On the day in question the student came into class complaining about having to take a test. A test that I had prepared my students for over a week. A few weeks before this test I had made a website especially for my students who miss a lot of school. This site had any notes that might have been missed. The student in question had missed a couple of days prior to the test but had ample time to get the notes from the website. The test was assigned days before her absents and according to handbook rules she still had to take the test. On the day of the test, she made a scene refusing to take the test and wanted to see a principal. She said I was unfair and didn't give her a chance to get the notes. The student seemed to forget that I offered to take her to the library and help her copy the notes days before the test. (Show the child how to press a button; school is so complicated.) I allowed her to go to the office but as she walked out the door she made a remark that was very disrespectful. I later wrote her up and met her in the office. It was here that she began to lie to the principal that I was unfair and didn't want to help her. Keep in mind my website that I was paying for out of my own pocket and spending hours of my own time updating, adding material and even offering games for student to play. I even offered live streaming from my classroom for students on extended leave. It was in the face of her remarks that in frustration I said, "I bust my ass for these kids and this is what I get." I also agrgued back to the student making my point that I did try to help her. Yes, I got loud but never cussed the student nor did I scream like some have said I did. After the incident I met with the principals who told me I did much better in controlling my temper. One principal even testified to this in my hearing. So if I was on an improvemnt plan and had improved why was I fired the next week? It goes back to Nov. 2009. I pissed off the wrong parent and they were watching me(the school board and superintendent) to make one more mistake no matter how small. Two strikes and you're out. What a fair bunch.
Now a few points in rebuttal to the first incident in the editorial last week in the Review. The lady wrote in her letter, "As I recall to make life easier and keep the tension down for the ones involved in this incident, the child was removed from your classroom, at the parents request, after you willingly apologized to this child and the child kindly accepted the apology and life went on." Not quite the truth ma'm. Let me remind you of what happened. I requested the child be removed from my class because of conflict of interest not the parent. The principal shared with me that her mother (you) worked for a board member. Red flags went off because I knew how political the district was. When the principal first suggested the child be removed the parent said she didn't want to be taken out of my class. Yes, I did apologize to the student hoping to diffuse the situation before the Thanksgiving break. The child never accepted my apology and life did not go on. In fact the very next day she tried to provoke me again by calling teachers at West Jones "smart asses." I wrote her up and she was given after school detention after the break. That ma'm is "the truth whole truth and nothing but the truth..." so help me God. You just want accept the double standard at West Jones and I refuse to go down without bringing out the truth concerning this ungodly district.
While we're on truth let's talk about some truth at West Jones concerning temper and teachers. Let me share with you some of the hyprocy I and others have witnessed in the recent past. Let's talk about a teacher/coach who hit a student in the back with a cup of iced tea. This same teacher threw a stapler into the hallway at another student. Let's talk about a teacher who was suspended for using the "F" word towards a student. What about a head football coach who was thrown out of a football game for loosing his temper on national T.V. Better yet let's discuss a coach who physically threatened a student in front of several witnesses. Oh yea let's not forget a principal who hit a referee after a football game over a bad call. And I saved the best for last. What about a Votech teacher who took a pair of pliers and jerked an earring out of a student's ear. Need I go on? God knows I could. What do all of these people have in common? All are still employed in the J.C.S.D. All of these incidents are documented and is common knowledge in the community. And each incident was swept under the rug by administrators and that "Christian man" you seem to hold in high esteem- the superintendent. Are these teachers a danger to students?
Mam don't preach to me about my temper when all the above pales in comparison to mine. Shame on you for writing an editorial concerning a subject you know little about. (Except what your employer has told you.) Go do what you should have done in the first place and discipline your daughter for provoking a teacher and may God have mercy on you for allowing you child to act that way. It has been reported that other students have heard your daughter brag about "getting Mr. Walters fired." Wow, what a thing to teach her; things don't go her way and mother will come to the rescue. Let me leave you with this quote from Woodrow Wilson. (If don't know who he was go google his name you may learn something.) "I don't give them hell; I just tell the truth and they think it's hell." I know the truth hurts concerning your daughter but you need to take responsiblity for some of the wrong things you have taught her.