PORTFOLIO 2 LARA 1

Portfolio Assignment 2

Teachers Rights and Responsibilities

Stephanie Lara

CSN
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Teachers Rights and Responsibilities

Freddie Watts, principal and Jimmy Brothers, assistant principal are both African-

American administrators, assigned to a predominantly black high school. Ann Griffin, a white

tenured teacher made a statement during a conversation that she, hated all black folks. When

worked leaked out on her statement, it caused negative reactions among colleagues both black

and white. The principal recommended dismissal based on concerns of her ability to treat

students fairly and her judgment and competency as a teacher.

In presenting the teacher Ann Griffins defense she may have not given much thought

about what kind of effect the statement would have or that it would leak out. She defiantly

should have thought before she spoke and been aware of what she was saying and the

consequences it could cause. Especially, considering who her audience was when she stated the

principal and assistant principal who both are African-American. As well as that the school she

would be teaching in is dominantly a black high school. Griffin may not truly hate all black folks

but it is a racial comment and is very harsh. Teachers are supposed to have freedom of speech

from the First Amendment. Griffin may be an excellent teacher and not have any judgment on

her students due to the fact that they are black.

In presenting the Principals defense and recommending dismissal on behalf of Griffins

statement of, hating all black folks, once it leaked out to teachers and the public being such a

bold statement by someone who will be teaching their children that are black, I can see how

conflict would arise due to parents and students not feeling they are being treated right or they

are being attacked for their ethnicity. They would even feel that they are treated different then

other students in the classroom which would not be right either. The principal would have to

question her ability to treat students fairly and her judgment as well as competency as a teacher.

As a teacher you are going to teach all ethnicity groups and need to treat all your students fairly
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not having any other thoughts effect their academics.

Such disruptive speech is not protected even if it doesnt involve matter of public

concerns and the teacher may still be disciplined based on that expression, if the school district

reasonably believes that the speech would undermine the ability to perform their duties, disrupt

the normal operation of the school, undermine supervisory authority, or destroy the effectiveness

of working relationships. Which Griffins statement did have that effect and would warrant

grounds for dismissal based on her comment and considering who she said it to, along with the

fact that she will be teaching black students.

In conclusion, I support the decision the principal made on dismissal. If he had kept

Griffin in the end there would have been numerous concerns and problems arise. Parents would

always be concerned or feel that their children are being picked out for the fact that they are

black and not white. With the statement Griffin made it is tough but even with her apologizing or

making a public statement I dont think that anyone would really let it go and not let it have any

negative effect.
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References

Underwood, Julie and Webb, L Dean. (2006) School Law for Teachers: Concepts and
Applications. New Jersey: Pearson Education Inc. 48 - 49.