I Am Totally Disgusted!

I just read a news story about a 5 year old boy who may have Asperger's Syndrome (a high functioning type of autism). This little boy, Alex Barton, was voted out of his kindergarten class after his teacher had him come to the front of the room and asked every other student why they didn't like him. The teacher then had each student vote as to whether or not Alex should remain as part of the class. They voted him out. What kind of values is this going to teach the children in that classroom? What are these kids going to take away from this? The values are going to be that you can ridicule anyone that doesn't meet your standards for whatever reason. The children are going to take away the idea that anyone with autism of any degree or mental illness of any type doesn't deserve the respect you would give a dog. That teacher should have been fired at the end of the day. I can only give the teacher the benefit of the doubt and say that she was taught that behavior by her parents. That doesn't excuse her actions but it does offer a possible reason for the way she thinks. I am praying for Alex that he is not permanently hurt by this. By God's grace I hope he is able to forgive the teacher and the other students and put this entire incident behind him. Check out the story for yourself : http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/may/24/30gtteacher-lets-students-vote-out-classmate-5/