A Vancouver kindergarten teacher says she doesn’t regret writing letters calling the Vancouver School Board “corrupt” and discouraging the parents of a special needs child from transferring their son into her school.
According to a Labour Relations Board decision, Susan Debeck was fired for insubordination. She went to the board to argue that her union failed to properly represent her.
Debeck says she has post-traumatic stress disorder triggered by witnessing an administrator physically restraining a student.
She claims her mental state led her to hand-deliver a letter to the family of an autistic child saying: “No school wants to be overburdened with special needs students.”
She also sent letters to the VSB’s superintendent and chairman questioning the board’s approach to special needs children.
But Debeck says she was guided by concern about resources and the ability of the public system to cope with the highly challenging needs of some students.
