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Teacher of the Year
Teacher lets Morningside students vote out classmate, 5 years old
PORT ST. LUCIE — Melissa Barton said she is considering legal action after her son's kindergarten teacher led his classmates to vote him out of class.
After each classmate was allowed to say what they didn't like about Barton's 5-year-old son, Alex, his Morningside Elementary teacher Wendy Portillo said they were going to take a vote, Barton said.
By a 14 to 2 margin, the students voted Alex — who is in the process of being diagnosed with autism — out of the class.
Melissa Barton filed a complaint with Morningside's school resource officer, who investigated the matter, Port St. Lucie Department spokeswoman Michelle Steele said. But the state attorney's office concluded the matter did not meet the criteria for emotional child abuse, so no criminal charges will be filed, Steele said.
Port St. Lucie Police no longer are investigating, but police officials are documenting the complaint, she said.
Steele said the teacher confirmed the incident took place.
Portillo could not be reached for comment Friday.
Steele said the boy had been sent to the principal's office because of disciplinary issues. When he returned, Portillo made him go to the front of the room as a form of punishment, she said.
Barton said her son is in the process of being diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, a type of high-functioning autism. Alex began the testing process in February at the suggestion of Morningside Principal Marcia Cully.
Children diagnosed with Asperger's often exhibit social isolation and eccentric behavior..
Alex has had disciplinary issues because of his disability, Barton said. After the family moved into the area and Alex and his sibling arrived at the school in January, Alex spent much of the time in the principal's office, she said.
He also had problems at his last school, but he did not have issues during his two years of preschool, Barton said.
School and district officials have met with Barton and her son to create an individual education plan to address his difficulties, she said. Portillo attended these meetings, Barton said.
Barton said after the vote, Portillo asked Alex how he felt.
"He said, 'I feel sad,' " Barton said.
Alex left the classroom and spent the rest of the day in the nurse's office, she said.
Barton said when she came to pick up her son at the school Wednesday, he was leaving the nurse's office.
"He was shaken up," she said.
Barton said the nurse told her to talk with Portillo, who told her what happened.
Alex hasn't been back to school since then, and Barton said he won't be returning. He starts screaming when she brings him with her to drop off his sibling at school.
Thursday night, his mother heard him saying "I'm not special" over and over.
Barton said Alex is reliving the incident.
The other students said he was "disgusting" and "annoying," Barton said.
"He was incredibly upset," Barton said. "The only friend he has ever made in his life was forced to do this."
St. Lucie School's spokeswoman Janice Karst said the district is investigating the incident, but could not make any further comment.
Vern Melvin, Department of Children and Families circuit administrator, confirmed the agency is investigating an allegation of abuse at Morningside but said he could not elaborate.
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Posted 5/27/08 1:47 PM  |
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EmmaNick
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Member since 12/06 16001 total posts
Name:
*
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Re: Teacher of the Year
That is so incredibly sad and that teacher needs to be fired TODAY  
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| Posted 5/27/08 1:50 PM |
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Tah-wee-ZAH
Kisses
Member since 5/05 15952 total posts
Name:
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Re: Teacher of the Year
First, that poor, poor boy. I hope he's not scarred for life
Second, I @#$%%& HATE teachers like this.
Most teachers I know, myself included, work so, so hard both in the classroom, and beyond, to meet the needs of ALL of our students. It's the few bad apples, like this teacher, that make many parents and students question most teachers these days.
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| Posted 5/27/08 1:52 PM |
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bicosi
life is a carousel
Member since 7/07 14956 total posts
Name:
M
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Re: Teacher of the Year
this article made me cry. 
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| Posted 5/27/08 1:53 PM |
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headoverheels
s'il vous plaît
Member since 6/07 42079 total posts
Name:
LB
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Re: Teacher of the Year
oh my GOD!!! how does this teacher still have a job?? that poor boy... he has to deal with aspergers AND insensitive, azzhole teachers? ugh what a crappy situation.
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| Posted 5/27/08 1:54 PM |
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Bxgell2
Perfection
Member since 5/05 16438 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: Teacher of the Year
Unfortunately, this is SO typical of the kind of complaints we receive in my office. ALL THE TIME Having been through it myself with my 4th grade teacher, it really does give me such an incredible sense of satisfaction when I have to look these teachers dead in the eyes while I interview them, and make them shake in their booties.
It's disgusting. I just don't know why people like this become teachers
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| Posted 5/27/08 2:03 PM |
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stickydust
Now a mommy of 2!!!
Member since 4/06 3164 total posts
Name:
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Re: Teacher of the Year
This is so sad and despicable. I am so incredibly upset by this. That poor little kid. Fortunately, it seems like he has a good mother to love him and advocate for him.
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| Posted 5/27/08 2:37 PM |
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lvdolphins
My Loves!
Member since 5/05 46292 total posts
Name:
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Re: Teacher of the Year
 Absolutley horrible! That teacher needs to be FIRED right this instant!
Shame On Her!!!!
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| Posted 5/27/08 2:52 PM |
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krashnburn
I am Batman!
Member since 5/05 4093 total posts
Name:
I'm Batman, I tell you!
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Re: Teacher of the Year
This made me so sad. Now child should ever be meant to feel that way
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| Posted 5/27/08 3:00 PM |
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HillW9608
Hello Summer!
Member since 5/08 5916 total posts
Name:
Hill
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Re: Teacher of the Year
That is absolutely horrible, how could a TEACHER do that to a little child???
Message edited 5/27/2008 3:10:18 PM.
