Court Finds Teacher Who Called Students 'Devil's Spawn' In Online Rant Should Keep Job

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A New York City teacher who ranted about her students on Facebook should not have been fired.

That was the finding of a state appellate panel, which upheld a lower court ruling that Christine Rubino was entitled to keep her job.

The three-judge panel wrote that while Rubino's comments were inappropriate, it was apparent she was venting "her frustration only to her online friends after a difficult day with her own students.''

Her lawyer said he was grateful for "a very humane decision.''

The city Department of Education said it was reviewing its options regarding her rehiring.

In her comments, the P.S. 203 teacher called her fifth graders "devil's spawn'' and said she "hated their guts.'' She has since apologized for her comments.

Last year, a judge overturned the decision to terminate Rubino, instead ruling she should be suspended for two years without pay.

Rubino had been a teacher for 15 years at the school.

You May Also Be Interested In These Stories

(TM and © Copyright 2013 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2013 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)