Massachusetts

Newton Teacher Loses Job Following Complaints From Students

A Massachusetts English teacher is out of a job after complaints from students.

The contract of Deven Antani, a teacher at Newton South High School, has not been renewed, the school district said Monday.

"I've never had an experience with a teacher like this," said an 18-year-old student who didn't want to be identified.

The student, who just graduated from Newton South, says he and a classmate had complained to the school about Antani's behavior in class.

"He was very inappropriate throughout the entire year," said the student.

After they spoke up, they say Antani approached them during class in late May.

"He took out his phone and showed us a picture of his firearm, and he described it as a Ruger, and said his wife was getting a Glock and he couldn't wait until he could bring it to school," said the student, who took the image of a gun as a threat or retaliation for lodging a complaint.

The students got up, left the room and told another teacher.

Soon after that, Antani was placed on leave.

Antani was a 2016 semifinalist for Teacher of the Year in Massachusetts while working in the Dighton-Rehoboth School District.

Antani did not respond to requests for comment made by phone, email and Facebook.

Newton Police said they took a look at the incident, but that no charges will be filed.

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