No, this is not a report about the curricula. It's a story out of Westford, Massachusetts, about a teacher getting pinched for heroin. Although unwelcome, it is a change from the ubiquitous stories of teachers having sex with students.

A 30-year-old sixth-grade English teacher at Stony Brook Middle School, Jessica Palkes (pic), was arrested last Friday and charged with possession of heroin and hypodermic needles after a traffic stop. According to Westford Police Lt. Victor Neal, Palkes admitted that she was a heroin user. Her arraignment was Tuesday in Ayer District Court. Palkes pleaded not guilty to all charges.

The Superintendent of Schools, Stephen Foster, has notified the parents of current and former Stony Brook students of Palkes' arrest. It's notable that in 2004, Westford Academy teacher Rosemarie Pumo was convicted of distributing heroin to students and sentenced to prison.

Two teachers from different schools in the same small town being involved with heroin would appear to indicate a generic drug problem far removed from the crime-ridden center of the big city. An inquiring mind would have to wonder just how extensive the rural Massachusetts drug problem is.

Companion post at Interested-Participant.

Posted by: Mike Pechar at 02:11 AM | Comments (7) | Add Comment
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