Picture of Snoozing Sub Gets Student Suspended
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(Image Credit: ABC News)
A ninth grader who snapped a picture of a snoozing substitute teacher with his cell phone camera and posted it on a social network is in hot water with his school district.
The unnamed student, who attends Mustang Mid-High School in Mustang, Okla., was suspended, according to ABC affiliate KOCO.
The picture shows a “close-eyed man reclining behind a desk”, The Oklahoman reported.
Mustang Public Schools denied ABCNews.com’s request for an interview but issued a statement acknowledging it had conducted an internal investigation into the actions of the student and the substitute teacher.
“Appropriate follow-up action has taken place,” Mustang Public Schools spokeswoman Mary Leaver wrote to ABCNews.com.
Leaver said it was against school policy for students to use their cell phones during the day.
One parent told ABC News’ affiliate he felt the school had overreacted.
“If anything, they should have been reprimanded for having a phone, but they probably took it to an extreme because they caught a teacher doing something they weren’t supposed to be doing,” said the parent, Steven Graulich.
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No surprise they don’t want any records of what goes on in schools. I could understand if the boy was texting or making a call during class… but showing this sort of negligence on a teachers part seems a valid use of the phones camera to me.
Posted by: onlyanegg | January 26, 2012, 8:55 pm 8:55 pm
y should the boy b in trouble he was just taken a pic y dont the teacher get in trouble how stupid over a pic fire the teacher
Posted by: jennifer | January 26, 2012, 8:59 pm 8:59 pm
well it wasn’t like the student disturbed the class… I mean the teacher was asleep…must have been a nice quiet class! For a sub that was probably a miracle!
Posted by: wake up | January 26, 2012, 9:08 pm 9:08 pm
The student violated the cell phone rule yes! He also violated the teacher’s right to due process by publishing the picture on the web. I agree with the school on their decisions. The student should have notified the office – the sub could have been ill and need medical attention.
Posted by: Katie | January 26, 2012, 9:14 pm 9:14 pm
The school is overreacting. First of all teachers should not be sleeping!!! Their first priority is the kids!!!
The teacher should be talked to or get writtened up for that! Unbeleiveable! I work in a school district also! If I was tiired, I would wait til I got home! I would not fall asleep on school property! Good for the student! He should not be in trouble though!
Posted by: Jennifer | January 26, 2012, 9:29 pm 9:29 pm
Good for the school district for enforcing the rules on cell phone use. The student was out of line. When I was a senior in high school we had an awful sub, sat at the desk and read the newspaper the entire time, ignoring all that went on in the class. I excused myself from the class and took my issue with the sub to the principal. THAT is what the student should have done, The student was wrong. He handled it inappropriately and deserves punishment. The administration will look into the teacher and take the necessary actions. It is not okay to snap photos of people and upload them to social networking sites without their permission anyway. I agree with what Katie wrote. What if the sub was ill and needed medical attention? The kid probably thought he was being funny and aiming to get the teacher in trouble. Seems rather smart you-know-what behavior to me, not a student who is serious about finding a responsible solution to a bad situation.
Posted by: K | January 26, 2012, 9:46 pm 9:46 pm
First as a parent I would find out what other students who had phones out during class dealt with, if suspension for all then acceptable and I would expect the teacher was released from subing and reported for child endangerment. If other students who have been caught/reported with phones out during class time was not suspended I would FIGHT it. I think suspending on first offense of phone out during class is a bit harsh. I see teachers with them out during class at their desk too, maybe using the calculator but still out. I wonder what would have happen if the phone was taken to the principal to show the picture of proof if the student would have been suspended. If the TEACHER was awake this would not have occured. CHECK ON YOUR TEACHERS CHECK ON YOUR SUBS CHECK ON YOUR STAFF they are all humans make mistakes and are not faultless just because of a title does not make them perfect.
Posted by: The Townswoman | January 26, 2012, 10:08 pm 10:08 pm
The teachers’ union had everything to do with this.
Posted by: SubstitutePresident | January 26, 2012, 10:17 pm 10:17 pm
KATIE He also violated the teacher’s right to due process by publishing the picture on the web.+++LOL!!!! He was caught red handed sleeping on the job….Due process…..LOL …too funny
Posted by: Allen | January 26, 2012, 10:23 pm 10:23 pm
Substitutes are NOT unionized, so stop talking that way. The sub was definitely fired. And the student was rightly reprimanded. BOTH broke the rules. Both have to pay the penalty.
