Row Over Return Of Face-Writing Teacher

About 40 people demonstrated Friday against next month’s return to the classroom of a white kindergarten teacher who wrote “Where are my glasses?” on the face of a black student.

Phyllis Adelsflugel was suspended without pay last month after writing on Nina Campbell’s face with a marker. She said the message was intended as a reminder to Nina’s parents to send the child to school with her glasses.

The school board, in a surprise move this week, agreed to allow Adelsflugel to return to Pepperhill Elementary School on Jan. 8.

Adelsflugel must complete sensitivity training, provide proof of a written apology to Nina’s family and refrain from marking any student’s face.

Chip Zullinger, county schools superintendent, said he wanted the teacher fired, but decided not to challenge the board’s decision.

Ed Bryant, president of the local chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, accused the board of violating public trust by acting with little notice.

The NAACP has asked the U.S. Department of Education’s civil rights office to investigate.

Adelsflugel has said she was using face-painting as a teaching tool, and did not mean to embarrass Nina.