IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF WILLIAMSON Franklin, Tennessee Melanie Lemon, ) ) Plaintiff, ) ) : . * ) No: 2017-320 Williamson County Schools, ) Kathryn Donnelley, Mike Looney, and ) Denise Goodwin. ) ) Defendants. ) COMPLAINT SUMMARY Mclanie Lemon is a beloved teacher and member of the Williamson County community. She dedicated her life to the learning and love of children. This livelihood, career and passion were stripped away from her in a painful, humiliating and illegal manner. This Complaint is filed to rectify the wrongs to Melanie Lemon committed by Defendants. Melanie Lemon was bullied, stalked, intimidated, and defamed into a forced resignation. In addition to compensatory damages, the hope is our Williamson County Schools will extend their anti-bullying policy to the adults. PARTIES 1. Plaintiff, Melanie Lemon, is an individual who resides in Williamson County, Tennessee, and all times pertinent hereto, has been a resident and was employed in Williamson County, Tennessee. vy Williamson County Schools is a School District whose central office is located at 1320 ‘West Main, Suite 202, Franklin, TN 37064, 3. Katheryn Donnelly at all times pertinent hereto was the principal of Walnut Grove Elementary School located in Williamson County, Tennessee, and was the direct supervisor of Melanie Lemon, the Plaintiff. Ms. Donnelly can be served at Walnut Grove Elementary School located at 326 Stabie Rd, Franklin, TN 370694, Mike Looney is the school superintendent of Williamson County Schools and at all times pertinent to this cause of action was the supervisor of Katheryn Donnelly. 5. Denise Goodwin is the Assistant Superintendent in Williamson County at all times pertinent to this cause of action. JURISDICTION AND VENUE 6. Jurisdiction and venue are proper as all parties worked in and the causes action arose out of events that occurred in Williamson County, Tennessee. GENERAL ALLEGATIONS 7, Melanie Lemon was an elementary schoo! teacher for fourteen years. 8. Melanie Lemon is a tenured teacher. 9. Ms. Lemon is and was supposed to be protected by the Teacher Tenure Act found in Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 49-5-501 et seg., 10. The Tenure Act is to protect school teachers from arbitrary demotions and dismissals. 11. Melanie Lemon has the reputation of being a loving, kind, and joyful teacher as evidenced by 1832 plus signatures on a Petition of Protest filed by parents, prior students, and others in the community. (See comments to Petition; Exhibit one) 12, Melanie Lemon was a loving, kind, and joyful elementary teacher before her reputation was ripped from her. 13. Ms. Lemon was an excellent teacher as evidenced by her classroom success. 14, Ms, Lemon was an excellent teacher as evidence by her TEAM General Educator Observation Forms over the span of her career. 15, Teachers are graded by their principals through a TEAM General Educator Observation Form ona scale of 1 which is poor and up to 5 which is excetience. 216. On said form, a 3 is standard; 4" and 5's are rare. 17. Directly prior to the decision to bully her into resignation, her excellence is documented in a 2016 TEAM General Educator Observation Form wherein she received scores of primarily 4 out of 5 with only two 3's, (See Exhibit 2) 18, Directly prior to the decision to bully her into resignation, her excellence is documented in a 2015 TEAM Observation form where she received three scores of 5 and seven scores of 4, 19. Ms. Lemon was active in her church and maintained an excellent reputation with children there as well for the past ten years. 20. Each child minister who worked with Ms. Lemon in the church are ready and available to attest to said reputation outlined in number 19. 21. Suddenly, in the 2016-2017 school year, Ms. Lemon became the target of a systematic plan to bully her into resignation, 22. The targeting started in August of 2016, when Ms. Lemon was blamed for an emotional and distressed parent and humiliated in front of said parent. 23. When Ms. Lemon asked Donnelly for help in August of 2016, she was told, “I don’t want to hear from you", 24. Ms. Donnelly asked Ms. Lemon “What did you do to cause thi: ' ie. the emotional parent, 25. On the way to the meeting, Ms, Donnelly said, “and you did this in front of a classroom of parents”, 26. Ms. Lemon did not cause the upset parent, making said comments unnecessary and harassing. 27. On or about the fall of 2016, a co-worker’s child was diagnosed with leukemia, 328. Ms. Lemon and two other teachers obtained a prayer blanket, prayed over it before schoo! and the blanket was presented to the teacher at her child’s hospital. 29. Ms, Lemon and two other teachers also started a fundraiser through Facebook accounts and started selling T-shirts outside of school 30. A private bank account was opened for the T-Shirt fundraiser. 31, Ms. Lemon asked permission to do the fundraiser from Ms. Donnelly and permission was granted. 32, Both understood, the fundraiser would be done outside of school. 33. The school was aware and otherwise advised of the fundraiser and had no problems. 34. A parent offered to buy t shirts for the co-worker’s class students. 35. In order to obtain T-shirt sizes, Ms. Lemon asked the bookkeeper for a list of the class sizes where Ms, Lemon created a tally of sizes, without using their names. 36, She was bullied for this, when Donnelly told her that she had done something illegal. 37. Ms. Lemon was continually stalked, bullied, and harassed through meetings, e-mails, and directives. 38. One such harassment was a TEAM observation that occurred on or about January 19, 2017. 