Commentary: An Inappropriate and Insulting Choice For “Teacher of the Year”

Talk about burying your lead, buried toward the end of the Davis Enterprise article highlighting the Senior Awards Night at Davis High School on Tuesday night, in the last four paragraphs is a seemingly innocuous reporting of the recipient of the Rotary Teacher Service Award, otherwise known as, Teacher of the Year.

This year it was awarded to Math teacher Jana Henry. The Davis Enterprise Reporter Maddy Ryen, likely had no idea what kind of story she was actually reporting. This is because Jana Henry was involved in a story that the Davis Enterprise has not once reported on. In fact, even Davis Vanguard readers likely would not have recognized the name, because the Vanguard has done Ms. Henry the courtesy of not reporting her name.

The passage reads:

Math teacher Jana Henry received the Rotary Teacher Service Award, more commonly known as the Teacher of the Year award. Henry, who came to DHS in 2002, received “glowing nominations” from her students, including one who said, “I go to (her) class in a bad mood and leave in merry spirits.”

Cawley noted Henry’s “countless hours offering extra tutoring” and her use of technology in the classroom to assist students. He also praised her personal connection with students.

“I’m just really honored,” Henry said of receiving the award. “I just love my job and teaching the kids.”

However, Davis High School Principal Michael Cawley certainly knew the story, and that makes his words and the award all the more appalling. You see Jana Henry is the teacher who pulled the Malcolm X poster off the wall of her classroom that led to the suspension of the Davis High School student for three days for giving a speech in front of the student body that described what happened and how he felt about the teacher singling him out in front of the class and calling the poster “a terrorist message.”

We have always done Ms. Henry the courtesy of not reporting her name. But this is too much. In fact, this lies in the realm of the absurd. Just as last year it was absurd that Officer Pheng Ly, accused of serious violations of the rights of a minor and facing a pending federal law suit, would be awarded with Officer of the Year.

In fact, this is worse than that because unlike the case of Officer Ly where you could make the argument at least that he may have had other achievements that could warrant an award, this incident severely impacted Ms. Henry’s service record as a teacher.

The audacity of it all is that Mr. Cawley, who knew full well of Ms. Henry’s situation and the way that she handled it, had the temerity to praise “her personal connection with students.”

Shall we recount her connection with students. There is the incident itself which was handled quite badly. The student brought in the poster and put it up on the wall. Ms. Henry became uncomfortable with it, and frankly that is her right, however, instead of privately discussing with the student why she deemed it inappropriate, she berated him before the class, humiliating and embarrassing him.

We could chalk up that incident as poor judgment and move on, but it becomes a pattern, when she leaves the auditorium in tears.

She compounds it, when the school district makes the determination that the suspension was inappropriate and reinstates the student. She refuses to teach the student again. When the district deems that she is required to teach the student again, she refuses to teach. And for two months she is out of teaching and it is announced to the student body that she has left the teaching position.

After nearly two months of not teaching, suddenly she is back teaching on June 4 and less than a week later is awarded with the Teacher of the Year award.

The Vanguard has nothing against this teacher and wishes her well and hopes she can resume teaching. It is clear that things were not handled appropriately and that she was harmed by the lack of appropriate guidance by the administration on her own campus. However, to award her with teacher of the year is frankly an insult to the other teachers who did not shirk their responsibilities and leave their students high and dry as they prepared for crucial AP examinations. It is an insult to the parents and students who had to take additional tutoring to take the AP exams. For those who had to spend extra time because Ms. Henry did not follow on her commitments. And those students who suffered academically due to the disruption that this caused.

Frankly this is close to the most appalling thing that I have seen in this community, and that is saying something. The school board needs to investigate how this was allowed to happen. And frankly I have real questions about the Principal of the High School anyway, but this just adds fuel to the fire.

The school district and Principal Michael Cawley owe this community an explanation.

—Doug Paul Davis reporting

About The Author

David Greenwald is the founder, editor, and executive director of the Davis Vanguard. He founded the Vanguard in 2006. David Greenwald moved to Davis in 1996 to attend Graduate School at UC Davis in Political Science. He lives in South Davis with his wife Cecilia Escamilla Greenwald and three children.

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225 Comments

  1. Nate Henry

    -DougHere are a few facts about Jana Henry that you might not know about & should consider adding to your blog. This 'poster boy' got kicked out of school and couldn't even graduate with his senior class because he vandalized the

  2. Anonymous

    Do you know how the award is selected? Is it bestowed by the principal, voted upon by peer faculty, selected by student government or Rotarians?

  3. Anonymous

    Do you know how the award is selected? Is it bestowed by the principal, voted upon by peer faculty, selected by student government or Rotarians?

  4. Anonymous

    Do you know how the award is selected? Is it bestowed by the principal, voted upon by peer faculty, selected by student government or Rotarians?

  5. Anonymous

    Do you know how the award is selected? Is it bestowed by the principal, voted upon by peer faculty, selected by student government or Rotarians?

  6. davisite

    …..and Wolfowitz gets to be boss of the World Bank and Tenet gets the Medal of Freedom when he quits the CIA … so what’s new?? It is SOP when gross failures of leadership are exposed to the public. At least we were spared the public pronouncement, “You’re doing a great job, Jan-ie!!” in the midst of the suspension fiasco. Her fragile emotional state may deserves our sympathy but none for this DHS administration.

  7. davisite

    …..and Wolfowitz gets to be boss of the World Bank and Tenet gets the Medal of Freedom when he quits the CIA … so what’s new?? It is SOP when gross failures of leadership are exposed to the public. At least we were spared the public pronouncement, “You’re doing a great job, Jan-ie!!” in the midst of the suspension fiasco. Her fragile emotional state may deserves our sympathy but none for this DHS administration.

  8. davisite

    …..and Wolfowitz gets to be boss of the World Bank and Tenet gets the Medal of Freedom when he quits the CIA … so what’s new?? It is SOP when gross failures of leadership are exposed to the public. At least we were spared the public pronouncement, “You’re doing a great job, Jan-ie!!” in the midst of the suspension fiasco. Her fragile emotional state may deserves our sympathy but none for this DHS administration.

  9. davisite

    …..and Wolfowitz gets to be boss of the World Bank and Tenet gets the Medal of Freedom when he quits the CIA … so what’s new?? It is SOP when gross failures of leadership are exposed to the public. At least we were spared the public pronouncement, “You’re doing a great job, Jan-ie!!” in the midst of the suspension fiasco. Her fragile emotional state may deserves our sympathy but none for this DHS administration.

  10. Michelle

    I don’t blame the teacher at all. She may be a good math teacher, but she clearly needs more training and maturity.

    However, what this reveals is the poor oversight of the DJUSD administration.

    There were clearly other administrators who should have opted for “early retirement” with Murphy when he left.

  11. Michelle

    I don’t blame the teacher at all. She may be a good math teacher, but she clearly needs more training and maturity.

    However, what this reveals is the poor oversight of the DJUSD administration.

    There were clearly other administrators who should have opted for “early retirement” with Murphy when he left.

  12. Michelle

    I don’t blame the teacher at all. She may be a good math teacher, but she clearly needs more training and maturity.

    However, what this reveals is the poor oversight of the DJUSD administration.

    There were clearly other administrators who should have opted for “early retirement” with Murphy when he left.

  13. Michelle

    I don’t blame the teacher at all. She may be a good math teacher, but she clearly needs more training and maturity.

    However, what this reveals is the poor oversight of the DJUSD administration.

    There were clearly other administrators who should have opted for “early retirement” with Murphy when he left.

  14. Rich Rifkin

    “You see Jana Henry is the teacher who pulled the Malcolm X poster off the wall of her classroom that led to the suspension of the Davis High School student for three days for giving a speech in front of the student body that described what happened and how he felt about the teacher singling him out in front of the class and calling the poster ‘a terrorist message.'”

    I don’t have an opinion one way or the other regarding this award. However, I think it fair to say that most of us don’t have any kind of balanced or informed opinion about the merits of this teacher. I certainly don’t.

    Granted, knowing what David Greenwald has reported of her behavior, it is surprising to find that she has been chosen as the best teacher. But that reporting — which proved over time to be somewhat inaccurate* — was never intended to give a full and complete picture of this teacher’s abilities in the classroom and how the bulk of her students viewed her. Rather, the reporting was narrow and to that extent that it painted a picture of her, it was completely one-sided. Never, for example, did the reports give her side of the question in her words. Nor did it offer the views of other students who supported her actions.

    —-

    * Inaccurate — Perhaps the biggest question was exactly what Mr. Buzayan said in his speech at the assembly. It was first reported that he stuck closely to his prepared text, which was largely unobjectionable. But then it was later revealed that his spoken words were markedly different and far more harsh, diverging substantively in tone from the written words, and as such, a deeper and more vitriolic attack on his teacher’s character.

  15. Rich Rifkin

    “You see Jana Henry is the teacher who pulled the Malcolm X poster off the wall of her classroom that led to the suspension of the Davis High School student for three days for giving a speech in front of the student body that described what happened and how he felt about the teacher singling him out in front of the class and calling the poster ‘a terrorist message.'”

    I don’t have an opinion one way or the other regarding this award. However, I think it fair to say that most of us don’t have any kind of balanced or informed opinion about the merits of this teacher. I certainly don’t.

    Granted, knowing what David Greenwald has reported of her behavior, it is surprising to find that she has been chosen as the best teacher. But that reporting — which proved over time to be somewhat inaccurate* — was never intended to give a full and complete picture of this teacher’s abilities in the classroom and how the bulk of her students viewed her. Rather, the reporting was narrow and to that extent that it painted a picture of her, it was completely one-sided. Never, for example, did the reports give her side of the question in her words. Nor did it offer the views of other students who supported her actions.

