Bennish back in class

Rocky Mountain News ^ | March 13, 2006 | Charlie Brennan

[thegreatbeast]

AURORA — Jay Bennish returned to his classroom this morning as Overland High School sought a return to normalcy in the wake of a national controversy over his teaching methods.

"Mr. Bennish is a member of our Blazer family, and as such he will be welcomed back here," said Principal Jana Frieler, in a brief press conference outside the school.

[thegreatbeast]

Frieler this morning said she had been well aware that Bennish’s geography discussions typically go beyond learning the names of rivers, mountain ranges, and state capitols.

"It’s not about maps anymore," she said. "It’s about politics, it’s about religion, it’s about culture."

So don't try to cramp our teaching philosophy by inflicting standardized testing upon us. Knowing rivers, capitols and exports and all that stuff isn't important,. What's really important is to teach kids how to think critically!

It's enough to make you want to puke.

[gondramB]

"So don't try to cramp our teaching philosophy by inflicting standardized testing upon us. Knowing rivers, capitols and exports and all that stuff isn't important,. What's really important is to teach kids how to think critically!"

I've said similar things when I was teaching..of course I had the good judgment to tell the difference between Hitler and an American President.

[COBOL2Java]

Watch for teachers' unions to try to shove through legislation criminalizing the taping of teachers in the classroom.

[madprof98]

One of Bennish’s students, sophomore Chelsea Williams, said she is glad Bennish is back in the classroom. She doesn’t expect to see much change.

"He might be a little more cautious now," she said, who was in the specific class that had been recorded by classmate Sean Allen.

"I thought he made it clear that he wasn’t saying Bush and Hitler were the same person, but I think some students might have got the wrong impression."

They might have gotten the impression that Hitler and Bush were actually the same person??? Like, hey, these kids are not exactly ready for "critical thinking," you know.

[Brilliant]

He's a monument to the abject failure of the American education system.

[Michael.SF.]

What is really irritating about this smug prick is the fact that, judging from the film clips I have seen of him, he is really enjoying his 15 minutes of infamy.

[Steve_Stifler]

Will the school respect the first amendment rights of the student who says, "Mr. Bennish, you're full of $@!&!"

[BraveMan]

At least he got a haircut . . .

[rellimpank]

--here's some good material--


http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1596143/posts

[PeoplesRepublicOfWashington]

I always thought political geography was the study of where borders are drawn.

[rlmorel]

I listened to his entire diatribe. The SOB should have been fired, flat out.

[R.W.Ratikal]

The scary thing is that people who will allow their kids to attend this guy's class are breeding. Even scarier, they might even vote.

[Kellykoop]

Just another reason why parents should consider private school or homeschooling.

[fieldmarshaldj]

What, did he shave his pubes ?

[OldFriend]

Notice that there was no mention of welcoming the student back to school. No mention of the harrassment he received.

This in the very state that brought us Columbine.

Is it any wonder!

[A.A. Cunningham]

Rocky Mountain News To print this page, select File then Print from your browser URL: http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/local/article/0,1299,DRMN_15_4537621,00.html Bennish back in class By Charlie Brennan, Rocky Mountain News March 13, 2006 AURORA — Jay Bennish returned to his classroom this morning as Overland High School sought a return to normalcy in the wake of a national controversy over his teaching methods. "Mr. Bennish is a member of our Blazer family, and as such he will be welcomed back here," said Principal Jana Frieler, in a brief press conference outside the school. A tight rein was kept on members of the media who were restricted to one spot on the north side of the school property, and did not see Bennish enter the building. It was the first day back in class for Bennish, after being put on paid administrative leave March 1, after a 10th grader’s 21-minute recording of a Bennish lecture to a world geography class was made public. Bennish was reinstated on Friday after two days of meetings between Bennish, Cherry Creek School officials, and Bennish’s attorney, David Lane. Bennish has been widely criticized for politically-charged remarks caught on the recording of a Feb. 1 class. His comments that day included his drawing a comparison between President Bush and Adolf Hitler. Frieler this morning said she had been well aware that Bennish’s geography discussions typically go beyond learning the names of rivers, mountain ranges, and state capitols. "It’s not about maps anymore," she said. "It’s about politics, it’s about religion, it’s about culture." One of Bennish’s students, sophomore Chelsea Williams, said she is glad Bennish is back in the classroom. She doesn’t expect to see much change. "He might be a little more cautious now," she said, who was in the specific class that had been recorded by classmate Sean Allen. "I thought he made it clear that he wasn’t saying Bush and Hitler were the same person, but I think some students might have got the wrong impression." Copyright 2006, Rocky Mountain News. All Rights Reserved.

[Volunteer]

"Mr. Bennish is a member of our Blazer family, and as such he will be welcomed back here," said Principal Jana Frieler, in a brief press conference outside the school.

Family member? Yep, the mutant child we brought back from that Radioactive theme park on Three Mile Island, PA. You remember him, the one who always wrecked the family photos and *allegedly* touch Fluffy the Cat in that bad way.

Mr. Bennish, you are a complete tool. I can only hope that you are assigned to teach only study hall for the next decade. Spare me the "free speech" lecture you scumbag. You certainly don't accord the same liberties to your students, do you? You have a right to free speech Mr. Bennish, you do not have the right to be a tool. Here is how you know the difference: if you are about to say something to a classroom full of helpless kids and you would not say it to a group of Rangers back from Iraq (because they would kick you lying ass), then you know not to say it to the students. If you do, you are just a tool. Best of luck in the classroom, Bennish, old man. Best of luck..... oh and I hope you get a tumor.

[wintertime]

Will the school respect the first amendment rights of the student who says, "Mr. Bennish, you're full of $@!&!"

&&&&&&&&&

What about the First Amendment rights of students to free association? Unless a student has an option ( very few), the government demands that they attend Benish's school and associate with him and the students he has indoctrinated. If they don't cooperate armed police will soon be at the door!

All this talk about Benish's free speech, but FREEDOM of ASSEMBLY is also a first amendment right too that the government schools trash every day!

[wintertime]

Will the school respect the first amendment rights of the student who says, "Mr. Bennish, you're full of $@!&!"

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

Also,,,,you make an excellent point!

The liberal/Marxist spouting off have free speech, but the government school prisoners ( oops "students") don't get free speech.

It seem that down on the Animal Farm H.S. the teachers live in the Farmers House and the students live in the barn. But,,,hey,,,,we all know that First Amendment rights are more equal for some than others.