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| Posted 5/27/08 3:09 PM |
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JChia
Mom of 2 Princesses
Member since 9/07 2540 total posts
Name:
Jen
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Re: Teacher of the Year
what a sad story - it reminds me of my sponsor teacher when I was student teaching - one little girl had severe emotional issues and couldn't keep still (first grade) the SpED teacher asked the teacher to work one-on-one with her during my solo week and she refused... "that's MY time" she said- what a witch - I really hated her and is one of the reasons (of which there are many) that I decided not to become a teacher.
Poor little boy - I hope the parents sue and they win!
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| Posted 5/27/08 3:51 PM |
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CkGm
They get so big, so fast :(
Member since 5/05 13848 total posts
Name:
Christine
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Re: Teacher of the Year
That poor child That mom needs to contact the Office of Civil Rights since this poor boy's rights were all trampled on. I would love to see his IEP and what this teacher needed to be aware of in terms of helping this child. She could be sued personally. I hope this parent is aware of ALL her rights and sues this teacher personally.
I agree with Tah-Wee-Zah, I hate teachers like this who make the rest look bad. I want to go beat up this woman so badly, I am clenching my hands right now. I am so upset for this child.
Message edited 5/27/2008 3:55:52 PM.
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| Posted 5/27/08 3:55 PM |
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smdl
I love Gary too..on a plate!
Member since 5/06 32461 total posts
Name:
me
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Re: Teacher of the Year
Well, I am sure it feels like it's hitting home, right? After your recent post with your old teacher.
He is only 5 years old. Why would anyone, a teacher in particular, use a twisted adult mind and use other children to mentally abuse a child for their own enjoyment? AND YES, I said enjoyment. I find it sadistic. I am beyond perplex. How disgusting!!!!!
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| Posted 5/27/08 3:57 PM |
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TiggerBounce
The Prince & Princess
Member since 7/05 4939 total posts
Name:
J
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Re: Teacher of the Year
When I read stories of this natures (regardless of the Autism part, which only makes this story more disgusting) I hurt.
These are small children who are very impressionable. What in the world was this teacher thinking to have the other students vote!?!? I have one tiny ounce of feeling that she may not have thought it would go this way, but at the first sign that these children were saying BAD things about a fellow student, AND with the teacher knowing the testing going on regarding Autism, THAT is where it all goes even MORE wrong!
This disturbs me. If I were the mother, I would take Alex's sibling out of this school as well. There should be some sort of charges or disciplinary action taken against the teacher, at the very least.
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| Posted 5/27/08 4:10 PM |
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MrsBlueSash
Love my sailor
Member since 6/05 5793 total posts
Name:
Christian
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Re: Teacher of the Year
O M G! That lady should e fired IMMEDIATELY. She can go find work in another field, she should not be allowed to teach. DISGUSTING! I feel so, so bad for that little boy.
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| Posted 5/27/08 4:43 PM |
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groovypeg
:)
Member since 5/05 2423 total posts
Name:
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Re: Teacher of the Year
we should write to the school and express our disgust. she should get fired!
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| Posted 5/27/08 5:12 PM |
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Tammy503
LIF Infant
Member since 6/06 263 total posts
Name:
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Re: Teacher of the Year
That literally brought tears to my eyes. Sounds like that Mom is a good advocate for her child. Hopefully the teacher will get some serious consequences. I think they would have to call the cops for me because I would have had to beat her ***.
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| Posted 5/27/08 6:00 PM |
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Re: Teacher of the Year
Just shame on her....that poor boy. I hope they fire her immediately!
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| Posted 5/27/08 6:51 PM |
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Re: Teacher of the Year
I understand it takes some time to come up wht a correct diagnosis but it sounds like this kid got no services while they were coming up with a diagnosis and an education program for him. Why? If you ask me, the school and that teacher are failing at their jobs.
Message edited 5/27/2008 6:59:11 PM.
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| Posted 5/27/08 6:58 PM |
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Moehick
Ready for the sun!
Member since 5/05 30339 total posts
Name:
Properly perfect™
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Re: Teacher of the Year
Absolutely disgusting....I hate teachers like this
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| Posted 5/27/08 7:02 PM |
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Re: Teacher of the Year
Posted by groovypeg
we should write to the school and express our disgust. she should get fired!
ACTUALLY I googled her name and found her school email!!! 
Who wants to send a whole bunch of harassing emails??? 
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| Posted 5/27/08 8:32 PM |
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Palebride
I am an amazing bakist
Member since 5/05 13673 total posts
Name:
Lori
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Re: Teacher of the Year
Liza - isn't the similar to what happened with your teacher when you were younger?
What a terrible terrible person!
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| Posted 5/27/08 8:59 PM |
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jinglemommy
I <3 my boys!
Member since 12/06 1389 total posts
Name:
Kelly
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Re: Teacher of the Year
One word @sshole! and that is my professional opinion! That is the kind of story that every district's pta's, septa's and unions should know about! What a disgrace!
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| Posted 5/27/08 9:13 PM |
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InShock
life is good
Member since 10/06 9258 total posts
Name:
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Re: Teacher of the Year
OMG.
Disgusting.
She needs to be fired IMMEDIATELY.
I am ashamed that this woman shares the same title as me.
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| Posted 5/27/08 9:15 PM |
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Re: Teacher of the Year
Posted by Palebride
Liza - isn't the similar to what happened with your teacher when you were younger?
What a terrible terrible person!
Yes!!!
i am so tempted to email the story to her, but I figured I already ruined her life enough at this point!
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| Posted 5/27/08 9:16 PM |
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