Lake County teacher accused of spraying water at non-verbal autistic student who had fear of water, officials say
Quote:
local teacher was fired from a school, accused of spraying water on a student with autism.
The teacher claims she was doing it to get the student's attention.
WESH 2 News went to Pine Ridge Elementary School, where that teacher worked.
The incident happened at Pine Ridge Elementary School in Clermont. The teacher is accused of spraying water at a student who is autistic and non-verbal. The child is also said to be afraid of water.
The teacher, Cara Sanderlin, was terminated by the Lake County School Board, WESH 2 News has learned.
Sanderlin appealed the decision.
During that hearing, Sanderlin testified she did not spray water at the student, but that she directed the water to his side, "in order to get him to comply with verbal directions."
According to court records, the mediator said "this practice is not an acceptable means of redirecting a student," but felt like the teacher should not be fired, WESH 2 News has learned.
The Lake County School Board has indicated they will vote to stick with their original decision, but Sanderlin's attorney said she deserves to keep her job.
On Monday, the school board will confirm that the teacher has been fired.
Sanderlin taught in Lake County for more than ten years.
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It is Autism Acceptance Month
“My autism is not a superpower. It also isn’t some kind of god-forsaken, endless fountain of suffering inflicted on my family. It’s just part of who I am as a person”. - Sara Luterman
22 Jun 2019, 1:29 am
