Resignation of Walnut Grove Elementary teacher draws outcry

Melanie Balakit | The Tennessean

Show Caption Hide Caption Resignation of Williamson teacher draws outcry "I would never teach in Williamson County again," said former Walnut Grove 2nd grade teacher Melanie Lemon.

The resignation of a Walnut Grove Elementary teacher has outraged parents, former staff and students who believe the teacher was bullied by school administration last school year.

More than 1,800 people have signed an online petition in support of Melanie Lemon, a former 2nd grader teacher at Walnut Grove Elementary.

Lemon, who began teaching at Walnut Grove Elementary in 2010, said she was unfairly singled out in multiple situations, received an unusually low teacher evaluation and was improperly investigated for allegedly harming a child.

"Bullying to me is when you're targeted repeatedly over and over again for small things," Lemon said. "And that's how it felt."

While Lemon has no plans to return to Williamson County Schools, her supporters are concerned that Lemon's reputation has been tarnished.



The petition reads: "I support Melanie Lemon's integrity, character, her judgment and genuine love for their students' best interest inside and outside of the classroom."

Lemon resigned May 24.

An admired teacher

Parents and former students say Lemon is an exceptional teacher.

Students always ran up to her to give her hugs. Former students invited her to their weddings, said Shirlee Bowden, a retired Walnut Grove Elementary teacher who worked closely with Lemon.

Lemon's supporters say her resignation is a blow to the school district. Dressed in black shirts, dozens of supporters praised her as an educator at a May school board meeting.

"I feel like doing anything to her is a disservice to children," said John Jeans, whose son was Lemon's student last year.

"She's kind to all her students," Jeans said. "You have to have that in a teacher these days."

'She resigned under pressure.'

Lemon organized a private fundraiser for a co-worker's child diagnosed with leukemia.

Lemon was then reprimanded for trying to obtain a list with student shirt sizes for the fundraiser, Bowden said.

The principal told Lemon that obtaining the list violated privacy laws, even though Lemon did not request names, Bowden said. The principal also told her the school could not be part of any fundraising.

Walnut Grove Elementary School Principal Kate Donnelly was not available for an interview, said WCS spokeswoman Carol Birdsong.

Lemon and other teachers continued fundraising on their private Facebook accounts. The principal told Lemon the fundraiser was illegal, but did not reprimand the other teachers, Bowden said.

Lemon said she was reprimanded for things many other teachers were doing, including using a side door close to her classroom to enter the building instead of the main entrance.

She said she was also asked to communicate with parents more frequently than other teachers.

Lemon received low scores on her annual teacher evaluation in January.

The scores were a shock for Lemon, who said she historically had positive evaluations and felt she had prepared a strong lesson plan.

"She resigned under pressure," said Bowden. "Because who the heck would want to go back and work again another year?"

Lemon was investigated for allegedly harming a child

That same month, Lemon joined the Williamson County Education Association. In a meeting with her WCEA representative and a central office employee, she said the employee showed little interest in her concerns.

Lemon was suspended without pay in April for three days while she was investigated for allegedly harming a child, according to a school district report sent to the state department of education.

A parent in her class said they saw Lemon grab a student in a hallway and force their arms down while saying, "Stop it, stop it, stop it," the report said.

"Your action of grabbing the student to get his attention was inappropriate and unprofessional," Williamson County Director of Schools Mike Looney wrote in a letter informing Lemon of her suspension.

"If you feel a student is out of line and is failing to follow your directions, then you need to speak to an administrator regarding the behavior rather than grab or touch the student," he wrote.

Lemon's actions violated board policy 5.611 or ethical practices for teachers, Looney wrote.

"Teachers shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning or to health and safety," the policy states.

Lemon said she probably put her hands on the shoulders of the student and said "stop" because she often did that to redirect that student, the report said.

Lemon submitted a written statement about the day of the incident, but said she was not asked to describe it at the disciplinary hearing.

She was asked if she ever withheld snack from a child and if she ever touched a child. She said yes to both.

Lemon said she withheld snack from an entire class because of science rotations. At the time, the medical records she had did not indicate one of her students was hypoglycemic. She also said she touched children to redirect them.

Lemon asked if the investigation included interviews with witnesses and review of security tape footage. She was told no.

At the disciplinary hearing, Lemon said she was told that two cameras would be installed in her classroom and a person would be sent to monitor her.

"I don't know any teacher who would be comfortable with that situation," Lemon said. "I was devastated."

Then on May 2, Looney sent an email to Lemon.

"Concerned about you leaving the room unattended and spending so much time on your computer," Looney wrote.

Lemon said she did not understand Looney's note about her leaving the class unattended. She also said she did not spend an unreasonable amount of time on the computer.

"Our computers are provided as a resource to teach," Lemon said.

Lemon was later moved on May 15 to work as a floating substitute teacher until the end of the school year.

'I would never teach in Williamson County again.'

Employees who resign can apply for employment again after one year, said Birdsong.

Lemon said she's not interested in teaching in the district again.

"I would never teach in Williamson County again," Lemon said. "I feel that strongly."

"I just think I'm in a state of shock and sadness," Lemon said. "And I'm going to need time to rebuild who I am because I definitely feel broken."

Reach Melanie Balakit at mbalakit@tennessean.com.