Teacher who called boy 'monkey' appeals dismissal

Associated Press ^ | Oct. 16, 2003, | Associated Press

[TexasCajun]

LONGVIEW - A Longview High School teacher who allegedly called a student a "monkey" says she plans to appeal the school board's move to fire her.

Geography teacher Kelley Snowden has 15 days to request a hearing before an independent examiner to fight the termination notice the board approved Monday.

Her attorney, Paul Nelson of Henderson, said Snowden's comment had nothing to do with race. He said the teacher had used the term "monkey" playfully in the past to describe her friends' children.

"This is not a racial statement. It's being taken out of context, and we don't really know why," Nelson said.

Longview Superintendent Dana Marable has said the comment "was a disparaging remark made to a student."

District officials have not provided details about how and when the remark was used and have not responded to media requests made under the Texas Public Information Act.

Nelson provided details of the incident to the Tyler Morning Telegraph for Thursday's editions.

He said Snowden made the comment while on hall duty. When a student acted like he was leaving, the teacher said 'You wicked little monkey, you come back here,'" said Nelson, quoting from a statement he said Snowden gave to district officials.

Snowden said in the statement that the student quickly returned and finished the conversation, but later told her he was upset by her comment, Nelson said. The teacher then explained to the student that "monkey" was a "term of endearment," according to the statement read by Nelson, but when the student continued to be upset, the teacher apologized and the student stomped away.

Marable, the superintendent, said the district is considering bringing back the sensitivity training that it used to offer.

"We are always striving to keep things like this from happening on a continuous basis," Marable said.

Snowden is the second Longview High School employee in two months accused of using a racial slur. Debby Deck, a white administrator, was put on paid leave for about a week before returning to Longview High School, after allegedly using the word "Sambo" during a teacher workshop. Deck later apologized.

[thegreatbeast]

Oh, I knew what it meant, just not how to spell it properly.

[SoulStorms]

The teacher then explained to the student that "monkey" was a "term of endearment," according to the statement read by Nelson, but when the student continued to be upset, the teacher apologized and the student stomped away.

There's the problem. The teacher should never have apologized for something she didn't want to be fired for later. What if the teacher had asked the student WHY the comment was upsetting, and assured the student that his offense was unfounded?

I believe the kid's reaction is a perfect example of the poison that racial politics have fed to the next generation.

[Legerdemain]

As a member of the flying monkeys race in the Wizard of OZ, I resemble these remarks.........

[StriperSniper]

we should all just keep our mouths shut

[blam]

"I've come to the conclusion that we should all just keep our mouths shut and never talk at all so we won't offend someone."

Yeah but, we'll still know what you're thinking. So, you're still guilty.