A New York City Spanish teacher is in hot water after she was found to have performed an “inappropriate sexual act” during a Zoom lesson. Amanda K. Fletcher, 37, was employed at the prestigious Columbia Secondary School for Math, Science and Engineering when she “appeared to suck the nipple of an unidentified topless male” while “gyrating” or “rocking back and forth,” as per the Special Commissioner of Investigation of schools in the city.
- The incident started roughly 12 minutes before the class ended. At this point, Fletcher began engaging in the inappropriate behavior with the man before she “resumed teaching and discussing a worksheet,” according to a student present in the class. All students in the class were still present during the incident and watched on as it happened.
- That wasn’t her only inappropriate act. At another point during the lesson, held September 30, students saw Fletcher “eating spaghetti” while the topless man stood behind her. The report, dated October 29, 2020, said that videos of the incident were reviewed after being shared on Snapchat and other social media channels.
- Fletcher declined to explain her behavior. Not only did she not offer an explanation for what she did, but she refused to allow SCI investigators to interview her. DOE spokeswoman Danielle Filson said: “This behavior is absolutely unacceptable.” She added that teachers had been given the Digital Media Guidelines for Remote Learning in March 2020, which “reminded school-based staff that virtual classrooms should follow the same protocols as in-person classrooms – e.g. outside individuals are not permitted to walk into a classroom, whether virtual or in-person – and staff must continue to maintain a safe and appropriate learning environment.”
- Weirdly enough, she hasn’t been fired from her job. Fletcher, who has been employed by the Department of Education since 2007, was “reassigned” after reports of the incident were brought to its attention and they plan to “pursue disciplinary action” against her. In the meantime, she remains on the payroll and pulled in $105,588 in 2020. It remains to be seen what punishment, if any, the teacher will face in the wake of this incident.
