I would argue most teachers have ‘WTF’ moments while looking at students’ work, but most would never actually say that to a student. Although, something is bound to slip out every once and a while…
And, that’s exactly what’s happened to a teacher in Florida, who is under investigation after reportedly swearing on a student’s science homework assignment.
The teacher, who has not been named, is said to have written ‘WTF is this? Absolutely no credit,’ in big red ink on the work.
Mum, Melinda Smith, raised the alarm when she read her son’s paper, which looks to be worth 30 per cent of the student’s lab grade.
Talking to NBC 7, she said:
It’s basically what the f*ck is this. It wasn’t anything about not getting the credit, it was more so the language about what the writing to students, that was very inappropriate and not acceptable for a teacher whatsoever.[sic]
Writing on the assignment suggests it was a write up on a ‘discovery breakthrough in technology’, although it appeared to be a broad subject area as it reads ‘it can be any area, something that interests you.’
Smith told the news outlet:
I think for sure she needs to be reprimanded, I believe that something should be placed in her file.
The principal of the school, Coy Pilson, has confirmed they have taken action and are investigating the incident.
Pilson said:
Once we were notified, I notified district officials and our HR has been involved and they’re currently investigating the situation. She was apologetic and it was a mistake on her part.
Although it’s not clear what action the school has taken against the anonymous teacher, it does sound like the headteacher will be able to forgive her actions.
He continued:
All of the teachers at Rutherford High School are caring, loving teachers and we’re also human and so, we make mistakes, but we understand that we are called to a high professional standard and when we make mistakes we try to correct those mistakes and move forward.
If a teacher had written that on any of my school work, I’d have thought ‘finally, we’re speaking the same language!’
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Emma Rosemurgey is an NCTJ trained Journalist who started her career by producing The Royal Rosemurgey newspaper in 2004, which kept her family up to date with the goings on of her sleepy north east village. She graduated from the University of Central Lancashire in Preston and started her career in regional newspapers before joining Tyla (formerly Pretty 52) in 2017, and progressing onto UNILAD in 2019.