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Teacher faces possible firing for insulting teen

March 30, 2011 12:00 am • Last Updated: March 30, 2011 1:35 pm

BROOKFIELD (AP) — A Connecticut math teacher is fighting to keep his job after asking an overweight student if he ate his homework.

Brookfield High School teacher Robert Wollkind says he has Asperger's syndrome, a high-functioning form of autism in which social interactions can be awkward.

Wollkind was placed on administrative leave in November after the comment to the student, who previously had been teased by others about his weight.

Wollkind is scheduled to appear at a termination hearing Wednesday.

School district officials say the comment was the latest in a string of demeaning remarks over Wollkind's 32-year career, including telling a student he hated him.

Wollkind has said his Asperger's makes it difficult for him to read others' emotions. More than 1,000 Brookfield parents and students have signed a petition supporting him.

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