The man who doesnt like tea.
By laglen
@laglen (19759)
United States
April 28, 2010 7:22am CST
[i]
The anti-Tea Party middle school teacher who is the focus of two investigations on allegations that include inciting hate speech, attempted orchestration of mass identity theft and misuse of school property is back teaching in his classroom.
Jason Levin was taken off administrative leave at Conestoga Middle School on Monday while the Beaverton, Ore., School District’s internal investigation continues, said district spokeswoman Maureen Wheeler.
“He is not a danger to students, and the District has not found evidence that he has been sharing his political viewpoints with students,” Wheeler said in an e-mail statement to FoxNews.com.
But some parents are asking why Levin, who publicly called Tea Party supporters a bunch of "racists, homophobes and morons" and announced his intention to dress up as Hitler to infiltrate rallies in order to “demolish” the Tea Party, should be allowed to teach in their school's media lab.
In a post on his now defunct “Crash the Tea Party” website, Levin called on his supporters to attend Tea Party rallies and gather as many participants' Social Security numbers as possible.
Last week, the Oregon Tea Party said it did not want Levin to lose his job and that they'd welcome him back if he underwent anger management therapy and they received an apology from him and the school district. But concerned parents and Tea Party members say they never heard back from the district, and now they're taking a harsher tone, demanding an explanation for Levin’s reinstatement.
They sent an e-mail to the school superintendant early Tuesday morning that read: “… we had very reasonably asked for a written apology, professional assistance for Mr. Levin and a letter to be sent to district employees reiterating the district's own requirements for employees to refrain from political activity during school time or using district resources.
“Instead of receiving a response to this, we were disappointed to hear that Mr. Levin has quietly been reinstated back into the classroom without any corrective actions taken by the district. As the targeted group, and therefore directed victims of Mr. Levin's hate speech, attempted identity theft and even death threats, we feel that we are correct in demanding a response from the district on this issue.
“Specifically, we are insisting that the district explain publicly its decision to allow Mr. Levin back into the classroom, and commit to send a letter to all district staff reminding them of the district requirements against political activity during work hours, use of district resources for this purpose and most importantly issuing hate speech during school hours…."
The Tea Party asked for a response by 11 a.m. Tuesday. It's still waiting. Recently, Wheeler told the Beaverton Valley Times that Levin posted on Twitter during school time.
“You can actually go up to his Twitter page… it’s pretty plain,” she told the newspaper. “Obviously, when our staff is employed by us, they should be doing their jobs, not participating in political speech.””
Wheeler said the district’s investigation could wrap up by the end of the week and that all disciplinary decisions will be postponed until then. An investigation by the state's teacher licensing agency is expected to take more time.[/i]
http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/04/27/anti-tea-party-teacher-classroom/?test=latestnews
I find it curious that he was returned to work with no explanation to the parents. What do you think? Do you think they should have waited until the investigation was done?
5 responses
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
28 Apr 10
I think the school district should have waited until the investigation was complete before reinstating the teacher. If I were the Tea Party leadership, I would pursue the issue as hate speech with other than the school district. I wouldn't let it drop... As a parent, I'd want my kid removed from any class that the teacher may be associated with my kid.
1 person likes this
@laglen (19759)
• United States
28 Apr 10
I agree with you, I would add that the Tea Party there should seek legal action on the hate speech as well as attempted identity theft. I would most likely pull my kid from that school. In the past, at my daughters school,when there has been a serious issue with a teacher (not just one parent complaining) they get the boot. or um "asked to leave".
@laglen (19759)
• United States
28 Apr 10
If I was in an area where there are no other school alternatives, I would home school. I almost did but then we found this school. Now there are three others like it in our town. When I decided to have a child, I took on the responsibility to see to her welfare, health, education and spirituality.
@hofferp (4734)
• United States
28 Apr 10
Yup, for the Tea Party. It might be kind of hard pulling a kid from a school, if there's no other schools around, but I certainly wouldn't want my kid around that teacher. If enough parents did that, the district might be forced to remove the teacher.
1 person likes this
@Matthammer (385)
•
28 Apr 10
As has been stated above the proximity to the end of the investigation implies that its beyond the point of seeking new statements or evidence of any kind and it is simply at the stage of closing paperwork. (somewhat a mot point in our glorious paperless and technologically advanced society) Thus his return to work indicates there is little to come from it. They are under no obligation to give a specific explanation to parents other than the generic line that an investigation has been concluded.
As teachers like the rest of us do actually get breaks it is not unrealistic to assume posts were made during that time. I wonder if Wheeler is perhaps just basing his argument on the estimated 90% of the population who work in proximity of computers and spend most of their day trawling their net instead of doing their job. It's not an obvious point that posts were made using school equipment as mobiles and other personal devices are capable of such transmissions.
Technically if (as with over here) students have access to PC's during their breaks, the teachers have just the same right to use them for their own purposes anyway.
@laglen (19759)
• United States
28 Apr 10
They are under no obligation to give a specific explanation to parents other than the generic line that an investigation has been concluded.
huh? teachers are paid by tax payers money. The teachers are teaching these parents children. I guess I am spoiled, my daughter attends a school that we as parents are entitled to know EVERYTHING! down to every penny spent.
the teachers have just the same right to use them for their own purposes anyway.
no they dont, again tax payer money. and kids are not supposed to use school pcs for personal use either.
@Matthammer (385)
•
28 Apr 10
Which is why i stated Technically if (as with over here). Evidently things are different over there. I've noticed alot of responses tend use the 'taxpayers money' phrase with no real specifics.
We pay tax over here too, but that doesnt mean we instruct our schools to stop either the staff or the students using the pc's during breaks.
1 person likes this
@laglen (19759)
• United States
28 Apr 10
Here, it depends on the school and or district. My daughter attends a charter school. This means that instead of an administration, we are run by parents and teachers. We decide what happens. For the district I am in, we elect our school board who makes these decisions, we just fired the whole board! Thats how we roll!
@Latrivia (2878)
• United States
28 Apr 10
If the investigators found nothing to indicate he was spreading his hateful ideology to his students, then they obviously saw no need to keep him away from the classroom any longer. As to whether or not the district should have given them an explanation - I think his return to work speaks for itself. As long as they're sure he hasn't been influencing the kids, then I don't think it matters that he returned to work.
1 person likes this
@reckon21 (3479)
• Philippines
28 Apr 10
I really don't get this thing about tea party I think I have to research more a bout this so called party. Upon reading the long post I understand that Mr. liven
had violated some school rules and I agree that before he may be reinstated for his teaching position he must make amends...ask sorry and undergo some anger management therapy.
he should not any under circumstances use his political views and let the pupils heard it or shared it to them during school hours. that is not helpful to students and it might create a negative environment for the kids.
1 person likes this
@debrakcarey (19887)
• United States
29 Apr 10
If it were a conservative Christian slurring gays and using racist speech, they'd be in prison for a long time. Double standard at work here. As usual. Only liberal democrats can hate with impunity.
@TheMetallion (1834)
• United States
29 Apr 10
In what United States jurisdiction do you think anyone goes to jail for "slurring gays and using racist speech?"