Teacher resigned over complaintsJessie

A New Mexico high school teacher resigned her job over complaints that she allowed a student to write an article about Jesus handing out marijuana.

Katrina Guarascio， who taught creative writing at Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho， asked students to rewrite a fairy tale or legend in a modern setting， reported KOAT-TV.

One of her students wrote the biblical story of Jesus handing out fish and bread to the poor and giving marijuana to the sick. “I dont take any personal offense，” Guarascio said. “Its not written for me， its written for them. Its how they can express themselves.” Another student became highly angry when the students reviewed one anothers work， and the teen told her parents who filed a complaint in October with the school.

Guarascio， who is a published poet herself， was placed on administrative leave while the school district investigated. She said the district indicated she had not conducted her classroom in a professional manner， and Guarascio claims the student had boasted to classmates that she intended to get her teacher fired.

Guarascio said she felt targeted， harassed and forced to resign. School officials said she was not forced to resign but chose to do so herself.

Guarascio said she hoped the incident would not discourage students from speaking their minds. “If they have something to say， say it，” she said. “Not everyones going to agree with you， but that doesnt make your point invalid or worthless. Tell your story.”

Vocabulary

marijuana n. 大麻

biblical adj. 圣經的

indicate v. 暗指

harass v. 騷擾

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