‘He was a protector’: Students defend Lakeside teacher fired over alleged threat

EVANS, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Current and former students are shocked by the firing of an award-winning Lakeside High School math teacher over a so-called threat they say no one should have taken seriously.

Authorities on Wednesday said Jerry Meitin was arrested and booked in the Columbia County Detention Center on a charge of terroristic threats. His bond was $5,100.

According to an arrest warrant, he threatened he’d shoot his students multiple times if he had a gun. That was done “in reckless disregard of the risk of causing terror,” the warrant states.

Those who know Meitin say there’s no way he actually intended to shoot anyone or meant the statement as a threat. Instead, he has a sarcastic sense of humor and speaks with passion, they say.

As an example of the outpouring of support for him, a GoFundMe campaign for his legal fees and bond had reached more than $26,000 less than 36 hours after his firing was announced.

We asked the Columbia County School System why he was immediately fired instead of being placed on leave. A spokesperson replied, “We cannot discuss personnel matters,” and attached the letter sent home to families.

Meitin was well-loved by students, according to those who’ve reached out to News 12.

We met with several of his current students.

“He cared about our learning deeply. He would always say stuff like ‘brilliant scholars’ and just encourage us each and every day to do better,” said Aaron Wang, current student. “In class today, the assistant principal came in, and our counselors and a lot of people cried. Almost half of the class cried, right. To show how much we grieve for him and how much we miss him.”

Asad Akhtar said, “He was a person who didn’t take teaching as just a job. He really took it as a passion. He was the best math teacher I’ve probably ever had.”

Sharing another perspective, Shlok Trivedi said, “I really look forward to him, and it’s just a big part of my life. He’s had a really big impact on me.”

Four of them were in Meitan’s class when the alleged comment cost him his job.

Zaid Qureshi said, " I didn’t hear any comment made personally. I do know he was kind of unhappy with us, and it was our fault that we were kind of talking, and there’s a test the next day.”

Akhtar said, “We were giving a hard time with talking and all that, and we had to test the next day. He’s obviously frustrated, but we could definitely see the context behind what was allegedly said.”

That’s why his students, both current and former, are speaking out.

Chase Fowers is a Lakeside graduate. Fowers said, “Coach Meitin is definitely known for his sarcasm and his wit. He has a dry sense of humor. I think that someone negatively interpreted his sarcasm. Never even close to violence. Never close to any kind of danger with Coach Meitin. I just think it was, especially given our nation today, a poorly placed joke, poorly worded and I think it was misinterpreted.”

Qureshi said, “You can ask people from what, 20 years before, like every class, and they’ll tell you the same things about him because he really was dedicated to not only teaching, but helping the students and building a community around math and Lakeside.”

One parent said their son came home Wednesday very frustrated about the situation.

“He and his classmates love Mr. Meitin. They immediately started talking together about what they could do - a petition or similar,” the parent said.

“I don’t think we can support the insensitive comment in this climate, but unless the county has some really terrible evidence of intent, it’s just a very stupid sarcastic joke by an otherwise adored teacher,” the parent said.

Principal Juliet King told parents about the incident in a letter Wednesday.

“In order to keep you informed we are notifying you of an ongoing investigation in which a teacher reportedly made comments of a threatening nature towards students during class,” King wrote in the letter. “The teacher is no longer employed by the Columbia County School District and will be held accountable according to the law.”

Authorities said school district police are handling the investigation, and the incident will be reported to the Professional Standards Commission for further investigation, King said.

News 12 filed open-records requests with the Columbia County School District for the police report and for his personnel file, but our requests were denied.

He was known for his passionate teaching style, and that’s what some say may have been his downfall.

One of his students wrote in a letter:

“I was in the classroom when the comment in question was made, and I can say with confidence that it came from his passion for teaching. Like respected coaches such as Dip Metress and Dan Hurley, Mr. Metin is passionate to the point that he can become emotional. This emotion comes from the obstacles he faces, such as students not learning or not listening, yet he still cares deeply. He cares so much that he will go to great lengths for each and every one of us.”

The student concluded the letter:

“Mr. Metin, we love you, and we do not wish this tragic sequence of events on anyone. Stay strong, and I hope our statements will help change the public’s opinion of you.”

Former student George Zhou, who organized the GoFundMe campaign, wrote:

“Mr. Meitin is not a criminal. He is a teacher, a mentor, and a good man.”

Zhou said that for him and countless other students, Meitin was more than just a math teacher.

“He was a mentor who genuinely cared about each and every one of us,” Zhou wrote. “Any interaction with him would quickly show that he is incapable of holding a grudge and simply seeks to push students to the best they can be.”

Among his honors, he was recognized by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology as an Influential Educator.

Zhou also said Meitin has been nominated as a STAR Teacher, an honor given to the teacher by the SAT top scorer in the district.

Former student Chase Fowers said Meitin, who was also his cross-country coach, has always been known for his sense of humor.

“He was always really quick with a joke and sarcastic, but never unkind - and always really positive,” Fowers told News 12.

“Even if I had homework that I needed help from him, even if it wasn’t related to his class, he’d be willing to step in and, and give me a hand,” Fowers said.

Fowers just feels like maybe someone misunderstood Meitin’s humor.

“I think that someone negatively interpreted his sarcasm. Never even close to violence. Never close to any kind of danger with Coach Meitin. I just think it was, especially given our nation today, a poorly placed joke, poorly worded and I think, I think it was misinterpreted,” Fowers said.

“Never once have we perceived violence or danger in him. We traveled all around the state of Georgia with him. ... He was safe. He was a protector. He was a guide.”