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My high school biology teacher insisted that all fish were mammals because "they live in water like whales," then doubled down when I corrected her and gave me detention for "being disruptive."

Mrs. Campbell had been teaching biology for fifteen years, but somehow never learned basic animal classification. The problems started during our unit on vertebrates when she confidently announced that fish were mammals.

"All animals that live in water are mammals," she declared, writing it on the whiteboard. "Fish, whales, dolphins - they're all mammals because mammals live in aquatic environments."

I raised my hand. "Mrs. Campbell, that's not correct. Whales and dolphins are mammals, but fish aren't. Fish have gills and are cold-blooded."

She looked annoyed. "Excuse me, but I have a degree in education. Fish are mammals because they live in water."

"But mammals are warm-blooded and breathe air. Fish breathe through gills."

"That's enough, Rebecca. I'm the teacher here."

The next day, she doubled down. She handed out a worksheet that literally said "Fish are mammals because they live in aquatic environments like whales and dolphins."

I raised my hand again. "This is scientifically incorrect. Fish are not mammals."

Mrs. Campbell's face turned red. "Rebecca, you're being disruptive. One more outburst and you're going to the principal's office."

"I'm not being disruptive. I'm trying to point out a factual error."

"Fish live in water. Mammals live in water. Therefore, fish are mammals. It's basic logic."

"Mammals don't all live in water. Cats and dogs are mammals and they live on land."

"Detention, Rebecca. Report to room 205 after school for being argumentative and disrespectful."

I couldn't believe it. I was getting detention for knowing basic biology.

That afternoon in detention, I started planning. My uncle Mark was a marine biologist at the local aquarium. He had a PhD in marine science and had literally written research papers about fish classification.

Two weeks later, parent-teacher conferences arrived. My mom had already planned to attend, but I asked if Uncle Mark could come along.

"Why do you want your uncle there?" Mom asked.

"Just trust me. There's something I need him to hear."

We sat down in Mrs. Campbell's classroom, and she immediately launched into her concerns about my "disruptive behavior" and "inability to accept instruction."

"Rebecca consistently argues with established scientific facts," she explained. "She refuses to accept that fish are mammals and continually disrupts class with incorrect information."

Uncle Mark blinked. "I'm sorry, did you just say fish are mammals?"

"Yes, of course. All aquatic animals are mammals."

Uncle Mark looked at my mom, then back at Mrs. Campbell. "Ma'am, I'm a marine biologist. Fish are not mammals. They're vertebrates, but they belong to several different classes - primarily bony fish and cartilaginous fish."

Mrs. Campbell's confident expression wavered. "Well, they live in water like whales..."

"Whales are mammals that evolved to live in water. They breathe air, are warm-blooded, and nurse their young. Fish breathe through gills, are cold-blooded, and lay eggs or give birth to live young without nursing."

"I have a teaching degree," she said defensively.

"In what subject?"

"Education."

"Did you take any biology courses?"

Long pause. "My focus was on elementary education methods."

Uncle Mark pulled out his phone and showed her a basic classification chart. "This is fundamental taxonomy. Fish are not mammals. This is taught in middle school science."

Mrs. Campbell stared at the chart, her face getting redder by the minute.

"Furthermore," Uncle Mark continued, "Rebecca was correct, and you gave her detention for knowing basic biology. That's problematic."

My mom finally spoke up. "So my daughter is being punished for being right?"

Mrs. Campbell stammered. "I... there may have been some confusion about the classification system..."

"There's no confusion," Uncle Mark said firmly. "Fish are not mammals. They never have been. Rebecca's detention should be revoked, and honestly, this curriculum needs immediate correction."

The next Monday, Mrs. Campbell made an announcement to the class.

"I need to make a correction about our vertebrate classification unit. Fish are not mammals. I apologize for the error."

She never looked at me during the announcement.

My detention was officially removed from my record, and Mrs. Campbell spent the rest of the semester using pre-made worksheets from the science department instead of creating her own materials.

By the end of the year, Mrs. Campbell was reassigned to teach study hall instead of biology.