Miami

Parents, Students Rally Support for Fired Teacher

It was a major show of support for a Miami-Dade teacher who was fired two weeks before the end of the school year.

That teacher, Oscar Vergara, is very popular with his students, but the Miami-Dade School Board decided to not renew his contract at Coral Way K-8 Center.

Parents want Mr. Vergara back at school or at least answers as to why his contract wasn't renewed. School officials tell NBC 6 this was his first year in system.

Dozens of students chanted "We Want Vergara" inside Coral Way K-8 Center Tuesday after the school's annual show. Parents say Vergara was the 4th and 5th grade math gifted teacher who was fired.

"There's a shortage of good teachers in Miami-Dade and when you see a teacher like Mr. Vergara and the impact that he's had on our children, we want more teachers like that," said parent Rosa Ayala.

Students were big fans as well. "He was a very great teacher. He prepared us for 5th grade," said student Anais Rementol.

The school principal sent out a letter to parents last week informing them of a change in personnel, but parents say that's not sufficient.

"We'd like Coral Way to either bring him back at the same status or make him a permanent teacher," said Ayala.

"The day when he was giving us that lecture that he was leaving... I was crying and so were some other kids," added Rementol.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools released the this statement: "We have an established accountability system throughout Miami-Dade County Public Schools, ensuring that the most qualified and effective teachers are in the classroom instructing our students. This first-year teacher failed to meet the high standards we expect from all our educators, so he was not reappointed."

Parents disagree, "Why would you get rid of one of best teachers we've had in this school and replace him with a substitute?" asked Raul Cruz,

"He had the heart and soul of an amazing magnificent person," said student Jose Sanchez.

Miami-Dade Schools also said Vergara was on probation, as all first year teachers are. But as you heard from Parents and students, they are not happy with the School Board's decision.

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