Neither woman should ever be allowed to interact with school children again.

Their behavior was cruel and vicious.

This article brought tears to my eyes. First, as the survivor of the attack couragously chose to carry the child to term which I consider going above and beyond in an exceptionally grace-filled way. Second, that her "history" was required in a reprimand for balking at the assignment then having it publicly discussed by her instructors no less.

These teachers need re-education themselves on appropriate behavior. Experience gleaned in a trauma situation is not the same as life experience earned through choice. In any case, whatever happened to the right of students to choose to not participate in assignments with strongly adult themes?

This teacher was totally out of line to say the least! Instead of reaching out to this student with compassion as she should have, she crossed the line of very unprofessional behavior which was also very unethical.
As an educator myself I am appalled and outraged by such atrocious behavior.
My thoughts and prayers are with the heroism of the student who thought more of the unborn than she did of herself.

These "teachers" deserve more than a slap on the wrist they deserve to have their license yanked for a few years.
This poor girl deserved so much better than to #1 have this brought up in front of her peers and #2 told to sit in the hall and be excluded from class time. This student deserves so much better. In the very least I believe she deserves an apology from all involved here.
I am not a lawyer, and usually would never sue anyone, however I believe that this should happen in this case. Using the money won to be invested in this student's future, either for trade school or college. Maybe this would send a message loud and clear to the school district that this type of unethical behavior will not be tolerated!

I am not passing any judgments on the novel itself, as I know nothing about it. However, I am amazed that a teacher would assume that having given birth means that a person should be both ready and willing to read sexually oriented novels with profanity. I know a great many married mothers of several children who would choose not to do so.

Even worse is the requirement that she write about it. As an English teacher myself, I could see OFFERING that as an option IF the student felt comfortable with it. Requiring it is totally out of line.

Both teachers showed an amazing lack of compassion, sensitivity. and maturity. Off hand, I would guess them to be fairly young and only very recently out of college.

I am totally amazed at the criminal insensitivity of these teachers! How can anyone think that a person who has been raped is going to WANT to read sexually explicit material? Or that they have the right to bring up traumatic private issues in public?
For that matter, why should any school class require students to read such material--there is a world of valuable literature out there that can consider strong moral issues and still be tasteful.
Yank these people's teaching credentials--immediately!

I was actually raised in this town and trust me there are two sides to every story. Have you heard the teachers side. Trust me they have one. Life experience has taught me not to believe everything I hear or read.

I am amazed that all who have commented believed every word they read. I have not heard the other side from the teacher or the sub. That would be a good place to start and then possibly you could draw a conclusion.

I noticed they said Hamilton was not available for comment. She was probably down volunteering her time at the school shile the rest of us are here making judgement.

You are correct lets hear all parties involved in this. When all else fails, it is always the teachers fault. It is no wonder they can't find and retain good teachers.