Teacher behind 'wheel of misfortune' will continue to be employed by school

A Washington state chemistry teacher who used a "wheel of misfortune" to punish students will continue to be employed by her high school.

After cell phone footage of Stevenson High School students pelting a fellow student with koosh balls was leaked to the media, parents and teens alike became aware of teacher Kem Petteson's teaching methods. The "wheel of misfortune" was Petteson's way of determining a punishment for students who misbehave. Punishments like "lose your seat," "lunch detention," or the most aggressive, "koosh firing squad." The 15-year-old's infraction? Chewing gum in class.

The sophomore's mother complained to the school and Petteson was put on administrative leave, but wasn't fired.

Last Tuesday the school's superintendent sent a letter out to parents stating, "After interviews with students, school staff and the teacher, the investigator recommended that the teacher be reinstated to the classroom with appropriate safeguards in place to ensure an appropriate classroom environment. The investigator concluded that the use of the wheel was inappropriate, but well-intentioned ..."

Some high school students have defended the chemistry teacher, saying the entire situation has been blown out of proportion, and someone from the Skamania County Pioneer, a local newspaper, told HuffPost Live the 15-year-old sophomore is now being bullied for speaking out. Because of that, we have not included her name here.

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