39, The January 19, 2017 General Educator Observation Form faisely and for the sole purpose of bullying and harassing Ms. Lemon provided seven scores of “2”, some “3's and zero “4's” or "5's", (See Exhibit 3) 40. The poor review, that was an “about face” of each and every evaluation for 14 consecutive years, was provided to Ms. Lemon for the sole purpose of forcing het resignation,41. This manner of scoring is notice that the school intends a progressive termination as a two is rare, and only used on the poorest of employees. 42. Ms. Lemon was not provided the right to redo the report as allowed by school policy, nor was she notified of said right. This is because the only reason for the report is to force her resignation. 43. It did not work, and Ms. Lemon tried even harder to please her superiors. 44. Ms. Lemon followed all school protocol to address the harassment by meeting with her union representative and school assistant superintendent, Denise Goodwin, yet nothing was done. 45. The meeting with Goodwin lasted two and a half hours where the details of the harassment were relayed. 46. However, this devoted teacher of fourteen years was then called at home on the Thursday afternoon just before the Easter Holiday weekend, suspended, told she was under criminal investigation for child abuse, and it was in law enforcement's hands, 47. She spent an excruciating weekend with no knowledge of what the accusation was about, 48. There was no such child abuse. 49. The allegations are extremely suspect as to the reporter, the timing, and event describe. 50. The child in question nor his/her parents made any complaint of child abuse. 51. Law enforcement declined to investigate same, 52, The school investigation was incomplete, improper, and without merit, 53. Even so, Ms. Lemon was suspended without pay for three days; which is the maximum allowed without a full hearing in front of neutral person(s). 54, Cameras were placed in her classroom for the purpose of intimidating, stalking her, bullying her, and forcing her to resign outside tenure protocol.55. An observer was placed in her classroom for the purpose of stalking her, bullying her, and forcing her to resign without a hearing. 56. When she appealed the suspension time frames were not followed according to school policy nor was she provided required documentation and said failures were for the purpose of bullying her to quit. 57. The school monitored her on the cameras, noted her every move, and otherwise treated her as a prisoner. 58. She received an email days after she returned from the humiliating “investigation” wherein Dr. Looney was monitoring her aetions via the two cameras. 59. When she stepped outside the door to talk to a school psychologist she was chastised, bullied and targeted. 60. When she worked on emails to parents as requested by the district, she was timed, and chastised, bullied and targeted for being on the computer. 61. Her co-workers and other teachers were threatened if they protested in any way when they were told, “remember who signs your paychecks” 62. On May 12, 2017, Ms. Lemon was forced to resign when the stalking, bullying, and harassment could no longer be endured. 63. Following the resignation, the community found out and was outraged. 64. The community of prior students and parents circulated a Petition of protest and gathered 1800 signatures in 2 days. 65. Said Petition and Comments are in direct contradiction to the School's labeling of Ms. Lemon. 66. The community showed up at the school board meeting dressed in black for the purpose of objecting to the schools treatment of Ms. Lemon. 667. The harassment continued even after Ms. Lemon’s resignation, when one speaker in support of her was puiled outside at the school board meeting and threatened that if she spoke Melanie Lemon would never work in Williamson County and “if you go through with this”, she will never work in the State of Tennessee again. 68. Other rumors were scattered as to her reputation and the harassment continued and continues. COUNT ONE WRONGFUL TERMINATION (69. Plaintiff reiterates and incorporates all the general allegations. 70, Plaintiff was constructively discharged when her resignation was forced. 7). Plaintiff's working conditions were so difficult or unpleasant that a reasonable person in the employce’s shoes would have felt compelled to resign when the school falsified the observation report giving her 2's. 72. Plaintiff's working conditions were so difficult or unpleasant that a reasonable person in. her shoes would have felt compelled to resign when the school accused her of child abuse based upon one parent's comment of an event that occurred 30 days earlier. 73. Plaintiff's working conditions were so difficult or unpleasant that a reasonable person in her shoes would have felt competled to resign when the school told her it was illegal to tally T-shirt sizes. 74. Ms, Lemon had no choice but to resign when the school reduced her to an inferior status by placing cameras in her room and a retired teacher to monitor her. 75. Ms. Lemon had no choice but to resign when the school reduced her to an inferior status by monitoring, timing, and rebuking her actions, 76. With said constructive discharge Defendant terminated Ms. Lemon in violation of the Tenure Act.77. The Tenure Act, ‘Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 49-5-501 et seq., is to protect school teachers from arbitrary demotions and dismissals. 78. The Constructive discharge violated T.C.A.