Erin Jensen said that she was aware of the rumors circulating labeling her a "witch" and a "coffee drinker" just before she was terminated as an English teacher at South Sevier High School.

In a town like Marysvale, with a population just above 300, word gets around, she told a jury Wednesday as she took the stand to testify in her lawsuit alleging that the Sevier School District discriminated against her based on her sex and religion.

Jensen said she was also aware that some of the rumors were being spread by the parents of some of her students, who also complained to the principal of South Sevier High School about Jensen "giving ideas" to students, discussing "different belief systems" and at one point swore in class. Jensen denies swearing in class.

"There were rumors in the community about me being a witch and practicing witchcraft," Jensen said, believing the rumors were spread because she was not a practicing member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Jensen acknowledged that although she grew up LDS, she has not been an active member for more than 20 years and had requested to have her name removed from the church's rolls.

However, during direct questioning and cross examination, Jensen noted that in January 2001 she submitted a graduate school application to Brigham Young University in which she marked that she was "affiliated" with the LDS Church and marked "no" when asked if she had been ex-communicated or disfellowshiped. Jensen explained that because she grew up in the faith, she believed she was "affiliated" and she had not been dismissed from the church in the fashion the application asked.

Sevier School District attorney Michael Skolnick asked if she listed that she was affiliated with the LDS Church believing it would improve her chances of being accepted at BYU. "I certainly didn't think it would hurt," Jensen replied, later adding that it appeared to her that BYU believed she was an active LDS member. Ultimately, BYU declined her application.

Jensen contends she was a well-respected teacher at the school, gaining praise from her fellow teachers and principal. Jensen not only taught English but founded the school's debate team and helped supervise the yearbook staff. Just before she was terminated around June 2003 she was elected teacher of the year by the high school staff. When terminated, she wrote a letter to the district wanting a reason.

In a letter from school district superintendent Brent Thorne, Thorne wrote that because she was a "provisional" teacher of under three years, he was not obligated to offer a reason and added there was no way she could appeal the district's decision.

Jensen said she re-applied for her job and another English teacher position, held by the only other full-time non-LDS teacher at the school, only to have the district refuse her application. She then heard through someone else that Thorne indicated Jensen could never work in the district ever again.

Jensen's attorneys have pointed to school board meeting minutes that contain comments that Jensen practices witchcraft, chooses Halloween as her favorite holiday and "prefers the dark side." Later, those minutes were changed to delete those comments.

Skolnick said those comments came from parents attending the board meeting.

The trial is expected to conclude Friday or later. Jensen is to return to the witness stand today.

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E-mail: gfattah@desnews.com