FT. PIERCE, FL -- Wendy Portillo told a judge from the moment the St. Lucie County school district suspended her, she was told not to talk about what happened in her kindergarten class. She says she felt sick and, at times, she couldn't eat or sleep.
"I felt like everyone was judging me and that I couldn't say what I wanted to say," said Portillo.
At last, fighting for her career, the Morningside Elementary School teacher broke her silence today. In a hearing appealing her year-long suspension, she detailed how and why she punished 5-year old Alex Barton last May.
"He was being disruptive by kicking the table. He was also being disruptive by flicking crayons and stuff at the children," she said.
She sent Alex to the principal's office, and when he returned, she invited the kindergarteners to vote on whether Alex could stay. She turned the episode into a kind of math lesson, with Portillo making tally marks on the blackboard, and the children counting their votes for and against Alex.
"And they counted and it turned out tobe it was 14 to 2. I said 'Alex, I'm sorry. We're not ready for you at this time.'"
Portillo says she had no idea what a firestorm of criticism she'd set off - news articles and emails from around the world. She says she never intended to hurt the boy, who was later diagnosed with a version of autism.
"It was just, I felt, a learning opportunity to show all my students that there are consequences to actions," she said.
Parents and colleagues testified on behalf of Portillo, praising her 12 year teaching career.
But Alex's mother, Melissa, watched the hearing through a hallway window at the Ft. Pierce city hall, still angry about what happened to her son.
"If she were remorseful she wouldn't be here today. And she has been given ample opportunity to apologize to him and she hasn't done that," said Melissa Barton.
At stake for Wendy Portillo: a year suspension without pay, suspension of her teaching license, and loss of her tenure status.
The appeals hearing wrapped up today. The administrative judge is expected to make a recommendation on whether to uphold or reduce Portillo's punishment within 30 days. St. Lucie County school board members will then make the final decision in the matter.
