I can't imagine that any mom would want her baby treated this way. A kindergartener says her teacher locked her in a closet as punishment for "playing too much." Memphis kindergarten teacher Kristin Ohsfeldt allegedly locked 5-year-old Akeelah Joseph in a closet before going home sick. I guess Ms. Ohsfeldt was just having a bad day, poor thing. (Eye roll.) Oh yeah -- and she forgot to tell anyone Akeelah was still in the closet.
Fortunately, a substitute teacher found Akeelah eventually -- and not a moment too soon, either. “I almost peed on myself if I didn’t make it to the bathroom," the girl says. Did I mention Akeelah has asthma? And she was cold? And she's afraid to return to school? And she had no record of misbehavior, not that it would justify this at all.
Oh, you'll love this bit -- according to its website, Ms. Ohsfedlt was the team leader of the school's discipline program as of a couple years ago. TEAM LEADER.
So where do we even begin? I understand that in addition to playing, kindergarten is also where kids learn self-control and following directions. But there are definitely more effective ways to teach those things! According to other children, this is not the first time.
I'm also wondering if this is even legal. Unlawful imprisonment, anyone? No charges have been filed, yet. But come on, as a parent, I would hate for my child to get locked up in a closet. That would be grounds for ... well, I'd raise hell, that's for sure.
Do you think the teacher should be fired? Should this be illegal?
Image via WREG