Twenty-four year old Heather Ellis, infamous due to her actions at a Missouri Wal-Mart three years ago, has taken a leave of absence from her one year teacher-practitioner’s position at Central High School in Baton Rouge. She was teaching biology.
According to 2theadvocate.com, Central Community Schools Superintendent Michael Faulk will evaluate her situation upon her return.
Now that Ms. Ellis has pleaded guilty to a lesser but relevant charge, this could turn into another heated situation.
As a teacher-practitioner, she works as a teacher while studying to earn a Level I Teaching Certificate in Louisiana.
A misdemeanor conviction does not usually preclude a person from qualifying for a position as a teacher.
"What a shame the system can destroy a young person's future like this because of bad cops," Heather Ellis wrote in her letter to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People back in April of this year.
But the fact that she has now pled guilty to charges related to the incident, and as a result is on one year’s probation and must attend anger management classes, throws up red flags for any state credentialing program considering hiring her as a full-time teacher.
The state of Louisiana has some serious decisions ahead. If it eventually grants her the teaching certificate, there are bound to be those who question Ms. Ellis’ qualifications due to her actions and conviction, and the accompanying publicity may not be desirable.
If Louisiana does not grant her the teaching certificate, then it faces possible racially-related criticism from the NAACP and other advocates for Ms. Ellis.
Whatever the decision might be, teacher-practioner Heather Ellis must complete the required courses successfully. First things first.
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