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ROY — Kelby Nielsen graduated from Roy High School more than ten years ago, yet he still seems to have plenty of positive memories of his former Adult Roles teacher, Candace Thurgood.
"She takes that time with each student no matter what," Nielsen said. "She creates relationships that are unbreakable."
Nielsen was surprised to learn earlier this week that Thurgood was at the center of an investigation into a survey of students about dating, drugs and sexuality. Nielsen remembers taking a similar survey while he was a junior years ago.
"It was kind of a platform," he said. "It was a way for her to know what really needed to be focused on and how far her students were in experimenting with the sexual side, or drugs, or things like that."
A more recent student, James Wood said he had a similar experience with Ms. Thurgood.
"She's honestly been like my second mom," Wood said. "I could go to her and talk about something that was bugging me, and she'd be there to help."
Wood also added that he remembered that the survey in question could be taken anonymously and that the answers he gave didn't reflect in his grade.
Thurgood was put on administrative leave, however, after school administrators received complaints about the survey titled "Know Thyself."
Weber School District spokesman Lane Findlay points out that while parents were required to sign consent forms for their teens to take the class, Thurgood never obtained proper consent for the survey questions which he says is required by law.
Related
Teacher placed on leave after questionnaire on sex and drug use given to students
A high school teacher was placed on administrative leave after handing students a questionnaire that asked them about sexually explicit activities and delinquent behavior, a spokesman for the Weber School District said Monday.While ultimately, action regarding personnel is not public, it can range anywhere from instructional counseling to termination. That's part of why Nielsen decided to show some extra support for his former teacher.
"She needs to see that people love and support her and care for everything she's done," Nielsen said.
Nielsen organized a rally for Thurgood via Facebook, scheduled for 7:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 15. As of Thursday night, 64 people said online that they intend to be there, with 350 showing interest.
Wood plans to be there along with Nielsen and the others.
"It's important to support her to show that her support didn't go unnoticed," Wood said.
A close friend of his, Emily Shelton, said she plans to be there as well.
"She is a really awesome lady, and I don't really think she deserves what she's getting," she added. "This is really being blown out of proportion and misunderstood."
