Education

Hundreds back Johnston teacher suspended after dividing students according to beliefs

More than 300 people have signed a petition to get a South Johnston High School teacher back in class after she was suspended for dividing students in class based on personal beliefs.

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By
Aaron Thomas
, WRAL reporter
FOUR OAKS, N.C. — More than 300 people have signed a petition to get a South Johnston High School teacher back in class after she was suspended for dividing students in class based on personal beliefs.

"She’s only been here for a few months, but she’s obviously made a big impression on the young people here," said Don McFerren, who's worked with Julia Lopp for more than 10 years through their church.

Lopp, who started as a Spanish teacher at South Johnston High in August, was suspended last week after a classroom activity in which she asked students about personal and religious beliefs.

"It is never appropriate for a teacher to segregate students based on religious, political or personal beliefs. In fact, it is not appropriate for a teacher to even ask a student what their beliefs are," Johnston County Schools Superintendent Jim Causby said in a statement.

Lopp said she's been asked not to speak publicly about the incident while school district officials investigate it.

"I was very surprised. That does not characterize Julia Lopp at all," McFerren said.

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One student who participated in the activity said everything has been blown out of proportion. Students weren't allowed to talk during the assignment, the student said.

Another student wrote that "students were given the opportunity to sit out and not participate if they felt uncomfortable."

"Unfortunately, in this world today, it only takes one person to tear you down, but sometimes people rally and say, 'Hey, pay attention to the whole story, not just one part,'" McFerren said.

Someone claimed Lopp threatened to discipline students if they told their parents about the assignment.

"Our school system takes very seriously the rights of students in these areas, and students should never be instructed to not share classroom activities with their parents," Causy said in the statement.

Causby said he would make a final decision about Lopp’s job status based on the findings of the district investigation.

McFerren cited the temporary removal of Clayton High School's principal this fall and the community outcry over that that led to his reinstatement.

"That story spun out of control," he said. "I’m really hoping it doesn’t happen again because Ms. Lopp’s a good teacher, and this county needs more good teachers."

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