Portfolio Artifact #2

Sabina Smith

Date 11/02/2013

Portfolio Artifact #2
Sabina Smith
EDU 210
Professor Dr. Celia Isbell

Portfolio Artifact #2
Sabina Smith

In this paper I will work on a case in which Freddie Watts, principal, and Jimmy
Brothers, assistant principal, are African-American administrators assigned to administer a
predominantly black high school. In this school there is a white tenured teacher Ann Griffin that
during heated conversation with two administrators said that she hates black folks. Based on
her statement the principal recommended dismissal, concerns was regarding her ability to treat
students fairly and her judgment and competency as a teacher
To approve principal action we have case of Melzer v. Board of Education where court
ruled unanimously in favor of the New York City Department of Education. In this case
teacher was fired because he was a member of active party that advocates sexual relations
between men and boys. Court argument was that students might not to feel very comfortable
knowing what the teacher is promoting.
I think in my case there are many similarities to Melzer v. Board of Education case. In
my situation where African-American student know that their teacher Ms. Griffin doesnt like
them because the color of their skin is very similar to children knowing that teacher is promoting
men relationship with boys. Those students might feel very uncomfortable benign taught or even
been in one room with that teacher. We have to mention that she is working in school where most
kids are African-American.

Portfolio Artifact #2
Sabina Smith

Against action that principal took would be case of Pickering v. Board of Education
where the Supreme Court overturned teacher dismissal and ruled that teacher as a citizen do
have right to make critical public comments. We all have right to speech and expose our felling.
Those to cases could be called similar because both are about freedom of speech and in
both cases teacher were exposing their felling at the moment. In case of Ms. Griffin she expose
hate to black folks but it could had been only because she was in a process of arguing, which
doesnt really mean that she really hates them. It might just show that at she was carried away by
the moment and didnt relay mean what she said.
I understand that we all have freedom of speech and that we can say whatever we feel
like. But I think as a teacher we should be an example for students. I dont think it is really
appropriate to show hate to anybody. I think that Ms. Griffin should have been able to control her
emotion and language at school or at any other place of work. I think that principal made a right
decision by recommended a dismissal of the teacher. I think that would teach children that no
one has right to disrespect anyone at any moment. It will show children that there are
consequences to everything and also that everyone should be respected respected.

Portfolio Artifact #2
Sabina Smith

References:
1) (July 18, 2003). FEDERAL COURT OF APPEALS RULES UNANIMOUSLY IN FAVOR
OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IN MELZER NAMBLA CASE. Retrieved on
November 2, 2013 from http://www.nyc.gov/html/law/downloads/pdf/pr071803.pdf
2) Underwood, J. and Webb, L.D. (2006). School Law for Teachers concepts and applications
(page 48-49). New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.