Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for March 11, 2006 TEACHER REINSTATED

"Big Brother" comes to the defense of the teacher who was suspended after his controversial remarks about President George Bush were recorded by "Little Brother".

President Bush, responding to reporter's questions, said that the teacher was right to compare him to Hitler!

Hmmm...I just read that last sentence again. Maybe that wasn't exactly what President Bush said. How about...President Bush says that the teacher (and anyone else) HAS THE RIGHT - the "sacred right" to express himself.

From the Rocky Mountain News...

Bennish told to heed district policies on controversial topics

By Kevin Vaughan And Ivan Moreno
Rocky Mountain News

Overland High School teacher Jay Bennish was reinstated Friday, clearing the way for his return to the classroom Monday with an unspecific set of directives and an admonishment to follow district policies on the teaching of controversial subjects.

Bennish, under fire for a Feb. 1 classroom lecture that included a comparison of President Bush to Adolf Hitler and other politically charged statements, will be watched closely by administrators, said Cherry Creek Schools Superintendent Monte Moses.

"Some think Mr. Bennish should be fired," Moses said. "Others think he should be praised. In my judgment, the answer is neither. Jay Bennish has promise as a teacher, but his practice and deportment need growth and refinement. He's been given this message and the directive to comply with district policies."

Moses, citing state law, declined to detail any specific action taken against Bennish.

Shortly after Moses' announcement, Bennish said he was "excited" to be headed back to the classroom.

"I'm very excited to continue encouraging students to think critically, to encourage democratic values in our society, and to promote social justice, as I always attempted to do," he said.

The student whose recording sparked the uproar said he had no regrets but that he had been hurt by the episode.

"I'd do it all over again a million times because I definitely think it was the right thing to do," said Sean Allen, 16, just before going on KHOW's Caplis & Silverman show Friday afternoon.

And while he said he is "confident" that the school district had made the right decision, he said he continued to be bothered by questions raised about his motive and about whether he altered the recording in some way - allegations that hurt "really, really deep down."

Bennish, 28, has taught social studies since the fall of 2000 at Overland, 12400 E. Jewell Ave.

But on Feb. 1, Allen recorded part of his class, much of it focused on Bush's State of the Union address the night before. During that lecture, Bennish said that some of Bush's comments reminded him of Hitler, questioned U.S. drug and foreign policy and asked students whether they could see that capitalism was a system "at odds" with compassion.

After Allen and his father gave the recording to a nationally syndicated columnist and a talk radio host, the district concluded that Bennish violated the policy requiring balance in the presentation of controversial subjects.

Friday's end of the investigation ended 10 days of intense scrutiny and debate about Bennish's comments, about free speech in the classroom and about the place of talk radio in American society.

How big has the Bennish story been?

Even President Bush weighed in on Friday, in comments at the National Newspaper Association conference in Washington. Asked whether people should have the right to free speech in the classroom, Bush said that people should be able to criticize him "all they want - and they do."

"Look," Bush said, "there are some certain basic freedoms that we've got to protect. The freedom of people to express themselves must be protected."

He said there should be only limited restraint on speech - "if, for example, someone is inciting violence, or the destruction of property, or public - causing somebody harm. But the idea of being able to express yourself is a sacred part of our society."

Bennish arrived at the district's administration building, 4700 S. Yosemite St., a few minutes before 2 p.m. and was immediately mobbed by reporters and photographers.

Nearby, a group of teenagers yelled, "Oh my God, it's that guy!" as a smiling Bennish walked into the administration building.

Bennish and his attorney, David Lane, met behind closed doors with Moses and other administrators. In the meeting, Moses gave Bennish a copy of the investigation findings, as well as a list of recommendations and suggestions.

Then Moses stepped into a conference room to face reporters and television cameras.

Moses repeatedly declined to say whether Bennish violated the district's policy on teaching controversial subjects. But he also said he would not rescind the district's earlier conclusion that Bennish had done so, and he reiterated on a number of occasions that the district was taking steps to make sure the teacher followed policy.

"The district values the principles of free speech and academic freedom, but expects them to be applied within the context of district policy, professional ethics, and common sense," Moses said. "As our policy states, 'Like any freedom, academic freedom carries responsibilities. It is not a license for abuses. It may not serve as a cloak for indoctrination.' "

Moses said he regretted that the episode hadn't been handled differently - that the district hadn't been given the chance to fully investigate Bennish's talk before it blew up into a national story.

But he also reaffirmed the right of students to record what goes on in classrooms.

"I think as a public institution, we have to recognize that anything we say, anything we do, is always open for review," Moses said. "So we won't be doing anything to restrict that or say you can't do it."

While Moses spoke, Lane stood off to one side and Bennish lingered just outside the door in a hallway.

Lane said he was satisfied with the outcome of the investigation.

"This has been a learning experience for everyone - not just for the district, but for Jay, as well," Lane said.

He also said that Bennish's "teaching style will perhaps be, as some would say, a little more fair and balanced."

Bennish then stepped into the room, spoke briefly about his joy at being returned to the classroom, and declined to say whether he violated policy.

Later, walking to his car with reporters, Bennish thanked his supporters and worried that other teachers will be faced with a situation similar to his in the future.

And although Bennish said he hopes to "move forward as a united country and not a divided country," he said that classroom discussions and what teachers say will be affected by what happened to him.

"Unfortunately this is going to have a chilling effect on teachers all across the country, and I think that this is an issue that people will have to continue to deal with in the future," he said. "I think that this is certainly going to inhibit classroom discussion across the country."

Asked if he regretted comparing Bush to Hitler, Bennish smiled and said, "I think next time I would've said Mussolini. Maybe he wouldn't have gotten me in so much trouble."

What's next

• Jay Bennish will return Monday to his classroom at Overland High School, 12400 E. Jewell Ave., in Aurora.

• Overland Principal Jana Frieler is expected to make a brief statement Monday morning. She declined to comment Friday.

Decision reaction

"While teachers have the right to express personal viewpoints and opinions within the context of good judgment and the maturity of students, they also bear the responsibility to be as objective as possible and to present different sides of an issue fairly."

Monte Moses Cherry Creek Schools superintendent

"When you are standing in front of a group of students, . . . you are on the spot, and needing to think quickly. And there are going to be times when you make mistakes, and teachers do that."

State Rep. Nancy Todd Arapahoe County Democrat and former Cherry Creek social studies teacher

"I will continue to try and improve myself as a teacher, to be the most effective teacher I can be, and encourage students to think critically about issues that affect our society and our world."

Jay Bennish Overland High School teacher