Posted by: John Stephenson | January 26, 2012, 10:26 pm 10:26 pm
First, I would like to say that we do not know if the child has been caught previously for using phone during class. However, if this is his first offense, then yes, it was a bit harsh. My daughter has been caught in class using her phone and it took twice before getting and In School Suspension (she has since learned her lesson for texting me during class). The teacher, if they had been asleep, the child should have got up, walked out of the class and straight to the office and reported it. If the teacher had been awake, the child wouldn’t have made it far. I do believe though that what the child did by posting this picture on the net was grounds for suspension as we have to sign release forms for out students/children to have their picture published anywhere, the faculty here must sign the same release form as well. So, by doing that… he was wrong and should be punished. The teacher.. should no longer be substitute if in fact he was sleeping. I would (and have) pushed issues like this before in our district when my children were in a position or situation in the school that I felt was unsafe, inappropriate and uncalled for. (yes, our school faculty knows me well). Just my thoughts and opinions as both a parent (first and foremost) and then a volunteer for various schools in my life.
Posted by: AngL | January 26, 2012, 10:26 pm 10:26 pm
A still photo can be misleading. And a shot of someone with their eyes closed while reclining a bit… is he asleep, or is he caught in an exact moment and the student is making trouble?
Posted by: George K | January 26, 2012, 10:27 pm 10:27 pm
Thats Unions for you! Most people on this planet would be fired on the spot for sleeping while on the clock.
Posted by: Brian | January 26, 2012, 10:28 pm 10:28 pm
I don’t think the sub should be working at any school, if he was sleeping on the job. However, we are told that we can’t post any pictures of our student body on any social networking site. To me, that’s common sense.
However, there are pictures posted of me (in the background) of my student’s social network pages. In all fairness, I could kick up a fuss about those pictures. I don’t because I know it was an oversight.
Mom and Dad, your children like to use their phones to record fights and then post them on FB, so they can watch them later. Go on FB and type in your student’s school name. See what you find. You will be surprised!
Further, students fall asleep in class all day, every day! I have an iPhone. I can video students sleeping in class. What if I posted that on my FB page? Surely, administration would call me on the carpet and parents would scream in outrage. However, I feel the rule cuts both ways on this one. Sorry.
Posted by: Maureen P. | January 26, 2012, 11:03 pm 11:03 pm
Umm, excuse me. Where did it say that the sub had a class in the room at the time of the picture? Is it not possible that a prep period was in progress? Just saying…
Posted by: jc151e | January 26, 2012, 11:48 pm 11:48 pm
was he really asleep or just got a bad shot?
Posted by: guest | January 27, 2012, 1:09 am 1:09 am
There are legit reasons a student would have a phone in class. Our school has the same rules but when my daughter’s phone rang -common sense was used. She had her phone with her because my father was having a 6 way bypass that morning and she stayed with my parents to help. We were trying to get her voice mail to say Dad made it okay. My other daughter was a student at Columbine that awful day but did not carry a cell phone. Which day would you want to live through? Columbine was Hell For us.
Posted by: Ray | January 27, 2012, 2:14 am 2:14 am
“Further, students fall asleep in class all day, every day!”
And? What does that have to do with anything? News flash: Those students are kids. They are expected to do dumb things and goof off whenever possible. That so called teacher is suppose to be a professional who is being paid for his time. He is suppose to be setting a positive example for the students, not bad examples.
Not having a class at that time is irrelelvant. He’s on the clock, he shouldn’t be asleep. If he is wide awake he should be aware of the appearance and the example he is setting for the students.
He should be fired and the idiot who hired him should be reprimanded. The student should be reprimanded for use of his phone but should be commended on letting the world know of the incompetence of the teacher.
Just so we all understand. I started paying union dues in January of 1977. I am retired on a disability and still listed on the books as a member of my union. Most of you anti-union types have no idea what you are talking about. All most of you know is what you’ve read or what someone told you. That person is probably clueless too. I don’t know of one case in which a union has defended a worker when sleeping on the job.