    —-

    * Inaccurate — Perhaps the biggest question was exactly what Mr. Buzayan said in his speech at the assembly. It was first reported that he stuck closely to his prepared text, which was largely unobjectionable. But then it was later revealed that his spoken words were markedly different and far more harsh, diverging substantively in tone from the written words, and as such, a deeper and more vitriolic attack on his teacher’s character.

  16. Rich Rifkin

    “You see Jana Henry is the teacher who pulled the Malcolm X poster off the wall of her classroom that led to the suspension of the Davis High School student for three days for giving a speech in front of the student body that described what happened and how he felt about the teacher singling him out in front of the class and calling the poster ‘a terrorist message.'”

    I don’t have an opinion one way or the other regarding this award. However, I think it fair to say that most of us don’t have any kind of balanced or informed opinion about the merits of this teacher. I certainly don’t.

    Granted, knowing what David Greenwald has reported of her behavior, it is surprising to find that she has been chosen as the best teacher. But that reporting — which proved over time to be somewhat inaccurate* — was never intended to give a full and complete picture of this teacher’s abilities in the classroom and how the bulk of her students viewed her. Rather, the reporting was narrow and to that extent that it painted a picture of her, it was completely one-sided. Never, for example, did the reports give her side of the question in her words. Nor did it offer the views of other students who supported her actions.

    —-

    * Inaccurate — Perhaps the biggest question was exactly what Mr. Buzayan said in his speech at the assembly. It was first reported that he stuck closely to his prepared text, which was largely unobjectionable. But then it was later revealed that his spoken words were markedly different and far more harsh, diverging substantively in tone from the written words, and as such, a deeper and more vitriolic attack on his teacher’s character.

  17. Rich Rifkin

    “You see Jana Henry is the teacher who pulled the Malcolm X poster off the wall of her classroom that led to the suspension of the Davis High School student for three days for giving a speech in front of the student body that described what happened and how he felt about the teacher singling him out in front of the class and calling the poster ‘a terrorist message.'”

    I don’t have an opinion one way or the other regarding this award. However, I think it fair to say that most of us don’t have any kind of balanced or informed opinion about the merits of this teacher. I certainly don’t.

    Granted, knowing what David Greenwald has reported of her behavior, it is surprising to find that she has been chosen as the best teacher. But that reporting — which proved over time to be somewhat inaccurate* — was never intended to give a full and complete picture of this teacher’s abilities in the classroom and how the bulk of her students viewed her. Rather, the reporting was narrow and to that extent that it painted a picture of her, it was completely one-sided. Never, for example, did the reports give her side of the question in her words. Nor did it offer the views of other students who supported her actions.

    —-

    * Inaccurate — Perhaps the biggest question was exactly what Mr. Buzayan said in his speech at the assembly. It was first reported that he stuck closely to his prepared text, which was largely unobjectionable. But then it was later revealed that his spoken words were markedly different and far more harsh, diverging substantively in tone from the written words, and as such, a deeper and more vitriolic attack on his teacher’s character.

  18. Anonymous

    Maybe —- of the Year Awards should be just awarded to the person deemed most in need of a self-esteem boost. It seems like that’s the way things are going here.

  19. Anonymous

    Maybe —- of the Year Awards should be just awarded to the person deemed most in need of a self-esteem boost. It seems like that’s the way things are going here.

  20. Anonymous

    Maybe —- of the Year Awards should be just awarded to the person deemed most in need of a self-esteem boost. It seems like that’s the way things are going here.

  21. Anonymous

    Maybe —- of the Year Awards should be just awarded to the person deemed most in need of a self-esteem boost. It seems like that’s the way things are going here.

  22. Anonymous

    No one ever questioned her right to take the poster down. Yes, this was her right. It was her berating and belittling the student in front of the class over it and then getting upset and creating a scene when the student talked about it that is at issue.

  23. Anonymous

    No one ever questioned her right to take the poster down. Yes, this was her right. It was her berating and belittling the student in front of the class over it and then getting upset and creating a scene when the student talked about it that is at issue.

  24. Anonymous

    No one ever questioned her right to take the poster down. Yes, this was her right. It was her berating and belittling the student in front of the class over it and then getting upset and creating a scene when the student talked about it that is at issue.

  25. Anonymous

    No one ever questioned her right to take the poster down. Yes, this was her right. It was her berating and belittling the student in front of the class over it and then getting upset and creating a scene when the student talked about it that is at issue.

  26. Anonymous

    The teacher of the year is someone who took two months off and has only been teaching 4 or 5 years. She must be one hell of a teacher. Or maybe that was the best they could come up with in Davis. It does call into question the rest of the teachers performances.

    Still, teacher of the year is a stupid award, so to demean it in this way really means nothing to those of us who worked the full year. What this says about Cawley and the Rotary is a much more interesting area of discussion.
    I wonder if the Rotary knows this story?

  27. Anonymous

    The teacher of the year is someone who took two months off and has only been teaching 4 or 5 years. She must be one hell of a teacher. Or maybe that was the best they could come up with in Davis. It does call into question the rest of the teachers performances.

    Still, teacher of the year is a stupid award, so to demean it in this way really means nothing to those of us who worked the full year. What this says about Cawley and the Rotary is a much more interesting area of discussion.
    I wonder if the Rotary knows this story?

  28. Anonymous

    The teacher of the year is someone who took two months off and has only been teaching 4 or 5 years. She must be one hell of a teacher. Or maybe that was the best they could come up with in Davis. It does call into question the rest of the teachers performances.

    Still, teacher of the year is a stupid award, so to demean it in this way really means nothing to those of us who worked the full year. What this says about Cawley and the Rotary is a much more interesting area of discussion.
    I wonder if the Rotary knows this story?

  29. Anonymous

    The teacher of the year is someone who took two months off and has only been teaching 4 or 5 years. She must be one hell of a teacher. Or maybe that was the best they could come up with in Davis. It does call into question the rest of the teachers performances.

    Still, teacher of the year is a stupid award, so to demean it in this way really means nothing to those of us who worked the full year. What this says about Cawley and the Rotary is a much more interesting area of discussion.
    I wonder if the Rotary knows this story?

  30. Doug Paul Davis

    “It was her classroom. Up to her what goes on the wall. You’re only telling one side. As usual. “

    Interesting response. Especially since I wrote this:

    “The student brought in the poster and put it up on the wall. Ms. Henry became uncomfortable with it, and frankly that is her right, however, instead of privately discussing with the student why she deemed it inappropriate, she berated him before the class, humiliating and embarrassing him.”

    So I grant that she has the right to tear down the post.

    I even suggest that reasonable people could differ in terms of the incident itself.

    However, then she decided to take two months off and put a lot of students in jeopardy simply because she could not face the student again, and that is where I believe she is unfit to receive the award.

  31. Doug Paul Davis

    “It was her classroom. Up to her what goes on the wall. You’re only telling one side. As usual. “

    Interesting response. Especially since I wrote this:

    “The student brought in the poster and put it up on the wall. Ms. Henry became uncomfortable with it, and frankly that is her right, however, instead of privately discussing with the student why she deemed it inappropriate, she berated him before the class, humiliating and embarrassing him.”

    So I grant that she has the right to tear down the post.

    I even suggest that reasonable people could differ in terms of the incident itself.

    However, then she decided to take two months off and put a lot of students in jeopardy simply because she could not face the student again, and that is where I believe she is unfit to receive the award.

  32. Doug Paul Davis

    “It was her classroom. Up to her what goes on the wall. You’re only telling one side. As usual. “

    Interesting response. Especially since I wrote this:

    “The student brought in the poster and put it up on the wall. Ms. Henry became uncomfortable with it, and frankly that is her right, however, instead of privately discussing with the student why she deemed it inappropriate, she berated him before the class, humiliating and embarrassing him.”

    So I grant that she has the right to tear down the post.

    I even suggest that reasonable people could differ in terms of the incident itself.

    However, then she decided to take two months off and put a lot of students in jeopardy simply because she could not face the student again, and that is where I believe she is unfit to receive the award.

  33. Doug Paul Davis

    “It was her classroom. Up to her what goes on the wall. You’re only telling one side. As usual. “

    Interesting response. Especially since I wrote this:

    “The student brought in the poster and put it up on the wall. Ms. Henry became uncomfortable with it, and frankly that is her right, however, instead of privately discussing with the student why she deemed it inappropriate, she berated him before the class, humiliating and embarrassing him.”

    So I grant that she has the right to tear down the post.

    I even suggest that reasonable people could differ in terms of the incident itself.

    However, then she decided to take two months off and put a lot of students in jeopardy simply because she could not face the student again, and that is where I believe she is unfit to receive the award.

  34. davisite

    ” So I grant that she has the right to tear down the post.”

    Did she quietly remove it or TEAR IT DOWN?

    Tearing it down is a public assault on the esteem of the student who legitimately placed it there.. NO teacher is granted that right.

  35. davisite

    ” So I grant that she has the right to tear down the post.”

    Did she quietly remove it or TEAR IT DOWN?

    Tearing it down is a public assault on the esteem of the student who legitimately placed it there.. NO teacher is granted that right.

  36. davisite

    ” So I grant that she has the right to tear down the post.”

    Did she quietly remove it or TEAR IT DOWN?

    Tearing it down is a public assault on the esteem of the student who legitimately placed it there.. NO teacher is granted that right.

  37. davisite

    ” So I grant that she has the right to tear down the post.”

    Did she quietly remove it or TEAR IT DOWN?

    Tearing it down is a public assault on the esteem of the student who legitimately placed it there.. NO teacher is granted that right.

  38. Doug Paul Davis

    Davisite:

    She tore it down but she did so not in front of any students. The bigger problem was that instead of pulling the student aside and talking to him, she did so in front of class.