§49-5-511 which states no teacher shall be dismissed or suspended except for incompetence, inefficiency, neglect of duty, unprofessional conduct or insubordination, 79. At no time was Ms, Lemon incompetent, inefficient, neglectful, unprofessional or insubordinate and the constructive discharge was wrongful. 80. The schools’ handling of the suspension also violated the notice and hearing requirements of T.C.A. §49-5-S1 1. 81. Pursuant to said Act, Ms. Lemon was entitled to a hearing by a neutral officer. 82. Pursuant to said Act, Ms. Lemon was entitled to a hearing by the school board. 83. Pursuant to said Act, the School District achieved a termination without going through the legal channels. 84, Said termination was wrongful. 85. Said termination was the proximate and legal cause of damages to Ms, Lemon in the form of back pay, front pay, loss of benefits, humiliation, pain and suffering, a loss of reputation, and a loss of career as outlined below. COUNT TWO BREACH OF CONTRACT 86. Plaintiff reiterates all general allegations and all allegations found in Count one. 87. Ms. Lemon was offered tenure. 88. Ms. Lemon accepted tenure. ‘89. Consideration was exchanged in the form of pay and benefits for services. 890. Said contract is in the possession or control of the parties. 91. Williamson County Schools breached said contract with the constructive discharge. 92. The Constructive discharge violated T.C.A.§49-5-511 which states no teacher shall be dismissed or suspended except for incompetence, inefficiency, neglect of duty, unprofessional conduct or insubordination. 93. Atno time was Ms. Lemon incompetent, inefficient, neglectful, unprofessional or insubordinate and the constructive discharge was wrongful. 94. The schools" handling of the suspension also violated the notice and hearing requirements of T. . §49-5-511. 95. Pursuant to said Act, Ms. Lemon was entitled to a hearing by a neutral officer. 96. Pursuant to said Act, Ms. Lemon was entitled to a hearing by the school board. 97. Pursuant to said Act, the Schoo! District achieved a termination without going through the legal channels, 98. One evaluation in fifteen years occurred in January 19, 2017 that had multiple scores of 2 out of 5. 99. Said evaluation is known to the community to mean you are being targeted for discharge. 100. Said contract allows Ms. Lemon the right to “redo” the evaluation. iol. Said right was not relayed to Ms. Lemon in breach of the contract. 102. Said termination and failure to follow proper procedures was the proximate and legal cause of damages to Ms. Lemon as outlined below. COUNT THREE NEGLIGENCE OF COUNTY EMPLOYEES, 103. Plaintiff reiterates all the general allegations.104, __Williamson County Schools can be liable for employee negligence pursuant to TCA §29-20-205, 105. Williamson County Schools owed a duty to the Plaintiff wherein their employees should not harass, bully, stalk, or intimidate her. 106. The County breached said duty when the harassment, bullying, stalking and intimidating continued up through her resignation and today. 107. The harassment, bullying, stalking and intimidation were the legal cause of Ms. Lemon’s toss of her job, lost wages and benefits, her reputation, and her physical and emotional injury. 108. The harassment, bullying, stalking and intimidation were the proximate cause of Ms. Lemon’s physical loss of her job, her reputation, and her physical and emotional injury. 109. Asa result, Ms. Lemon claims damages as outlined below. COUNT FOUR DEFAMATION - DENISE GOODWIN 110, Plaintiff reiterates and incorporates all the general allegations. 111. Denise Goodwin published the statement that Plaintiff had anger issues, 112. Plaintiff does not have anger issues, and Ms, Goodwin is well aware that this statement is false. 113. Plaintiffis a second grade schoo! teacher and Ms. Goodwin’s statement “that Plaintiff had anger issues” constitutes a serious threat (o the plaintiff's reputation. 114, Asa result of these statements, Plaintiff's reputation to continue her work with children has been permanently damaged and otherwise harmed in the community. 10115, Ms. Goodwin published statements to third persons that Ms. Lemon had marital problems. 116. Said published statements regarding marital problems are false, and said statements were made either knowing they were false or for the reckless disregard for the truth, 117, Said statements regarding marital problems caused damage and harm to Ms. Lemons’ reputation in the community, harmed her employability factor and caused other damages. 118, These statements are a predominant cause, proximate cause and legal cause of damages in the form of lost reputation and employability and the right to be around children in any environment. COUNT FIVE FALSE LIGHT INVASION OF PRIVACY ~ DONNELLY, LOONEY, GOODWIN 119, Plaintiff reiterates and incorporates all the general allegations. 120. Employees of the Schoo! District gave publicity concerning Ms. Lemon that placed her in a false light in informing them that she had anger issues, was not a good teacher, and would not be allowed to work in Williamson County, and/or would not be allowed to work in the State of Tennessee. 121. ‘Those individuals who gave said information include but are not limited to Denise Goodwin, Kate Donnelly and Dr. Looney. 122. Said statements about her al ty as a teacher. anger issues, and where she would be allowed to work, are highly offensive to a reasonable person 123, One example, is telling members in the communi / that Ms. Lemon abused a child by publishing same accusation and suspension in her public personnel file. 11124, One example, is claiming Ms. Lemon will never work in Williamson County or the State of Tennessee by Dr. Looney. 