• Florida kindergarten teacher Wendy Portillo was reassigned to an office duty post in the St. Lucie County School District.

  Her demotion comes after a controversial classroom activity in which Portillo allegedly had the five year old students in her class "vote out" classmate Alex Barton in a Survivor like game.

  Barton, age five, was voted out 14-2 as Portillo allowed the children to tell him why they did not like him. Reasons included that he was "annoying" and "disgusting." He was then sent to the nurse's office where he spent the rest of the day.

  Barton was in the process of being tested for Asperger Syndrome, a disability which can cause difficulties in communication and social interaction skills.

  Portillo claims she had the class share how his behavior was affecting other students in the class. She reportedly instructed the class that the vote was just for the day, not forever. She hoped Barton would better respond hearing the information from kids his age, rather than adults.

• Fast Facts

  1. Kindergarten teacher at Morningside Elementary School in Port St. Lucie, Florida
  2. Began teaching at the school nine years ago
  3. Let children tell Alex Barton why they did not like him
  4. Sent him to the nurse's office after he was cast off
  5. Child was being evaluated for Asperger Syndrome
  6. District spokesperson confirmed Portillo admitted that the incident indeed took place
  7. Mother filed complained with the school, may press charges
  8. Is being investigated by district officials

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Alex Barton | Asperger Syndrome

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