Running head: ARTIFACT #2 EDU 210 1

EDU 210 Artifact #2

Teachers’ Rights and Responsibilities

College of Southern Nevada

ARTIFACT #2 EDU 210 2

Abstract

This artifact will consist of a perhaps fictional or factious case, and will represent both

sides of the argument with real Supreme Court cases.

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EDU 210 Artifact #2

“Freddie Watts, principal, and Jimmy Brothers, assistant principal, are African-American

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

tenured teacher, during a heated conversation with the two administrators stated that she “hated

all black folks.” When word leaked on her statement, it caused negative reactions among

colleagues both black and white.

The principal recommended dismissal based on concerns regarding her ability to treat

students fairly and her judgment and competency as a teacher.”

Pro Support

This is a good decision. Because of her statement, she shows obvious racial bias.

Ultimately, schools must do what is best for students. What is best for students in this instance is

to dismiss this teacher for this reason. Although this doesn’t relate directly to staff, Bethel School

District #43 v. Fraser is a good example of a Supreme Court case where you can still be held

accountable for what you say if it is offensive.

Pro Support

This woman’s claim could affect her work relationships. Not only will it affect what her

bosses think of her, it may affect her coworkers’ perception of her and so on. Others could hear

and it may destroy her work ethic. Regardless, she may not be treating her students fairly. A case

that represents having free speech to a point in the school setting is Tinker v. Des Moines

Independent School District.

Con Support.

Although what she said is wrong, one could argue that teachers can’t be punished for

exercising their first amendment right. Snyder v. Phelps; however, shows that some things are
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too offensive. Regardless, one could argue the offense of what she said. Perhaps it was not “too

offensive.” This is up to the courts because some could claim that the principals have a bias.

Con Support.

Another argument one could make is that the principals could be biased. Although what

she said is completely out of line, one could claim that they are emotionally biased in making

this decision. Once again, employees can state whether or not they are speaking as a

representative of the district/company or as a citizen expressing their right to the first

amendment, like in the case Connick v. Myers. It should be up to the court to make that decision,

since some could argue the principals have a bias. (Braybrooke, 2018)

Decision.

Although the case could go both ways, I support their decision. Personally, I believe that

when one openly has such a racial bias, they cannot treat students fairly. In the field of education,

we do what is best for kids, and this simply is not an educator who can withhold this to the same

efforts to all her students. I believe that we may have freedom of speech, but when one is so

offensive and cruel, there still may be consequences to what we say. Especially in the field of

education. (Braybrooke, 2018)

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References

Bethel School District #43 v. Fraser, 478 U.S. 675 (1986)

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent School District, 393 US 503 (1969)

Connick v. Myers, 461 US 138 (1983)

Snyder v. Phelps, 562 U.S. 443

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Footnotes
1
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Tables

Table 1

[Table Title]

Column Head Column Head Column Head Column Head Column Head
Row Head 123 123 123 123
Row Head 456 456 456 456
Row Head 789 789 789 789
Row Head 123 123 123 123
Row Head 456 456 456 456
Row Head 789 789 789 789

Note: [Place all tables for your paper in a tables section, following references (and, if applicable,

footnotes). Start a new page for each table, include a table number and table title for each, as

shown on this page. All explanatory text appears in a table note that follows the table, such as

this one. Use the Table/Figure style, available on the Home tab, in the Styles gallery, to get the

spacing between table and note. Tables in APA format can use single or 1.5 line spacing.

Include a heading for every row and column, even if the content seems obvious. A default table

style has been setup for this template that fits APA guidelines. To insert a table, on the Insert tab,

click Table.]
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Figures title:

0
Category 1 Category 2 Category 3 Category 4

Series 1 Series 2 Series 3

Figure 1. [Include all figures in their own section, following references (and footnotes and tables,

if applicable). Include a numbered caption for each figure. Use the Table/Figure style for easy

spacing between figure and caption.]

For more information about all elements of APA formatting, please consult the APA Style

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