Lawsuit: Wayne State discriminated against student who wanted to be gym teacher because of weight

[MichMan]

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."

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

[Freethinker65]

1. Pretty sure in person student teaching is a REQUIREMENT for certification.

I worked for Wayne State many years ago and a few of my coworkers had their graduations delayed because they had trouble passing the language proficiencies. It was known when starting the program they would need to pass the proficiency test. They eventually passed.

The education department requires student teaching for certification. This student has not completed that requirement.

[Scrivener7]

2. What an idiot.

[rsdsharp]

3. My gym teacher in high school had a huge beer gut.

In fairness, he had been a Little All American football player, and could beat every football player on the squad in a 40 yard sprint, except the star half back.

[sinkingfeeling]

4. I would vote with the guy, he is being discriminated against. They

should have allowed the virtual student teaching and given him the certification. He would probably never be hired as a PE teacher, but should be given the chance to get certified.

[MichMan]

5. He likely would have filed a similar suit against the school district for not hiring him

I'm sorry, I just don't see how a gym class can be done remotely. Covid already showed us that remote learning wasn't effective, and that was for subjects like english, science, and math.

[Hekate]

7. When you are informed of the requirements for a particular degree, vocation, job...

…and you know these things in advance, in writing, in the English language — then it is incumbent on you to fulfill those requirements. Or prove your case all the way up the line that some form of accommodation must be made for you, and that you are capable of performing the essential functions of the degree, vocation, or job.

A PE teacher doesn't have to be an Olympian or a State track star, nor do they have to be an underweight gymnast. But they do have to be reasonably healthy and able to physically demonstrate the sports they are teaching. These aren’t lecture classes, on the whole. And these are essential functions.

Sadly, 400 pounds is not just a little chunky — it is morbidly obese. This person needs to choose a different subject if he wants to be a teacher.

[Wonder Why]

6. They claimed he didn't pass everything.

"Even after 72 attempts, he failed to pass the refrigerator"