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.
Don't you people realize that when the GOVERNMENT schools start teaching religion, it will likely NOT be Christianity, or anything resembling Christianity.
Even Mr. Freshwater seems like someone I would not like to see teaching my kids. Reminds me of Ward Churchill. I guess the only right answer on his tests is "God Did it".
Lock the criminal up, and throw away the key. Imagine, the idea of teaching the truth in school! Forsooth!
Scopes Monkey Trial now playing on channel 67..../sarc
Weird. Just plain weird.
This list is for intellectual discussion of articles and issues related to public education (including charter schools) from the preschool to university level. Items more appropriately placed on the “Naughty Teacher” list, “Another reason to Homeschool” list, or of a general public-school-bashing nature will not be pinged.
If you would like to be on or off this list, please freepmail Amelia, Gabz, Shag377, or SoftballMominVa
The report confirmed that Freshwater burned crosses onto students' arms, using an electrostatic device, in December.
Does anyone really want to defend this guy?
“By your reckoning he must have created evolution. “
Personally, I find evolution to be an incredibly elegant method of creating an amazingly sophisticated form of life and I never understood why Christians rejected it so strongly. After all, if God created humanity, he must have used some method to do it and why not evolution?
intelligent design suggests that God created everything except humans and then stepped in and added humans to the mix. Evolution suggests that god created a system that would naturally result in humanity and then just sat back and watched his plan lay out. I mean, how cool is that?
IB4B&. whoops
not only in journalism, but even in Websters.
I gotta admit, i didn’t expect that.
And the Board voted to get rid of the liability:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080621/ap_on_re_us/teacher_bible;_ylt=AuYmzHLPxfQljqpfwy2SIGus0NUE
The question isn't 'why not evolution,' the question is simply, why. With regard to humans, hat exactly is the purpose of transitioning from one form to another.....
hat = what
Sorry for the confusion
One can see Evolution in Genesis as the Universe and our planet are taken from nothing and progress through light, consolidation of matter, oceans, simple life to the complex life of today. That is an incredible insight by the Hebrews long ago.
Unfortunately, the Christians you refer to can't separate Marxist Materialism from Darwin's observations on Natural Selection. They go bonkers at the thought that the Theory of Evolution explains the origin of life. They really can't separate ideas. Evolution postulates the reasons for changes of life not the cause. I wouldn't paint all Christians with this singleminded view. It occurs with Muslims too. Hindus have their own explanations.
Once Stephan Hawkins had an audience with the Pope. The Pope was impressed with his views of the Universe, but warned him not to inquire into the existence of the Universe before the Big Bang. I take that as the Pope appreciates the inquiring scientific mind.
I've always thought the same thing - they knew about evolution without fossil evidence, our advanced physics, etc. How cool is that?
England and America have been strong throughout their histories in direct proportion to how Godly they have been. Godly; that’s Judeo-Christian-devoted to the one God who created Heaven and earth, following his paths and avoiding and opposing the practices and doctrines of His enemies.
Evolution is a crash course in forgetting God completely. This man returned to our roots that made the United States the greatest nation on earth. God bless him and everybody who supports him.
“The question isn’t ‘why not evolution,’ the question is simply, why.”
Why, indeed, should God use evolution when he can see the end from the beginning?
Henry Ford needed evolution and men still use it, because we can’t see ahead of today. God saw the final product and made that one first, obviating any need to evolve anything.
Big difference there between God and man. Evolutionists are anthropomorphizing God, making Him in our image.
According to the Bible, God made man last, because the earth without man was still not whole...
I think it's interesting that the Genesis account gives the creation of the earth in the same order that evolution says it happened. My own belief is that evolution tells HOW it happened, and the Bible tells WHY. YMMV.
“the Genesis account gives the creation of the earth in the same order that evolution says it happened”
Other way around. The Genesis account was written before the evolution theory.
“The report confirmed that Freshwater burned crosses onto students’ arms, using an electrostatic device, in December.”
If he did that, there was an other spirit operating besides. or instead of, the Spirit Of God. Not good.
Speaking as a High school Teacher (Technology/ Industrial Arts), I would have to say it entirely depends on the student, The nature of the brand, and exactly where we would be applying the brand.
Just kidding......... sorta
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.