An elementary school teacher in New York City is facing criticism over her decision to show an anti-abortion video to her fourth- and fifth-grade students, WCBS reported.
Ju Ling Wei, a 14-year teaching veteran, screened the controversial 4½-minute clip for students in her second-period dance class at Public School 184, the television station reported.
"I was confused and uncomfortable," Isabella Alvarado, 11, told WPIX. The video is called "2018 National Fine Arts Merit Winner - Readers Theater -- Life Flight," WCBS reported. The video depicts several youths performing on stage, taking turns as the voice of an unborn fetus, the television station reported.
Isabella questioned her father about abortion after she was picked up from school, according to WPIX.
"While walking she abruptly said 'Dad what's abortion," Ishmael Alvarado told the television station. "I was in total shock."
Liset Reyes said her daughter also watched the video.
"I felt violated, I felt this is a topic I should be able to discuss with my daughter," Reyes told WPIX. "My daughter is in no way ready for this conversation, she had no idea the concept where a baby comes from we haven't touched those topics."
Wei, who has been at the school since 2004, remains on the job pending the outcome of an investigation, WCBS reported.
In a statement, Doug Cohen, a spokesman for the New York City Department of Education, said, “We expect our teachers to practice good judgment, and there is absolutely no reason to show this video in an elementary school. This lesson was completely inappropriate, and the principal immediately addressed this incident and reported it for investigation.”
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