Middle School Teacher Reinstated After Community Rallies

A Brookline, Massachusetts, middle school teacher has been reinstated.

Acting Interim Superintendent Connelly released a statement Tuesday confirming that Larry Chen will not be terminated.

Chen was under threat of termination for allegedly using an expletive in front of students, as well as other allegations that were never made public.

"The administration appreciates the public interest in this matter, but reiterates that it will not publicly discuss the details of personnel matters," Connelly said in a statement.

Throughout the process students stood up for their teacher and many in the community spoke out - signing close to 200 letters, a student petition with 250 signatures and filling a school committee meeting holding signs of support for Chen.

In a statement released by Chen he said he's excited to return to the classroom and could not be more proud of the way his students handled the situation.

"I thank the students and parents of Brookline for their incredible support, and I pledge to work twice as hard as before to justify their faith in their teacher," Chen said.

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The school department says Chen will participate in a program of professional development before returning to his role in the classroom on November 5.

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