Northwest Indiana Discussion

NEW YORK — What are parents to do when their child comes home from school with stories about “this creepy guy in my class” — and it turns out to be the teacher?

That’s a very real concern for parents with children in New York City public schools, where 14 teachers of highly dubious character have been reinstated to the classroom — and two others have been given “desk duty” — thanks to appeals by their powerful teachers union, the United Federation of Teachers.

NYDailyNews.com reports that 16 teachers “kept their jobs after being brought up on egregious charges, some sexual, some involving excessive personal familiarity with students.”

A few examples:

Gym and health teacher Willie Laraque was charged with bending a male student over a desk, leaning in to him and saying, “I’ll show you what is gay.” The Daily News reports Laraque is back in the classroom after paying a $10,000 fine.

Norman Siegel, a high school teacher, was accused of pressing his genitalia against a female student’s leg. Siegel only received a 45-day unpaid suspension, “although the arbitrator found that the girl’s charge was likely true” and that Siegel “was previously accused of a similar offense,” the Daily News writes.

There’s also a case involving Edward Cascio, a gym teacher who accepted pornographic pictures from a student — of another student. Cascio was back at work after serving his three-month suspension.

Last week EAGnews published a video featuring Milwaukee teachers union president Bob Peterson tut-tutting about putting union political flyers in the backpacks of students and bussing parents and students to vote in the Wisconsin recall election.

Of course that strategy didn’t work. Gov. Scott Walker won and the unions were embarrassed.

The same video also featured Brian Verdin, a local college instructor we misidentified as a member of the Milwaukee Teachers Education Association. He is, in fact, a member of the Wisconsin branch of the American Federation of Teachers, according to a YouTube video.

While other union activists around Wisconsin are sometimes coy about their radical views (outside the classroom, that is), Verdin is just the opposite. He’s a Marxist teacher who wants to bring a socialist revolution to the United States, and he’s very proud of that stance. [...]

Referring to himself as a Marxist, Verdin explained he was on the verge of tears when he saw a picture of the Wisconsin capitol building on display in the Greek union hall.

He also attempted to explain that while he’s told to “go back to Russia” because of his Marxist views, he tells people his home was North America “before it was the United States.” This is apparently a reference to some of his family’s Mexican roots.

Verdin also told the audience, “The ideas of socialism are as American as apple pie.” His interpreter clearly didn’t get the analogy, leading to several moments of awkward confusion.

BELLEFONTE, Pa. (CBS) – After days of deliberations and a communication blackout, the sequestered jury has reached a verdict in the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse case.

Court will convene at about 9:50 p.m. to receive the verdict. The trial began on June 11 — and in the hands of the jury after seven days of testimony – is now coming to an end.

The former assistant football coach was arrested in November 2011, accused of sexually abusing 10 boys over a 15-year period, using his charity for at-risk youth, The Second Mile, as a source of victims. The scandal led to the departure of the university’s president and the firing of beloved head coach Joe Paterno. Paterno died of cancer in January 2012.

Sandusky faced life in prison if convicted on all 48 counts.

CBSPhilly is standing by and will have the verdict when it comes available.

An assistant cheerleading coach at an Indianapolis high school was arrested last week after police say she performed sexual acts on a 17-year-old male student, Fox59.com reported.

Megan Crafton, 22, who reportedly lists herself as engaged on her Facebook page, allegedly performed sex acts on the student inside her vehicle at a supermarket parking lot, the report said.

"We wouldn't be having this conversation if it was her and some other gentleman who doesn't go to the school, or isn't part of the school system, but unfortunately in this case, it was and it made it illegal," Michael Turner, a lieutenant at the Shelbyville Police Department, told the station.

Authorities point out that Crafton was in a position of authority as a school employee, the report said.

"When she signed on as an assistant cheerleading coach, she took a responsibility that she wouldn't have relations at that school," Turner said.

The alleged relationship occurred in January. Shelbyville High School officials alerted authorities about rumors circulating about the relationship, police said. Police were able to gather enough evidence to obtain a warrant and Crafton was arrested for child seduction, a D felony, the report said.

Crafton turned herself in on Thursday and pleaded not guilty in a court appearance.

I don't see it. She is young and hot, he was over the age of consent.
She has no authority over him and it's much to do over nothing.
People are jealous because this guy lived the dream......