Posted by: cloud | January 27, 2012, 2:23 am 2:23 am
The authority is always above the law.
Posted by: TampaJoey | January 27, 2012, 2:36 am 2:36 am
Meanwhile, the teachers union is fighting for a sallary increase…
Posted by: AJ | January 27, 2012, 6:03 am 6:03 am
Why punish the student??? The sub (who is a teacher and being PAID) was sleeping – what happened to the truth…?
Posted by: James | January 27, 2012, 9:13 am 9:13 am
Ok so if the teacher was steeling from the school and was photographed then would the student been suspended??? Well the teacher was steeling . The teacher was paid for a job that was not being done . This sound slike the double standerd that we all experience with goverment employees and administraters . When will they get a clue??
Posted by: Paul | January 27, 2012, 11:32 am 11:32 am
The public education system: Do as we say, not as we do. (and you MUST pay for it or go to jail)
Posted by: Gerald | January 27, 2012, 11:37 am 11:37 am
I don’t have a problem with snapping the picture (other than it violating school policy), but I DO have a BIG problem with him posting it on the web. Some guy getting paid $10/hour shouldn’t be castigated on the internet for making a simple mistake (falling asleep when he shouldn’t have…who hasn’t done that).
Posted by: CaptainYid | January 27, 2012, 11:59 am 11:59 am
What’s the policy for having, or using, a camera during the school day? This student did not use a telecommunication device. The student used a camera. The telecommunication definition only pertains to the making and/or receiving of phone calls, or use of the internet.
That said, if teachers are sleeping during class, it’s not surprising to see this lack of education when it comes to this ridiculous punishment of the student.
Posted by: Robbit | January 27, 2012, 12:33 pm 12:33 pm
The policy quoted in the article referred to “telecommunication” devices. What about regular cameras? Are they allowed? If the student had snapped the pic with a regular old camera, would they still be in trouble?
Either way, this is an abuse of the policy, it is CLEARLY not what the policy was intended to prevent. It was intended to prevent the students from TALKING on the phones and TEXTING during the day. The important issue here is the sleeping employee. Had the student simply reported the incident, the employee could have denied it and there would be no proof (other than all the students in the class corroborating the story). Cameras are everywhere and they frequently are the definitive proof of inappropriate or illegal actions. They can also be used to defend one’s position.
Posted by: Tony | January 27, 2012, 12:35 pm 12:35 pm
I believe that schools should have policy against using cell phones during Class. However, there should be a CLEAR EXCEPTION when the phone is being used to photograph an illegal act or documenting unacceptable behavior i.e. teacher sleeping in class, student bullying anther student, Theft of school or student property. NO STUDENT SHOULD BE SUSPENDED FOR BEING A “WHISTLE BLOWER!!” It is BAD citizenship when people DON’T speak up and get involved when they see illegal activity and don’t report it or bad behavior and don’t try to stop it. If you aren’t a part of the solution YOU ARE a part of the PROBLEM. Suspending this student is sending the WRONG message. INSTEAD the school should have a “Proper Procedure” in place for students to report it. 1) record or photograph event. 2) take it to the Principles office and show it to the Principle on the next class break (get pass to class if you are late for your next class because you are in the office) 3) IF the photograph or recording is of the Principle show parents and have them contact School board. and 4) DO NOT Post Online in any form UNLESS the situation is not properly addressed by the Principle or School board and the Public Needs to be informed so that Proper change can be initiated.
Posted by: KATHY | January 27, 2012, 12:58 pm 12:58 pm
If anyone has ever been to Mustang Public Schools, then this would not sound out of the ordinary. These issues go up even further than most you of you know. So going to the principal would not solve the issue, (been there done that) and they are usually the problem. Sometimes it takes some one with courage to show that just because they are in charge of your child’s education does not grant them immunity from being accountable for their actions. When I went to Mustang Middle school , ALL of the restroom locks were broken in the girls bathroom and they would not fix it. We had to buddy up with other girls to hold the stall doors shut anytime we had to use the restroom, (being a teen this was embarassing) Going to the teachers and principals would not fix the issue. My mother had to threatened with having my dad come up and fix the locks for the school. You know what the principal’s reply was? “Lady, you are making me mad” LOL well the locks were eventually fixed by the school, but the nonsense from the school will ALWAYS continue.
