Posted on 03/05/2003 8:58:27 AM PST by beaversmom
Mike Rosen, Denver radio talk show host, just identified the middle school teacher who wore the "Not My President" button on her coat during a class field trip. Martha Swisher is the teacher's name. Spokesman for Jefferson County Schools, Rick Kaufman, refused to be on Mike Rosen's show. News stories from the area contained all of the names involved, but failed to identify the teacher. Here are some recent articles about the subject:
Callers Would Expel Teacher's Button
By Nancy Mitchell, Rocky Mountain News February 28, 2003
A dispute over a button lit up the phones Thursday at Jefferson County School District offices.
Several dozen parents and community members called to weigh in on whether a West Jefferson Middle School teacher should have worn an anti-President Bush button during a class field trip, spokesman Rick Kaufman said. The overwhelming consensus: no.
"It is a huge issue," said Kaufman, who was preparing to speak on a national talk radio show this morning. "I think this could be just the tip of the iceberg."
Many callers mistakenly thought that Jeffco officials supported the teacher's decision to wear the button, but Kaufman said lawyers advised district officials that they can tell the teacher to take off the button anywhere she is acting as their employee.
"We believe it goes beyond just the classroom," he said. "We believe the district has the legitimate right to require teachers to refrain from expressing those personal beliefs when interacting with students."
Kaufman was a bit surprised by the response to the issue, which became public after parent Linda Fowler complained.
He sent an e-mail about the topic to his peers in school public relations across the country. By day's end, several had responded that they were facing similar situations.
"I think this is one of those issues that really touches the core of people's values, and whether an individual agrees with the president or not, seeing a statement that, 'He is not my president,' is a very difficult thing to swallow," Kaufman said. "Like him or not, he is the president of the United States. That's what we heard a lot."
Kaufman went head-to-head with Fowler on a local radio talk show Thursday. He disagreed with her contention that the same teacher should remove a lapel pin displaying a U.S. flag with a peace sign.
"Last time we checked, I don't think anyone was opposed to peace in general," he said.
Jeffco Schools Clarify Position on Staff Opinions
By Ann Schrader Denver Post Staff Writer
Friday, February 28, 2003 - GOLDEN - A parent's complaint about a teacher's "Not My President, Not My War" button has prompted the Jefferson County school district to tell staff members they cannot express personal views on controversial issues in the classroom or at school-sanctioned events.
A West Jefferson Middle School teacher wore the button on a recent field trip to the Fat City entertainment complex.
District policy states that teachers must provide a neutral atmosphere in the classroom.
"It's inappropriate to wear a political button (on a field trip), since it's an extension of a classroom," said Jefferson County Schools spokesman Rick Kaufman said.
School officials clarified the district's policy Thursday.
On Wednesday, the district and its teachers association issued a joint statement supporting the teacher, saying she does not wear the button in the classroom. Kaufman said there was a media mix-up about what the statement said.
The unidentified sixth-grade teacher, who will not be disciplined, does wear an American flag lapel pin with a peace sign on it in the classroom.
"There is a fine line to be walked here," Kaufman said. "Teachers have a right to freedom of expression, but not when that expression disrupts the learning process" by trying to convince students of a teacher's point of view.
Similar issues have arisen during election years, with teachers and staff cautioned not to endorse a candidate or an issue.
"Debate has grown over the past couple weeks as the possibility of war has grown," Kaufman said.
The Denver school district has a similar policy, but district spokeswoman Tanya Spasev said she is not aware of staff violations.
Students may participate in rallies if they are not disruptive to the classroom and the event is not on school property, Kaufman said.
email: mswisher@jeffco.k12.co.us
voice mail: Martha Swisher 303-982-3073
This woman acting like a jackass isn't going to influence anyone, especially George Bush.
Never happened. Clinton was our President like it or not, and FReepers are too smart to say things so illogical.
It's a fundamental problem of government schooling. If OTOH the teacher was in a private school, and the parents understood that their children would be taught Democrat-think, there would in principle be no problem.
If freepers were doing what you claim they were, they weren't trying to indoctrinate their sixth grade students, unlike this public employee.
The difference is she is a teacher. Schools should not be giving political views to children. Schools should be teaching the basics of math, reading etc. not indoctrinating the students.
How long would Michael Savage last teaching a biology course, and interjecting his right wing views to children. -Tom
I never saw a situation where Clinton was not referred to as the President. We may hate the sonofabitch, we may have wanted him removed, but NEVER was there any question as to authenticity of his position.
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