Hero Student Who Stood Up for Education Gets Support from School
Jeff Bliss, the Duncanville High School student who became an overnight legend after he told off a teacher for doing her job poorly, spoke with local news outlets for the first time since his rant went viral.
"No. Not at all," Bliss, 18, told News 8 when asked if he had any regrets. "I believe that somebody needed to say this."
His passionate words certainly inspired many both online and off, including students, teachers, and administrators.
Even the Duncanville ISD superintendent had good things to say about Bliss and the teachable moment he incited.
"We love it when students are passionate about education," Dr. Alfred Ray told FOX 4.
According to Ray, Bliss's "outburst" even moved the world history class teacher, Mrs. Phung, who proceeded to follow Bliss down the hall and to the assistant principal's office where they arrived at an "agreement" allowing Bliss to return to class.
For his part, Bliss, whose mother is a teacher, says he understands the need for effective education more than most.
After dropping out of school for a year, Bliss returned to Duncanville High as a sophomore.
"What I soon realized is without that education I'm not going to make any steps forward into my future," he said.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Phung has been placed on paid leave pending the results of an internal investigation. The district released a statement late yesterday saying Bliss would not be punished.
"I don't want people to look up to me as something to idolize or anything," Bliss said. "I'm just as human as the next person."