125, One example is claiming Ms. Lemon has anger issues by Denise Goodwin. 126. One example is telling teachers not to protest her treatment or get involved and to otherwise “remember who signs your paychecks”. 127, The individuals had knowledge or acted in reckless disregard as to the falsity of the publicized matter. 128. Some of the statements regarding where Ms. Lemon would be allowed to work if she dared to go against the school board were made with malice. 129. As a result of this invasion of privacy, Plaintiff has lost her employability as a second grade teacher and sustained back wages and front wages. loss of reputation, pain, suffering and humiliation. As outlined below. COUNT SIX INVASION OF CIVIL RIGHTS 130. Plaintiff reiterates and incorporates the general allegations and prior counts. Bt ‘The Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution guarantees the right to due process of law. 132, An integral part of this right is the notice and opportunity to be heard before depriving someone of property. 133. The United States Supreme Court has determined that tenure is a property right. 134 The right to wages, and a safe working eavironment as well as her contracted job were also rights regardless of tenure. 135, Ms. Lemon was denied notice and an opportunity to be heard, when she was suspended without pay based upon a railroad finding of child abuse. 12136. _In said suspension, Ms. Lemon was not provided a notice of the charges against her, via witness statements, video, or other evidence. 137. In said suspension, she was not provided the opportunity to confront witnesses, hear from witnesses, or participate in any of the investigation. 138, In said constructive discharge, Ms. Lemon was not provided the neutral hearings provided by the Tenure Act. 139, All said deprivation of rights are in violation of the United States Constitution, and the County cannot benefit from said deprivation. 140. Said deprivation caused damages as outlined below. COUNT SEVEN INTENTIONAL INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS Individuals DONNELLY LOONEY GOODWIN 141. Plaintiff reiterates and incorporates all the general allegations. 142. The conduct of the defendants Donnelly, Looney and Goodwin has been so ‘outrageous in character, and so extreme in degree, as to be beyond the pale of decency, and to be regarded as atrocious and utterly intolerable in a civilized society to include: a. Disciplining and interfering with her charity attempt for a coworker that took place outside of school; b. Providing her with a false and inaccurate work review for the purpose of forcing a resignation; ©. Accusing her of child abuse for the purpose of forcing a resignation; 4. Placing cameras in her classroom for the purpose of intimidation and forcing a resignation, 13¢, And forcing a human monitor in her class room for the purpose of harassing and intimidating her; f. Threatening the community and/or co-workers for speaking on her behalf; g. Threatening the community that she would not work in the State of Tennessee if they testified on her behalf; h. Telling the community that she has anger issues; i, Telling the community that she is a child abuser with no complaint from the child, or histher family; and j. Threatening co-workers and other wachers in Williamson County that if they stood up for Ms. Lemon or tried to protest, “remember who signs your paychecks”. 143. Said actions by the Williamson County Schools against a dedicated, highly rated, highly loved, and highly successful teacher and member of the community were the proximate and legal cause of irreparable damage to Plaintiff physically, emotionally, financially, and caused other damages. COUNT EIGHT NEGLIGENT INFLICTION OF EMOTIONAL DISTRESS SCHOOL BOARD 144, Plaintiff reiterates and incorporates all the general allegations. 145. The School board owed a duty to Ms. Lemon to control, direct, and train their employees. 146, The School board breached that duty, when several of the employees took it upon themselves to bully, harass, stalk, and intimidate a teacher into resignation without the Tenure Act protocol. 14147. ‘These threats were the legal and proximate cause of Ms. Lemons’ injuries, loss of work, and loss of reputation. 148. As aresult, Plaintiff lost her career, her employment, her reputation and other damages. 149. Plaintiff has sustained compensatory damages in the form of back pay. Since she still has not obtained employment, this damage is ongoing and accruing daily. 150. Plaintiff has sustained compensatory damages in the form of front pay to be determined, if she is able to go back to work. 151. Plaintiff has sustained compensatory damages in the form of mental distress, pain ‘and suffering, humiliation, and physical harm. COUNT NINE Damages 152. Plaintiff preferred to continue in the path of her career, and would have done so absent the events outlined in this complaint. 153. The events outlined in this complaint are the direct, legal, and proximate cause of any damages to be accessed by the trier of fact. 154. Plaintiff has experienced a death of her career and reputation, 155. Said Complaint is being filed to make Williamson County Schools better. 156. Ms. Lemon has identified actual damages in the form of back pay and benefits. Plaintiff claims said pay and benefits equal $67,000 per year. Ms. Lemon cannot work in her chosen career where she worked for 14 years. With an expected career spanning 35 ‘years, she has lost this income, 157. The pain and loss of a chosen career, humiliation, loss of reputation and physical and emotional injury cannot be replaced. 