Convicted Drug Dealer Orlando Hernandez Allowed to Return to Classroom
The Connecticut Board of Education restored Orlando Hernandez, 37, teaching license even though he’s a convicted drug dealer. Hernandez was a math teacher at Fair Haven Middle School when he was arrested for selling cocaine to a woman at a bar who turned out to be an undercover police officer.
His teaching certificate was automatically revoked when he was convicted in 2004. Although his lawyers considered mounting an entrapment defense, Hernandez pleaded no contest was given a suspended sentence. Hernandez was never jailed and he completed his sentence after 18 months of probation.
The arrest happened during a tough period in his life when his infant son died and he separated from his wife. Since then he has reconciled with his wife and become an associate pastor in his church. Herandez says he does not drink alcohol or use drugs.
Luckily for unsuspecting parents, he’s returning under strict conditions like random drug testing and psychological counseling. Also, he can only teach at The Bridge Academy in Bridgeport until 2010.
It’s very nice that the state board believes in second chances, but are we truly lacking in talented teachers to give this guy back his teaching license? And what happens when Hernandez gets stressed out about something else in his life?
I just hope his principal - and the parents of his students - watch him very carefully.
(Thanks to Cat for the tip!)
Enjoyed reading this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed by clicking here.
Orlando Hernandez, drug dealer gets teaching license, Connecticut Board of Education
Leave a Reply