By Times Staff and Wire Reports
Published July 19, 2003
PORT CHARLOTTE - A teacher whose class videotaped a student's epileptic seizure and did Jackass style skits while she was out of the room acknowledged that she "allowed things to go too far," a school district report said.
Tia Cameron Sorenson, 41, a teacher at the Academy at Charlotte Technical Center, resigned May 14 after one of her students at the high school videotaped another having an epileptic seizure.
Officials then found the video footage of the other activities.
A report released Thursday said the video shows students "performing dangerous professional wrestling stunts, unsupervised full-contact kick boxing bouts, inappropriate vulgar language and dangerous general horseplay," imitative of the MTV show Jackass.
Sorenson, an art and personal fitness teacher, had given her students a video camera to practice acting, directing and performing.
Some students took up for Sorenson. Brandon Neel said she left the class for only 10 minutes at a time, usually going to and from the gym. He said officials "made it sound like she was never there."
Legislator in Iraq requests supplies for Guard unit
State Rep. Carey Baker, R-Eustis, remains on active duty in Iraq, but has written home for help.
House Speaker Johnnie Byrd said Baker and other members of his Florida National Guard unit serving in the 124th Infantry Regiment are in need of a few supplies. Byrd urges Floridians to send AA and D batteries, baby wipes containing alcohol, and powdered Gatorade to Baker for use by his unit.
Without electricity, the unit is dependent on batteries. The baby wipes and powdered Gatorade help offset the lack of running water, Byrd said.
Baker's address is 1Sg Carey Baker, Unit #91403, A Co. 2-124 INF, APO AE09302-1403.
