School teacher in Wisconsin SUSPENDED for handling firearm

[Deanimator]

I would be concerned, either as a parent or as a school administrator, with a teacher who chose to tie his or her public identity to firearms activities so closely.

Or for instance if she wore a hijab? Some people hate people who wear hijabs even more than they hate people who have guns. Have to cater to those people too, I guess...

 

[Deanimator]

What she did probably was not, and should not, be considered misconduct. But it was very, very stupid. It's probably all the kids at her school are talking about. She'll be "Sarah Connor" to all the students for years. She and the other teachers will be taken less seriously. For years the line "Whattaya gonna do, teach? SHOOT me?! Bwah-hah-hah" will echo the hallways of the school. It was a stupid thing to do, and it was NOT like a picture of her on a four-wheeler.

But a picture of her at a "Million Mom March" event would be ok, RIGHT...?

 

[Ohio Gun Guy]

What if it showed her going to Church. If it is legal, constitutional, I dont care if you THINK it is in poor taste! She has the right to have poor taste.

What if I was offended because someone was doing something I dont like, legal or not. Could they be fired? NO! :banghead:

 

[BHP FAN]

If having a picture of you touching or holding a gun is any kind of problem,stick a fork in us...we're done.

 

[General Geoff]

I would be concerned, either as a parent or as a school administrator, with a teacher who chose to tie his or her public identity to firearms activities so closely.

Only if you have an overt concern over freedom-loving teachers.

 

[Lichter]

I live in the county and am surprised by this, pretty rural area. Guess the nut jobs from Dane County are moving in.

Pretty sure this wouldn't fall under Title VII so not sure what sort of recourse she would have employment law wise.

Looks like 1st amendment is the way to go.

 

[KelVarnson]

There is usually a little clause in the contract that basically says that you can be fired for anything you do that reflects badly on the school system.

OK, that's a reasonable rule I guess. That said, please tell me how holding a long gun in a photo reflects badly on the school system.

 

[TAB]

Depends on how your holding it...

 

[Duke of Doubt]

Deanimator: "But a picture of her at a "Million Mom March" event would be ok, RIGHT...?"

No, not with me. I'd check to see if she was in violation of the Hatch Act, and either way I'd complain to the Superintendant and if necessary the School Committee. I'd probably fail to get her reprimanded, but I'd try to make her life difficult and complicated for awhile and the picture likely would come down one way or another.

But I'm not saying what she did was misconduct, I'm saying it was stupid, as it and she now will be the subject of ridicule in the hallways of that school for years whatever the outcome. Teachers have to be very careful of their image, as their authority rests on it. The teacher who is disrespected cannot control a classroom these days in some places, and even if the kids behave, they'll smirk at her for years. That's why it was a stupid thing to do. I mean, if you were a teacher and a Trekkie would you put a photo of yourself costumed as a Borg online? Some people really are crying out to be made fun of. That photo made me laugh when I saw it, she looks like a character from MAD TV.

 

[Shytheed Dumas]

Fox News asked for email input, and I gave it to them immediately this morning. In particular, I was disgusted that they would be questioning whether the teacher was "wrong" for being seen in a picture with "bad guns", when the story should have been putting the SCHOOL on media trial for doing her wrong!! Fox News is the best there is, but they fell flat on their faces on this story.

 

[yeti]

But I'm not saying what she did was misconduct, I'm saying it was stupid, as it and she now will be the subject of ridicule in the hallways of that school for years whatever the outcome. Teachers have to be very careful of their image, as their authority rests on it. The teacher who is disrespected cannot control a classroom these days in some places, and even if the kids behave, they'll smirk at her for years. That's why it was a stupid thing to do. I mean, if you were a teacher and a Trekkie would you put a photo of yourself costumed as a Borg online? Some people really are crying out to be made fun of. That photo made me laugh when I saw it, she looks like a character from MAD TV.

HORSE APPLES!!!

 

[yeti]

 

[JWarren]

I would be concerned, either as a parent or as a school administrator, with a teacher who chose to tie his or her public identity to firearms activities so closely

Wow... so, you have a problem with me, my father, my wife, and a dozen or so other people I know around here. Good to know.

Teachers have to be very careful of their image, as their authority rests on it. The teacher who is disrespected cannot control a classroom these days in some places, and even if the kids behave, they'll smirk at her for years. That's why it was a stupid thing to do.

Respectfully, Duke, I disagree. While I'd not have done that picture, I think you have wrong opinion of how it's done.

Kids ARE going to have teachers that they "smirk" about. We had one in the National Guard that was all into it who we called "Rambo."

Big Deal. I am sure my kids say things about me when I am away as well. They say a LOT more about their math teacher, however.

Discipline in the classroom is not about this stuff. It IS about how you carry yourself, the policies you have in place, and the consistent manner by which those policies are enforced.

*I* don't have discipline problems in my classroom, and I am probably considered the strictest and also one of the more popular teachers at our school with the kids.


The "image" expectations I've read here regarding teachers sounds a LOT like those old contracts for teachers 150 years ago....

- Don't marry.
- Must not be seen out with a man.
- etc.


Give me a break.

People CAN have interests, activities, and their own way of things without it affecting the class. I've seen FAR more discipline problems stem from a teacher who tries to be the students' "friend" instead of an authority figure.



-- John