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Saturday, November 19, 2005
Teachers who think they’re above rules need to rethink
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
It’s easy to feel sorry for Ed Youngblood.
Last week, the South Gwinnett High teacher resigned because he showed an R-rated movie to students. The 1998 movie, “Elizabeth,” contains violence and sexuality, but what was equally troubling to school officials was that Youngblood failed to follow procedure.
Local teachers are supposed to submit unapproved instructional materials to a board of students, teachers and parents for review. It’s up to that board to OK or reject them. It can also require teachers to get parental permission before proceeding.
Youngblood did none of the above. He just fired up the old projector (or whatever they call them these days) and let her rip. You’d think he knew better. He’s a veteran educator who, before retiring, had taught for 37 years. He returned to campus this year on a part-time basis to teach British lit and Advanced Placement English.
Parents and students have rallied. Reinstate him, they say. It’s a scenario we’ve seen unfold before, here as well as other school districts in the metropolis. Respected teacher breaks rule. Supporters protest.
Remember Larry “Doc” Neace?
The Dacula High science teacher was fired in May because he docked a student’s grade on an assignment as a reprimand for sleeping in class. The Gwinnett County School Board has a policy that forbids instructors from lowering grades as a form of punishment. He knew about the policy; he just thought it was exempt. He was fired.
It’s easy to side with the teachers in these matters. They assume the role of David to the school administration’s Goliath. We stand up for them because they demandingly engage students and make them want to learn. We want (and desperately need) them in our classrooms. When they break rules, either ignorantly or knowingly, we want to let it slide. To look the other way.
The public can do that. Superintendent J. Alvin Wilbanks and his Cabinet can’t. Actually, they can, but what if they did? What if they let select employees skirt procedure while others suffer consequences? There’d be no order. Only anarchy.
I’m no teacher, but I’d imagine a basic covenant of the profession is that you ask permission before you bring outside materials into the classroom. To do otherwise is unconscionable, akin to my falsifying quotes or people in my column.
Rules and regulations serve a purpose. When they aren’t adhered to, and people are permitted to pick and choose which ones they follow, the system suffers.
Youngblood told AJC Gwinnett News that, because of his resignation, the students had been let down. Yeah, I feel sorry for them. He let them down.
