A substitute teacher in Pasco County has lost his job after being accused of wizardry.
Teacher Jim Piculas does a magic trick where a toothpick disappears and then reappears.
Piculas recently did the 30-second trick in front of a classroom at Rushe Middle School in Land ‘O Lakes.
Piculas said he then got a call from the supervisor of teachers, saying he’d been accused of wizardry.
“I get a call the middle of the day from head of supervisor of substitute teachers. He says, ‘Jim, we have a huge issue, you can’t take any more assignments you need to come in right away,'” he said.
Piculas said he did not know of any other accusations that would have led to the action.
The teacher said he is concerned that the incident may prevent him from getting future jobs.
OK, it seems there’s a lot missing from this story. Anyone have any more details?
(Thanks Bill!)
Update: in the comments Val points to another news story in which the school administration gives their side of the story:
Tampa Bay’s 10 talked to the assistant superintendent with the Pasco County School District who said it wasn’t just the wizardry and that Picular had other performance issues, including “not following lesson plans” and allowing students to play on unapproved computers.
Update 2: School administrator denies everything
Update 3: More details
May 7, 2008 at 4:50 pm
here a video..
http://www.tampabays10.com/news/local/article.aspx?storyid=79533
watch … watch … watch’a .. gone!
May 7, 2008 at 11:27 pm
Apparently, a student from a “religious” family complained to his parent, who then complained to the administration, who then fired Piculas.
This sort of thing happens all of the time. The NY Times has a story about an Art Teacher of 28 years fired for taking middle school kids to an Art Museum, with permission from their parents and administration approval, because . . .
Wait for it . . .
A student saw a NUDE STATUE!
The student mentioned it to his parents, who then complained to the administration, who then fired the Art Teacher.
Keep in mind, former Attorney General John Ashcroft had clothing painted on nude statues.
The inmates currently run the asylum.
Back to the topic of wizardry though; Piculas performed a feat of legerdemain, nothing more. He even showed the students how did the trick. This is hardly summoning goetic demons or Level 20 Shadow Dragons.
One wonders how Mr. Wizard would fair in today’s oppressive environment.
May 8, 2008 at 1:09 pm
“it wasn?t just the wizardry”… being that I grew up in a Born Again World I will say this.. that is bullshit. Christians have no problem lying to the outside world when they are caught with some insanity. I would give examples but they are embarrassing so I will say this: Non Denomination Born Again Bible Baptist Christian Evangelists are idiots on every level. And this guy payed for that idiocy. As we all do from time to time.
May 20, 2008 at 10:35 pm
Update: http://www.technoccult.com/archives/2008/05/20/update-in-florida-wizardry-fiasco-school-administrator-denies-accusations/
Looks to me like the whole story’s been overblown.
May 29, 2008 at 4:18 pm
Another update:
http://www.technoccult.com/archives/2008/05/29/school-accused-of-firing-man-for-wizardry-hires-stage-magician-plus-dismissal-documents/