Report suggests teacher was drunk; Pasco County schools investigating

LAND O'LAKES - The Pasco County school district is interviewing students this morning to learn more details about the behavior of a teacher who was escorted from campus Wednesday by sheriff's deputies.

Rushe Middle School administrators contacted their school resource officer about language arts teacher Kylene Nelson, 42, early Wednesday. Deputy Joseph Stimac wrote in his incident report that Nelson had "the odor commonly associated with alcohol."

"Kylene's speech was slurred and she was having trouble talking," Stimac wrote. "Kylene told me she was two years sober and had not been drinking."

About three hours later, Stimac learned that assistant principal Ron Michalak had taken Nelson to a clinic that tests employees for drugs and alcohol and had just returned. Ten minutes after their return, Nelson - whose blood-alcohol content was reported at 0.26 - ran off campus to a nearby recreation center, where she passed out, the report states.

"Kylene told me, 'Just leave me alone. I want to die,' " Stimac wrote. "She then said she was going to go home and drown herself in her pool. I took Kylene into custody for her safety."

Stimac wrote that he took her to the Harbor in New Port Richey.

Assistant superintendent Renalia DuBose said that district personnel officials went to the school this morning to interview students.

"We want to ask kids what they saw, what happened," she said. "You never know."

Nelson is not in school, DuBose said. But neither is she fired.

"We don't automatically fire people," she said, stressing the investigation had just begun.

Jeffrey S. Solochek, Pasco education reporter

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Comments

[adolescent alcohol treatment]

The teacher should be a role model of the student, but how can be if the teacher was teaching drunk?

-mj-

[Heidi]

Get Real,
You sound like yet another parent who doesn't want to take any accountability for a child's reprehensible behavior. Teacher's interact with your kids for 1 hour a day, 5 days a week. The effects of bad parenting will last a lot longer than if your kid has a crappy teacher for one year.

Ms. Nelson should not be teaching, and maybe you should reconsidering parenting as a choice, if you think anything less than striving for perfection is acceptable!

[Pat Connolly]

Get Real,
In case you haven't noticed, the Board is moving to fire her, and I believe she has already resigned. So yes, we are doing something about it. No one, especially teachers wants this type of behavior. The angst-filled cringing at schools over this incident was palpable.

That being said, you made the comment, "Should we ever expect less then the best for our children?" I say, "Of course not." But are YOU willing to back up your expectations? Are you willing to PAY for the best? Are you willing to insist that your legislators do their duty in that regard? Are you willing to vote them out of office, regardless of political party, if they don't? Or are you expecting the best, while you support legislators who cut taxes while "packin' 'em deep and teachin' 'em cheap"?

[Get real!]

Wake up people! Should we ever expect less then the best for our children? We cannot compare a school teacher, (which is paid by our tax dollars) to the home life of a student and their parents. Parents are not perfect, and I am not making excuses for bad parenting but when it comes to an educational institute the government provides for out children, then yes we must strive for perfection. You cannot allow any excuse by the teacher for this behavior....I dont care if the job is stressful or she had a rough up bringing. She goes way back at being out of control, trust me I know. I complained about her when she was a teacher in Citrus County and my child was in her class. No more second chances...I dont care how much she can sweet talk the 'higher ups'!!

Enough is enough...Get out of the profession and get help! Leave the children ALONE!!!!!! You are not cut out to be a teacher.

[Sarah]

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Sarah

http://grillsblog.com

[Chrissie]

While we all know she needs help and that she is very sick, she did have a second chance and blew it. Would you be saying the same thing if she hit your child or family member in her car. She obviously drove to school drunk. She could have hit one of our children or another teacher in the parking lot!!!!! Taking away her teaching degree, may be the one thing that saves her life or someone else's in the future. I f a child shows up to school with drugs, they get exspelled.

The school board expects our children to abide by their RULES....So should the teachers. There are consequences for all of us in life, if we don't do the right thing! These teachers are examples to our children and are expected to educate our children. What they do at their house behind close doors,is their problem! However, once they enter that classroom, wheather they like it or not....They are mentors to our children!!! If they don't want that role, they should have picked another field!!!! One BAD apple ruins it for all of the other hard...and I mean hard working teachers, that give these kids all they have in order to help them succeed!!

