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Parents livid after teacher allegedly simulated strip tease in math class

Posted at 3:57 PM, Nov 16, 2012
and last updated 2012-11-16 15:57:05-05

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (WPBF) - A Florida teacher is being sued after a former student says she simulated a sex act in an effort to teach him algebra.

And parents at Port St. Lucie High School are up in arms after they found out the math teacher accused of sexually harassing the ninth grade boy is still on the job.

"I think it's crazy. I think they should have her out of the school," Katie Petzold, who has a child who attends the school, said. "Two years ago they fired a lady because she was working on a fishing boat in her bikini, but they keep this one here? That makes no sense whatsoever. I'm sorry, but she should be out while this is being investigated."

Stuart Attorney Gloria Seidule filed the lawsuit Wednesday, accusing algebra teacher Meriann Johnson of using sexual talk to teach algebraic equations in class.

Seidule says when her client filed a complaint; the boy was singled out in class and that the teacher reportedly asked fellow students to write down suggestions for  how she should teach him the equations.

However, allegedly after she received the submissions, she opted to trash those in favor of her own methods.

Seidule says Johnson told the class she had a better idea and asked the students, "How about if I get naked?"

That's when the lawsuit states Johnson preceded to simulate a striptease, removed one shoe and even walked over to the student's desk and slapped her shoe on his desk.

According to school district documents, an investigation was conducted and Johnson was reprimanded for the unorthodox teaching methods. But school officials say she is still teaching at the school.

School district officials say they do not comment on pending litigation.

Additionally, WPBF-TV tried to reach Johnson for her side of the story, but no one answered the door at her home.