01.09.07
Teacher in duct-taping reassigned to Highland
Teacher in duct-taping reassigned to Highland
New principal: One incident doesn’t erase ‘30-some years of good teaching’
BY SHELLIE BRANCO, Californian staff writer
e-mail: sbranco@bakersfield.com | Monday, Jan 8 2007 10:30 PM
Last Updated: Monday, Jan 8 2007 10:35 PM
Former Bakersfield High School teacher Carol Humphrey, accused of duct-taping a student’s fingers and mouth shut during class, began a new assignment Monday as an independent study teacher at Highland High School.
Kern High School District spokesman John Teves said he would not comment on why she was reassigned because it’s a “personnel matter.”
The science teacher was placed on paid administrative leave Dec. 5, the same day the incident allegedly took place.
The student in Humphrey’s freshman science class allegedly was making a sound during class by thumping his fingers against his air-filled cheeks.
Humphrey was said to have taped the student’s mouth shut and placed tape over a few of his fingers.
Humphrey could not be reached for comment Monday.
The district has said Humphrey has been with its schools since 1971 and had no previous disciplinary problems.
Teves said he did not know when the decision was made.
As an independent study instructor, she’ll work with students who cannot attend daily classes because of health or other issues, Teves said. She’ll help them with all coursework, not just science.
Bakersfield High Principal David Reese said Humphrey made the transfer voluntarily. He said he did not take part in the decision.
Highland High Principal Robert Schneider said he was notified of the decision last week.
He met with Humphrey and is happy to have her, he said.
As for the alleged duct-tape discipline, he said: “I don’t know that that erases 30-some years of good teaching. At least, I don’t believe it does.”
She’ll remain at Highland through the end of the school year, he said. Schneider doesn’t know what will happen after that.
He called the incident “unfortunate,” adding he would not condone teachers who display such behavior.
“But I also understand the frustration level,” he said. “We live in a different time than when I was a teacher and our student behavior … can get pretty tough, be pretty frustrating.”
“I don’t think this kind of behavior is going to happen again on the teacher’s part,” he added.
