WOODBRIDGE, N.J. – A New Jersey teacher who liked to call students losers on Facebook won’t be teaching again in The Garden State any time soon.
The New Jersey Board of Education suspended Paula Weckesser’s teaching license for two years following a state Board of Examiners hearing last year over numerous instances of misconduct throughout her 30 years as a teacher, NJ.com reports.
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Weckesser taught math at Woodbridge High School and JFK Memorial High School until she was fired for unbecoming conduct and insubordination in 2013, when district officials alleged her behavior had been “inappropriate and disrespectful … over a prolonged period of time,” according to the Woodbridge Patch.
The teacher allegedly mocked a student learning English for not being able to read a calculator, forced another student caught sleeping in class to stand for 45 minutes and take notes, and labeled some students losers on Facebook.
“In another incident, Weckesser asked a cafeteria worker if there was any breakfast left that had been served to students. When the worker responded that there was no more left, Weckesser responded: ‘What the f**k do you know?’ the district said,” according to the Patch. “Students were in the general area when the remarks were made.
The district also alleged Weckesser was constantly late to work, was not objective in calculating grades, and allowed her cell phone to ring during state standardized tests.
“Woodbridge also noted that Weckesser continually refused help from superiors when offered and, on multiple occasions, commented that she did not want to take advice from anyone who had less experience than she,” the Board of Examiners wrote in the April 6 ruling.
Her attorney, Edward Cridge, argued that while “maybe it was right she lost her job,” the teacher’s actions “were not so grave that Weckesser should lose her certificates” to teach, according to NJ.com.
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The Board of Examiners agreed in a sense, when they opted to suspend Weckesser’s license for two years, rather than revoke it permanently.
“Weskesser noted that she had been a teacher for 30 years and that she loved kids, teaching and helping people,” the board wrote in its ruling. “She took responsibility for her actions and stated that going through the tenure proceeding was difficult and a learning experience.”
Cridge said he expects his client will return to the classroom after her suspension.
“I think that Ms. Weckesser deserves the chance to move on with her career in the future, and hopefully she will be able to do that after the suspension,” he said.


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