MISSION, KAN -
A Shawnee Mission School District teacher who was fired for using sexual banter in class says that he has been unjustly targeted and treated unfairly, and he says that he's going to fight to get his job back.
Former Mission Valley Middle School science teacher Ryan Haraughty says that he can't believe that he has been fired.
"In my opinion, there is an abuse of power there," said Haraughty.
Haraughty says that the charges that led to his dismissal are based on a single incident, when he drew a map of the United States to help explain how the jet stream works.
"I drew Florida out of proportion," said Haraughty. "The kids jump all over stuff like that, 'Oh Mr. Haraughty, Florida is all wrong. OK, whatever, not thinking, I said, 'Florida got excited.' And right after, I'm thinking, you know, but I decided I'm not going to dwell on it."
But one parent did dwell on the incident, and complained to the school. And now Haraughty is out of a job and his students left without a teacher.
"He pushes people, he works with you to make sure you do better at school," said former student Kayalie Stabler. "He can be your friend and he can be your teacher."
That sentiment was shared by dozens of students who protested on Tuesday at the Middle School, and hundreds of people who showed up to support hims at the school board meeting on Monday night, where Haraughty was fired on the grounds that he created a sexually hostile environment at school.
Neither the school principal or the Shawnee Mission School Board would comment to FOX 4 on the matter.
"That really, really frustrates me, because those kids deserve so much better," said Haraughty. "They don't deserve to be abandoned by their school."
Haraughty says that he's going to appeal the board's decision. He says that he's planning for the worst, but hoping for the best.
"I feel like it was what I was meant to do," said Haraughty. "I feel like God gave me the ability to connect with kids to bring my love and enthusiasm for learning and share that, and, it feels like people are trying to take away my purpose. And it really, really hurts."
Former Mission Valley Middle School science teacher Ryan Haraughty says that he can't believe that he has been fired.
"In my opinion, there is an abuse of power there," said Haraughty.
Haraughty says that the charges that led to his dismissal are based on a single incident, when he drew a map of the United States to help explain how the jet stream works.
"I drew Florida out of proportion," said Haraughty. "The kids jump all over stuff like that, 'Oh Mr. Haraughty, Florida is all wrong. OK, whatever, not thinking, I said, 'Florida got excited.' And right after, I'm thinking, you know, but I decided I'm not going to dwell on it."
But one parent did dwell on the incident, and complained to the school. And now Haraughty is out of a job and his students left without a teacher.
"He pushes people, he works with you to make sure you do better at school," said former student Kayalie Stabler. "He can be your friend and he can be your teacher."
That sentiment was shared by dozens of students who protested on Tuesday at the Middle School, and hundreds of people who showed up to support hims at the school board meeting on Monday night, where Haraughty was fired on the grounds that he created a sexually hostile environment at school.
Neither the school principal or the Shawnee Mission School Board would comment to FOX 4 on the matter.
"That really, really frustrates me, because those kids deserve so much better," said Haraughty. "They don't deserve to be abandoned by their school."
Haraughty says that he's going to appeal the board's decision. He says that he's planning for the worst, but hoping for the best.
"I feel like it was what I was meant to do," said Haraughty. "I feel like God gave me the ability to connect with kids to bring my love and enthusiasm for learning and share that, and, it feels like people are trying to take away my purpose. And it really, really hurts."
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