Substitute teacher says she was fired for saying 'vagina'
When substitute teacher Allison Wint used the word "vagina" in front of a class full of Michigan 8th graders, she expected a reaction of light giggling. She didn't expect to be fired.
That's what Wint is claiming happened following an art history lecture in which she used the word "vagina" numerous times. The discussion was focused Georgia O'Keeffe's flower paintings, which are often interpreted as incorporating vaginal imagery. (It's worth noting that O'Keeffe has previously denied that her paintings depict vulvas.)
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Wint told Lansing State Journal she remembers telling the class: “Imagine walking into a gallery when [O’Keeffe] was first showing her pieces, and thinking, ‘Am I actually seeing vaginas here, am I a pervert? I’m either a pervert or this woman was a pervert.’
All told, she believes she said "vagina" about 10 times, but "never in a vulgar way."
"I thought if I used a euphemism, that would make it into a joke,” she said. “And I don’t think that’s a word you should be afraid of."
The next day, Wint says the principal pulled her aside to discuss the lecture.
"She said there are a thousand other ways to teach controversy, and that it was inappropriate,” Wint said.
According to the school's handbook, obtained by local news station WWMT, Wint violated a section that required advanced approval when discussing any form of reproductive health. WWMT reported that she was told to pack her things and go.
Soon after Wint's story aired, the Harper Creek Middle School Facebook page was flooded comments from people angry about the dismissal.
The administration released a statement on the page Wednesday, indicating that Wint was dismissed for not following curriculum and "other failures."
"...We are aware of the allegations that controversial subject matter resulted in a substitute teacher, employed through a third party agency, not being invited back for further service. This is not the case. We do not shy away from controversial issues. The District did have concerns that the substitute teacher did not follow district art curriculum. These concerns, in addition to other failures, were the basis for the determination."
Wint, who told WWMT that she enjoyed her job and will "miss the kids," is looking for a new teaching gig.
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