A Spanish teacher with a compromised immune system will be allowed to return to teaching at Madison West via remote video, her attorney said in an email to media Friday.
Deana Zorko, who has received two organ transplants and takes medicines that suppress her immune system, had been teaching senior-level Spanish and Advanced Placement Spanish literature by remote video since schools re-opened last spring. Last week, she was abruptly moved to the Madison Promise Academy, the district’s all-virtual option.
Students walked out of class in protest Wednesday, and multiple media outlets reported on the situation, including Madison365.
“I am so proud of my students using their voice to speak up for their education,” Zorko said through her attorney. “I feel humbled by their support and the support of members of the community who have advocated for this outcome. I love teaching at West, I love my students and can’t wait to see everyone in class on Monday. Let’s get back to la clase de español!”
Zorko’s attorney, Tamara Packard, said the new arrangement is temporary and the district has not yet agreed to allow her to teach remotely in the second semester.
“Thankfully they have also agreed to ‘continue the conversation,'” Packard wrote in an email. “Ms. Zorko and her Union believe the most appropriate solution is for the District to allow Ms. Zorko to complete the year with her West students, virtually, as this is the most student-centered approach to a problem with no perfect solution.”
“We are very excited that Ms. Zorko is back and the district is accommodating her,” said West senior Miranda Garcia-Dove, who organized the student walkout.
