CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A Rossview High School teacher has been suspended and now reassigned to an alternative worksite pending an investigation after leaving written notes for a substitute teacher describing some students as “stupid” and “annoying,” and later referencing those comments during a livestream on the video platform Twitch.

Substitute notes prompt discipline

According to a Jan. 23 letter of reprimand issued by Rossview Principal Dr. Meghen Sanders, biology teacher Vaughn Hart left notes for a substitute teacher on Jan. 16 that included “derogatory language to describe students” by name. The reprimand letter, obtained by Clarksville Now, states Hart referred to certain students as “so annoying” and “so stupid” and wrote, “Jesus God this class sucks!”

Hart teaches biology courses that include students with Individualized Education Programs (IEPs), which are provided to students with learning disabilities and other qualifying needs. According to the letter, students with IEPs were grouped together in the back of the classroom, farthest from Hart’s desk. Two English Language Learner (ELL) students were instructed to sleep or work on assignments from other classes.

School administrators met with Hart on Jan. 20. In the letter, Sanders wrote that Hart described the language in the note as casual communication intended for an adult substitute and said the seating arrangements were meant to better support students. She also said the ELL students in question had completed their work for the week, so they were being allowed independent work time.

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According to the letter, these incidents were among several complaints regarding professionalism and classroom conduct.

The reprimand letter called Hart’s actions inappropriate and unprofessional. “Such language damages trust, can harm students’ social-emotional well-being and is inconsistent with the expectations of educators as outlined in professional standards and codes of ethics,” the letter said.

“Collectively, these actions have the potential to negatively impact student relationships, classroom culture and the school’s obligation to provide inclusive, respectful and academically supportive environment for all learners,” the letter said.

Suspension, then alternative worksite

Clarksville-Montgomery County Schools spokesman Anthony Johnson said the district investigated Hart for concerns related to the note about students and other unprofessional conduct before the district’s recent winter weather closure.

Hart received the letter of reprimand on Jan. 23 with a recommendation for a one-day suspension. On Feb. 11, Director of Schools Dr. Jean Luna-Vedder issued a formal reprimand and imposed a one-day suspension without pay – scheduled for Feb. 18 – citing “conduct unbecoming” under state law. The suspension will be reported to the Tennessee State Board of Education’s Office of Educator Licensure.

However, after schools reopened on Feb. 9, the district received an additional complaint regarding the video on Twitch in which Hart references the substitute notes and complains about the way she was treated.

“I also wrote a note for the sub that was like … this student’s really annoying,” Hart says in a recording obtained by Clarksville Now. “This student’s in ISS – hopefully they’ll still be in ISS the next day so you don’t have to deal with them. This class kind of sucks, so watch out for these things.”

Hart complains of being admonished by the principal for thinking of students this way.

“B****, don’t play with me,” Hart says later in the video. “Everybody, every teacher has felt that way about students at some point. … My boss was like ‘You cannot feel this way about students. You have been so negative all year. We’ve had multiple parent complaints about how negative you are and how like it’s affecting your students’ ability to learn.'”

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Rossview administration began a new investigation Feb. 10, and Hart was placed on an alternative worksite that same day. Effective Feb. 11, Hart’s worksite was changed from Rossview High School to her home “until further notice,” according to district documents. She will continue to be paid while assigned to her residence and must remain available by phone during work hours.

“Since the investigation is still ongoing and all employees are afforded due process by law and policy, I am unable to comment further at this time,” Johnson said.

Clarksville Now has reached out to Hart for comment.

Parent files complaint over video on Twitch

April Beshires, a CMCSS parent, told Clarksville Now she filed a complaint after her son showed her the Twitch video Monday afternoon, Feb. 9. “She says in the video that she left a note for the substitute teacher, telling the teacher which students in her class were ‘stupid’ and not to waste her time with,” she said.

Beshires said her son, who was enrolled in Hart’s class, has been “extremely upset.”

“He has come home all year long saying that she hated him and thought he was stupid,” she said. “I feel like it affected his grade. I feel like it affects his future.”

Beshires said her son did not pass the class and that other students also struggled. “My child didn’t pass the class, along with numerous other children that didn’t pass the class,” she said. “He said to me that if you asked her for help, she was rude, she was mean and yelled at them all the time. These children that are struggling in school need to feel safe and supported. She didn’t do that, and the administration was aware of it the whole time and allowed it to happen.”

Beshires said she has spoken with CMCSS Director of High Schools Bryan Feldman and is awaiting further communication regarding her complaint. In addition to disciplinary action, she said she would like to see the students’ grades reviewed.

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