  39. Doug Paul Davis

    Davisite:

    She tore it down but she did so not in front of any students. The bigger problem was that instead of pulling the student aside and talking to him, she did so in front of class.

  40. Doug Paul Davis

    Davisite:

    She tore it down but she did so not in front of any students. The bigger problem was that instead of pulling the student aside and talking to him, she did so in front of class.

  41. Doug Paul Davis

    Davisite:

    She tore it down but she did so not in front of any students. The bigger problem was that instead of pulling the student aside and talking to him, she did so in front of class.

  42. davisite

    Of course, this poster could have been quite meaningful to this student. Did she actually destroy it or did she remove it intact and return it to the student? If the former, it is an unacceptable abuse of the power that we grant to the teachers of our children.

  43. davisite

    Of course, this poster could have been quite meaningful to this student. Did she actually destroy it or did she remove it intact and return it to the student? If the former, it is an unacceptable abuse of the power that we grant to the teachers of our children.

  44. davisite

    Of course, this poster could have been quite meaningful to this student. Did she actually destroy it or did she remove it intact and return it to the student? If the former, it is an unacceptable abuse of the power that we grant to the teachers of our children.

  45. davisite

    Of course, this poster could have been quite meaningful to this student. Did she actually destroy it or did she remove it intact and return it to the student? If the former, it is an unacceptable abuse of the power that we grant to the teachers of our children.

  46. Anonymous

    “I go to (her) class in a bad mood and leave in merry spirits.”

    Anybody who can cause the above to happen in a Calculus class must be doing something right.

    I would like to hear the opinion of Buzayan, the younger. What was his opinion, excluding the poster incident?

    The awards to out of control police officers bother me more than this.SAH

  47. Anonymous

    “I go to (her) class in a bad mood and leave in merry spirits.”

    Anybody who can cause the above to happen in a Calculus class must be doing something right.

    I would like to hear the opinion of Buzayan, the younger. What was his opinion, excluding the poster incident?

    The awards to out of control police officers bother me more than this.SAH

  48. Anonymous

    “I go to (her) class in a bad mood and leave in merry spirits.”

    Anybody who can cause the above to happen in a Calculus class must be doing something right.

    I would like to hear the opinion of Buzayan, the younger. What was his opinion, excluding the poster incident?

    The awards to out of control police officers bother me more than this.SAH

  49. Anonymous

    “I go to (her) class in a bad mood and leave in merry spirits.”

    Anybody who can cause the above to happen in a Calculus class must be doing something right.

    I would like to hear the opinion of Buzayan, the younger. What was his opinion, excluding the poster incident?

    The awards to out of control police officers bother me more than this.SAH

  50. tansey thomas

    Doug, I think that the purpose of the award is to yank the chains of those who disapproved of the teacher’s mishandlng of the poster incident. It is a rather a juvenile reaction..nanner, nanner, nanner.. solving nothing, may even heighten mutual contempt.

  51. tansey thomas

    Doug, I think that the purpose of the award is to yank the chains of those who disapproved of the teacher’s mishandlng of the poster incident. It is a rather a juvenile reaction..nanner, nanner, nanner.. solving nothing, may even heighten mutual contempt.

  52. tansey thomas

    Doug, I think that the purpose of the award is to yank the chains of those who disapproved of the teacher’s mishandlng of the poster incident. It is a rather a juvenile reaction..nanner, nanner, nanner.. solving nothing, may even heighten mutual contempt.

  53. tansey thomas

    Doug, I think that the purpose of the award is to yank the chains of those who disapproved of the teacher’s mishandlng of the poster incident. It is a rather a juvenile reaction..nanner, nanner, nanner.. solving nothing, may even heighten mutual contempt.

  54. Anonymous

    DPD… A brief follow-up would be worthwhile, describing the process and who was involved/deciders in choosing this “Teacher of the Year”.

  55. Anonymous

    DPD… A brief follow-up would be worthwhile, describing the process and who was involved/deciders in choosing this “Teacher of the Year”.

  56. Anonymous

    DPD… A brief follow-up would be worthwhile, describing the process and who was involved/deciders in choosing this “Teacher of the Year”.

  57. Anonymous

    DPD… A brief follow-up would be worthwhile, describing the process and who was involved/deciders in choosing this “Teacher of the Year”.

  58. Doug Paul Davis

    I’m in the process of working on that. So far from the Interim Superintendent, he believes teachers and students were the nominators but he is uncertain as to who does the selection. I’ll find out more tomorrow.

  59. Doug Paul Davis

    I’m in the process of working on that. So far from the Interim Superintendent, he believes teachers and students were the nominators but he is uncertain as to who does the selection. I’ll find out more tomorrow.

  60. Doug Paul Davis

    I’m in the process of working on that. So far from the Interim Superintendent, he believes teachers and students were the nominators but he is uncertain as to who does the selection. I’ll find out more tomorrow.

  61. Doug Paul Davis

    I’m in the process of working on that. So far from the Interim Superintendent, he believes teachers and students were the nominators but he is uncertain as to who does the selection. I’ll find out more tomorrow.

  62. DHS Teacher

    The teacher award is based upon nominations from students, parents, community members and faculty. These nominations are fairly small in total number of participants and can often resemble more of a “popularity” contest than anything else. Most of us do not put much merit on the award.

    Sympathy votes probably played into this, as well as a desire on the part of the administration to smooth things over with the particular teacher (who announced to the staff that she will be returning).

  63. DHS Teacher

    The teacher award is based upon nominations from students, parents, community members and faculty. These nominations are fairly small in total number of participants and can often resemble more of a “popularity” contest than anything else. Most of us do not put much merit on the award.

    Sympathy votes probably played into this, as well as a desire on the part of the administration to smooth things over with the particular teacher (who announced to the staff that she will be returning).

  64. DHS Teacher

    The teacher award is based upon nominations from students, parents, community members and faculty. These nominations are fairly small in total number of participants and can often resemble more of a “popularity” contest than anything else. Most of us do not put much merit on the award.

    Sympathy votes probably played into this, as well as a desire on the part of the administration to smooth things over with the particular teacher (who announced to the staff that she will be returning).

  65. DHS Teacher

    The teacher award is based upon nominations from students, parents, community members and faculty. These nominations are fairly small in total number of participants and can often resemble more of a “popularity” contest than anything else. Most of us do not put much merit on the award.

    Sympathy votes probably played into this, as well as a desire on the part of the administration to smooth things over with the particular teacher (who announced to the staff that she will be returning).

  66. Forrest Gump

    From what I’ve seen:
    1. Teacher acted stupidly.
    2. Student acted stupidly.
    3. Davis High principal acted stupidly.
    4. School board reacted stupidly.
    5. “Teacher Of The Year” decision was decided stupidly.

    Stupid is as stupid does.

  67. Forrest Gump

    From what I’ve seen:
    1. Teacher acted stupidly.
    2. Student acted stupidly.
    3. Davis High principal acted stupidly.
    4. School board reacted stupidly.
    5. “Teacher Of The Year” decision was decided stupidly.

    Stupid is as stupid does.

  68. Forrest Gump

    From what I’ve seen:
    1. Teacher acted stupidly.
    2. Student acted stupidly.
    3. Davis High principal acted stupidly.
    4. School board reacted stupidly.
    5. “Teacher Of The Year” decision was decided stupidly.

    Stupid is as stupid does.

  69. Forrest Gump

    From what I’ve seen:
    1. Teacher acted stupidly.
    2. Student acted stupidly.
    3. Davis High principal acted stupidly.
    4. School board reacted stupidly.
    5. “Teacher Of The Year” decision was decided stupidly.

    Stupid is as stupid does.

  70. Anonymous

    I support this teacher 100%. When facts are in question, I would always default to an adult authority figure rather than a child (no matter how politically correct his or her acusations may be). Mr. Doug Davis or whoever presents himself as an authority on this issue; one who has actually interviewed all the parties involved and formulated a totally independent opinion. Nothing could be further than the truth.

    It might be popular and politically expedient to claim “racism” or whatever, but just because somebody screams it, blogs about it, or reports on it doesn’t make it true. Not at all. But hey, we’re living in a politically correct society now, right? If someone is simply *accused* of doing something anti-pc, they’re guilty. Period. That’s crap as far as I’m concerned. And I’m happy to say most courts will see it the same way.

  71. Anonymous

    I support this teacher 100%. When facts are in question, I would always default to an adult authority figure rather than a child (no matter how politically correct his or her acusations may be). Mr. Doug Davis or whoever presents himself as an authority on this issue; one who has actually interviewed all the parties involved and formulated a totally independent opinion. Nothing could be further than the truth.

    It might be popular and politically expedient to claim “racism” or whatever, but just because somebody screams it, blogs about it, or reports on it doesn’t make it true. Not at all. But hey, we’re living in a politically correct society now, right? If someone is simply *accused* of doing something anti-pc, they’re guilty. Period. That’s crap as far as I’m concerned. And I’m happy to say most courts will see it the same way.

  72. Anonymous

    I support this teacher 100%. When facts are in question, I would always default to an adult authority figure rather than a child (no matter how politically correct his or her acusations may be). Mr. Doug Davis or whoever presents himself as an authority on this issue; one who has actually interviewed all the parties involved and formulated a totally independent opinion. Nothing could be further than the truth.

    It might be popular and politically expedient to claim “racism” or whatever, but just because somebody screams it, blogs about it, or reports on it doesn’t make it true. Not at all. But hey, we’re living in a politically correct society now, right? If someone is simply *accused* of doing something anti-pc, they’re guilty. Period. That’s crap as far as I’m concerned. And I’m happy to say most courts will see it the same way.