No matter wheather you are atheist or christian....you take a moral oath when you become a teacher!!!!

This woman is lucky that she is NOT in jail for exposure...If a student did that or some person of the street exposed themself, they would have a record right now !

Yes, I will say it! Taking God out of our schools and promoting EVOLUTION...just what we need huh....

When she goes to AA, they are asking God for help...Let's call 911 God ( only when in trouble). If you asked Him all the time, life would be a bit more of a BLESSING, than a rat race!!!

I hope she gets help and I pray these children get to see the lesson and consequences behind an action that should have never happened in any school!!!!!!

[Anti-Christian]

I had the pleasure of dealing with some fine Christians yesterday.

Standing on the corner espousing their hatred toward helping others and denouncing our President.

It is time to give up make-believe friends and figure out how to work with one another right here on earth. Now, not later.

[Humanist]

What, exactly is wrong with being a Humanist?

To believe in your fellow human beings, this is a crime?

Believing in one another to change the world we live in rather than ignore what is going on in favor of waiting for an after life? Why wait until we are dead to create a life worth living?

[publicschoolteacher]

I believe in Hitler. He was real. I have proof. Now, God on the other hand...

This argument is flimsier than your last one, Chet. 15% of Americans are atheists, and the number is growing. But as I said before, this is not about her religious beliefs but her substance abuse problem. Your red herring is starting to stink up this blog.

[elementary teacher]

LOL@ markmarsh!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So true!

[markmarsh]

Hey Chet, I bet you would rather have a holy man like Ted Haggard teaching your kids to snort speed off of a male hookers butt.

[chet]

publicschoolteacher : If you are teaching math and you believe in Hitler, I don't care about your math, I want you out. Out, Out, Out.

[publicschoolteacher]

Chet, I hate to break it to you, but I found what you were talking about (her profile) and it's totally irrelevant. Her religious stance affects her teaching about as much as the fact that she is a vegetarian or a dog lover. The fact that she has an addiction problem that has interfered with her job on multiple occasions is the issue here. As for dragging MORE of her personal life into this mess (aren't teachers allowed to have lives out of school?), WWJD?

[chet]

A google and a couple of clicks and something about atheism. Check out these connections and find out who she is.

[Alanna]

I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.

Alanna

http://www.craigslistsimplified.info

[Lacey]

Ms. Nelson has a history of problems. I had her at Seven Springs for 8th grade language arts and she was crazy. She cut her hair and hung it on the front white board. Also ended up being replaced for the rest of the year for some incident involving pills. So, I suggest her getting help. She was a very nice teacher and funny but seems to have some issues that should be left at home and not brought to school. Rebecca, Ava, and Annie, you all need to grow up and get a life. This isn't a debate chat room. Its a serious condition that needs to be resolved. So with that being said, take this somewhere else, like AIM or Yahoo. Best of luck to Ms. Nelson.

[Robert, a recovering alcoholic]

To Rodney - My sympathies to you for your loss of a loved one to alcoholism. Your criticism of Alcoholics Anonymous, however, is not deserved. For many different reasons, not everyone who turns to AA will succeed in escaping their addiction. But since it was founded in the 1940's, AA has proved to be the most successful recovery program available to alcoholics. Many thousands of people and their families have benefited from its work. My family and I are among them.

[windowsugar]

I'm sorry. I always LOVED teachers and they loved me back ... but I never attended a public school just public higher education ... when it came time for the younger people in my family I quickly discovered that OVER HALF of the teachers in EVERY school are indoctrinating students to their political beliefs, to gang behavior or they just plain do NOT want to be there. Others are not that bad but there are only RARE RARE gifted human beings who are the person your child needs to guide them. Why do you think homeschooling sprung up??
You want an example of REALLY REALLY bad parenting and teaching???
Read out in left field blog.
THAT is what has it's hands on your child.
And much worse than even that.
So .. this girl is probably one of the good teachers. She just needs help. Othere are on prescription drugs and barely even know your child is there. Just go to school and see .. not just once in awhile but every day.
AND, before you throw things at me .. if you're a GOOD TEACHER you already know what I'm talking about.
AND thank you from the bottom of my heart for actually loving and caring about and teaching the future of our great world.

