JOPLIN, Mo. — On Friday, Missouri high school student Kelsey Anderson wore jeans and a long-sleeved blouse to school.

By Wednesday, the story of her being called out by a teacher at Joplin High School and sent to the main office for her outfit choice had made national headlines.

According to a Facebook post by her mother, Melissa Barber, Anderson was told to go to the office by her child development teacher during class for a dress code violation. When Anderson asked why, the teacher responded that she was too “busty” and that “bustier women need to wear clothing that cover their cleavage,” according to Barber. 

Joplin Schools released a statement saying it was investigating the incident and could not comment on specific incidents between students and school personnel.

“The district does not consider comments by staff members about students’ bodies appropriate,” the release stated. “Our staff conduct policy requires all staff members to maintain courteous and professional relationships with students.”

According to a press release from Anderson’s attorney, the teacher also said “smaller busted women could get away with more than larger busted women” and recommended she shop in stores for plus-sized clothes. 

Barber went to the school for a conference with a principal, who she said defended the teacher. When her daughter was asked to be removed from the teacher’s class, who she said embarrassed her, she said the principal refused.

“I was mortified by my teacher, of all people, saying something like this in front of my class,” Anderson said in the statement. “When I was pulled into a meeting with the Principal, he told me that he had never heard of me being victimized before and he didn’t really believe what I said.”

The mother and daughter left the school after they came to an impasse, Barber said. She wrote in a Facebook post that she “refused to put my daughter in a situation where her self esteem is completely destroyed.”

“This whole time she was missing out on an education while we were all sitting in a room discussing her boobs,” Barber wrote in a Facebook post. “How often does this happen to your sons? Seems like another way to keep girls uneducated.”

Barber’s posts on Facebook has received thousands of shares and a video she posted right before going into the conference at the school received upwards of 100,000 views.

The student dress code is stated in the school district’s handbook.

“Building administrators will determine if attire or related student dress code situations are likely to be disruptive or create a potential health or safety problem,” the code stated.

Barber hired Joplin attorney Elizabeth Turner to represent her child, though whether the family will sue is unclear. In a Facebook post, Barber asked to hear from other Joplin High school students who have had issues with dress code violations or from boys who have not been disciplined for dress code violations.

“Thank you so much for standing with (Kelsey)!” Barber wrote in a post. “I started this fight for my daughter. I will finish it for yours.” 

Turner said in a statement that bullying and body shaming “isn’t something to take lightly.”

“I just don’t want any other girls to go through what I’ve been through and treated I’ve been treated,” Anderson said in a statement. “I asked to be accommodated so I don’t have to go back to her class, but I was told no.”

Thomas writes for the Joplin, Missouri, Globe.