No, you can't be a gym teacher

[George K]

https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/wayne-county/2023/12/26/lawsuit-wayne-state-discriminated-against-student-because-of-weight/72030103007/

Well, he met the requirements, right?

A former Wayne State University student who wanted to become a teacher is suing the university for $1 million, alleging he was discriminated against because of his weight and disabilities when he wasn't allowed to do his student teaching virtually.

David Lopez, 44, was a student in the physical education kinesiology program, aiming to become a gym teacher. He finished every requirement for the program except for the student teaching.

Lopez weighs over 400 pounds and has diabetes, hypertension and asthma, according to the civil lawsuit filed earlier this year in Wayne Circuit Court.

"They don't think I fit the description of what a PE teacher was because I'm very overweight," Lopez said. "They didn't want me to graduate with my certification because I didn't fit what they perceived to be a gym teacher because of my size and because of my weight. There's no doubt that was the reason why. There was no other reason. I passed everything."

In a court filing response to Lopez’s lawsuit, Wayne State said there is no legal claim for weight discrimination against an educational institution. The university also said it does not control the student teaching requirements of districts.

[jon-nyc]

Maybe he could teach metabolic syndrome class instead. The students would appreciate it being virtual.

[Mik]

My dad's alma mater. This looks like the guy designed this to create a stir at the end.

[Copper]

there is no legal claim for weight discrimination

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7511432/#:~:text=Even though weight discrimination has,an anti-weight discrimination law.

there is only one state in the U.S – Michigan – that has an anti-weight discrimination law.