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Texas Substitute Teacher Showed Up Drunk Save Email Print
26 comments
A | A | A

(May 14, 2008)--A Dallas substitute middle school teacher has been arrested after police say he was too drunk in class to finish a sobriety test.

Thomas Brownlee was in a classroom with students Tuesday at Parkhill Junior High School in far north Dallas with another staff member for about 20 minutes.

A spokesman for the Richardson school district, in which Parkhill is located, says another teacher suspected Brownlee was drunk and told a campus police officer.

A Dallas police report states that Brownlee "had slurred speech, breath smelling of an alcoholic beverage and bloodshot eyes."

The report says the officer stopped a sobriety test out of concern for Brownlee's safety, and Brownlee was charged with public intoxication.

District spokesman Tim Clark says students were never alone with Brownlee.
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Posted by: Lauren Location: Coolidge on May 16, 2008 at 10:27 AM
that is so terrible
Posted by: Donna Location: Belton on May 16, 2008 at 10:22 AM
Personally, I think there should be a zero tolerance policy in place. Where I work, If I had a couple of glasses of wine at lunch and came back to work, I would be fired. Why is is alright for a teacher to indulge and then return to class?
Posted by: Anonymous Location: waco on May 16, 2008 at 09:14 AM
Natasha, that's going a little overboard there. A tablespoon of wine? Okay so all teachers shouldn't never take any cold or allergy medicine. And Rachel, must you always use all the 1000 character limit on every post? lol
Posted by: Natasha Location: Gatesville on May 16, 2008 at 08:46 AM
I personally think that there is such a demand for substitute teachers that as long as an individual can pass a background check-they are considered "teacher" material. I personally believe that school systems should extensively look into more than just background when it comes to teaching our children. I would not want a teacher to teach my child under the influence of anything..whether its 2 glasses of wine or a tablespoon of wine...Where was this teachers common sense? When they called this sub to come in and teach for the day..How hard would it had been to say "NO, I cant make it?"
Posted by: Teacher Location: Texas on May 15, 2008 at 10:48 PM
Ok just curious. What school gives you lunch off campus to get a chance to drink wine???? I barely get a 25 minute lunch. Little time to eat much less pee lol. Anyway, I love teaching but there are days I would drink if I were a drinker lol I do not teach middle school those are the brave ones!!!
Posted by: Rachel Location: Temple on May 15, 2008 at 06:58 PM
I think that the concerning thing here is that teachers are to serve as role models in all of their actions. When they fail to do this, I believe that they violate a trust that parents instill in them as they send their children to school each day. I believe that we want our children to grow up to be mature, responsible adults and employees. A sub. who shows up performing less than his/her best is not being a good role model. Additionally, if parents would discipline their children instead of letting them drive them to drinking, the teachers would have more success in the classroom. If teachers were paid like the professionals that they are called to be, perhaps the education system, the classrooms, and the results that they produce would be something of which we could all be proud. If parents would support the teachers and the teachers support the parents, the team effort would make a world of difference in the lives of our children now and in our country when they become adults.
Posted by: Patriot Location: Tx on May 15, 2008 at 06:23 PM
LOL, I can't blame the guy too much for having to deal with middle school kids all day but I'd have my wine at the end of the day relaxing at home! And Anita2, I've seen the posts from (patriot reality check bounced) and I know who it is. "Condemned in Texas" is obvioulsy still crying about the HazMat story. We all disagree at times but some morons can't get past it and resort to 3 yr olds. I say, If you can't take the HEAT like we all have...then GET OFF THE BOARD!
Posted by: Anita2 Location: Temple on May 15, 2008 at 03:49 PM
I guess I have to change my name. I post here alot and it seems that others that post here too are being stalked & mocked...like Patriot, Reality Check and now ME!! People are so immature!
Posted by: Kim Location: Temple on May 15, 2008 at 02:13 PM
I agree that one would have to be drinking to spend all day with middle school kids! LOL I recently went on a field trip with some 6th graders and boy did I want to drink when I got home! I'm not condoning his actions, but do we REALLY know what was going on?!?
Posted by: get real Location: here on May 15, 2008 at 02:06 PM
I'm surprised this even made news. Hasn't everyone had a teacher at one time do something stupid?
Posted by: Anita Location: Temple on May 15, 2008 at 02:03 PM
To Partriot: U can say the most ignorant things.
Posted by: carey Location: waco on May 15, 2008 at 11:20 AM
We had a teacher who always had bloodshot eyes...not from alcohol, one day we were playing catch in the parking lot when the ball bounced into the back of his truck. What did we see? An empty pack of Zig-Zags.
Posted by: parent Location: nolanville on May 15, 2008 at 10:55 AM
Wonder if he could pass the Taks Test???!!!
Posted by: Michelle Location: Central TX on May 15, 2008 at 10:24 AM
I just made the decision to homeschool and could not be happier. We will never have to worry about things like this.
Posted by: WACO1000 Location: Waco on May 15, 2008 at 10:05 AM
I kind of agree with parent, but i also dont see it as a crime for some one to consume a glass of wine with lunch. Do i recommend it? or would i do it? No. But i do know a few older people that dont see it as a problem. If he was on the radion then, maybe the news just exajerated everything, i wouldnt be surprised.
Posted by: Gail Location: CenTex on May 15, 2008 at 09:55 AM
Drunk is the ONLY way I could spend my entire day with middle schoolers.
Posted by: parent Location: here on May 15, 2008 at 09:29 AM
Do you need to be "too drunk" to be arrested and not allowed to teach? Would he be arrested if he was "just drunk"? Just thinking... :0
Posted by: Duh!? on May 15, 2008 at 08:33 AM
How stupid can you be?! Sounds like an alky to me!
Posted by: crazy! Location: waco on May 15, 2008 at 07:45 AM
This guy was on K 104.5 radio station this morning! He admitting to drinking 2 cups of white zinfindel(sp)at lunch and then going back to class...he says his eyes were bloodshot b/c of allergies. He went back to class after lunch and started playin jazz for the kids. Then he was callded to the office where he was handcuffed. He said there was no soberity test it was the opinion of the cop? lol and he also said that this isnt the first time hes drank at lunch! people these days are crazy!
Posted by: mac Location: tx on May 14, 2008 at 10:28 PM
I know my kids made me drink. There gone now and I no longe drink.
Posted by: patriot reality check Location: bounced on May 14, 2008 at 05:17 PM
This is not a shock! I imagine that if most of us had to teach these kids these days, we'd all be driven to drink 24/7! Am glad no-one got hurt though!
Posted by: Tamara Location: Waco on May 14, 2008 at 02:37 PM
Dang, he must have started drinking early or ended late. School starts about 8am. That was a heck of a party.
Posted by: LOL on May 14, 2008 at 01:47 PM
Hear hear d-town. I think this story is hilarious.....yes we can laugh,nobody was hurt.
Posted by: d-towm Location: Dallas on May 14, 2008 at 11:51 AM
keep the good times rolling! rolling!
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