[retiredteacher]

Hey, Nina, people with problems like this should not be raising children.....but they are.

[Rebecca]

"...As far as those who made a comment about lesson plans and sick days. Most school have a strict policy about leaving adequate lesson plans for a sub so that is no excuse. In addition, if the school has a strong administration staff, eating a sub alive will not occur...."

100% wrong.

[anonymous]

How sad I am to read all of these comments. Why must people bash teachers and judge them so harshly?

The poor woman is obviously ill and deserves help. The fact that she said she has been sober for 2 years indicates that she may have had problems in the past and was attempting to overcome them. She slipped. I am certain she did not mean to harm anyone intentionally.

Yes, teaching is a stressful job but students and other stressors do not cause one to drink. Alcoholism causes one to drink. To the person who said AA does not work, I am very sorry for your loss. AA is a wonderful program that has helped many millions of people get and stay sober. I'm sad that it did not work for your loved one. Hopefully this teacher will be one of the people who can reach out for help and let other sober alcoholics help her.

[teacher]

! your comments gave me chills. If only everyone thought this way and understood what really happens in the classroom. The 25% are, sadly, the reason many leave. I was not going to comment as I personally know Ms. Nelson. Please know that she is a long tenured, experienced teacher. She has a daughter caught up in all of this terrible press. There is more to this than many know. Having said all that, it is inexcusable to me, as a teacher, that this occurred. 99.9% of the teachers in Pasco would agree.

[!]

Four hundred thousand teachers showed up at schools across the state of FL today ready, willing and able to guide our youngest Americans into the challenging new milenium with the world class education they need to compete in our burgeoning new global society.

Across the United States TWENTY MILLION teachers woke up this morning and did the same exact thing.

Sadly, when these eager teachers showed up for work they did not have the proper materials to do their jobs. But, like our service men and women in the middle east fighting a war without appropriate personal safety gear, these teachers sucked it up, took a deep breath and faced their difficult work day with as much enthusiasm as they could muster. Understanding someone has to do the job. Understanding there may not be another more qualified, better educated, more patient person willing to step in and do their job, these teachers hang on to the only solace they have: the ability of the next generation to do better.

Thank you to the TWENTY MILLION teachers (largely underpaid, overworked, underappreciated and disrespected women) who got up today (mostly sober) and did what HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF AMERICANS REFUSE TO DO!

...and may those who just can't handle it one more day find the help they need to muttle through.

Post tramatic stress disorder has to have a civilian counterpart. For those lucky enough NOT to be in touch with today's teenagers on a regular basis...well, you're lucky indeed.

75% of what these kids do is really amazing...that other 25% is REALLY STRESSFUL AND VERY WORRISOME!

[Jaymz]

Ava, you are so right and I am glad to see that others do as well.
There are zero tolerance policies for the students and this should extend to the teachers. I comment teachers who live by the true reputation of their position which you sound like you do. I do not blame you for being harsh on this woman because you have a right to. Like you said, it is your career's reputation that ultimately impacts all teacher's credibility.

I close friend of mine teaches in Pasco and we are going t be very anxious to see how this story plays out, especially if she is in the union. I sure hope they don't protect this bad teacher like they did the one who tried to overdose in her classroom.
As far as those who made a comment about lesson plans and sick days. Most school have a strict policy about leaving adequate lesson plans for a sub so that is no excuse. In addition, if the school has a strong administration staff, eating a sub alive will not occur.
If this teacher's actions does not outrage you, I feel sorry for you. Maybe you also sided with the chorus teacher in Hernando who slept with his student. Let's feel sorry for him too, right? He accidently fell on top of her because he was stressed, or better yet, he had a disease - stupidity.

[Bluto Blutarski]

my advice to all teachers in FloriDUH is drink heavily!

[Rebecca]

Ava..I absolutely see your point.

