Education

Johnston teacher apologizes for questioning students about beliefs

A South Johnston High School teacher has apologized and accepted a punishment of a 10-day suspension without pay for asking students about their personal beliefs.

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FOUR OAKS, N.C. — A South Johnston High School teacher has apologized and accepted a punishment of a 10-day suspension without pay for asking students about their personal beliefs.
Julia Lopp, who started as a Spanish teacher at South Johnston High in August, had been suspended with pay in late October pending the outcome of an investigation by Johnston County Schools.

Interim Superintendent Jim Causby said Wednesday that the investigation found that Lopp had students stand on different sides of the classroom to indicate their responses to various statements. The district prohibits teachers from surveying student beliefs about religion, politics and other personal matters without authorization from the superintendent.

The investigation determined that Lopp never criticized students for their responses or segregated them, and she didn't try to conceal the activity from the school or from parents, Causby said.

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Lopp has apologized for conducting the activity in violation of the board policy and has expressed regret for the disruption it has caused South Johnston High, Causby said.

"Regardless of the intent, students should never have been asked about personal beliefs," Causby said in a statement. "Given Ms. Lopp’s willingness to take responsibility for her misjudgment, I believe that she will use this experience to better her instruction for our students at South Johnston High School."

Hundreds of people had signed a petition to return Lopp to the classroom following her initial suspension.

"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,'" said Don McFerren, who's worked with Julia Lopp for more than 10 years through their church. "Ms. Lopp’s a good teacher, and this county needs more good teachers."

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