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News :: Miscellaneous |
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Teacher with anti-war views removed from teaching mass media class |
Current rating: 0 |
by Ray Parker repost via Global IMC
Email: brparker (nospam) naplesnews.com (unverified!) |
12 Jan 2002
Modified: 16 Jan 2002 |
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The report offered below points out the continuing need for mutual support for those in favor of peace, such as proposed in this excerpt from a Seattle organizing document, "We propose to take community support for targets of anti-terrorist law enforcement harassment, and its preventative potential, a crucial further step: having individuals, community, political, cultural, and religious groups, businesses, and any other supporters in the Seattle area to commit *in advance* to offer financial, political, or other appropriate types of nonviolent support to any future targets of such actions." ML |
"Let them have their free speech out of the school but in the classroom teachers should teach the subject," said veteran Gil Erlichman, who asked about the investigation's progress.
Teacher with anti-war views removed from teaching mass media class
Friday, January 11, 2002
By RAY PARKER, brparker (at) naplesnews.com
Lely High School educator Ian Harvey no longer teaches his mass media class.
Another teacher has taken over mid-year because of an investigation into Harvey's teaching practices, officials said.
"We are not finished with the investigation," Schools Superintendent Dan White said Thursday. "We hope to have it wrapped up by the next (School Board) meeting" on Jan. 24.
Harvey, who teaches English and mass media, stepped into the public spotlight after he organized an anti-war rally that involved a couple of his students. One of the student demonstrators said Harvey regularly talked about his opposition to the war in Afghanistan during class.
Harvey denied any wrongdoing, saying he only gives his students different points of view to develop critical thinking.
Others wonder if he unduly influences his students.
"Let them have their free speech out of the school but in the classroom teachers should teach the subject," said veteran Gil Erlichman, who asked about the investigation's progress.
Allun Hamblett, executive director of human resources, said he's still investigating four allegations: whether Harvey went beyond the curriculum by giving his own opinions, placed unwarranted pressure on students to conform to his opinions, contacted students after school via e-mail and favored students who espoused his point of view.
"On Dec. 17 (we) started and we're still interviewing witnesses," Hamblett said.
Naples High School senior Monica Cano attended the Dec. 9 anti-war protest organized by Harvey, and said she plans to attend his second demonstration on Sunday.
"I'm speaking in defense of Ian Harvey," said Cano, who never had Harvey as a teacher. "I believe in pacifism. ... I don't believe he's poisoning the minds of youth."
Self-proclaimed pacifist Arlyne Goodwin agreed.
"Freedom of speech extends to minority points of view," she said. "Mr. Harvey should be honored for his humanity."
None of the board members responded to the speakers but member Linda Abbott told Hamblett she was glad he gave an update.
"I would hope we continue to do that when we hear the public outcry about an issue," Abbott said.
Still, Becki Rife, president of the Collier County Education Association, or teachers union, said no report should be given until Harvey knows about it.
"He should be the first one to know about it," she said. |
See also:
http://www.naplesnews.com/02/01/naples/d739871a.htm
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half the story |
by Dan Jones
(No verified email address) |
Current rating: 0
16 Jan 2002
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Unfortunately the article only tells half the story. Harvey, a British Citizen here on a work visa, uses his class time to further his "anarchistic socialism" (his own words) agenda. The films that he shows in class are not from the school's media library (as is required by the district) but rather from his personal collection.
Students who disagree with his views receive lower grades than those who agree with him and attend his rallies.
Nobody is saying that he does not have a right to protest on the weekends, but that the classroom is not a place for a soapbox. He was hired to teach the curriculum, but has chosen to use the time to preach rather than teach. |
