Longtime teacher Diane Tirado had been hired recently to teach eight grade history at a school in Port St. Lucie, Florida. During the probationary period she was given, Diane issued her eighth grade class a new project. She gave them two weeks for them to complete it.
When the eighth graders deadline arrived, a few students did not have any work to turn in to the teacher. This is when Ms Tirado first became aware of the school’s “no zero” grading system.
Ms Tirado said that the student and parent handbook reads “NO ZEROS — LOWEST POSSIBLE GRADE IS 50%” in bold red lettering.
Confused on the matter, Ms Tirado decided to go speak with the administrators. She then says she was informed that teachers were never to give a zero and she had to give students 50% — even if no work is turned in.
Ms Tirado rejected this policy, stating, “A grade in Mrs. Tirado’s class is earned.”
Ms Tirado was fired shortly after, but since this was during her probationary period, this school gave no specific reason for her termination. The former teacher believes she was fired for refusing to give 50% and not zeroes.
While packing up her things after school hours, Ms Tirado scribbled a message to her former students on a whiteboard before leaving: “Bye Kids, Mrs. Tirado loves you and wishes you the best in life! I have been fired for refusing to give you a 50% for not handing anything in. ? Mrs. Tirado”
Many of her former students are expressing their support for the former teacher. Her whiteboard message has been shared hundreds of times on social media posts.
