Teacher kicks student in GOP garb
Associated Press
Oct. 31, 2004 12:00 AM
DURANGO, Colo.- A part-time college instructor has apologized for kicking a student because he was wearing a Republican shirt.
Fort Lewis College student Mark O'Donnell said he was showing people his College Republicans sweat shirt, which says, "Work for us now ... or work for us later" when Maria Spero kicked him in the leg at an off-campus restaurant.
Spero then said "she should have kicked me harder and higher," O'Donnell said. "To physically take that out on someone because you disagree with them, that is completely wrong." advertisement
Spero, a visiting instructor of modern languages, apologized to O'Donnell in a letter dated Oct. 29.
"I acted entirely inappropriately by kicking you, giving vent to a thoughtless knee-jerk political reaction that should never have happened," she wrote. "Before the incident, I did not know you and that you are a Fort Lewis student."
The college also formally apologized, said David Eppich, assistant to the school's president.
O'Donnell said the apology wasn't enough and he plans to file a complaint with the college.
The only phone number listed in Durango for the surname Spero was constantly busy on Saturday.
Durango police did not return a call seeking comment.
Associated Press
Oct. 31, 2004 12:00 AM
DURANGO, Colo.- A part-time college instructor has apologized for kicking a student because he was wearing a Republican shirt.
Fort Lewis College student Mark O'Donnell said he was showing people his College Republicans sweat shirt, which says, "Work for us now ... or work for us later" when Maria Spero kicked him in the leg at an off-campus restaurant.
Spero then said "she should have kicked me harder and higher," O'Donnell said. "To physically take that out on someone because you disagree with them, that is completely wrong." advertisement
Spero, a visiting instructor of modern languages, apologized to O'Donnell in a letter dated Oct. 29.
"I acted entirely inappropriately by kicking you, giving vent to a thoughtless knee-jerk political reaction that should never have happened," she wrote. "Before the incident, I did not know you and that you are a Fort Lewis student."
The college also formally apologized, said David Eppich, assistant to the school's president.
O'Donnell said the apology wasn't enough and he plans to file a complaint with the college.
The only phone number listed in Durango for the surname Spero was constantly busy on Saturday.
Durango police did not return a call seeking comment.
One day in HS I tossed an empty 20oz bottle at a trash can and it bounced off the rim, hitting the floor. On my way to pick it up a teacher grabbed my arm, and told me to do so. I told him I was on my way, and to let go of my arm. He told me one more time, in a stern voice to pick it up, and I think I told him to get his hand off of me before I broke it, I cant remember exactly. But I do remember sitting in the principal's facing expulsion for threatening a teacher. Maybe he should have kicked me and apologized instead of grabbing my arm. It would saved me some headache.