15158. Damages are ongoing and cannot be identified until directly prior to trial. Plaintiff claims damages in the amount to be accessed at that time for all allegations contained herein; jointly and severally between the defendants as allocated by the trier of fact. 159, Having identified the actual loss, Plaintiff requests damages suitable to effect change and improvement in the school district for the benefit of its children, PRAYOR FOR RELIEF WHEREFORE, Plaintiff continues to pray for the following relief: For Trial by Jury if allowed, For compensatory damages against the defendants jointly and severally, or as the trier of fact may allocate, or as requested in an amount accessed directly prior to trial. For punitive damages against the defendants, if allowed by Jaw, in an amount to be determined by the trier of fact. For any and all costs expended herein; For Plaintiff Attomey fees, For such other and further relief as the Court deems equitable and just. Date: June 9, 2017 TN BPR No. 014616. CA BPR No, 16564 Attorney for Plaintifis THE LAW OFFICES OF CONSTANCE MANN 1107 Battlewood Street Franklin, TN 37069 cmannlaw/d@msn.com (615) 724-1800 16Bond Statement COST BOND 1, Constance Mann as Principal(s) and as Surety, am held and firmly bound unto the Williamson County Circuit Court, for the payment of all costs awarded against the principal. To that end, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators. The Principal(s) is/are commencing legal proceeding in the Federal District Court of the Middle District of Tennessee. If the Principals) shall pay all costs which are adjudged against them then this obligation is void. if the Principal(s) fail to pay then the surety shall undertake to pay all costs adjudged against the Principal(s). Mag 7IN THE CIRCUIT COURT OF WILLIAMSON COUNTY Franklin, Tennessee Melanie Lemon, Plaintiff, ¥ No: Williamson County Schools, Kate Donnelly, Dr. Looney, and Denise Goodwin. Defendants. COMPLAINT EXHIBIT ONE9, Name: Marsha Williams on 2017-05-14 01:01:50 Comments: I taught with Melanie for a few years. If every teacher was as loving and caring as Melanie, the world would be a better place. ‘Name: Allison C Johnson on 2017-05-14 01:05:58 Comments: Melanie is an amazing woman who gives her heart and soul to our community and our children. Truc tragedy and devastating to think the Williamson County School System has allowed this to happen and lost not an amazing teacher as result. 12, Name: Jennifer Jeans on 2017-05-14 01:07:32 Comments: Mrs. Lemion has been such an inspiration to ‘my son as his teacher. You could not ask for a better person, she is wonderful inside and out!! 22. Name: Rachel Williamson on 2017-05-14 01:19:16 Comments: I have known Melanie for years from church and always seek her guidance on education matters because she is a brilliant teacher. 24, Name: Kristin Long on 2017-05-14 01:21:46 Comments: | have four children who have gone through ‘Walnut Grove and every single one of them would say Mrs. Lemon is one oftheir favorite teachers and people of all time. She is one of the most amazing individuals T have ever had the pleasure of knowing. 33, Name: MonicaWillow on 2017-05-14 01:27:27 Comments: My son had Melanie Lemon and I can say that she was the most loving and patient teacher he has had. Her integrity, her patience, her devotion and love to her students is impeccable! 41, Name: Kim Anderson on 2017-05-14 01:35:53 Comments: Melanie Lemon is an amazing parent, teacher, community member and friend. Her dedication to others fs impactful. [have watched Melanie sacrifice her time and money to volunicer on an Honor Flight, accompanying a veteran to DC to visit the ‘WWII War Memorial 1 have seen her dedication to the Cooper Trooper Pumpkin Patch cach October, ‘Which belps fight childhood Leukemia. have witnessed her love forthe Best Buddies program, showing love to everyone she meets. She is often atending weddings, graduations church events and special events of former students because she touches their lives as she does 10 50 many. 49, Name: Shirlee Bowden on 2017-05-14 01:39:01 Comments: Melanie Lemon is one of the most compassionate, kind, caring, capable teachers I worked with during my 46 year teaching career. 70. Name: sabrina sowell on 2017-05-14 01:49:03 Comments: She is the sweetest person I have ever met ‘Whoever accused her this should be ashamed of themselves. I've never seen someone so passionate about teaching and the children that she serves. 71. Name: Deborah Bohn on 2017-05-14 01:49:28. ‘Comments: Melanie taught my daughter with dedication, creativity, and love. She's beloved by kids because of her energy, enthusiasm, and kindness, 78. Name: Melissa Fuller Spitlman on 2017-05-14 01:51:07 Comments: Hands down one of the best and ‘most compassionate educators we've had. My child, who is highly energetic and very emotional, found a friend and staunch supporter in Melanie Lemon. As a parent whose adopted children can sometimes struggle with academics, it was a blessing to have someone like her who wasn't insistent on putting students ito tidy ftlle boxes. We need more of her, not les!! ‘84, Name: Claudia Hartman on 2017-05-14 01:57:23 Comments: My children never bad Mrs. Lemon as a teacher, but they always wish they had. She's an amazing teacher who's live for her students is known throughout the WGS world (Complaint Exhibit 1 Page 7 of?'85, Name: Craig swanson on 2017-05-14 01:58:26 Comments: Innocent until proven guilty, not the other ‘way around, the burden of proof is on the accuser 91. Name: Maddie Kerr on 2017-05-14 02:03:31 Comments: Mrs. Melanie is the