Teacher Suspended Over Allegedly Touching A Student With His Banana

Marion County, FL – An educator at North Marion High School has been put on unpaid leave for allegedly touching a female student in an inappropriate manner during a sex ed-related discussion as part of a district-approved Freudian psychology lecture.

Jonathan Hampton was temporarily relieved of his teaching position while the district investigated claims, filed three months after the alleged incident, asserting Hampton crossed the line and touched a female student with a banana while discussing the Freudian implications of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, specifically lecturing about “cylinder objects, phalluses and/or sex symbols.”

The discipline letter, dated May 13, 2013, stated the man used poor judgment when he rubbed the student in the head and neck with the prop – thus resulting in the three-day suspension. However, other than the girl’s belated complaint filed on her behalf by her parents, there is no additional proof any type of intentional touching or contact with a sexual connotation was made.

It was noted other students felt that particular lecture in Hampton’s class had veered over the line several times; causing them to feel discomfort, and the complaint had been filed because the female student felt awkward and embarrassed over the incident.

The teacher’s stepfather, Mark Fiedelholtz, a South Florida lawyer, was quoted by Local 6 News as saying, “According to my son … he doesn’t recall ever touching the student with a banana, but if he did it would be to get their attention.” Fiedelholtz suggested it was likely Hampton tapped the girl with his lunch-packed banana to emphasize a point during the lecture. Therefore, the situation has been completely blown out of proportion.

Regardless, several parents are disgusted and outraged over what they feel is very unprofessional behavior displayed by a teacher.

Hampton has since returned to his job, completing the term of his brief dismissal.

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