ST. JAMES PARISH, La. — A St. James Parish school teacher is out of a job after allegedly posting a video to social media of an autistic student crying.
As WBRZ reports Paulina Elementary school teacher Jenny Poche – a former teacher of the year – is no longer teaching at the school after allegedly posting a video of 1st grader Jalan crying in the corner. Jalan’s mother Brittny Hayes says her son has autism and is prone to outbursts at school.
"He's sitting at a table by himself just crying his eyes out, then she puts the camera back on herself and she kind of smirks and covers her face," Hayes told WBRZ.
"I feel like she's mocking him like she's discriminating against his disability. She just didn't want to deal with it at that moment."
On Wednesday, St. James Parish School District Superintendent Chris Kimball told WBRZ that Poche no longer works for the school. Here's his entire statement:
"St. James Parish Schools has been notified of an on-campus incident by a school employee and the possible unauthorized dissemination of in-class student activities. The St. James Parish School District, including the St. James Parish School Board, works to ensure the safety and well-being of all its students and remains appreciative of the hard work and dedication of our many teachers and support staff. Our system initiated a deep and thorough investigation. The employee in question is no longer employed by the St. James Parish School District, and no further comment will be issued."
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