Teacher rages over parents’ complaints

Calif. educator caught yelling at kids on Zoom

A California high school teacher was caught on Zoom yelling at students over parents’ complaints on virtual instruction and desires to return to in- person classes.

The video of Alissa Piro, an English teacher at San Marcos High School, more than 30 miles north of San Diego, was originally posted on Facebook, then reposted on the Reopen California Schools Twitter account. In the clip, Piro tells students she dares their parents to speak to her over issues surrounding virtual classes.

“If your parent wants to come talk to me about how I’m not doing a good enough job in distance learning based on what you need as an individual, just dare them to come out because I’m so sick to my stomach of parents trying to tell educators how to do their job,” Piro said.

“I have never once gone to a doctor’s appointment and tried to tell my medical health provider how to treat me,” she continued. “You know why? Because I know nothing about that. I didn’t get my degree in medicine.”

A group of North County public school parents sued California Gov. Gavin Newsom and other state leaders over the reopening of public schools, arguing that the requirements are unfair.

The San Marcos Unified School District moved toward a hybrid model in which students are on campus two days of the week, a structure that will be in place for the remainder of the year. Another lawsuit wants the district to expand in- person classes for middle and high school students.

A mother in the private Facebook group where the video was shared said Piro is a bully and the rants happened often, according to Fox News.

Another mother told Fox News she told school Principal Adam Dawson about the video weeks ago. He reportedly called Piro’s behavior “inexcusable” and said he would address it.

Dawson and Piro did not immediately respond to a request for comment by USA TODAY.