Scotland County Teacher Says She Was Suspended Because of Her Religion

Sheri Eicher practices Wicca, a pagan religion whose members worship the earth and believe in witchcraft.

Eicher saysher husband's Web site, and her involvement in the religion, are what got her in trouble.

Eicher says when a local reporter asked her about the Web site, she set up a meeting with Scotland High School officials to explain her beliefs. She says it was at that meeting that she was suspended.

Eicher says she has done nothing wrong.

"I do my job the way it is supposed to be done. My students learn what they're supposed to learn. And what I do in my private time and how I worship my concept of deity is not their business," she says.

Eicher says she has contacted the North Carolina Association of Education and will likely contact the ACLU.

The school district plans to investigate the matter, and school officials told Eicher they would give her an update on her job status within 90 days.

School administrators did not return WRAL's phone calls asking for a comment.