I called the principal involved about 3 days ago and e-mailed him the story on Jay Bennish which had an audio link and we talked about what happened those long years ago between us. Here's his e-mail response:
XXXXXXX,
One man's revolutionary is another man's hero. The recording actually brought back memories of growing up in the 60's. Funny how times change. Not knowing that teacher, it was difficult for me to figure out whether he was trying to challenge his students to think beyond what they hear on the evening news. I always believed that you , yourself used "shock value" to challenge students to think.
Your obstacles were twofold: 1. You were in xxxxxxxxxx (name of school). 2. Students and parents thought they were in your class only to learn Spanish. Perhaps your ideas would have been better received in a social studies class. Jay's comments, while thought-provoking, could be more justified because of the content setting of his teaching assignment. Colorado is more liberal than xxxxxxxxxx.
I always did admire your high expectations. I hope that time and experience have helped you be more effective in reaching those goals. In most schools (except xxxxxxxxxx), it's good to have a XXXXXXX around to keep things interesting. You just would not want a school full of XXXXXXXs. Hope all is well. Tell the family hello. I hope you have forgiven me for any persecution you may have felt and understand that it was best for everyone, especially you, in the long run. I always say, "You can get bitter, or get better." I trust that, given your outstanding intellectual abilities, the latter is true for you. You have much to offer. Never stop growing.
XXXXXXXXX
How would some of you analyze the above response? Seems to me he is glad Bennish made the comments he made. The liberal side thinks it's okay to indoctrinate students to their point of view, but he opposite is NOT to be tolerated. This is war.
Geography? Perhaps the school board should pass a resolution saying that a teacher can be fired if he doesn't spend his class time teaching the subject for which he was hired. No wonder so many students do so poorly on end of course exams that ask for content knowledge.
The Spanish teacher who followed her was constantly griping that he was being paid as a substitute and not as a regular teacher. One day he was called to the office and never came back. Fired.
Of course he is.
He also is writing as if he thinks you are an idiot.
I tend to agree with his notion that political comments are at least more on-topic in a geography class than a Spanish course.
First, I am surprised you would bother communicating with the commielibtard. Second, you you right to criticize Bill Klintoon. The entire country should have slapped him down. Third, I think you should tell him to go obscenity his liberal psuedo-intellectual self. Bennish should be fired the same as you did. What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the leftwing gander.
He's innerly delighted you were fired, would support such action again, and he's patting you on the head like a little puppy.
Contacting him for anything just feeds his ego more. You can never change the mind-set of people like him. Write him off. You need his opinion like I need bird flu.
Leni
"How would some of you analyze the above response? "
Lots of platitudes. Probably got practice with parents telling them how little Billy has potential. He thought you were wrong then, and on reflection, yeah, still wrong today.... you just did not fit his mind set of conformists then and would not today.
But take heart, MeneMeneTekelUpharsin, remember, that you have much to offer us on FR. Never stop growing.
;)
People are voting with their feet. At least those that can afford to do so. It seems that a camera with, audio feed, should be mandatory in all public school classrooms. I'll bet the teacher's union would oppose that all the way to the supreme court!
I'm sorry for your termination. Their loss. The public school system is broken. It would completely implode if all Christian school teachers/principals resigned and left them with no balance at all. Socialism doesn't work. No matter how you repackage, rethink, reword the socialist agenda it still produces an elite set overseeing the nameless, unimportant masses.
Actually I don't think it's a bad response.
First of all the guy is a principal of a liberal school - and you already know he is a liberal. Your email and what happened in Colorado is not going to change his views.
His only reaction to the flap is: Thank the Lord I don't have to deal with that problem.
He said some very nice things about you that he didn't have to say. Focus on those comments.
The best thing in the world for you is to be out of a situation where your work is not valued.
Yup, he admires Bennish. He was happy to persecute you, hopes you don't hold it against him. The Lord got you out in the nick of time. What pablum. I hope you are in a place that celebrates your courageous attention to the Truth. Teach to the homeschool groups, we love the Truth.