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Teachers Rights and Responsibilities

Rachel Swenson
Nevada School Law
Nancy Webb M. ED
February 10 2015

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The assistant principal Jimmy brothers and the main principal Freddie Watts, are
African American administrators at an predominantly black high school. A white
American tenured teacher, Ann Griffin was having a heated conversation with Mr. Watts
and Mr. Brothers. Ann said that she hated all black forks. When her statement got
leaked out, that she said those negative words. It caused very negative reactions in the
school between black and white colleagues. Ann Griffin was recommended by the
principal Freddie Watts that she should be dismissed, based on the concerns regarding
her actions for treating the students unfairly. Based apron her poor judgments as an
white American tenured teacher.
Pickering v. Board of Education Township High School District (1968) The first
case, Mr. Marvin L. Pickering was a teacher at the Township High School District 205.
He was dismissed by the school from the Board of Education. The reason why he was
dismissed from being a classroom teacher, is that he sent a letter to the county
newspaper to propose a tax increase for new revenue for the schools. Marvin thought he
was protected under the First and Fourteenth Amendments but he was not. The facts in
this case were unconstitutional as applied in the First and Fourteenth Amendments.
Pickering v. Board of Education of Township High School District (1968) This
does back up the case of the assistant principal Jimmy Brothers and principal Freddie
Watts at an predominantly black High School. Ann Griffin had an heated conversation
with the two African American administrators and Ann said that she hated all black
forks. The principals were stunned that she said that. Ann thought she could speak out

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under the freedom of speech privacy rights. Just like Marvin he thought he was trying
to help the school get more funds for the school district. Marvin over stepped his
rights as a teacher. He thought the letter he sent to the newspaper could help his
colleagues raise money for the school. Marvin said he was covered under the rights of
the First and Fourteenth Amendment, but he was not just like Ann Griffin. He was
dismissed on the grounds that it was unconstitutional on what he has done.
Jendra Loeffelman v. Board of Education (2004) The teacher (Jendra) said she did
not violate the Boards rules. Jendra said the classroom comments on interracial
relationships and on biracial children were under the First Amendment, so she thought
that her comments were protected. The contract she has with the school district should
not have dismissed or terminated. Jendra was asked questions by her students in the
classroom about interracial relationships and the teachers personal opinion regarding
abortion. Maybe she should have just moved on to another subject matter, but her
students wanted to know her opinion, so she made an comment about them.
Ann Griffin had a heated conversation with the two administrative principals
Freddie and Jimmy. She also thought her heated conversation was protected under the
First Amendment. But her private conversation got leaked to her colleagues, that she
hates all black forks. Just like Jendra Loeffelman v. Board of Education (2004), it
was not covered under the First Amendment or The Freedom of Speech. The principals
and colleagues at Ann Griffins school where she was teaching were shocked at what
she has said. Both Jendra and Ann were not protected under the Boards rules, so they
both should be dismissed.
My decision is for the case of Ann Griffin. I feel that Ann should not have said

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those hurtful words about her students and colleagues. Making negative racist comments
and stating that you hate black forks should be an automatic dismissal. Ann Griffin
in my opinion should not teach any kids or children in any setting. She is unfit to
perform her duties as an teacher. Therefore liability charges should be pursed in this
case. Ann Griffins racist remarks to colleagues was unprofessional and created a
material and substantial disruption in the school. Ann Griffin should lose her teaching
license over her bad judgment remarks.

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References

Ann Griffin, Teachers Freedom of Speech

Http://www.slideserve.com/mea/teacher-s-freedom-of-speech

Jendra Loeffelman v. Board of Education of the Crystal City School District (2004)
Http://www.caselaw.findlaw/mo-court-of-appeals/1109760.html

Pickering v Board of Education (1968)

Http://www.caselaw.lp.findlaw.com/scrips/getcase.pl?court=us&vol=391&invol=563

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