Father speaks out following verbal exchange incident at East Salisbury Elementary

WICOMICO COUNTY, Md. – Charles Sparwasser, the father of an East Salisbury Elementary School student, is questioning his daughter’s wellbeing at school, after he said a staff member had harsh words for the 8-year-old.

“She was in computer class, and she was struggling with whatever it was that they had her working on,” said Sparwasser. “I guess the teacher got frustrated with her asking for help, or whatever the situation, but her response to my daughter was, ‘God, I could strangle you for not understanding.”

Wicomico County Public Schools told WMDT the adult involved is not a teacher. But when Sparwasser heard about the incident Friday morning, he said he spoke with the principal on the phone, filing a verbal complaint against the staff member.

“I was enraged. these people are supposed to by my kid’s role models, somebody that my kid looks up to,” said Sparwasser. “To let your frustrations, or your stress, or whatever outside work issues, whatever you had going on, affect the way that you’re talking to elementary school aged kids, is just not acceptable.”

School district officials said they are investigating the matter, which will be, “…Addressed per school system policies and procedures.”

Sparwasser said he is satisfied with the principal’s response thus far but hopes both educators and staff members can learn from this situation.

“Be an ear to your kids; listen to them, let them express themselves, and take the necessary actions to solve those problems. At the end of the day, that’s the next generation,” said Sparwasser.