CA: Teacher hopes for pardon that would return her to classroom

San Jose Mercury News ^ | December 15, 2005 | Edwin Garcia

[calcowgirl]

SACRAMENTO - The state denied Michelle Delk a teaching credential for the same reason she was so highly regarded in the classroom: her criminal past.

But now Delk, a former drug addict who turned her life around and taught substance-abuse courses to inmates at the Elmwood Correctional Facility in Milpitas, is trying to make another comeback.

And she's counting on Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger to help her do it. If the governor pardons the most serious felony on her record -- a burglary conviction from nine years ago -- Delk could get her adult education teaching credential and return to the classroom.

(snip)

A spokeswoman for the governor wouldn't say how or when Schwarzenegger decides to forgive the offenses of Californians. But she acknowledged pardons rarely occur: Schwarzenegger has granted three, Gray Davis gave none and Pete Wilson allowed 13.

Delk isn't deterred.

She lost her bid for a teaching credential -- and subsequently her job -- in June, after a jailhouse graduation where hardened inmates wept at the thought of her leaving. But she has since compiled an enthusiastic and influential list of supporters championing her cause.

(snip)

Assemblywoman Rebecca Cohn, D-Campbell, was so inspired by Delk's work, and those in similar situations, she plans to introduce legislation next month to allow adult education teachers with certain felonies in their past to obtain the appropriate credential to teach inmates.

(snip)

After working for about a year with the Milpitas Adult Education Correction Program, with a temporary teaching credential, Delk was informed in a June 9 letter that she was being barred from the classroom because of three felony convictions: burglary, grand theft and willful child cruelty. Delk said the cruelty conviction resulted from her 3-year-old daughter ingesting medicine left unattended on top of a television.

[Semper Paratus]

No chance. Right now the Governator is suffering from Pardon Fatigue.

[bigfootbob]

Seems to me there could be a job for her at Sylvan Learning center, or some private school where she could still teach, but be an example of "Thou shalt not steal." On the other hand there is salvation, and with that should come forgiveness, except for molesters & murderers.

[andyk]

Interesting. Most other folks are expected to live with their mistakes.

[Lunatic Fringe]

I believe people deserve a second chance when they work hard to make their life better. Burglary 9 years ago and she can't teach inmates at a prison? Seems a bit petty to me.

[EagleUSA]

Interesting. Most other folks are expected to live with their mistakes...
---
When we are dealing with academia, we are dealing with liberals who think somehow OTHERS are responsible FOR THEIR ACTIONS.

[proud_yank]

....in June, after a jailhouse graduation where hardened inmates wept at the thought of her leaving

Awww, how sweet yet so sad. Kind of makes me think of Tookie, and all he did for the kiddies with his coloring books and all.... So sad indeed. /Really heavy sarcasm

[bigfootbob]

In the Blue state I live in, after 5 years or so, if you've completed your conviction requirements including restitution for certain non-violent felonies, you can petition the court for "post conviction relief". This gal wouldn't qualify, she has too many & serious felonies.

You can even have your firearms privilege restored, provided your felony isn't a federal law violation. It costs about 5 G's for an attorney to do it, free if you wish to represent yourself. The applications are at the states website.

To me that is more fair. A lot of people only mess up once and to be forever forbidden to own firearms is unconstitutional after you've paid your debt to society. IMHO.

[justshutupandtakeit]

Since pardons are available and traditional for those who have turned their lives around I would say the People have a more forgiving attitude than you.

[andyk]

A lot of people only mess up once and to be forever forbidden to own firearms is unconstitutional after you've paid your debt to society. IMHO.

I couldn't agree more. "No free man shall ever be debarred the use of arms" - TJ

[newzjunkey]

Without more information I'd be disinclined to pardon her just so she can teach. She served her time, it was nine years ago *but* a pardon might put her in places too tempting for someone convicted of willful child cruelty. I'm not buying the "medicine left out" claim.

I don't have a problem with her being able to teach in prisons or teach adults but minors should be verboten.

[untrained skeptic]

Delk, a seven-time inmate at Elmwood, turned her back on the jail in 1997 and later decided to return as a role model for inmates struggling with drug and alcohol abuse -- after being hooked for 23 years.

Seven time inmate?

Nearly 30 inmates from Elmwood's M8-G Dorm signed a letter to Schwarzenegger saying the state Education Code discriminates against people like Delk who are being punished for past mistakes.

She was an inmate 7 times.

Sounds like the Education Code discriminates all right. See definition 1b.

Definition of discriminate:

1. a. To make a clear distinction; distinguish: discriminate among the options available.

b. To make sensible decisions; judge wisely.

2. To make distinctions on the basis of class or category without regard to individual merit; show preference or prejudice: was accused of discriminating against women; discriminated in favor of his cronies.

[andyk]

Since pardons are available and traditional for those who have turned their lives around I would say the People have a more forgiving attitude than you.

Thank you for this excellent example of a non-sequitur. I'm not too familiar with pardon cases that deal with people who have already paid for their crimes, and are free members of society. However, apparently, it's "traditional". If it's such a horrible thing, the law should be changed, like Rebecca Cohn, D-Campbell, is attempting to do.