Staff vs. Student Scenario
A staff member comes to you seeking support. They are accusing a student of making homophobic comments in class. They also report hearing the student calling them a homophobic slur under their breath in class. The staff member has formally requested a meeting with you (supervise for counseling), the Principal, and the union representative. They insist there be consequences/discipline for the student. The student claims they would never make such comments, as they themselves identify with the LGBTQ+ community. The student cannot be removed from this staff member's class because they need it for graduation. There are no other options within the school to replace this required course. The student is in their last semester of high school and has an IEP.
What should you do and why? Give a detailed plan of steps to take. Provide a clear and concise reflection paper on your thought process with consideration of your ethics, experience, school regulations and all factors that influence your decision-making. Give suggestions for possible solutions, approaches and anticipated outcomes. Consider all parties involved from administration, students, and staff members.