You Won't Believe the Reason This Respected Teacher Just Lost His Job

Most schools have at least one teacher who effortlessly commands the respect of students and is seen as a role model for various reasons — 60-year-old Steven Sloan, formerly a gym teacher at PS 102 in Harlem, NY, was one of those teachers.

Born with macular degeneration, which caused him to lose his vision, Sloan is known for overcoming his disability — he knew all of the students by their voices and could navigate the school without a cane — his blindness never affected the degree to which he did his job. Sloan was a legend at PS 102 — that is, until a misunderstanding at school caused the city's Department of Education to take away his job late last year, ending his 29-year career in an instant.

In October of 2014, a parent helping to set up for a school party claimed she smelled alcohol on Sloan's breath, resulting in his immediate removal from the school. His fellow teachers were outraged, as Sloan was known for his cleanliness and hygiene, always carrying around Listerine to rinse with. He attributes the parent-in-question's accusation to rinsing with Listerine Original mouthwash, which has 26.9 percent alcohol, after a spicy lunch that afternoon and denied ever drinking on the job.

Former PS 102 principal Sandra Gittens told the NY Post of the respect Sloan commanded, "He cleared his throat — ahem — and everyone got into line. It was really amazing." She said that Sloan was also known for always being at work on time, volunteering for lunch duty and to chaperone school trips, and for running after-school programs — he truly had an impact at PS 102.

After his removal from the school, a devastated Sloan testified at his court hearing: "I cherish my job. Ain't nothing for me to do but to teach physical education and work with my children. So why, after 30 years, would I risk or jeopardize that?" After being charged with drinking on the job and sexual harassment — due to making a "blind date" joke to parents that he sometimes used to put people at ease with his blindness — Sloan settled with the DOE this past August, agreeing to retire.

After giving his all to a job he loved for almost 30 years, he wasn't even allowed to say goodbye to the students who brought him so much joy every day.