  73. Anonymous

    I support this teacher 100%. When facts are in question, I would always default to an adult authority figure rather than a child (no matter how politically correct his or her acusations may be). Mr. Doug Davis or whoever presents himself as an authority on this issue; one who has actually interviewed all the parties involved and formulated a totally independent opinion. Nothing could be further than the truth.

    It might be popular and politically expedient to claim “racism” or whatever, but just because somebody screams it, blogs about it, or reports on it doesn’t make it true. Not at all. But hey, we’re living in a politically correct society now, right? If someone is simply *accused* of doing something anti-pc, they’re guilty. Period. That’s crap as far as I’m concerned. And I’m happy to say most courts will see it the same way.

  74. Anonymous

    I know the student who put up the Malcolm X poster and I will tell you that he deliberately did it to ‘push’ the buttons of the teacher. She got a raw deal and got burned by his behavior and then manipulation of the story for his own good.

    True, she didn’t end up handling it as well as she should have, but that doesn’t make him innocent. He is playing the ‘race’ card when it isn’t about ‘race’ as much as it is about bullying (on his part)

  75. Anonymous

    I know the student who put up the Malcolm X poster and I will tell you that he deliberately did it to ‘push’ the buttons of the teacher. She got a raw deal and got burned by his behavior and then manipulation of the story for his own good.

    True, she didn’t end up handling it as well as she should have, but that doesn’t make him innocent. He is playing the ‘race’ card when it isn’t about ‘race’ as much as it is about bullying (on his part)

  76. Anonymous

    I know the student who put up the Malcolm X poster and I will tell you that he deliberately did it to ‘push’ the buttons of the teacher. She got a raw deal and got burned by his behavior and then manipulation of the story for his own good.

    True, she didn’t end up handling it as well as she should have, but that doesn’t make him innocent. He is playing the ‘race’ card when it isn’t about ‘race’ as much as it is about bullying (on his part)

  77. Anonymous

    I know the student who put up the Malcolm X poster and I will tell you that he deliberately did it to ‘push’ the buttons of the teacher. She got a raw deal and got burned by his behavior and then manipulation of the story for his own good.

    True, she didn’t end up handling it as well as she should have, but that doesn’t make him innocent. He is playing the ‘race’ card when it isn’t about ‘race’ as much as it is about bullying (on his part)

  78. Doug Paul Davis

    I know the kid that did it as well, and I don’t buy it, but that’s neither here nor there. He’s a student, she’s an adult. My major complaint is twofold and entirely of her doing (A) she chose to criticize him publicly; (B) she refused to go back to teaching the class. These two facts are indisputable. The district agreed with this. Moreover the district rescinded the suspension.

    I challenge anyone to come forth with evidence that disputes those three facts.

  79. Doug Paul Davis

    I know the kid that did it as well, and I don’t buy it, but that’s neither here nor there. He’s a student, she’s an adult. My major complaint is twofold and entirely of her doing (A) she chose to criticize him publicly; (B) she refused to go back to teaching the class. These two facts are indisputable. The district agreed with this. Moreover the district rescinded the suspension.

    I challenge anyone to come forth with evidence that disputes those three facts.

  80. Doug Paul Davis

    I know the kid that did it as well, and I don’t buy it, but that’s neither here nor there. He’s a student, she’s an adult. My major complaint is twofold and entirely of her doing (A) she chose to criticize him publicly; (B) she refused to go back to teaching the class. These two facts are indisputable. The district agreed with this. Moreover the district rescinded the suspension.

    I challenge anyone to come forth with evidence that disputes those three facts.

  81. Doug Paul Davis

    I know the kid that did it as well, and I don’t buy it, but that’s neither here nor there. He’s a student, she’s an adult. My major complaint is twofold and entirely of her doing (A) she chose to criticize him publicly; (B) she refused to go back to teaching the class. These two facts are indisputable. The district agreed with this. Moreover the district rescinded the suspension.

    I challenge anyone to come forth with evidence that disputes those three facts.

  82. Doug Paul Davis

    BTW, I have talked to a large number of students from her classes–past and present. Her inappropriate behavior is not limited to this incident. I would prefer not to raise some of the things I have heard from many students who do not know each other, from conversations that arose in different times and places.

  83. Doug Paul Davis

    BTW, I have talked to a large number of students from her classes–past and present. Her inappropriate behavior is not limited to this incident. I would prefer not to raise some of the things I have heard from many students who do not know each other, from conversations that arose in different times and places.

  84. Doug Paul Davis

    BTW, I have talked to a large number of students from her classes–past and present. Her inappropriate behavior is not limited to this incident. I would prefer not to raise some of the things I have heard from many students who do not know each other, from conversations that arose in different times and places.

  85. Doug Paul Davis

    BTW, I have talked to a large number of students from her classes–past and present. Her inappropriate behavior is not limited to this incident. I would prefer not to raise some of the things I have heard from many students who do not know each other, from conversations that arose in different times and places.

  86. Doug Paul Davis

    I want her not to be awarded. I’m fine with her working and teaching. I do not think she is deserving of an award, I think she left the students high and dry by her poor handling of the situation.

  87. Doug Paul Davis

    I want her not to be awarded. I’m fine with her working and teaching. I do not think she is deserving of an award, I think she left the students high and dry by her poor handling of the situation.

  88. Doug Paul Davis

    I want her not to be awarded. I’m fine with her working and teaching. I do not think she is deserving of an award, I think she left the students high and dry by her poor handling of the situation.

  89. Doug Paul Davis

    I want her not to be awarded. I’m fine with her working and teaching. I do not think she is deserving of an award, I think she left the students high and dry by her poor handling of the situation.

  90. Anonymous

    The reporting here is one of those few slivers of truthful insight in a world of political lies and doublespeak. Just some facts, nothing more. Don Saylor is a member of the Davis Rotarians behind the “Teacher of the Year Award” …Hmmm Don Saylor was closely aligned with Chief Hyde and Assist. Chief Pierce who were behind the “Officer of the Year Award” …Hmmm Who was on the receiving end in both cases? What issue made the two recipients stand out from the many other candidates that particular year? Ans: The Buzayan family. These are the facts and it stinks!

  91. Anonymous

    The reporting here is one of those few slivers of truthful insight in a world of political lies and doublespeak. Just some facts, nothing more. Don Saylor is a member of the Davis Rotarians behind the “Teacher of the Year Award” …Hmmm Don Saylor was closely aligned with Chief Hyde and Assist. Chief Pierce who were behind the “Officer of the Year Award” …Hmmm Who was on the receiving end in both cases? What issue made the two recipients stand out from the many other candidates that particular year? Ans: The Buzayan family. These are the facts and it stinks!

  92. Anonymous

    The reporting here is one of those few slivers of truthful insight in a world of political lies and doublespeak. Just some facts, nothing more. Don Saylor is a member of the Davis Rotarians behind the “Teacher of the Year Award” …Hmmm Don Saylor was closely aligned with Chief Hyde and Assist. Chief Pierce who were behind the “Officer of the Year Award” …Hmmm Who was on the receiving end in both cases? What issue made the two recipients stand out from the many other candidates that particular year? Ans: The Buzayan family. These are the facts and it stinks!

  93. Anonymous

    The reporting here is one of those few slivers of truthful insight in a world of political lies and doublespeak. Just some facts, nothing more. Don Saylor is a member of the Davis Rotarians behind the “Teacher of the Year Award” …Hmmm Don Saylor was closely aligned with Chief Hyde and Assist. Chief Pierce who were behind the “Officer of the Year Award” …Hmmm Who was on the receiving end in both cases? What issue made the two recipients stand out from the many other candidates that particular year? Ans: The Buzayan family. These are the facts and it stinks!

  94. Anonymous

    I would say that:

    1) If you say you “know the kid who did it”, do you have an agenda to support him/her?

    2) Regarding the teacher refusing to go back to the class. I have yet to read from an *official* source why the teacher did not attend class (if, in fact, he/she didn’t). There could be myriad reasons why, and the conflict with the student could be only a part of a much larger whole…whether stated officially or not.

    3) I would state that it doesn’t matter what the district did/does in regard to the teacher in question. They are not a fact finding body.

    4) The fact that you “talked to her current and former students” is somewhat dubious and, even if true, totally unreliable. I guarantee I could get an 18 year old to say he had three legs and 4 arms if I talked to him in the right way and asked him the right questions. They’re KIDS. They know what you want to hear, they know the political climate, and they’ll make sure they say whatever it is they think you want to hear.

  95. Anonymous

    I would say that:

    1) If you say you “know the kid who did it”, do you have an agenda to support him/her?

    2) Regarding the teacher refusing to go back to the class. I have yet to read from an *official* source why the teacher did not attend class (if, in fact, he/she didn’t). There could be myriad reasons why, and the conflict with the student could be only a part of a much larger whole…whether stated officially or not.

    3) I would state that it doesn’t matter what the district did/does in regard to the teacher in question. They are not a fact finding body.

    4) The fact that you “talked to her current and former students” is somewhat dubious and, even if true, totally unreliable. I guarantee I could get an 18 year old to say he had three legs and 4 arms if I talked to him in the right way and asked him the right questions. They’re KIDS. They know what you want to hear, they know the political climate, and they’ll make sure they say whatever it is they think you want to hear.

  96. Anonymous

    I would say that:

    1) If you say you “know the kid who did it”, do you have an agenda to support him/her?

    2) Regarding the teacher refusing to go back to the class. I have yet to read from an *official* source why the teacher did not attend class (if, in fact, he/she didn’t). There could be myriad reasons why, and the conflict with the student could be only a part of a much larger whole…whether stated officially or not.

    3) I would state that it doesn’t matter what the district did/does in regard to the teacher in question. They are not a fact finding body.

