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A John E. Ford Montessori teacher who was put on 15 days’ unpaid suspension Monday is accused of videotaping a kindergartner beating on other children and not stopping the fights, according to just-released documents.
Rita Baci also is accused of pushing a kindergarten student out of her class using her foot and leaving him unattended, according to a Duval schools investigative report that became public this week. The incidents occurred in November.
Florida law requires districts not disclose the results of teacher misconduct investigations until 10 days after the investigation closes with a finding and the teacher has been notified.
Baci, 65, is a teacher certified in a variety of fields, including using the nationally known, hands-on Montessori method of education and educating emotionally disabled students. She has worked in Duval schools since 1990 but taught in New York state seven years before that, personnel files show.
Investigator Reginald Johnson said Baci showed poor judgment and used inappropriate physical contact.
This is not the first time Baci was disciplined.
In September 2013, she received a written reprimand for allegedly holding a student up by her upper arms, feet dangling and forcefully putting the girl into a chair outside her classroom.