I have been out of education for two years now (after teaching middle and elementary grades)...which has given me a different perspective on the teaching field...

When you are in it...it feels like war..and with any kind of attack...whether internal or external...its another notch in your teacher "armor"...and you sort of lose your softness towards humankind...I was there...along with many others I taught with...

I absolutely do not condone being drunk in the classroom... and I would hope I would not make that decision intentionally...

There are a LOT of poor behaviors teachers exhibit because of the hostile environment in which they have to do their job. And until you have "done some time" in a school....you have no idea what coping skills you have to use to get through the day...

At least with many other stressful jobs...you aren't held to godlike standards on the job and in public.

I just wish that the teaching environment was not so much like a battlefield on every front...it really brings out the worst in people in a LOT of different ways...

And while quiting may seem like an easy option....anyone who has gone through the training to be a teacher will usually hang on to a job longer than "mentally healthy" because its not just a job but a calling.

..not something easily "given up" until you are "beaten up"....by yourself or by others.

[Ben]

People like these typpes of problems should definately not be teaching our kids. But should they be raising our kids? I have had students tell me that their PARENTS have offered them pot, bought them beer, etc. As a matter of fact, hosting parties with the beer paid for by the parents is way too common nowadays. So, if we are going to point fingers (and no doubt, this teacher was out of line), let us remember that three fingers point right back.

Frankly, the entire system is broken. This is why China and India will take over. We are a nation of addicts. We take pills and drugs for everything. Rome fell due to internal corruption. Hello!

[Ava]

Rebecca, you are funny.
You think I would not be caring to a TEENAGER just because I do not have sympathy for a GROWN ADULT who is trained to know better, not to mention common sense. You may believe it takes a bigger person to show compassion and this may be true but it also takes a honest person to say what everyone else is thinking but is scared to. You go right ahead and give her all the compassion you want but I have no tolerance with "teachers" like her. Everyday we fight to maintain our good reputation and dignity in a job that sure is not getting easier. Then you have incidents like this occur that only chips away at that solid foundation that labeled teaching as being a honorable profession. I refuse to feel sorry for someone who is negatively impacting my career and the reputation of all teachers. Face it, all teachers are clumped into one big category and that is easily seen when reading many blogs about teacher misconduct.

[Matt]

I'm a teacher and I drink (maybe to keep my sanity). But, if I came to school drunk, I would be mortified, embarrassed, and probably never teach again. Regardless of what happened, I would accept full responsibility for my actions. We are responsible for the safety and wellfare of our students and we are role models of our communities whether we like it or not. Jeopardizing our job is one thing; jeopardizing the education of your children is quite another.

[Rebecca]

Annie..

You would want to have your daughter in the poster's classroom until the day your daughter comes in her classroom with a problem that comes with being a teenager...

And her compassionate response is "Boohoo...poor you....grow up you big crackpot"...

Please....ANYONE can be big, bad, and angry...that's easy...its harder to to be compassionate....

And being compassionate doesn't mean you don't expect people to own up to their behavior and consequences...it just means you see the "human" side as well...that's all.

[Nina]

People with these kinds of problems should not be teaching our kids.

[poopy face tomato nose]

yeah, she has a bit of a problem with alcohol, possibly fueled by bad experiences in her life. Hopefully she straightens out and can avoid the bad press from the times so as not to shadow her everywhere she goes from here on. But, the way the kids act today, i would at least have to smoke a little weed everyday to deal with them.

[Annie]

Ava...I agree 100%, thank you. I wish my daughter was in your class instead of hers. We all need to take responsibility for our own actions and not blame everyone else around us...what are we trying to teach our kids? to blame others when things go wrong...or take the consequences for your own actions. I am a nurse...if i went to work drunk and killed one of your family members by giving them the wrong medication, would you all be so "understanding?" Is a nurse's job less stressful? if you can't take the stress-get out of the job-you aren't doing yourself or your students any good.

[Concerned parent of one of her students]

Let's forget the teacher for a minute...what about the kids who witnessed her inappropriate behavior, sexual innuendos, and abuse of authority and were scared to death to do anything about it (like leave the classroom!)or ask for help...Who is going to have sympathy for them, who is protecting them?