    4) The fact that you “talked to her current and former students” is somewhat dubious and, even if true, totally unreliable. I guarantee I could get an 18 year old to say he had three legs and 4 arms if I talked to him in the right way and asked him the right questions. They’re KIDS. They know what you want to hear, they know the political climate, and they’ll make sure they say whatever it is they think you want to hear.

  97. Anonymous

    I would say that:

    1) If you say you “know the kid who did it”, do you have an agenda to support him/her?

    2) Regarding the teacher refusing to go back to the class. I have yet to read from an *official* source why the teacher did not attend class (if, in fact, he/she didn’t). There could be myriad reasons why, and the conflict with the student could be only a part of a much larger whole…whether stated officially or not.

    3) I would state that it doesn’t matter what the district did/does in regard to the teacher in question. They are not a fact finding body.

    4) The fact that you “talked to her current and former students” is somewhat dubious and, even if true, totally unreliable. I guarantee I could get an 18 year old to say he had three legs and 4 arms if I talked to him in the right way and asked him the right questions. They’re KIDS. They know what you want to hear, they know the political climate, and they’ll make sure they say whatever it is they think you want to hear.

  98. Doug Paul Davis

    1. I’ve probably written four or five articles on it, I’ve made my position on this clear. To repeat: The teacher in my view had every right to pull down the poster, the means by which she chose to handle it afterwards are questionable. The student probably should not have given the speech, however, given that the speech was cleared, a three day suspension was excessive. The teacher should have been adult enough to get back into the class.

    2. I’ve read the official explanation as well, and I believe the teacher did a disservice to herself and her students. This should have disqualified her from any commendation.

    3. The district ran an investigaiton along with the lawyers, they made a determination on the suspension, they were indeed acting as a fact-finding body in this case.

    4. The information was volunteered and they told me the same thing. Whether you choose to believe it or not, is up to you.

    I have no idea who you are, but you are not helping this situation by defending largely indefensible behavior by an adult role model.

  99. Doug Paul Davis

    1. I’ve probably written four or five articles on it, I’ve made my position on this clear. To repeat: The teacher in my view had every right to pull down the poster, the means by which she chose to handle it afterwards are questionable. The student probably should not have given the speech, however, given that the speech was cleared, a three day suspension was excessive. The teacher should have been adult enough to get back into the class.

    2. I’ve read the official explanation as well, and I believe the teacher did a disservice to herself and her students. This should have disqualified her from any commendation.

    3. The district ran an investigaiton along with the lawyers, they made a determination on the suspension, they were indeed acting as a fact-finding body in this case.

    4. The information was volunteered and they told me the same thing. Whether you choose to believe it or not, is up to you.

    I have no idea who you are, but you are not helping this situation by defending largely indefensible behavior by an adult role model.

  100. Doug Paul Davis

    1. I’ve probably written four or five articles on it, I’ve made my position on this clear. To repeat: The teacher in my view had every right to pull down the poster, the means by which she chose to handle it afterwards are questionable. The student probably should not have given the speech, however, given that the speech was cleared, a three day suspension was excessive. The teacher should have been adult enough to get back into the class.

    2. I’ve read the official explanation as well, and I believe the teacher did a disservice to herself and her students. This should have disqualified her from any commendation.

    3. The district ran an investigaiton along with the lawyers, they made a determination on the suspension, they were indeed acting as a fact-finding body in this case.

    4. The information was volunteered and they told me the same thing. Whether you choose to believe it or not, is up to you.

    I have no idea who you are, but you are not helping this situation by defending largely indefensible behavior by an adult role model.

  101. Doug Paul Davis

    1. I’ve probably written four or five articles on it, I’ve made my position on this clear. To repeat: The teacher in my view had every right to pull down the poster, the means by which she chose to handle it afterwards are questionable. The student probably should not have given the speech, however, given that the speech was cleared, a three day suspension was excessive. The teacher should have been adult enough to get back into the class.

    2. I’ve read the official explanation as well, and I believe the teacher did a disservice to herself and her students. This should have disqualified her from any commendation.

    3. The district ran an investigaiton along with the lawyers, they made a determination on the suspension, they were indeed acting as a fact-finding body in this case.

    4. The information was volunteered and they told me the same thing. Whether you choose to believe it or not, is up to you.

    I have no idea who you are, but you are not helping this situation by defending largely indefensible behavior by an adult role model.

  102. Rich Rifkin

    “I would always default to an adult authority figure rather than a child…”

    I hope the person who wrote the illiterate sentence above is not a teacher at Davis High School. It’s painful enough to read DPD’s daily butchery of the English language. He’s just a graduate student. A full-fledged pedagogue who thinks that sentence makes any sense could do real damage to our youth.

  103. Rich Rifkin

    “I would always default to an adult authority figure rather than a child…”

    I hope the person who wrote the illiterate sentence above is not a teacher at Davis High School. It’s painful enough to read DPD’s daily butchery of the English language. He’s just a graduate student. A full-fledged pedagogue who thinks that sentence makes any sense could do real damage to our youth.

  104. Rich Rifkin

    “I would always default to an adult authority figure rather than a child…”

    I hope the person who wrote the illiterate sentence above is not a teacher at Davis High School. It’s painful enough to read DPD’s daily butchery of the English language. He’s just a graduate student. A full-fledged pedagogue who thinks that sentence makes any sense could do real damage to our youth.

  105. Rich Rifkin

    “I would always default to an adult authority figure rather than a child…”

    I hope the person who wrote the illiterate sentence above is not a teacher at Davis High School. It’s painful enough to read DPD’s daily butchery of the English language. He’s just a graduate student. A full-fledged pedagogue who thinks that sentence makes any sense could do real damage to our youth.

  106. davisite

    I know that regular readers recognize that the last posting of Davisite was not mine…I have deleted it. The bogus Davisite poster is free to repost it under another moniker.

  107. davisite

    I know that regular readers recognize that the last posting of Davisite was not mine…I have deleted it. The bogus Davisite poster is free to repost it under another moniker.

  108. davisite

    I know that regular readers recognize that the last posting of Davisite was not mine…I have deleted it. The bogus Davisite poster is free to repost it under another moniker.

  109. davisite

    I know that regular readers recognize that the last posting of Davisite was not mine…I have deleted it. The bogus Davisite poster is free to repost it under another moniker.

  110. Erik

    “tansey thomas said…
    Doug, I think that the purpose of the award is to yank the chains of those who disapproved of the teacher’s mishandlng of the poster incident. It is a rather a juvenile reaction..nanner, nanner, nanner.. solving nothing, may even heighten mutual contempt.”

    I had the same thought.

    On a different topic, I don’t think DPD butchers the English language daily…(insert joke here).

    The earlier post mocked by Rich Rifkin could probably use a second draft, and I disagree with the sentence’s substantive content, but condescending attacks like his do nothing to further discussion.

    The fun I get from this blog comes from agreeing and disagreeing with the substantive content posted in the discussion. Mr. Rifkin’s type of attack discourages participation for fear of…grammar?

    I’m sure blogs exist somewhere for composition-minded people to practice effective writing. Mr. Rifkin’s editorial prowess might be more useful in that type of forum.

  111. Erik

    “tansey thomas said…
    Doug, I think that the purpose of the award is to yank the chains of those who disapproved of the teacher’s mishandlng of the poster incident. It is a rather a juvenile reaction..nanner, nanner, nanner.. solving nothing, may even heighten mutual contempt.”

    I had the same thought.

    On a different topic, I don’t think DPD butchers the English language daily…(insert joke here).

    The earlier post mocked by Rich Rifkin could probably use a second draft, and I disagree with the sentence’s substantive content, but condescending attacks like his do nothing to further discussion.

    The fun I get from this blog comes from agreeing and disagreeing with the substantive content posted in the discussion. Mr. Rifkin’s type of attack discourages participation for fear of…grammar?

    I’m sure blogs exist somewhere for composition-minded people to practice effective writing. Mr. Rifkin’s editorial prowess might be more useful in that type of forum.

  112. Erik

    “tansey thomas said…
    Doug, I think that the purpose of the award is to yank the chains of those who disapproved of the teacher’s mishandlng of the poster incident. It is a rather a juvenile reaction..nanner, nanner, nanner.. solving nothing, may even heighten mutual contempt.”

    I had the same thought.

    On a different topic, I don’t think DPD butchers the English language daily…(insert joke here).

    The earlier post mocked by Rich Rifkin could probably use a second draft, and I disagree with the sentence’s substantive content, but condescending attacks like his do nothing to further discussion.

    The fun I get from this blog comes from agreeing and disagreeing with the substantive content posted in the discussion. Mr. Rifkin’s type of attack discourages participation for fear of…grammar?

    I’m sure blogs exist somewhere for composition-minded people to practice effective writing. Mr. Rifkin’s editorial prowess might be more useful in that type of forum.

  113. Erik

    “tansey thomas said…
    Doug, I think that the purpose of the award is to yank the chains of those who disapproved of the teacher’s mishandlng of the poster incident. It is a rather a juvenile reaction..nanner, nanner, nanner.. solving nothing, may even heighten mutual contempt.”

    I had the same thought.

    On a different topic, I don’t think DPD butchers the English language daily…(insert joke here).

    The earlier post mocked by Rich Rifkin could probably use a second draft, and I disagree with the sentence’s substantive content, but condescending attacks like his do nothing to further discussion.

    The fun I get from this blog comes from agreeing and disagreeing with the substantive content posted in the discussion. Mr. Rifkin’s type of attack discourages participation for fear of…grammar?

    I’m sure blogs exist somewhere for composition-minded people to practice effective writing. Mr. Rifkin’s editorial prowess might be more useful in that type of forum.

