A 400-pound Michigan student gym teacher is suing his school for $1 million alleging he was discriminated against because of his weight after his request to do his student teaching virtually was denied.
David Lopez, 44, claims Wayne State University deliberately prevented him from qualifying because he ‘doesn’t fit the description of a PE teacher.’
The physical education kinesiology program student had completed every aspect of his studies, except for student teaching.
He claims his diabetes, hypertension and asthma mean he should have been allowed to complete the student teaching portion of his course remotely.
‘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,’ Lopez told The Detroit News.
Wayne State University student gym teacher David Lopez, who weighs 400lbs, is suing the school for alleged discrimination
Professor Nate McCaughtry heads up the Division of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies, which Lopez was enrolled with. Lopez claims the school refused to accommodate his disabilities by allowing him to teach remotely
‘There’s no doubt that was the reason why. There was no other reason. I passed everything.’
Lopez is a student in the Detroit-based university’s Division of Kinesiology, Health and Sport Studies, led by Professor and Assistant Dean Nate McCaughtry.
Lopez was assigned to Dearborn Public Schools for his student teaching duties.
The district was willing to make accommodations based on Lopez’s weight, but they were denied by Wayne State, according to papers filed at Wayne Circuit Court.
‘All I’d asked for was accommodations, virtual or through physical accommodations inside a classroom,’ Lopez said. ‘The school I was at was willing to give me a virtual setting, but Wayne State was not.’
He completed part of his student teaching with unofficial modifications at a Dearborn elementary school, but was told not to report for the second half of the program at the secondary level.
‘It got to the point where I had no other choice left,’ Lopez said. ‘I left with no degree, no certification, no nothing.’
He is also seeking to be reinstated on the course and said legal action was a last resort.
‘Suing the school was my last option,’ Lopez said. ‘I didn’t want to do it, but I’m doing it because I have nothing and I have no way to earn a living now because they took away my opportunity to get a degree. All I asked for was a reasonable accommodation.’
In a counter suit, Wayne State has asked for the legal action to be dismissed as ‘frivolous’ and stated there is no legal claim for weight discrimination against an educational institution.
Wayne State officials added it was not able to determine the student teaching requirements of districts.
Lopez said he has always enjoyed team sports and previously held a coaching job after high school.
He added that although he cannot participate in all activities he didn’t feel this would prevent him from being a good teacher.
But he said his experiences with Wayne State had taken the joy out of teaching.
DailyMail.com has contacted the university for comment.