Cary Altschuler: Florida high school math teacher reassigned after ‘disturbing,’ ‘racially charged’ incident
A math teacher at Lake Worth High School has been removed from the classroom and reassigned after a “racially charged” incident, according to a notice sent to parents by the Palm Beach County School District.
Cary Altschuler, an Advanced Placement statistics teacher, had displayed three students’ photos on the classroom board with the titles “extra cream,” “medium roast,” and “dark roast” above their heads.
The incident was deemed “egregiously inappropriate” and the principal issued an apology. Altschuler has been reassigned to a position within the district where he does not have contact with students.
This is not the first time Altschuler has been accused of inappropriate behavior with students.
In 2018, he was formally reprimanded and placed on probation for two years by the Florida Department of Education after Broward County students reported that he made inappropriate and sometimes sexual comments about female students and what they were wearing.
The incident led to Altschuler being investigated by the Florida Department of Education again in 2017 after female students reported he made inappropriate and sometimes sexual comments about them and what they were wearing.
One student also said he commented on their athletic and academic skills as well as their mother’s appearance. The students who reported the incidents said Altschuler made them feel angry and embarrassed.
Altschuler’s personnel file shows that he reported his prior discipline to the district when he applied for the job.
However, the file does not include any details about the discipline or the complaints that led to the state’s investigation. Altschuler, 48, has been a teacher since 2013 and taught at high schools in Broward County before moving to Avant Garde Academy in Hollywood and then to Somerset Academy Charter Schools in Pembroke Pines, Florida.
The education practices commission presiding officer, Christina Basso, wrote in a letter to Altschuler, “This panel, which includes fellow educators, believes that, as a teacher, you are required to exercise a measure of leadership beyond reproach.
By your actions, you have lessened the reputation of all who practice our profession and have diminished your position as an educational leader. The profession cannot condone your actions, nor can the public who employ us.” Altschuler was fined $750 for his actions.
While teaching at Lake Worth High, Altschuler was also the head coach of the varsity girl’s flag football team and a member of the coaching staff of the boys’ team.
Source: Mckpage.com