  114. Anonymous

    That the grammar in my post was “mocked” points out nothing more than Rich’s failure to formulate a substantive argument against what I stated. But let me apologize for my poor grammar anyway. I may not be a great writer; I wasn’t an English major. Sorry Rich. But, I do believe we should stick to the subject at hand. I mean seriously, Rich’s post reminds me of my Grandpa criticizing my love of Led Zeppelin because I said “Led Zeppelin *are* the best band ever” rather than *is*. Dude, this isn’t the LSAT…argue the facts.

    RE: Doug’s comment about the students’ “voluntarily” coming forward to talk to him…doesn’t that bias their opinions even more?!

  115. Anonymous

    That the grammar in my post was “mocked” points out nothing more than Rich’s failure to formulate a substantive argument against what I stated. But let me apologize for my poor grammar anyway. I may not be a great writer; I wasn’t an English major. Sorry Rich. But, I do believe we should stick to the subject at hand. I mean seriously, Rich’s post reminds me of my Grandpa criticizing my love of Led Zeppelin because I said “Led Zeppelin *are* the best band ever” rather than *is*. Dude, this isn’t the LSAT…argue the facts.

    RE: Doug’s comment about the students’ “voluntarily” coming forward to talk to him…doesn’t that bias their opinions even more?!

  116. Anonymous

    That the grammar in my post was “mocked” points out nothing more than Rich’s failure to formulate a substantive argument against what I stated. But let me apologize for my poor grammar anyway. I may not be a great writer; I wasn’t an English major. Sorry Rich. But, I do believe we should stick to the subject at hand. I mean seriously, Rich’s post reminds me of my Grandpa criticizing my love of Led Zeppelin because I said “Led Zeppelin *are* the best band ever” rather than *is*. Dude, this isn’t the LSAT…argue the facts.

    RE: Doug’s comment about the students’ “voluntarily” coming forward to talk to him…doesn’t that bias their opinions even more?!

  117. Anonymous

    That the grammar in my post was “mocked” points out nothing more than Rich’s failure to formulate a substantive argument against what I stated. But let me apologize for my poor grammar anyway. I may not be a great writer; I wasn’t an English major. Sorry Rich. But, I do believe we should stick to the subject at hand. I mean seriously, Rich’s post reminds me of my Grandpa criticizing my love of Led Zeppelin because I said “Led Zeppelin *are* the best band ever” rather than *is*. Dude, this isn’t the LSAT…argue the facts.

    RE: Doug’s comment about the students’ “voluntarily” coming forward to talk to him…doesn’t that bias their opinions even more?!

  118. Mary

    To the person who said:

    “I support this teacher 100%. When facts are in question, I would always default to an adult authority figure rather than a child.”

    My goodness! I sincerely hope that you are not a teacher or administrator. For that matter I hope that you are in no position to protect children.

    To say that you would always default to authority rather than a child is alarming.

    It is one reason that there are many adults who are not put away for abusing children. I would hope you would look into children’s concerns.

    This teacher discusses things are are very inappropriate to discuss in a classroom as DPD stated. It’s not the issue, but I have friends with kids in the class and she needs to be called on it by administrators who again are not doing their job.

    Also, Mr. Rifkin – – – attacking peeple for so-called PoOr grahmerrrr is just sooo you.

    I believe the bloggers are smart enough to know that it’s just your way of making yourself feel better about yourself. If you feel the need to read blog entries from English majors who purport to never make an error – which you often make, but we could care less to point it out to you – then you should check out a blog that caters to your needs.

  119. Mary

    To the person who said:

    “I support this teacher 100%. When facts are in question, I would always default to an adult authority figure rather than a child.”

    My goodness! I sincerely hope that you are not a teacher or administrator. For that matter I hope that you are in no position to protect children.

    To say that you would always default to authority rather than a child is alarming.

    It is one reason that there are many adults who are not put away for abusing children. I would hope you would look into children’s concerns.

    This teacher discusses things are are very inappropriate to discuss in a classroom as DPD stated. It’s not the issue, but I have friends with kids in the class and she needs to be called on it by administrators who again are not doing their job.

    Also, Mr. Rifkin – – – attacking peeple for so-called PoOr grahmerrrr is just sooo you.

    I believe the bloggers are smart enough to know that it’s just your way of making yourself feel better about yourself. If you feel the need to read blog entries from English majors who purport to never make an error – which you often make, but we could care less to point it out to you – then you should check out a blog that caters to your needs.

  120. Mary

    To the person who said:

    “I support this teacher 100%. When facts are in question, I would always default to an adult authority figure rather than a child.”

    My goodness! I sincerely hope that you are not a teacher or administrator. For that matter I hope that you are in no position to protect children.

    To say that you would always default to authority rather than a child is alarming.

    It is one reason that there are many adults who are not put away for abusing children. I would hope you would look into children’s concerns.

    This teacher discusses things are are very inappropriate to discuss in a classroom as DPD stated. It’s not the issue, but I have friends with kids in the class and she needs to be called on it by administrators who again are not doing their job.

    Also, Mr. Rifkin – – – attacking peeple for so-called PoOr grahmerrrr is just sooo you.

    I believe the bloggers are smart enough to know that it’s just your way of making yourself feel better about yourself. If you feel the need to read blog entries from English majors who purport to never make an error – which you often make, but we could care less to point it out to you – then you should check out a blog that caters to your needs.

  121. Mary

    To the person who said:

    “I support this teacher 100%. When facts are in question, I would always default to an adult authority figure rather than a child.”

    My goodness! I sincerely hope that you are not a teacher or administrator. For that matter I hope that you are in no position to protect children.

    To say that you would always default to authority rather than a child is alarming.

    It is one reason that there are many adults who are not put away for abusing children. I would hope you would look into children’s concerns.

    This teacher discusses things are are very inappropriate to discuss in a classroom as DPD stated. It’s not the issue, but I have friends with kids in the class and she needs to be called on it by administrators who again are not doing their job.

    Also, Mr. Rifkin – – – attacking peeple for so-called PoOr grahmerrrr is just sooo you.

    I believe the bloggers are smart enough to know that it’s just your way of making yourself feel better about yourself. If you feel the need to read blog entries from English majors who purport to never make an error – which you often make, but we could care less to point it out to you – then you should check out a blog that caters to your needs.

  122. Anonymous

    Is this the same Rotary that for decades fought with all it’s testosterone-driven might to continue to exclude women? The same rotary that was forced — kicking and screaming all the way — into the 20th century?

    What can you expect from this bunch of neanderthals?

  123. Anonymous

    Is this the same Rotary that for decades fought with all it’s testosterone-driven might to continue to exclude women? The same rotary that was forced — kicking and screaming all the way — into the 20th century?

    What can you expect from this bunch of neanderthals?

  124. Anonymous

    Is this the same Rotary that for decades fought with all it’s testosterone-driven might to continue to exclude women? The same rotary that was forced — kicking and screaming all the way — into the 20th century?

    What can you expect from this bunch of neanderthals?

  125. Anonymous

    Is this the same Rotary that for decades fought with all it’s testosterone-driven might to continue to exclude women? The same rotary that was forced — kicking and screaming all the way — into the 20th century?

    What can you expect from this bunch of neanderthals?

  126. Anonymous

    We need to know not only who made the final choice but whether Rotary members like Saylor and Puntillo were involved in ANY WAY in the final selection.

  127. Anonymous

    We need to know not only who made the final choice but whether Rotary members like Saylor and Puntillo were involved in ANY WAY in the final selection.

  128. Anonymous

    We need to know not only who made the final choice but whether Rotary members like Saylor and Puntillo were involved in ANY WAY in the final selection.

  129. Anonymous

    We need to know not only who made the final choice but whether Rotary members like Saylor and Puntillo were involved in ANY WAY in the final selection.

  130. Rich Rifkin

    “Also, Mr. Rifkin – – – attacking peeple for so-called PoOr grahmerrrr is just sooo you.”

    It is sad to know that some folks are under the impression that one had to have been an English major in college to have command of the facts presented in grammar school. If we didn’t pass on unprepared children from grade to grade simply based on their attendance, any graduate of the 8th grade would know the basic rules of our common tongue.

    I know many older Americans who were neither English majors nor college graduates, but can speak and write standard English. The difference, of course, was they attended school before our standards disappeared.

    Unfortunately, the driving force of public education has become pecuniary: feeding our government-run schools’ insatiable appetite for more money, much of which goes to underperforming teachers.

    “To say that you would always default to authority rather than a child is alarming.”

    Yes, it is alarming.

    It is a clear sign that you, too, don’t understand how to use the word ‘default.’

  131. Rich Rifkin

    “Also, Mr. Rifkin – – – attacking peeple for so-called PoOr grahmerrrr is just sooo you.”

    It is sad to know that some folks are under the impression that one had to have been an English major in college to have command of the facts presented in grammar school. If we didn’t pass on unprepared children from grade to grade simply based on their attendance, any graduate of the 8th grade would know the basic rules of our common tongue.

    I know many older Americans who were neither English majors nor college graduates, but can speak and write standard English. The difference, of course, was they attended school before our standards disappeared.

    Unfortunately, the driving force of public education has become pecuniary: feeding our government-run schools’ insatiable appetite for more money, much of which goes to underperforming teachers.

    “To say that you would always default to authority rather than a child is alarming.”

    Yes, it is alarming.

    It is a clear sign that you, too, don’t understand how to use the word ‘default.’

  132. Rich Rifkin

    “Also, Mr. Rifkin – – – attacking peeple for so-called PoOr grahmerrrr is just sooo you.”

    It is sad to know that some folks are under the impression that one had to have been an English major in college to have command of the facts presented in grammar school. If we didn’t pass on unprepared children from grade to grade simply based on their attendance, any graduate of the 8th grade would know the basic rules of our common tongue.

