Teacher hit by texting driver returns to class

After weeks of recovery, a Guyer High School calculus teacher has returned to the classroom.

A Fundly page created by Bridget Matamoros is still active and accepting donations for the well-liked instructor. According to the fundraising account, Jerome Noel was involved in a car accident on April 28th when a driver who was allegedly texting slammed into his vehicle.

The other driver had a suspended license and did not have insurance, so according to the page, the Guyer math teacher is dealing with a lot of out-of-pocket expenses associated with the crash.

Matamoros says Mr. Noel’s face was badly burned by his airbag in the collision, and his retina was detached. As result, he is now seeking the help of an eye specialist.

The Fundly page says Mr. Noel’s son was in the car with him when the crash occurred, but he was not hurt. About half of the page’s goal of $10,000 has been pledged, but organizers are still asking those who know the teacher to donate whatever they can. The page is called Mr. Noel’s, “Get Better so we can calculus” fund.

The wishes of Mr. Noel’s students and colleagues have apparently been granted, because the Denton school district says Mr. Noel returned to his classroom late last week.

Mario Zavala, a spokesman for the district said, “Many staff members rallied around Mr. Noel, visiting and asking what they could do.”  Zavala says it demonstrates what a tight-knit community exists on Denton ISD campuses.

News of Mr. Noel’s crash has spread on social media, with one posting shared on the Guyer High School band’s Facebook page. Many students and friends have left comments on the Fundly page, including the Shah family who posted, “Wishing you a speedy recovery. Guyer needs its calculus teacher back.”