NEWS

Teacher back after sex-ed suspension

Anna Wolfe
Clarion Ledger

After an outpouring of support for a Starkville High School teacher, the woman who allowed a student in her class to use condoms and cucumbers in a presentation on sexology will continue teaching.

The Starkville Oktibbeha Consolidated School District announced that Sheree Ferguson, who was removed from teaching after her student presented a sex-ed demonstration, will return to the classroom.

“The investigation into a personnel issue that developed following a sexuality presentation by a student in a classroom at SHS has concluded,” a release from the district states. “We consider the issue resolved, and we look forward to the employee returning to the classroom.”

The announcement, which did not detail the facts of the investigation due to it being a personnel issue, followed a march outside Starkville High School Friday morning. SHS Principal David Baggett said he could not comment on the details of Ferguson's employment or the "disciplinary action" mentioned in the statement, but he hopes to use the situation to create dialogue.

"It was an unfortunate situation but this leads to a good avenue so that the Legislature, parents, educators and community members can have good discussions on what should be drafted or legislated to be taught in schools," Baggett said.

According to a petition on Change.org, a student gave a “career talk” on sexology for Ferguson's honors English class at Starkville High School. During the presentation, and noting Mississippi's high teenage pregnancy rate, the student demonstrated how to practice safe sex by using a condom and a cucumber.

"It was a little awkward but that's OK because we're all mature," said Camryn Dawkins, a junior in the class.

The student asked her friend to record the demonstration and then posted it on Facebook. Ferguson was subsequently removed from the classroom.

"We were all honestly so devastated," Dawkins said. "You didn't know that this girl presenting her profession as a sexologist was wrong. You didn't know it would get the teacher in trouble."

The school district statement also included: "Currently, House Bill 999 clearly states 'in no case shall the instruction or program include any demonstration of how condoms or other contraceptives are applied.'

House Bill 999 also requires boys and girls to be separated according to gender at all times when sex-related education is presented."

“You’ve got a bunch of really bright kids in there and they’re passionate about their teacher,” said Roben Dawkins, Camryn Dawkin's father, before the district’s announcement. “It’s their opinion it wasn’t the teachers fault, but she’s the one having to take responsibility for it in the long run.”

Students in Ferguson's class didn't have their teacher for a week. "We spent the whole week doing worksheets," Camryn Dawkins said Friday afternoon. "It's kind of hard not having her there."

In class on Wednesday, Camryn Dawkins had the idea of organizing a demonstration to show Ferguson that her students support her.

Eight students carried a large yellow sign that read “Bring Back Mrs. Ferg,” and dozens more trailed behind as the group walked across campus before school started Friday morning.

The students coordinated the event with the school, which allowed them to voice their concerns through signage and peaceful organizing. "I was very proud of them," Baggett said.

Starkville High School junior Camryn Dawkins speaks to the media outside of the high school during a demonstration the students organized to show support for their teacher, Sheree Ferguson.

Some students approached the television crews posted on the opposite side of the street during the demonstration, but school administrators blocked most of them, even the girl who made the controversial presentation in Ferguson’s class.

“The administrator came over there and stopped her and made her come back on school property,” Roben Dawkins said.

In fact, Roben Dawkins said, only his daughter, Cameryn Dawkins, was permitted to speak to the press. Roben Dawkins attended the march in support of his daughter, who believed Ferguson should continue teaching.

"During the school day we’re not allowed to let students leave school property," Baggett said, adding that students with parents present are the exception.

Baggett said the school is collaborating with Ferguson to find ways to further train teachers in order to prevent similar situations from happening in the future.

“This needs to be a learning experience,” Roben Dawkins said.

Contact Anna Wolfe at (601) 961-7326 or awolfe@gannett.com. Follow @ayewolfe on Twitter.