In Polk County, Florida, Ashley Barker, a first grade teacher at Laurel Elementary School, told school officials that she, along with her father, were dying of a disease with no cure, and needed to take many days off. During the year, she sent 120 emails to her bosses so they could accommodate her requests off of work. She was allowed to take her days off, and to leave work early. When the requests started to add up, school officials began to wonder if Barker's story was true, or if she fabricated the story. They began investigating the situation, and found out that she, indeed, made up the story. Eventually, Barker confessed that she, and her father, were not dying of an incurable disease. She had been spending her days off sitting at home. She has been suspended without pay until the judge determines her punishment. Barker is attempting to contest her suspension.
When I first heard about this story, I was shocked and disgusted. What this woman did was very wrong, and she hurt a lot of people in this lie, including her young students. Not to mention, it takes an incredibly sick mind, and soulless person to make up such a lie. There are actual people out there who are dying of incurable diseases. What does Ms. Barker do? Lie, and sit home on her behind. Also, jobs are very hard to come by in this economy, and she threw hers away. Thousands of people would give their right arm for her job. Heck, I wish I were in good, physical condition to work. I love working. Ms. Barker, on the other hand, has a problem with adult responsibilities. To be honest, I don't think she should be teaching impressionable young minds. She is a negative influence on a child.
I think the school system in Polk County, Florida, should sue Ms. Barker for lying. Was she on their health insurance? If she was, the school system has an excellent chance of winning against Barker. Barker has no chance whatsoever. Shame on her for what she did.
(photo courtesy of: http://blu.stb.s-msn.com/i/B7/A3339559F3C3E0883855A3EE98A1F4_h316_w628_m5_cVfulaczL.jpg)
Sources:
http://news.yahoo.com/first-grade-teacher-faked-incurable-disease-she-could-130610334.html;_ylt=A2KJ2UjdnqpRNBwAfznQtDMD
http://now.msn.com/ashley-barker-teacher-accused-of-faking-illness-to-skip-school