[Rodney]

I agree this should not have made the paper, at least not with names and details. She obviously has a problem and needs help, not shame. I wish her the best of luck.

And to anyone who thinks AA is the answer, I buried a friend last year who was in AA. If you don't meet their guidelines - accepting god and adhering to their standards, then the fault obviously (According to AA) is the individual rejecting the AA way.

Please Please Please be careful when throwing AA around - I am raising two little girls alone now because we thought AA was such a great thing for their Mother - I know better now.

[mom]

geeze, Ava....sure hope none of my kids ever end up in your class...a little compassion until all the details are out. which I hope they aren't, sounds like some aren't really our business.

[Leah]

I don't think this needs to make the paper. The woman is sick. Alcoholism is a disease. Please people stop being so ignorant.

[tigergator]

I hope she gets help and can return to teaching. It might be embarrassing, but it could be a great lesson for students and other teachers about the issue, facing the problem, and overcoming. Not that it's ok for what she did, but locking her up and firing her isn't going to help.

[colorchanger]

Hopefuly this woman will join AA and get back on track. It is a wonderful program that has helped many.

[Dave]

Need some way to deal with the little brats....

[Hammer]

Obviously, by virtue of the woman’s own comments, her problems and issues far surpass alcohol. I just wish this kind of press was applied at ALL levels of employment at ANY entity be it public or private.

All one has to do is stop by any local hooters-type place at lunchtime, and you’ll see all sorts of “professionals” tossing back their liquid lunch, paying their tab, and heading back to the ol’ cubicle/office half lit.

And spare us the malarkey attacks on the unions, John… Hoffa’s dead; get over it!

Unions were not created to protect bad employees. They were created to protect good employees from bad management. Last time I checked, the AIG, Wall Street, and Banking “professionals” were not union.

[RagsTTiger]

This individual needs help. The article did not state how long she has been a teacher. If she has experience, and no other remarks in her personnel folder, than compassion is called for.

[jp]

I am teaching right now and I think I need a drink.

[Rebecca]

Just a little FYI for those NOT in the teaching biz....

Calling in for a "sick day" is little more than calling your boss and saying you won't be in or changing your telephone message.

Especially in middle school where you can teach over 100 pre-adolescent students a day....who will eat a sub alive if....

You don't have lesson plans that are "paint by numbers easy" but still educational.

Behavior plans that would make Alcatraz proud.

Disaster plans that range from what happens if someone is chewing gum to the apocolypse happening.

Just some useful info when you throw the term "sick day" around when talking to teachers....

[terminator]

sorry I meant: "she'll probably beat the rap even if she's NOT in the union" as all employees can avail themselves of the EAP is they have a drinking or drug problem.

[terminator]

she'll probably beat the rap even if she is in the union.
as a previous poster indicated all school districts have employee assistance programs for this type of thing.
she'll be disciplined made to go through rehab and reassigned. if it happens again then she would be fired.
the EAP is a one time pass.

[James]

She was drunk at school and all of her students saw this. Get her the help she needs. I guess it must be a tough job. Oh wait, we all have tough jobs but most of us didn't show up drunk today. I would not leave my child in a class with a teacher who showed up drunk. Next time do us all a favor and take a sick day.

[Rebecca]

Egads Ava....

Its 11:30 on a Friday....

Hopefully you are on Spring Break...not on school time writing that...

And if you are on Spring Break....shouldn't you be a little more relaxed...or doing something relaxing?

You seem a wee bit angry....but I'm sure its not the job...

[SteveV]

If this woman is indeed a chronic alcoholic, and relapsed, I hope she gets the help she needs. If she had cancer and relapsed, everyone would feel sorry for her - it's the same thing. Crack heads don't smoke crack because they want to! Addiction is recognized by the American Medical Association and the American Psychological Association as a chronic, progressive and fatal disease. It is also covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

[Andy]

Teaching as got to be one of the most unforgiving jobs around. Instead of bailing out bankers we should use some of those billions and pay teachers a minimum 100K a year.