Teen returns to school after Romney T-shirt flap

Pennsylvania high school student Samantha Pawlucy says he was ridiculed by her teacher for wearing a Mitt Romney T-shirt. / CBS Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA A 16-year-old high school sophomore who says she was ridiculed by her geometry teacher for wearing a Mitt Romney T-shirt returned to school Tuesday following a rally by cheering supporters. The teacher has also written a letter of apology that was read aloud to students.

Samantha Pawlucy hadn't been back to Charles Carroll High School in the city's Port Richmond section since last week. That's when she and her family say she was mocked by her teacher for wearing the shirt supporting the Republican presidential candidate. She said the teacher questioned why she was wearing the shirt and called others in to the room to laugh at her.

Pawlucy, whose family had expressed concern for her safety, returned Tuesday after a rally that featured supporters singing the national anthem and reading the First Amendment — as well as shouts of supporters calling "Go, Sam!" and "You're great, Sam!"

The school's principal read students the letter of apology from geometry teacher Lynette Gaymon on Tuesday.

"I'm very sorry for all the chaos and negative attention that has surrounded the school in the past couple of weeks," she wrote. "What I meant as a light and humorous remark during class has developed into a huge conflict between students, faculty, parents and neighbors. My words were never meant to belittle Ms. Pawlucy, or cause any harm, and I truly regret that we have come to this point."

Pawlucy wore the pink "Romney/Ryan" shirt to "dress-down" day on Sept. 28. She said that during class, Gaymon pointed out the shirt, questioned why she was wearing it and told her to leave the classroom. Gaymon, Pawlucy said, said it was a "Democratic" school and compared it to wearing a "KKK" shirt.

Her father, Richard Pawlucy, said the family met with Democratic Mayor Michael Nutter on Sunday night to discuss a resolution. The teacher has apologized and the district's superintendent William Hite Jr. has called the ordeal a "teachable moment."

Hite has said he would work with Nutter and the teacher's union to move "towards a conversation that brings together diverse beliefs, inspires understanding, and heals."

[TreeShimmy]

I notice she apologized for, "...all the chaos and negative attention..." and, "...I truly regret that we have come to this point." But she never actually apologized to the student for her remarks!!!!! Typical.

[Jrenae75]

I'm a high school teacher and not Pro-Romney, but what this teacher did was deplorable! Political neutrality and respect in the classroom should go without saying! I hate it when teachers screw up because the media blasts them and there are so many great teachers out there who would never treat their students this way no matter how they vote in the booth.

[Sker85]

Unfortunately this is not uncommon from the left. I would seriously worry for my kid's safety if she decided to wear a shirt like this to school in Aurora, CO. The left preaches tolerance and free thought, but in this day and age, it is not practiced.

[JV1970]

I don't think a written "apology" is good enough! This woman embarrassed the child before her classmates and made her a laughingstock. The woman, whom I will call a so-called "teacher", should apologize to the girl in the same way.

She should stand before the student body and apologize to the girl publicly before her classmates and then explain why what they, including the woman herself, did was wrong!

[IAMCS]

Ahemmmm...I think Republicans (majority of tax payers) should claim the schools as "Republican Schools"! That teacher should be severely reprimanded.

[biensage]

What that teacher said to the girl was in no way "a light and humorous remark", she obviously tried to downplay the viciousness of her act. A "KKK shirt"? She is a disgrace to that school.

[tiredofliberals]

FIRE THIS TEACHER

[Sker85]

Are you kidding? With the union involved and if she has tenure, forget about it. You would have a better chance of teaching crazy Joe debate etiquette.