Gwinnett teachers suspended, accused of making comments about boy’s sexuality

Two Gwinnett County teachers who officials said made inappropriate comments about a student’s sexuality were suspended — for two days.

“It’s not enough,” said the boy’s mother, Jean Mott, who confirmed that the teachers are now back in the classroom at Shiloh Middle School in Snellville.

The teachers admitted to saying inappropriate things about an eighth-grade student’s sexuality, Channel 2 Action News reported. Mott told the news station the teachers talked about his sexuality in front of his entire class.

A statement from school officials reads, in part: “Both investigations found that the teachers’ comments were inappropriate. As a result, disciplinary action was taken against both teachers.”

Mott said her 14-year-old came home in tears in December and said his teachers, Donald Holmes and India Cornelius, were bullying him.

The boy told his mother the teachers made comments that made it seem like he is gay. She said his peers have been teasing him ever since.

It happened after her son was absent from school one day, Mott told Channel 2.

“The teacher said to my son, ‘Your boyfriend was cheating on you while you were away,’” Mott said.

Mott said the teachers have apologized for the things they said about her son. In a meeting, she confronted them and asked why they made the comments. Neither gave her an answer, Channel 2 reported.

The Georgia Professional Standards Commission is investigating to determine if the teachers will keep their education certificates, Channel 2 reported.