Denise Kruse, a 36-year-old teacher in New Jersey, has filed a lawsuit alleging that she was sexually harassed by fifth-grade students at the Community Charter School of Paterson.
According to Kruse’s lawsuit — which was filed in the Superior Court in Bergen County on Monday, March 18 — students in her remedial math class at the Community Charter School in Paterson would allegedly ask her sexually charged questions, make “thrusting motions” behind her, and posted a video of her behind to Snapchat.
Additionally, Kruse claims that the children would announce that they were “aroused”, put their hands down their pants, and loudly make comments amongst themselves about her body.
In a statement to NorthJersey.com, Community Charter School of Paterson officials said that the school is “committed to creating a workplace and learning community that is free of harassment.”
“The Community Charter School of Paterson is deeply committed to creating a workplace and learning community that is free of harassment or discrimination of any kind, where students and staff alike feel safe, supported and cared for,” the statement read.
In addition to the allegations of sexual harassment, Kruse’s lawsuit alleges that she was unfairly dismissed by the school’s CEO Curtis Palmore.
While most stories involving teachers and sex harassment usually sees the teacher as the defendant, this story flips that narrative.
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