Bullied Fluco Girl Finds Confidence With Resource Teachers But Cuts Threaten Help

Updated: 8:49 AM Mar 22, 2010

Tia Depremo is an 11-year old Fluvanna girl who is teased at school because of a learning disability and her appearance. She says she found confidence with help from one of the school's resource teachers, but budget cuts threaten to eliminate the position.

Posted: 10:19 AM Mar 21, 2010
Reporter: Jessica Jaglois
Email Address: Jessica.Jaglois@newsplex.com

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March 20, 2010

Tia Depremo is a 6th grade student at Fluvanna County Middle School. She has Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD) and is often teased by her fellow classmates.

Tia's confidence and grades were poor but her academic environment changed once she received help from one of the school's resource teachers.

Only one month ago, Tia was failing almost every subject and her highest grade was a "C."

"It took us at least 3-4 hours to do her homework every night," says her mother, Nina Pierce.

"I used to cry because I didn't think I could do it," Tia says.

Because of her ADHD, Tia says school is very difficult for her. But school is difficult for the 6th grader in other ways, too. She is often tormented by her classmates because of her appearance.

"They call me fat and stupid. They've called me those names ever since Kindergarten," says Tia.

With constant name-calling and poor grades, Tia had little confidence, until a resource teacher began working with her. Now, Tia's lowest grade is a "C," and Tia's mother says her daughter has a lot more confidence.

But Fluvanna County Schools face almost $5 million in budget cuts. Some resource teaching positions could be eliminated when the School Board tries to close the gap.

Barbara Gibbons is the Fluvanna County School Board Chair. She told CBS19, "Without a resource teacher in the classroom, it's hard to reach all of those kids." Kids like Tia.

While the name-calling has not gone away completely, Tia has the confidence to shake off the insults, she says, thanks to her resource teacher.

" I feel like those kids are wrong. I can do this, I am smart!" Tia says.

However, the future of resource teachers is unknown as their positions, and the kids they help, are in jeopardy.

We welcome your comments on this story.

Latest Comments

Posted by: paul Location: fluvanna on Apr 12, 2010 at 01:11 PM

this was so stupid of the parents. their is some much politics involved within the schools, they have embarresed the teachers. now think.... if you bad mouth someone do you really think in return they are going to help, um no. you cant bad mouth someone and then ask them for help. if they thought it was bad before this they haven't seen nothing yet. bouta dumb.

Posted by: Dark Angel Location: Charlottesville on Mar 23, 2010 at 09:24 AM

I do not know bulling is a defense mechanism. Some children are very cruel and do this on purpose. Quit making excuses that parents teach this to there children CJC go to a middle school and observe the behavior of these children. I was at a school and a girl was walking with her tray another girl walked up to her and in a nasty tone told her to move out of her way she did not have anything in her hands the girl told her no soo the other girl flipped her tray and for 2 days her friends tormented her causing a serious situation to occur and alot of hardship to her family. I pray for this girl and the other girl in the article when is it going to stop? It is the parents turn to do something.

Posted by: angie Location: greene,co on Mar 22, 2010 at 11:08 AM

I dont think the county should cut money out of schools..Are children are very important and they should not pay because they cant budget there money right...

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