Posted on 06/20/2008 5:36:39 PM PDT by forkinsocket
A Mount Vernon teacher undermined science instruction in the public school district by discrediting evolution in his classroom and focusing on creationism and intelligent design, an investigation has found.
Eighth-graders who were taught by John Freshwater frequently had to be re-taught in high school what they were supposed to have learned in Freshwater's class, according to outside investigators hired by the district.
For 11 years, other teachers in the school district and people in the community complained about Freshwater preaching his Christian beliefs in class and slamming scientific theories, a school administrator told investigators.
"There is a significant amount of evidence that Mr. Freshwater's teachings regarding subjects related to evolution were not consistent with the curriculum of the Mount Vernon City Schools and state standards," the consultants reported.
Freshwater was told to stop teaching intelligent design and creationism, but he continued, the report found.
HR on Call Inc., the consultants who investigated allegations against Freshwater, released their findings yesterday. Mount Vernon school board members will meet today to discuss the report and decide what, if any, action they will take.
The report confirmed that Freshwater burned crosses onto students' arms, using an electrostatic device, in December.
Freshwater told investigators the marks were X's, not crosses. But all of the students interviewed in the investigation reported being branded with crosses. The investigation report includes a photo of one student's arm with a long vertical line and a short horizontal line running through it.
The family of one student who was burned filed a federal lawsuit last week against Freshwater and the district, saying the student's civil rights were violated.
Yesterday, the family's attorney, Jessica Philemond, said it was "unfortunate" that the school district didn't do anything sooner to stop Freshwater.
"These concerns had been going on for at least 11 years, and the school had not done anything," she said.
A teacher who worked in Freshwater's classroom last year also reported to investigators that Freshwater told his class that homosexuality is a sin.
Neither Freshwater nor his attorney, Roger Weaver, could be reached for comment last night. Freshwater's friend Dave Daubenmire defended him.
"With the exception of the cross-burning episode. … I believe John Freshwater is teaching the values of the parents in the Mount Vernon school district," he said.
Daubenmire is a former London High School football coach whose district was sued in 1999 by the American Civil Liberties Union because he led his players in prayer at games, practices and meetings.
"Do you think there are other teachers in the public classroom that are trying to drive their opinions in the classroom?" Daubenmire asked. "I don't care who you are. You cannot separate your value system from your teaching."
The debate about Freshwater's actions became public in April after he refused to remove a Bible from his desk, as the district had ordered.
The report says he was insubordinate for failing to remove the Bible and other religious materials from his classroom but also found other issues about his teaching and behavior.
“Dissed” is a word now? Weird.
Teaching evolution should have been banned in civilized countries the day after WW-II ended. You’d think people would have seen enough.
I think they are teaching Ebonics in college journalism courses now.
And yet, the great men of the world...people like Einstein, Kant...mulled the question over and over....
That makes the education system the most discriminating institution there is.
I was indoctrinated with all the lies that evolution has to offer and still managed to find some good science and the Lord. I suppose that being raised on Creationism, the students would still find some good science to grasp on to along with believing in their Bible. After all, God created science.
Oh crap! This is the teacher that burned crosses in kids’ arms? Man, why does people like him have to make ID people look like fanatical idiots?
By your reckoning he must have created evolution. Yet, you complain about it. You infidel.
When you establish a theocracy you can put that first on your agenda. But why don't you go whole hog and ban all sciences that fundamentalists disagree with. Then you can just happily slide into a new Dark Age.
Oh yes, because science is so uncivilized. Instead of holding science classes, we should be applauding this clown's approach to "education."
From the article:
The report confirmed that Freshwater burned crosses onto students' arms, using an electrostatic device, in December.Yes. So much more "civilized" than Einstein, Darwin and Pasteur. It's like something out of the Middle Ages.
Where does it say that? It sounds like this guy was blatantly prostelitizing his religious point of view, not merely suggesting the possibility of a creator. Burning crosses in kids' arms? C'mon.
Absolutely astounding that any Freeper would even think about supporting this guy. Or maybe you like teachers who brand your children.
Yep, and the same God that created music, created “gansta” rap … /s
You’ve got to be kidding.
I don't know, but you can see at least one fanatical example in this thread, post 3.
Teaching evolution should have been banned in civilized countries the day after WW-II ended. You’d think people would have seen enough.
Holy crap!
Never mind.
I’m all for expressing your own beliefs and I personally don’t see the perfection that is the SYSTEM of this universe is just random, but come on!
So yeah, I guess I can see the fanatical examples abound everywhere, eh?
Isn’t it funny how a biased mind works. I didn’t say one word about supporting this idiot. I was just stating a fact about my life, and added a little thought at the end. It’s not me with the problem.
Same for this guy.
If you read the full article you will find there is a lot more than the teaching of creationism. I am Christian who does not think parts of Darwin’s theory stand up to scrutiny. But this guy went way over the line. Burning crosses in a student(s)’ arm. That is indefensible.
Poor Alayna sounds a tad hysterical to this reader.
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