sweetest person I've ever met in my whole entite life. I have know her since I was very little and she goes to our church, our families are very close friends and she has always had a passion for teaching, She has kids who have gove to college ‘and gotten married asking her to attend the ceremonies because she has made such an impact on ther. ‘Obviously the person who filed this report doesn't understand that i's way to serious of an accusation and, ‘was out to get her. This is extensive and extremely unfair to Mrs. lemon, her students, and her family. hhope someone comes (o their senses and realizes that this s VERY wrong and their was obviously bias information involved in the case. ‘95, Name: Gracie Long on 2017-05-14 02:05:32 Comments: Although { never had the opportunity to have Mrs, Lemon as a teacher, I can truly say that she is one of the best ones out there. While [had a different teacher, she always made me feel loved and supported no matter what. She is full of compassion and kindness and shows that in her teaching and most things that she does!" I FULLY support her integrity and ‘character. Love you Mrs. Lemont! 125, Name: Erin Ray on 2017-05-14 02:23:06 Comments: Melanie Lemon is an amazing teacher who is beloved by her students and parents, and respected by fellow teachers. | have personally known Melanie for several years through Walnut Grove and church. Melanie is a wonderful person with great integrity. It's shameful how she has been treated by WCS, and should not be tolerated. 142, Name: Dana Wesson on 2017-05-14 02:34:03 Comments: Our prayers are with Melanie and her family. She is 80 precious and represents why so many of us have always felt very fortunate to have caring, compassionate teachers like her in the wes system. 146, Name: Anne Prickett on 2017-05-14 02:35:52 Comments: My daughter was blessed to have Melanie Lemon as her teacher at WGE. She was an amazing teacher who showed compassion and integrity. 149, Name: Lisa M Burke on 2017-05-14 02:39:21 Comments: Hold your head high Mrs. Lemon! Prayers and good thoughts to you from a former WCS teacher. 175. Name: Finlay Long on 2017-05-14 02:49:24 Comments: Without a doubt, one of the sweetest, most loving teachers my kids have ever Page 16 of 147 had. She just has a knack for making each child feel spocial and loved. Great teacher and an even better persont 182, Name: Joelle Polsky on 2017-05-14 02:52:52 Comments: It's asad day at Walnut Grove losing Melanie Lemon, Ms. Lemon is one of our favorit teachers ofall time. She inspires und guides her students ‘00a daily basis in such a loving way, making learning fun. Being in her class was one of the highlights of cr tenure at Walt Grove, She is ome of the bes educators ia Williamson County ad will tly be 196, Name: jean costello on 2017-05-14 02:57:40 Comments: Mrs Lemon was one of my favorite teachers and I love her. She has been such a good ole model for me. 204, Name: Jenny Nichols on 2017-05-14 03:00:44 Coraments: Melanie was in my life a long time ago (high schoo!) and | fondly remember how genuinely kind, accepting and warm hearted she was, She was ‘Complaint Exhibit 1 Page 6 0f7also quick to laugh. These traits make her an astounding role model and I hope she is treated as such. Love you MelMitch! Love, JenGood 214, Name: Anna Grace Kochamba on 2017-05-14 03:06:11 Comments: Melanie lemon is the sweetest & fanniest person on this whole entire earth & WOULD NEVER EVER do anything like that to one of her students, She has a huge heart and is a second mom to me. She's a believer in Jesus and bas a huge place in my hear 229, Name: Jeff Wood on 2017-05-14 03:11:50 Comments: Mrs. Lemon was my 6th grade teacher back in 1999! Still o this day, is my favorite teacher I ever had, So kind to every student and made the classroom & fun and safe place. She made such a positive impact on my life, as 'm sure she does on all students, She cares about every single student that steps foot in her classroom and works hard to make sure every student succeeds. Any school system should be honored to have this amazing teacher working for them. } pray that my story, as well as the others on this petition, shows how many lives this amazing woman has impacted in aa positive way. | stand with Melanie Lemon 233, Name: Kim Miller on 2017-05-14 03:14:33 Comments: We were very blessed to have Mrs. Letnon for ‘our daughter's second grade teacher. Being a mom to a special needs child and I was going to be working aan hour away from my litle gir! for the very fist time, Mrs. Lemaon helped put this rom at ease, Today, ‘when Jasey sees her, she always yells out Lemon and runs to give her a hug, Thank you Mrs. Lemon for taking such great care of Jasey and all your stents. We stand with you 256, Name: Cathy dupuy on 2017-05-14 03:28:04 Comments: I love Melanie Lemon and would trust her with my life. She is my daughter's conformation sponsor and true faith friend. | cannot think of a more joving human being 261. Name: Erika Yurjevich on 2017-05-14 03:31:22 Comments: We love Melanie Lemon and hope she feels the love and support from all of those whom she has touched! 281. Name: mma Wilson on 2017-05-14 03:41:12 Comments: | met Mrs. Lemon at church while ‘volunteering with Room in the Ian. She is always willing to go the extra mile especially when we have ‘young children. She is eager to meet them and always takes time out of her night to visit with them and Show them some extra love. She has suc a big heart ands a blessing to everyone she meets! 