    I know many older Americans who were neither English majors nor college graduates, but can speak and write standard English. The difference, of course, was they attended school before our standards disappeared.

    Unfortunately, the driving force of public education has become pecuniary: feeding our government-run schools’ insatiable appetite for more money, much of which goes to underperforming teachers.

    “To say that you would always default to authority rather than a child is alarming.”

    Yes, it is alarming.

    It is a clear sign that you, too, don’t understand how to use the word ‘default.’

  133. Rich Rifkin

    “Also, Mr. Rifkin – – – attacking peeple for so-called PoOr grahmerrrr is just sooo you.”

    It is sad to know that some folks are under the impression that one had to have been an English major in college to have command of the facts presented in grammar school. If we didn’t pass on unprepared children from grade to grade simply based on their attendance, any graduate of the 8th grade would know the basic rules of our common tongue.

    I know many older Americans who were neither English majors nor college graduates, but can speak and write standard English. The difference, of course, was they attended school before our standards disappeared.

    Unfortunately, the driving force of public education has become pecuniary: feeding our government-run schools’ insatiable appetite for more money, much of which goes to underperforming teachers.

    “To say that you would always default to authority rather than a child is alarming.”

    Yes, it is alarming.

    It is a clear sign that you, too, don’t understand how to use the word ‘default.’

  134. Anonymous

    I think that most of us understand the meaning of default(automatically going to a preset condition). It’s a term that denotes something automatic and doesn’t reflect particularly well on the thought processes of the poster. Rifkin’s outrage is overblown, however. There are now many computer terms that have crept,perhaps ungrammatically, into our language and have added “color” and interest.

  135. Anonymous

    I think that most of us understand the meaning of default(automatically going to a preset condition). It’s a term that denotes something automatic and doesn’t reflect particularly well on the thought processes of the poster. Rifkin’s outrage is overblown, however. There are now many computer terms that have crept,perhaps ungrammatically, into our language and have added “color” and interest.

  136. Anonymous

    I think that most of us understand the meaning of default(automatically going to a preset condition). It’s a term that denotes something automatic and doesn’t reflect particularly well on the thought processes of the poster. Rifkin’s outrage is overblown, however. There are now many computer terms that have crept,perhaps ungrammatically, into our language and have added “color” and interest.

  137. Anonymous

    I think that most of us understand the meaning of default(automatically going to a preset condition). It’s a term that denotes something automatic and doesn’t reflect particularly well on the thought processes of the poster. Rifkin’s outrage is overblown, however. There are now many computer terms that have crept,perhaps ungrammatically, into our language and have added “color” and interest.

  138. Blog Moderator

    Moreover, the internet is treated by most as an informal means of communication than Rifkin is treating it. As such there is an incompatibility between his constant harping on grammar and most people’s understand of the mode of expression. Moreover it detracts from substantive conversation, therefore I would formally request that Mr. Rifkin refrain from grammatical critiques in the future except in those cases where there is a clear ambiguity of meaning.

  139. Blog Moderator

    Moreover, the internet is treated by most as an informal means of communication than Rifkin is treating it. As such there is an incompatibility between his constant harping on grammar and most people’s understand of the mode of expression. Moreover it detracts from substantive conversation, therefore I would formally request that Mr. Rifkin refrain from grammatical critiques in the future except in those cases where there is a clear ambiguity of meaning.

  140. Blog Moderator

    Moreover, the internet is treated by most as an informal means of communication than Rifkin is treating it. As such there is an incompatibility between his constant harping on grammar and most people’s understand of the mode of expression. Moreover it detracts from substantive conversation, therefore I would formally request that Mr. Rifkin refrain from grammatical critiques in the future except in those cases where there is a clear ambiguity of meaning.

  141. Blog Moderator

    Moreover, the internet is treated by most as an informal means of communication than Rifkin is treating it. As such there is an incompatibility between his constant harping on grammar and most people’s understand of the mode of expression. Moreover it detracts from substantive conversation, therefore I would formally request that Mr. Rifkin refrain from grammatical critiques in the future except in those cases where there is a clear ambiguity of meaning.

  142. Anonymous

    He’s incapable of doing so. He would then be forced to actually argue a point on the merits rather than use grammar as a red herring. Or was it a white herring? Errr…red heron…help me out, Rich!

  143. Anonymous

    He’s incapable of doing so. He would then be forced to actually argue a point on the merits rather than use grammar as a red herring. Or was it a white herring? Errr…red heron…help me out, Rich!

  144. Anonymous

    He’s incapable of doing so. He would then be forced to actually argue a point on the merits rather than use grammar as a red herring. Or was it a white herring? Errr…red heron…help me out, Rich!

  145. Anonymous

    He’s incapable of doing so. He would then be forced to actually argue a point on the merits rather than use grammar as a red herring. Or was it a white herring? Errr…red heron…help me out, Rich!

  146. Anonymous

    The officer and the teacher deserved the award for doing the right thing in the presence of such absurd hostility from a very few people as compared to the rest of the law abiding citizens in our community.

  147. Anonymous

    The officer and the teacher deserved the award for doing the right thing in the presence of such absurd hostility from a very few people as compared to the rest of the law abiding citizens in our community.

  148. Anonymous

    The officer and the teacher deserved the award for doing the right thing in the presence of such absurd hostility from a very few people as compared to the rest of the law abiding citizens in our community.

  149. Anonymous

    The officer and the teacher deserved the award for doing the right thing in the presence of such absurd hostility from a very few people as compared to the rest of the law abiding citizens in our community.

  150. Vincente

    Can you please explain how leaving class for two months prior to AP Calculus exams, forcing the students to take extra tutoring and study sessions provided by the district is the right thing?

  151. Vincente

    Can you please explain how leaving class for two months prior to AP Calculus exams, forcing the students to take extra tutoring and study sessions provided by the district is the right thing?

  152. Vincente

    Can you please explain how leaving class for two months prior to AP Calculus exams, forcing the students to take extra tutoring and study sessions provided by the district is the right thing?

  153. Vincente

    Can you please explain how leaving class for two months prior to AP Calculus exams, forcing the students to take extra tutoring and study sessions provided by the district is the right thing?

  154. Anonymous

    The teacher didn’t do anything in the presence of a hostile community – it was just her and the student in front of a classroom of his peers. I really think that she could do or say whatever she wanted in the classroom out of sight of other adult witnesses. I think that she was surprised and upset that the student would actually find a way to bring her mistake to light. The “hostile community” only found out what happened after the fact. The focus was on helping the student and getting him back into class.

    She only exaberated an already unfortunate situation by then refusing to teach. Maybe the right thing for her to do in her mind, but not worthy of an award for teaching.

    I just don’t see how a refusal to teach could be awarded by a Teacher of the Year Award. Could fire fighters get “Fire Fighter of the Year” Award after refusing aid to someone or refusing to fight a fire at someone’s house because they didn’t like the person? I truly hope not.

  155. Anonymous

    The teacher didn’t do anything in the presence of a hostile community – it was just her and the student in front of a classroom of his peers. I really think that she could do or say whatever she wanted in the classroom out of sight of other adult witnesses. I think that she was surprised and upset that the student would actually find a way to bring her mistake to light. The “hostile community” only found out what happened after the fact. The focus was on helping the student and getting him back into class.

    She only exaberated an already unfortunate situation by then refusing to teach. Maybe the right thing for her to do in her mind, but not worthy of an award for teaching.

    I just don’t see how a refusal to teach could be awarded by a Teacher of the Year Award. Could fire fighters get “Fire Fighter of the Year” Award after refusing aid to someone or refusing to fight a fire at someone’s house because they didn’t like the person? I truly hope not.

  156. Anonymous

    The teacher didn’t do anything in the presence of a hostile community – it was just her and the student in front of a classroom of his peers. I really think that she could do or say whatever she wanted in the classroom out of sight of other adult witnesses. I think that she was surprised and upset that the student would actually find a way to bring her mistake to light. The “hostile community” only found out what happened after the fact. The focus was on helping the student and getting him back into class.

    She only exaberated an already unfortunate situation by then refusing to teach. Maybe the right thing for her to do in her mind, but not worthy of an award for teaching.

    I just don’t see how a refusal to teach could be awarded by a Teacher of the Year Award. Could fire fighters get “Fire Fighter of the Year” Award after refusing aid to someone or refusing to fight a fire at someone’s house because they didn’t like the person? I truly hope not.

  157. Anonymous

    The teacher didn’t do anything in the presence of a hostile community – it was just her and the student in front of a classroom of his peers. I really think that she could do or say whatever she wanted in the classroom out of sight of other adult witnesses. I think that she was surprised and upset that the student would actually find a way to bring her mistake to light. The “hostile community” only found out what happened after the fact. The focus was on helping the student and getting him back into class.

    She only exaberated an already unfortunate situation by then refusing to teach. Maybe the right thing for her to do in her mind, but not worthy of an award for teaching.

    I just don’t see how a refusal to teach could be awarded by a Teacher of the Year Award. Could fire fighters get “Fire Fighter of the Year” Award after refusing aid to someone or refusing to fight a fire at someone’s house because they didn’t like the person? I truly hope not.

  158. Rich Rifkin

    “As such there is an incompatibility between his constant harping on grammar and most people’s understand of the mode of expression.”

    I think you captured my point perfectly: most people’s understand of the mode of expression.

  159. Rich Rifkin

    “As such there is an incompatibility between his constant harping on grammar and most people’s understand of the mode of expression.”

    I think you captured my point perfectly: most people’s understand of the mode of expression.

  160. Rich Rifkin

    “As such there is an incompatibility between his constant harping on grammar and most people’s understand of the mode of expression.”

