Teacher Calls Out Student's Behavior — and Now She's Been Fired for It

An Ohio school board handed one of its teachers a pink slip after finding out she "publicly humiliated" a student accused of bullying. Now, some residents are lashing out.

Nicole LeMire was a teacher at Glen Oak Elementary School in Olentangy, Ohio, for 14 years. She learned last month that a student was sneezing on other kids and using inappropriate language, so she confronted him about it, WCMH-TV reported.

Ohio elementary school teacher Nicole LeMire was fired after school officials said she “publicly humiliated” a bully. (WCMH-TV)

"I said, 'Do you know how your actions and your words are hurting other students and your friends?' That's it," LeMire said.

But members of the school board say there's more to the story.

School officials said LeMire asked other students in her class to take turns saying how "Student A" violated the rule and why he was annoying or didn't have any friends. Board members said LeMire didn't let the boy defend himself while his classmates voiced their complaints.

And that, school officials said, constituted "public humiliation."

LeMire was placed on paid administrative leave; on Thursday, school board members voted to fire her.

The much beloved teacher didn't leave without a fight, though. Students from years past showed up in her defense and locals voiced their frustrations at the meeting.

"I'm embarrassed to live in this district," one woman shouted.

Marsha Seymour, one of LeMire's friends and colleagues, called her "a natural-born educator. She truly has the child's best interest in mind, no matter what."

One student described LeMire as "the very most impactful teacher I have ever had."

Despite LeMire's popularity, however, school officials stood by their decision but declined to comment further.

LeMire plans to pursue legal action. Her future plans are unclear.

NBC4i: Columbus, Ohio News, Weather and Sports (WCMH-TV)

(H/T: WCMH-TV)

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