A Florida high school science teacher faces dismissal amid allegations that she used a “cone of shame” dog collar to discipline students.

Pasco County schools superintendent Heather Fiorentino has recommended firing 47-year-old Laurie Bailey-Cutkomp for putting a dog collar on at least eight of her ninth graders on two days in April.

The collar was reportedly the type used to prevent animals from licking themselves after surgery. “Cone of shame” is a reference to the animated film “Up,” which Bailey-Cutkomp had previously shown to students.

Zephyrhills High administrators learned of the allegations after seeing the students’ photos on Facebook. Parents tipped off the school.

She has requested a hearing before the School Board to appeal the superintendent’s decision. A telephone message left for Bailey-Cutkomp by The Associated Press wasn’t immediately returned.

On weekends and some weeknights I actually manage to teach piano to a handful of eager students. Although learning music requires a particular sense of discipline, I never would imagine making my young pupils sit in a corner with a medical dog collar on because they played an e minor instead of a c flat. Not even in jest.

During the mid 1800s through the early 1900s, the dunce cap was used on disruptive students, as a punishment designed to teach manners and how to be a responsible individual. In modern education, though, dunce caps are extremely rare, and are frowned upon.

Teachers today are taught to use positive reinforcement or even time-outs to get students to behave. However, my students are so enthusiastic about learning, all I really have to do is keep encouraging them to practice often and exceed their goals!