substitute teacher canned in Florida for practicing wizardry

[RougeUnderoos]

http://www.tampabays10.com/news/loca...?storyid=79533

Substitute teacher Jim Piculas does a 30-second magic trick where a toothpick disappears then reappears.
But after performing it in front of a classroom at Rushe Middle School in Land 'O Lakes, Piculas said his job did a disappearing act of its own.
"I get a call the middle of the day from the supervisor of substitute teachers. He says, 'Jim, we have a huge issue. You can't take any more assignments. You need to come in right away,'" he said.
When Piculas went in, he learned his little magic trick cast a spell that went much farther than he'd hoped.
"I said, 'Well Pat, can you explain this to me?' 'You've been accused of wizardry,' [he said]. Wizardry?" he asked.

This is brilliant. And I know someone will say "they said he didn't do other aspects of his job", and that's fair enough, but if someone actually complained about wizardry then my scorn and the following comment is legit:



These people are morons.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Thankfully I've heard that Hogwarts came a calling and he has a new job lined up.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Well, he should get canned. Wizardry is not something to be fooled around. what if he summons ghosts? or worst, a battle unicorn?

[Daradon]

I guess that settles all the conspiracy thoeries...

Bush really did win Florida in 2000 after all...

[Flash Walken]

At least he isn't working on Bikini Fishing Tours...

[CaramonLS]

I'm trying to determine who is more at fault here:

1) The little dumb*** who 'reported' the teacher to his parents (hopefully he was really, really young and then he might be forgiven).
2) The "concerned parent" who decided to report this bull**** to his supervisor. (Honestly, could you imagine being in your mid 30s and being this ######ing ######ed?)
3) The Supervisor who is taking this complaint seriously.

[Daradon]

They are all at fault. That's the point. It's not just one person who has crazy beliefs like that. It's half the friggen state.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by CaramonLS

1) The little dumb*** who 'reported' the teacher to his parents (hopefully he was really, really young and then he might be forgiven).

It says it was a middle school, so that would be at least grade 6 (11 or 12 years old). You'd hope kids that age would be smart enough to know that a silly magic trick isn't wizardry. That said, I remember when I was in grade 12 French class, our teacher gave us an astrology chart and we had to put together a little description of our personality using our sign and the descriptions (in French, since that was the class). Two of the girls in my class (remember, this was grade 12, so they were at least 17) complained about the "occult" aspects of the assignment. The teacher (and the rest of the class) rolled her eyes and told them they didn't have to believe in astrology to do the assignment.

[hacksword]

The supervisor over-reacted, it's not like the sub taught the kids a higher level spell like Magic Missile or Fireball. Jeez, even a gerbil can make a saving throw vs. Disappearing Toothpick!

[The Fonz]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

At least he isn't working on Bikini Fishing Tours...

Don't deny it, you were hoping to open that link and see pics of him sporting a speedo, serving drinks.

[RatherDashing]

Tampa Bay's 10 talked to the assistant superintendent with the Pasco County School District who said it wasn't just the wizardry and that Picular had other performance issues, including "not following lesson plans" and allowing students to play on unapproved computers.

It sounds to me like this was just a stupid excuse for getting rid of a bad teacher that they weren't happy with. At least I'm hoping that's what it is.

[Daradon]

^^^ Or they are using those reasons to 'back up' the wizardry one. Those are relatively small problems too.

[Azure]

Well surely we can't have some tricks in the classroom!

[Textcritic]

"Tampa Bay's 10 talked to the assistant superintendent with the Pasco County School District who said it wasn't just the wizardry and that Picular had other performance issues, including "not following lesson plans" and allowing students to play on unapproved computers."

Unapproved computers?!?! Oh, the humanity!

[algernon]

Well, if he is practicing to be a wizard, at least he's not into sex, so the students needn't worry about him creepin' on them in that way. Battle'corns and Fireballs, though... frankly I'd be concerned, too.

[Joborule]

Silly teacher, trix are for kids!

[Daradon]

Originally Posted by hacksword

The supervisor over-reacted, it's not like the sub taught the kids a higher level spell like Magic Missile or Fireball. Jeez, even a gerbil can make a saving throw vs. Disappearing Toothpick!

So what your say is cantrips should be legal in middle school, but anything level 1-9 should be looked at in a harsher light?

Wow, I think that's the nerdiest thing I've said in years lol!

[Locke]

Wow, the substitute teacher population is going down faster than pirates.

Soon they'll be extinct.

[FlamesAddiction]

It would make a good anecdote for Alex Trebek to talk about if he ever goes on Jeopardy.

[Jayems]

Wizzzzzzardry.

/obscure Opie & Anthony -- Jim Norton reference.