Mr. Horan is a friend to all students

To the Editor:

I am a  mother who has a child in Mr. Timothy Horan’s second-grade classroom in Pine Bush Elementary School.  I was quite surprised to read the article in The Altamont Enterprise about the family suing him and what allegedly happened on that day.

After speaking to several other children’s mothers as well, I was absolutely convinced there was something terribly wrong with this story. Mr. Horan is accused of not allowing the young lady to go to the nurse’s office. This was an absolute lie, because several mothers had asked their kids their version of the story and they unanimously said that she wasn’t making a big fuss at all, and that he offered her to go to the nurse’s office multiple times, but she refused.

Also anyone who knows how passionate and experienced a teacher Horan is, would agree that he would never treat a child “maliciously,” as he was accused. The blatant attack on his character disregards his 30-plus-year reputation of being a superior educator, responsible man, and a friend to all students.  

Many times, a child is scared or embarrassed to ask for help or to “make a big deal” about something in school. Children often feel lost without their parent’s guidance or are confused about how to behave in these situations. All the kids in the classroom said she didn’t even scream or cry or act hurt at all.

I know and will admit that as a mother of six, I’m  no doctor, and it’s not always clear to me what is ailing my own kids, or when to take them to the emergency room. This situation also avoids the real fact that this equipment shouldn’t even be used by the kids because, as us moms know, it’s possibly dangerous, very high, and nerve-wracking.   

It is difficult to deal with the emotions that arise in us parents when we feel our child is mistreated or hurt.  I lived this as my child, years ago, was killed in a hospital for malpractice. Seeking answers and even blaming, or taking revenge rises up in all of us.

But I personally believe this was a misunderstanding and did not have to take the teacher to this degree of blame. I think the article and this issue was one-sided and merits further scrutiny. The children were all witnesses and they are much smarter than we give credit.  

Our vote was for Tim Horan and we are glad he chose to keep his head up. We as a family, are hoping the family drops this lawsuit.

Jennifer Amigo

Guilderland

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