Christmas-time is known for being a joyful, merry time of year, especially for the young ones. But lately, stories of educators acting like Dr Seuss’s the Grinch has been making headlines.
Last week, The Educator reported a controversial memo from a US elementary principal, who sent a list to faculty and families banning several Christmas symbols and activities in the classroom. The memo caused such an uproar that district officials reversed the ban and placed the principal on temporary administrative leave.
The latest story involves a substitute teacher from New Jersey, US. She lost her job after she told her class of six- and seven-year olds that Santa Claus isn’t real.
She then went on to tell her students that other characters like the Easter bunny and tooth fairy were also fictional. The first grade pupils left the class upset.
A parent told News 12 New Jersey that her daughter was extremely upset after hearing the “news”.
School principal Michael Raj sent a letter to parents on Thursday (6 December) apologising for the teacher’s actions. He added that the teacher was told off for her poor judgement.
“As a father of four myself, I am truly aware of the sensitive nature of this announcement,” he told local news site NJ.com.
Local superintendent of schools Rene Rovtar confirmed the teacher is no longer working in the district, adding she was “troubled” and “disheartened” over the incident as the “childhood wonder associated with all holidays and traditions” is special to her.
It was not clear if the teacher was fired or had quit the job voluntarily.