A Colorado high school teacher's career is on the line after she allegedly drew cartoon penises on student papers and in a student's yearbook.
A district memo provided to the school board obtained by the Daily Camera shows in May, Fairview High teacher Rebecca Roetto drew the images on at least 10 senior student forms. She admitted to wrongdoing when questioned about the images by the school's principal, even stating that she had attempted to change some of the drawings into butterflies.
After Roetto agreed to stop drawing the images, a student reported that she had drawn a penis in their yearbook.
An investigation conducted into the incident by school district decided that Roetto engaged in inappropriate behavior with and towards students, constituting sexual harassment. Her conduct also violated various board policies regarding staff conduct and professional boundaries.
Boulder Valley Superintendent Rob Anderson has recommended Roetto's dismissal following her conduct. However, parents, colleagues and former students of Roetto's spoke up in her defense at Tuesday's Boulder Valley school board meeting, according to the Denver Post.
"Miss Roetto has spent her career speaking up for those of us who don't have a voice," said Jennifer Contreras Robles, a sophomore at the University of Colorado and a former student of Roetto. "There are real problems at Fairview, and Miss Roetto is not one of them. She is the kindest, most supportive teacher that I have had."
Students present at Tuesday's meeting also clarified that Roetto drew the penises after students joked that she should instead of stamping the "check-out" forms needed by seniors for graduation, because Roetto did not have a stamp needed to complete the forms.
"Was what happened a mistake? Yes," said Roetto's colleague, Randi Hart. "Should a 20-year career go down the drain because of it? No."
Parent Katherine Francis also pointed out that Roetto supported multiple students who had been victims of sexual harassment, and was a strong advocate for improving school culture.
"I can't help but wonder if what we're witnessing today is retaliation for her using her voice to draw attention to these failures in our schools," Francis said.
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