Indeed. I understand what he was trying to do, but when there's a smart way and a stupid way to accomplish something, I don't have a lot of sympathy for people who choose the stupid way, especially when they refuse to back off of the stupid way when confronted. Don't make stupid choices, and don't compound your stupid choice by s***ing where you eat - don't continue to insist on the stupid way when da boss calls you on the carpet. Anyone who's been in the system for ten years and still doesn't understand how the system works basically deserves to lose his job for that stupidity alone.
I think he should be judged by the long-term results he has achieved, and not just in the case of one student, but all the students.
I consistently tell my high school aged son that school is his "job" at this point in his life. And it really is. The skills and disciplines he perfects in school will carry over directly into the work environment, where employers still generally have the right to hire and fire according to who contributes to the bottom line, and who doesn't. Sleep on the job or disrupt the work of other employees in the private sector and you'll make the unemployment line your steady date.
One day about a year ago my son came home from school and said, "Dad, if school is a 'job,' then half the kids at school should be fired." He told me about how discouraging and frustrating it was to have to fight above the noise and in-your-face ennui of a hard-core group of disrupters whose bad attitudes and behavior were infecting other students in adverse ways.
I don't know how effective this particular teacher's methods have been in turning out disciplined, well-educated young men and women. The story is thin on such details. If they have been effective, then speaking as a taxpayer (like a shareholder in a privately owned company) I believe he deserves a raise, not a sacking, for earning me a good return on my money.
Should be put in charge for merit and perserverence on that basis alone.
Anyone who's been in the system for ten years and DOES understand how the system works, yet doesn't quit in outrage and disgust should be fired.