296, Name: Kathy Frantz on 2017-05-14 03:54:16 Comments: Melanie is what every teacher strives to be Tike. 299. Name: Angela ‘Thompson on 2017-05-14 03:56:55 Comments: This gentle woman is an amazing person full of character and integrity, We've known het for 13 years. Our son had her as a 3rd grade. teacher. She attended his wedding, | am friends with Melanie, she is full of grace and love 302, Name: Woody Wood on 2017-05-14 03:58:56 Comments: WTF? Ms Lemon is @ superstar and one of the best teachers my kids ever had. 334, Name: Molly Cameal on 2017-05-14 04:30:58 Comments: { have know Melanie since my childhood and I do not know anyone else that shares her joy for children as much as Melanie. She always make my children feet like rockstars when she sees thera! She is genuine, kind, and compassionate to everyone she ‘meets. The teaching profession needs more teachers like her! {twill be such a loss for WCS 345. Name: Keilah Anderson on 2017-05-14 04:47:52 Complaint Exhibit 1 Page 5 of?Comments: Mrs. Lemon is the sweetest person I know. She is like a second mom to me. 357. Name: Cindy Adamson on 2017-05-14 05:14:06 Comments: Dr Loony is reason #2 I pulled my kids ‘rom his distriet and went private. Looney is bad for this county! 367. Name: Michelle Shelton on 2017-05-14 06:07:25 Comments: Melanic is one of the most ‘amazing, caring,thoughtful,compassionate people | know. Truly a blessing to our family as well as SO many others! The absolute BEST teacher my daughter ever had...so much so that she is now studying to be a teacher herself! Melanie Lemon js the kind of teacher you hope and pray your children get every single year! LOVE you Melanie! 382. Name: Leslie Ragan on 2017-05-44 11:01:41 Comments: This girl has inspired my daughter in limited contact through church In ways I didn't see possible! She is a gifted teacher and leader! 401. Name: Marilynn Burnworth on 2017-05-14 11:58:17 Comments: Mefanie Lemon is one of the most outstanding teachers | have ever met. Thave known her for many years and witnessed her in the classroom and outside of the classroom. She has nothing but integrity, and a true love for every child that she has taught. Melanie has always put everyone else about herself. 409. Name: Candi W Kready on 2017-05-14 12:11:27 Comments: | support Melanie. It is sad to see how allegedly the schools have "zero tolerance” for bullying but they find it acceptable to be the person/s bullying! 427. Name: Jenny williams on 2017-05-14 12:25:09 ‘Comments: Mrs. Lemon taught our oldest daughter and is one of her favorite teachers to this day. Mrs. Lemon was kind and compassionate & had high standards in her classroom while making learning fun! We love and respect Mrs. Lemon. 447. Name: Allyson wamble on 2017-05-14 12:43:10 Comments: Melanie Lemon is one of the most caring, king and loving individuals you would ever have the pleasure of being around. ! wonder how many teachers are Constantly invited to their former students weddings, over 20 years later??? My guess is not many. Melanie is a special person and has had happened to her is just plain wrong. 4450. Name: Shannon Harvey on 2017-05-14 12:47:45 Comments: Melanie and 1 worked together for atany _years. She was adored by students and staff and aller she moved she has been someone who makes an ‘effort to remain connected to those she has taught and taught with. She is very loved. 60. Name: Marc Kochamba on 2017-05-14 12:57:37, Comments: I believe, trust, and admire the professionalism, enthusiasm and teaching gift Melanie Lemon possesses. | cannot logically understand the reasons for her resignation ‘Complaint Exhibit 1 Page 4 of 760, Name: Mare Kochamba on 2017-05-14 12:57:37 Comments: [ believe, trust, and admire the professionalism, enthusiasm and teaching gift Melanie Lemon possesses. 1 cannot logically understand the reasons for her resignation other than someone being completely inconsistent with her awesomeness. 463, Name: Susan Lyons on 2017-05-14 13:00:29 Comments: Melanie Lemon was a teacher at my son's elementary school and was always a ray of sunsbine. She isa great snd loving teacher. 469, Name: Mark Carneal on 2017-05-14 13:07:16 Comments: Melanie is one of the most genuine, caring person I have ever met. | have see this in action with children and adults alike. | am blessed to know her and call her a friend, 475, Name: Andrea Holland Rizk on 2017-05-14 13:10:44 Comments: } have known Melanie for more than 20 years. She is a wonderful woman, mother, and friend. If my children were lucky enough to have her as their teacher, I'd be very grateful. I'm hoping that whatever is going on will be reevaluated and corrected. 483. Name: Robin Roberts on 2017-05-14 13:13:55 Comments: There is no finer person than Melanie Lemon. She is a bright spot in the life of everyone who knows her. Her students adore her because she is so very good to them! This situation makes me deeply disappointed in WCS. 484, Name: Brenda Martin on 2017-05-14 13:14:40 Comments: Melanie Lemon is one of the most caring ‘and compassionate people I have ever met. lam blessed to know her. 485. Name: AnneMarie Bisarek on 2017-05-14 13:16:29 Comments: Melanie Lemon is one of those people that truly cares for others, always putting their needs above her own. Her honesty, integrity and compassion make her ‘one of those few people you are lucky to encounter in a lifetime. She brings light and life to others by just being who she is. Iam honored to know her as she has been a blessing to my life. 8. Name: Stephanie DePriest on 2017-05-14 13:20:59 Comments: I have known Melanie for 20+ years! Top notch teacher, friend and mother. 