The J-Walk Blog: Wizard Fired (Comments)

Thursday, 08 May, 2008

Wizard Fired

That'll teach him: Florida Substitute Teacher Fired, Accused of Wizardry.

A Florida teacher may have to pull an unemployment check out of his hat after performing magic in front of students, according to reports.

Jim Piculas said he made a toothpick disappear and reappear in front of students at the Rushe Middle School in Land 'O Lakes, Fla., Local6.com reported. He said he later got a call from the supervisor of teachers, saying he had been accused of wizardry.

"I get a call the middle of the day from head of supervisor of substitute teachers. He says, 'Jim, we have a huge issue. You can't take any more assignments. You need to come in right away,'" he told Local6.com.

Piculas said he's concerned the incident may prevent him from being considered for future jobs.

Note: The toothpick shown here is not the actual magic toothpick. It's just a random toothpick. However, I'll bet Piculas could make that one disappearm, too.

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- Reader Comments -

Following are comments in response to this item.
The most recent comment is at the bottom.

By Sheldon. Comment posted 08-May-2008 @06:34am:
I bet this is the trick:

http://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Toothpick-Disappear
By Haffy. Comment posted 08-May-2008 @06:37am:
He should be glad to be out of there. Stupidity that bad just might be catching.
By Hans. Comment posted 08-May-2008 @06:40am:
How could any school district be this stupid?

Oh wait, it's Florida, that explains everything.
By . Comment posted 08-May-2008 @07:34am:
his next trick was changing water into koolaid while walking across the local parks pond
By Joe. Comment posted 08-May-2008 @08:22am:
BURN THE WITCH!!!!
By beegee. Comment posted 08-May-2008 @09:40am:
They should at least give him the flotation test. It's only fair.
By Mark. Comment posted 08-May-2008 @10:07am:
Joe don't be silly we all know witches don't burn.
By KS. Comment posted 08-May-2008 @11:42am:
Yet David Blaine is allowed to walk the streets a free man.
By Volt. Comment posted 08-May-2008 @03:14pm:
What happened to freedom of religion?

Besides, if he's not a wizard, no problem. If he is a wizard that "supervisor of substitute teachers" should be very afraid.

However if he starts changing children into mice, that may be grounds for dismissal, depending upon the exact circumstances.
By . Comment posted 08-May-2008 @06:11pm:
Florida,,,,what else needs to be said.
By Clap Your Hands Say Yeah. Comment posted 08-May-2008 @06:55pm:
They want intelligent design to be taught in science classes, but they don't want wizardry? Florida!
By Jack. Comment posted 10-May-2008 @08:35am:
Criss Angel has a how-to video of this also. Watching him and then doing it myself is about the only magic trick I know. Except when I picked up a female hitchhiker once. She put her hand on my knee, and I turned into a motel.
By Seasnake. Comment posted 10-May-2008 @12:28pm:
Oh look he made Florida disappear!
Shucks he brought it back again!
By . Comment posted 11-May-2008 @05:34am:
They were looking for reasons to fire the guy; isn't it obvious? If they don't approve of your teaching methods in Florida they will dig up whatever statute to incriminate you, thereby ensuring your termination.

It doesn't end with just teachers, of course. Considering Florida is one of the last "right to work" states, Unions have no real power either; they are simply shills for the employer.

It may be funny, somewhat comical to outsiders, but when it affects real people with real lives and real responcibilities it stops being funny; its becomes sad and borderline criminal.