    I think you captured my point perfectly: most people’s understand of the mode of expression.

  161. Rich Rifkin

    “As such there is an incompatibility between his constant harping on grammar and most people’s understand of the mode of expression.”

    I think you captured my point perfectly: most people’s understand of the mode of expression.

  162. Anonymous

    “Is this the same Rotary that for decades fought with all it’s testosterone-driven might to continue to exclude women? The same rotary that was forced — kicking and screaming all the way — into the 20th century?”

    It’s my understanding that our local Rotary Club was a leader–perhaps even THE leader–in welcoming women way back when. I’m not a member but I know that the men and women who are devote countless hours to our community (much more than I do, for instance). In just my personal experience, I’ve watched Rotary members build a stage at my childrens’ elementary school, fund a community wide creativity program, and pay for a “student of the month” program that honors a dozen hard-working, but not always visible, students at a breakfast ceremony.

  163. Anonymous

    “Is this the same Rotary that for decades fought with all it’s testosterone-driven might to continue to exclude women? The same rotary that was forced — kicking and screaming all the way — into the 20th century?”

    It’s my understanding that our local Rotary Club was a leader–perhaps even THE leader–in welcoming women way back when. I’m not a member but I know that the men and women who are devote countless hours to our community (much more than I do, for instance). In just my personal experience, I’ve watched Rotary members build a stage at my childrens’ elementary school, fund a community wide creativity program, and pay for a “student of the month” program that honors a dozen hard-working, but not always visible, students at a breakfast ceremony.

  164. Anonymous

    “Is this the same Rotary that for decades fought with all it’s testosterone-driven might to continue to exclude women? The same rotary that was forced — kicking and screaming all the way — into the 20th century?”

    It’s my understanding that our local Rotary Club was a leader–perhaps even THE leader–in welcoming women way back when. I’m not a member but I know that the men and women who are devote countless hours to our community (much more than I do, for instance). In just my personal experience, I’ve watched Rotary members build a stage at my childrens’ elementary school, fund a community wide creativity program, and pay for a “student of the month” program that honors a dozen hard-working, but not always visible, students at a breakfast ceremony.

  165. Anonymous

    “Is this the same Rotary that for decades fought with all it’s testosterone-driven might to continue to exclude women? The same rotary that was forced — kicking and screaming all the way — into the 20th century?”

    It’s my understanding that our local Rotary Club was a leader–perhaps even THE leader–in welcoming women way back when. I’m not a member but I know that the men and women who are devote countless hours to our community (much more than I do, for instance). In just my personal experience, I’ve watched Rotary members build a stage at my childrens’ elementary school, fund a community wide creativity program, and pay for a “student of the month” program that honors a dozen hard-working, but not always visible, students at a breakfast ceremony.

  166. Carl Jorgensen

    The current absence of African-American teachers in the Davis Unified School District conveys to Black (and non-Black) students the message that young people of African American racial status have almost no chance of becoming teacher or administrators at Davis High unless they are very different in talent and/or achievement and/or political orientation from current African American City of Davis adults residents. Further, they have every reason to believe they will not be able to create a school social, cultural and/or political affinity group. Currently, students of color have every reason to believe a teacher who condemns a historical Black leader without presenting evidence to support that condemnation and/or a teacher who unnecessarily publicly insults a student of color; and/or a teacher who refuses to teach a student who has not (so far as the public knows) threatened her can become TEACHER OF THE YEAR.
    As a sociology teacher at UC Davis for thirty plus years, I wanted students who evaluated ideas about racial status on the basis of the evidence presented, not the authority of the presenter. The math teacher who claimed (to the best of my knowledge) that Malcolm X’s statement that Blacks must pursue their liberation “by any means necessary” was used by terrorist murderers to justify their murder presented no evidence to support that statement. A well-trained student and/or a well-trained student support group would have requested and then, if not satisfied, demanded that the teacher present her evidence.
    I must add that I was impressed with the support that some of my daughter’s teachers gave her during her study in the Davis public schools. However, at present it seems to me that at least Davis high school is a very toxic place for many types of Black students and other students of color and this will not change until the administrative philosophy and perhaps the PTA philosophy of Davis High School changes. Until then, parents of browner children of color approaching junior high or high school age need to consider what alternatives they will choose if their child does not fit in.

  167. Carl Jorgensen

    The current absence of African-American teachers in the Davis Unified School District conveys to Black (and non-Black) students the message that young people of African American racial status have almost no chance of becoming teacher or administrators at Davis High unless they are very different in talent and/or achievement and/or political orientation from current African American City of Davis adults residents. Further, they have every reason to believe they will not be able to create a school social, cultural and/or political affinity group. Currently, students of color have every reason to believe a teacher who condemns a historical Black leader without presenting evidence to support that condemnation and/or a teacher who unnecessarily publicly insults a student of color; and/or a teacher who refuses to teach a student who has not (so far as the public knows) threatened her can become TEACHER OF THE YEAR.
    As a sociology teacher at UC Davis for thirty plus years, I wanted students who evaluated ideas about racial status on the basis of the evidence presented, not the authority of the presenter. The math teacher who claimed (to the best of my knowledge) that Malcolm X’s statement that Blacks must pursue their liberation “by any means necessary” was used by terrorist murderers to justify their murder presented no evidence to support that statement. A well-trained student and/or a well-trained student support group would have requested and then, if not satisfied, demanded that the teacher present her evidence.
    I must add that I was impressed with the support that some of my daughter’s teachers gave her during her study in the Davis public schools. However, at present it seems to me that at least Davis high school is a very toxic place for many types of Black students and other students of color and this will not change until the administrative philosophy and perhaps the PTA philosophy of Davis High School changes. Until then, parents of browner children of color approaching junior high or high school age need to consider what alternatives they will choose if their child does not fit in.

  168. Carl Jorgensen

    The current absence of African-American teachers in the Davis Unified School District conveys to Black (and non-Black) students the message that young people of African American racial status have almost no chance of becoming teacher or administrators at Davis High unless they are very different in talent and/or achievement and/or political orientation from current African American City of Davis adults residents. Further, they have every reason to believe they will not be able to create a school social, cultural and/or political affinity group. Currently, students of color have every reason to believe a teacher who condemns a historical Black leader without presenting evidence to support that condemnation and/or a teacher who unnecessarily publicly insults a student of color; and/or a teacher who refuses to teach a student who has not (so far as the public knows) threatened her can become TEACHER OF THE YEAR.
    As a sociology teacher at UC Davis for thirty plus years, I wanted students who evaluated ideas about racial status on the basis of the evidence presented, not the authority of the presenter. The math teacher who claimed (to the best of my knowledge) that Malcolm X’s statement that Blacks must pursue their liberation “by any means necessary” was used by terrorist murderers to justify their murder presented no evidence to support that statement. A well-trained student and/or a well-trained student support group would have requested and then, if not satisfied, demanded that the teacher present her evidence.
    I must add that I was impressed with the support that some of my daughter’s teachers gave her during her study in the Davis public schools. However, at present it seems to me that at least Davis high school is a very toxic place for many types of Black students and other students of color and this will not change until the administrative philosophy and perhaps the PTA philosophy of Davis High School changes. Until then, parents of browner children of color approaching junior high or high school age need to consider what alternatives they will choose if their child does not fit in.

  169. Carl Jorgensen

    The current absence of African-American teachers in the Davis Unified School District conveys to Black (and non-Black) students the message that young people of African American racial status have almost no chance of becoming teacher or administrators at Davis High unless they are very different in talent and/or achievement and/or political orientation from current African American City of Davis adults residents. Further, they have every reason to believe they will not be able to create a school social, cultural and/or political affinity group. Currently, students of color have every reason to believe a teacher who condemns a historical Black leader without presenting evidence to support that condemnation and/or a teacher who unnecessarily publicly insults a student of color; and/or a teacher who refuses to teach a student who has not (so far as the public knows) threatened her can become TEACHER OF THE YEAR.
    As a sociology teacher at UC Davis for thirty plus years, I wanted students who evaluated ideas about racial status on the basis of the evidence presented, not the authority of the presenter. The math teacher who claimed (to the best of my knowledge) that Malcolm X’s statement that Blacks must pursue their liberation “by any means necessary” was used by terrorist murderers to justify their murder presented no evidence to support that statement. A well-trained student and/or a well-trained student support group would have requested and then, if not satisfied, demanded that the teacher present her evidence.
    I must add that I was impressed with the support that some of my daughter’s teachers gave her during her study in the Davis public schools. However, at present it seems to me that at least Davis high school is a very toxic place for many types of Black students and other students of color and this will not change until the administrative philosophy and perhaps the PTA philosophy of Davis High School changes. Until then, parents of browner children of color approaching junior high or high school age need to consider what alternatives they will choose if their child does not fit in.

  170. Anonymous

    Sounds familiar. This teacher’s insensitive and (quite frankly, boneheaded) behavior would have earned her a dismissal and a lawsuit for civil damages in any decent school district in the land. But then again, we’re talking about DHS here, aren’t we?

  171. Anonymous

    Sounds familiar. This teacher’s insensitive and (quite frankly, boneheaded) behavior would have earned her a dismissal and a lawsuit for civil damages in any decent school district in the land. But then again, we’re talking about DHS here, aren’t we?

  172. Anonymous

    Sounds familiar. This teacher’s insensitive and (quite frankly, boneheaded) behavior would have earned her a dismissal and a lawsuit for civil damages in any decent school district in the land. But then again, we’re talking about DHS here, aren’t we?

  173. Anonymous

    Sounds familiar. This teacher’s insensitive and (quite frankly, boneheaded) behavior would have earned her a dismissal and a lawsuit for civil damages in any decent school district in the land. But then again, we’re talking about DHS here, aren’t we?

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