Fire West Orange HS Teacher who called her black students monkeys

The Issue

We are black students who attend West Orange High School in Winter Garden, FL just outside Orlando. We took Remedial English to help us prepare for and improve scores of the state assessment tests. Our teacher, who is white, has made racially derogatory statements during school hours, calling them "monkeys" to their faces in classes. Her name is Suzanne Scherfer. Ms. Scherfer also uses social media and makes personal calls during class time. She does anything but teach. Ms. Scherfer is also very volatile normally when speaking to the students. Scherfer was reported to the principal repeatedly by parents, only resulting in a three day PAID suspension. Now that principal has left his position, resulting in Scherfer being able to begin a new slate with the principal Floyd despite her stereotypical comments. Looking further into this, Ms. Scherfer has served two days in jail with a battery conviction and was forced to attend Batterers Intervention but failed to report this to the School District which she is contractually obligated to do so under the ruling of the Florida Department of Education. She also has 65 traffic tickets. This woman thinks she can do and say whatever despite laws and regulations in place inside and outside the classroom. It is hard speaking with a black voice. Ms. Scherfer has abused her position of authority repeatedly and should be terminated, which we feel she would have been if she was any other race. We are tired of our voices being undermined. Please help us spread the word and do not let this white teacher racially profile and talk to students this way! 

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The Issue

We are black students who attend West Orange High School in Winter Garden, FL just outside Orlando. We took Remedial English to help us prepare for and improve scores of the state assessment tests. Our teacher, who is white, has made racially derogatory statements during school hours, calling them "monkeys" to their faces in classes. Her name is Suzanne Scherfer. Ms. Scherfer also uses social media and makes personal calls during class time. She does anything but teach. Ms. Scherfer is also very volatile normally when speaking to the students. Scherfer was reported to the principal repeatedly by parents, only resulting in a three day PAID suspension. Now that principal has left his position, resulting in Scherfer being able to begin a new slate with the principal Floyd despite her stereotypical comments. Looking further into this, Ms. Scherfer has served two days in jail with a battery conviction and was forced to attend Batterers Intervention but failed to report this to the School District which she is contractually obligated to do so under the ruling of the Florida Department of Education. She also has 65 traffic tickets. This woman thinks she can do and say whatever despite laws and regulations in place inside and outside the classroom. It is hard speaking with a black voice. Ms. Scherfer has abused her position of authority repeatedly and should be terminated, which we feel she would have been if she was any other race. We are tired of our voices being undermined. Please help us spread the word and do not let this white teacher racially profile and talk to students this way! 

The Decision Makers

West Orange High School faculty and students
West Orange High School faculty and students
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Petition created on July 18, 2016