Posted by: Shelly | January 27, 2012, 1:39 pm 1:39 pm
If it were the student napping, OH…there’d be hell to pay!!!! Such a load of crap. They ought to simply put cameras in class rooms. Period. It’s come to that, I think. If teachers can’t act as they are supposed to, they need to be called on it…..this kid did & they don’t like it, they got caught. Very hypocritical in my opinion. Set an example, the guy is a teacher, right??
Posted by: Monkee | January 27, 2012, 2:21 pm 2:21 pm
Ray,
I’ve been both a sub and now I’m what our state calls a ‘highly qualified teacher.’
My point is: Kids are kids and they fall asleep. Yes. However, if I took videos of that and posted it on FB, it would be out of line. We sign forms that say we will not post pictures of students on social websites. That’s the way it should be. It should go both ways! If a person is wrong, bring it to the attention of administration, not on a social website.
And for those folks who seem to dislike teachers so much: spend two weeks doing what we do. I promise, unless you’re devoted to the care and education of young people, you probably won’t think it’s such a cake walk.
I grew up on a farm. Got up at 5 a.m. every day, seven days a week. I THOUGHT I knew hard work. I knew nothing about hard work until I became a teacher. I’ve never worked so hard in my life! Ask any devoted public school teacher what job demands and hours are like. And Special Ed teachers are the Olympians of the teaching profession in my opinion.
My standing joke to my husband is: ‘Job well done, teacher. Here’s your pay cut.’ Sadly, it’s too true.
Posted by: Maureen P. | January 28, 2012, 3:00 am 3:00 am
Shouldn’t of been a rat. The kid wasn’t looking to benefit his education or any one else he just wanted to get some one in trouble and it backfired on his sorry !@#. Make him repeat the grade.
Posted by: Logan | January 28, 2012, 5:24 am 5:24 am
THis is total garbage..It’s this students education..The teacher was asleep..he did the right thing. Taking a pic is not communication…and if he posted it at home or on a break it did not violate any rule.
She was in public, so he has the right to take the pic..The school needs to get its priorities straight.
There are laws to protect whistleblowers in the work place..They should apply in this case…as she was costing him and all the other students a day of education.
Posted by: dan | January 29, 2012, 1:45 pm 1:45 pm
Well back in 1980 I had a drafting teacher that drunk his lunch from a brown paper bag. Then would come to class and start the class then fall asleep but we didn’t have cell-phones back then we had real film cameras.
Posted by: Dodge Ram | January 29, 2012, 2:28 pm 2:28 pm
Call this education in making our youth sheep who follow and don’t make waves. No wonder our public schools are such failures. The administration is too busy covering for their own and not busy enough educating. Shame on this school. I hope they all get their butts kicked.
Posted by: Burr | January 29, 2012, 9:40 pm 9:40 pm
I think it’s great that we continue our mindless policy of zero tolerance in school. Catch a kid with aspirin in their locker? Expulsion! A second grader brings a water gun to school? Expulsion! A kid uses his cell phone to take a picture of a substitute teacher napping during class? Suspension!
Funny thing is, we probably *do* need to keep these zero tolerance policies in place. If administrators are too stupid to ignore the policies in cases where they’re so obviously the wrong policy, just imagine what these morons would do if they had a free hand to rule however they chose.
Posted by: Jed | January 30, 2012, 10:42 am 10:42 am
okay no joke i go to mustang school, but when i was told by one of my teachers, when this news went national, i didn’t believe him so until now i found it really went national. this sounds dumb but i think “ABC” has got part of the story wrong since i actually know the people who took the picture and it wasn’t a guy it was two girls that got suspended. but honestly our school district over reacted to me because honestly, you shouldn’t get suspended over a picture yet you should get some kind of punishment like detention etc but at the same time the two GIRLS(not boy) shouldn’t have even posted the picture in the first place.
Posted by: Tommy | February 1, 2012, 6:39 pm 6:39 pm
More proof that the Teachers’ Union protects BAD behavior of their teachers over the needs of the students. Yes, the student should have received a reprimand, but NOT suspension. The substitute is the one who should be fired over all of this. If not, then the School Superintendent should be as well.
Posted by: Tim | February 7, 2012, 10:19 am 10:19 am