489, Name: Charity Rubio on 2017-05-14 13:21:57 Comments: [love Mrs. Lemon so much! She was my teacher in second grade and I filly support her in everything she does. She is who made me love school, and she means so mich to me and the rest of my family 498, Name: Caroline Bourne on 2017-05-14 13:32:12 Comments: Mrs. Lemon is the nicest and most Joving teacher I have ever met. 501. Name: Valerie Whatley on 2017-05-14 13:33:41 Complain Fite Page 3 of7Comments: One if the most kind hearted people I've ever met. 505. Name: Carol Schroer on 2017-05-14 13:37:00 Comments: I've been blessed to know Melanie Lemon for 20+ years. We were students together in college, and we taught together for many, many years. I've seen her in and out of the classroom. She is one of the most genuine, loving, human beings that | know. Her characteris impeccable. I'm so incredibly thankful that I get to call her my friend. [ support Melanie 110%. Schroers love you big, Melanic!! 507. Name: Lisa Murray on 2017-05-14 13:38:09 Comments: lam honored to call Melanie Lemon a friend. She selflessly invests herself in her friends and community. We are blessed to have the Lemon family in our life. 513. Name: Jacquie Dotson on 2017-05-14 13:42:02 Comments: | have only had 2 handful of interactions ‘with Melanie but { know from them that her love for life, students, teaching and her family is a contagious and genuine love. Everyone I have ever known Who has met her or who has had her asa teacher loves her 516. Name: Anne Marie Hall on 2017-05-14 13:42:42 Comments: Melanie has my utmost respect and support. She is an incredible person who has unshakable character. 524, Name: Callie Barret on 2017-05-14 13:48:57 Comments: Melanie is the most caring and loving person I know. She is an amazing teacher and a beautiful person. { have the utmost respect for her and | ‘would trust her with anything, including my children 526. Name: Kay Davy on 2017-05-14 13:50:27 Comments: Melanie isa great teacher and a wonderful person! She isa perfect example of the type of person each of us should strive to be. Any schoo! would be lucky to have her as a teacher 535. Name: Dabney Mason on 2017-05-14 13:58:53 Comments: What a messed up system! Everyone who knows Melanie Lemon quickly becomes her dear friend! How I would love the privilege for her teach any one of my 7 children. She is top notch, the best of the best! $540, Name: Adam Ray on 2017-05-14 14:01:44 Comments: Mrs. Lemon is a great teacher, All ofthe kids ‘at WG love her, She's a great person and she doesn't deserve this. 541. Name: peggy on 2017-05-14 14:02:10 Comments: I'm not sure what has happened, but can say with certainty, whatever she is being accused of is not correct. Hoping everything gets sorted out so she can use her faith and love to teach again. 542, Name: Amanda Knauer on 2017-05-14 14:02:24 Comments: In the 10+ years that I've known Melanie, I have never doubted her compassion and love for other people - especially children. Through youth sparts and church activities, I have entrusted my own babies to her care without a second thought. ‘Comptaint Exhibit 1 Page 2 0f 7She treats everyone she meets with respect and makes them feel special, usually with a smile and a hug, I hope that this situation is resolved quickly and that wisdom and discernment will prevail 545, Name: Emily Newton on 2017-05-14 14:04:54 Comments: I've known Melanie for about 25 years and she has a heart of gold! Loving, giving, caring and with a strong character full of integrity many lack. ‘546, Name: john crispeno on 2017-05-14 14:05:12 Comments: Melanie, you always shine bright in your student's eyes! Keop the faith and all will be finc. For those that suppress you have clearly met their match. Look at this petition and sec that they are clearly wrong. ‘549, Name: Jacob babcock on 2017-05-14 14:13:04 Comments: Mrs.lemon is truly 2 wonderful Pearson, | Academic Feedback (FEED) 2 {Grouping Students (GRP) a Teacher Content Knowledge 3 {TCK) + Teacher Knowledge of 3 ‘Students (TKS) Thinking (TH) Problem Solving (PS) Last mociiod by Debbie Goites on 1492017, Printed on 1/19/2017 6:20:30 PM‘TNCompass TEAM General Educator Observation Form Rubric Indicator: Lesson Stricture and Pacing (LS) Students were able to access materfals for each of the three stations in the classroom as woll as textbooks efficiently as they transitioned from one activity during small group time fo the other. They also showed understanding of where to place materials as they finished and what to do next as they finished and walled on the next rotation of activities. Refinement . Rubric indicator: Activities and Materials (ACT) Because cause/effect can be difficul for students, consider pulling lower groups to work with you at the table fist before allowing them to work independently at a station in which they had to identify causes and effects. Students in purposeful Practice groups could work with a partner to reinforce and reflect upon their thinking beforefafter working wih you at the table. Asking students to choose two examples ftom the Cause and Effect 5 and 8 worksheets to write a sentence that tolls the cause/effect in addition to circling the picture to describe the cause/effect would increase their analytical thinking ‘through application and implementation of what they leamed in the lesson's activiies. Students could practice creating ‘sentences for their own examples of a cause or effect and talking with a partner to increase individual understanding of the causoleffect relationship. Notes ‘Author Date Note Signatures Educator Observer = DATE < SIGNATURE SIGNATURE] Groted by Deno Gates on 11972017 Lax mode y Dabo Gatos on 11872017 Page 2 of 2 Printed on 1/19/2017 6:20:30 PM