Teacher cries 'hate crime' over Bible left on desk

An eighth-grade teacher has accused her students of committing a "hate crime" and being "cruel" because they left a Bible on her desk and a Christmas card with the word "Christ" underlined.

Melissa Hussain, an Apex, N.C., science teacher at West Lake Middle School, is suspended with pay and may lose her job after she purportedly clashed with students on the subject of religion and sent students to the school office when they asked about the role of God in creation during a lesson about evolution.

Hussain wrote on her then-public Facebook page that it was a "hate crime" when her students left a Bible on her desk, according to the Charlotte News & Observer. She complained about students singing "Jesus Loves Me" and wearing Jesus T-shirts.

Hussain said she "was able to shame her kids" over the incidents.

"I can't believe the cruelty and ignorance of people sometimes," Hussain wrote on the social networking site.

She said she wouldn't let the Bible incident "go unpunished."

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The teacher's Facebook profile did not indicate her religious affiliation. It has been set to private since her comments became public.

The teacher also called parents who complain about their children receiving their first "B" grade in middle school "ridiculous."

According to reports, Hussain's friends responded by posting comments on the teacher's Facebook page that talked about "ignorant Southern rednecks" and calling the parents of Hussain's students "bigoted, stupid and uncaring."

Another friend suggested Hussain bring a poster to class of NASCAR star Dale Earnhardt Jr. with a swastika drawn on his forehead because doing so would be "teaching" students a lesson.

"And without a job," Hussain replied. "But I like it!"

According to several media reports, parents say they complained to officials with the Wake County Public School System three weeks ago. As of Feb. 12, Hussain is under suspension for five days while district officials investigate the complaints.

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