Osceola County teacher accused of faking degree to get job

OSCEOLA COUNTY, Fla. — Agricultural sciences teacher Bonnie Dixon had been on the job for 1 1/2 years at Harmony High School, when her credentials suddenly came under scrutiny.

Dixon’s job application listed a master’s degree from the University of Florida, and she wrote about her “good morals” and desire to “mentor the youth in positive ways.”

She was initially hired on a temporary certification but failed the English and math sections on the exam to gain permanent status.

Osceola County Schools said the district received results saying Dixon passed both sections and looked deeper into her history when they appeared to be altered.

The University of Florida ultimately said the school had no record Dixon ever attended, let alone received a degree.

Harmony High School junior Jillian Fixl had Dixon as a teacher and said she always seemed above board.

“She was very relatable. She was actually a pretty nice lady,” Fixl said. “She seemed to know what she was doing.”

Fixl’s mother, Kathy Lopez, was outraged at the idea someone was able to get a job teaching children without being fully vetted.

“I’m shocked they didn’t know this and hired her without checking out what she put down on her paperwork,” Lopez said.

Osceola County Schools said in an email that the district’s human resources department was reviewing the situation to see if any changes can be made to prevent a situation like this in the future.

The district has forwarded its investigation to the Florida Department of Education.

Dixon resigned her position in the midst of the controversy.

WFTV