and parents lacked professionalism and created a toxic culture on the school’s campus.”
And that, “Her dismissal was not a result of grading issues.”
The statement goes on to say, “During her brief time of employment at West Gate, the school fielded numerous student and parent complaints as well as concerns from colleagues. Based on new information shared with school administrators, an investigation of possible physical abuse is underway.”
Tirado says the allegation of physical abuse is simply untrue and she will be seeking legal counsel. She says she wants to continue to teach and has already been offered jobs at two other schools.
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