"Ignorant Southern Rednecks"

[SF-TX]

I was once told by my third grade teacher (she was from New York) that she "...wished I would just go back to Alabama with the rest of the rednecks!" ;)

Religious conflict leads to teacher's suspension

APEX A Wake County middle-school teacher may be fired after she and her friends made caustic remarks on a Facebook page about her students, the South and Christianity.

Melissa Hussain, an eighth-grade science teacher at West Lake Middle School in southern Wake County, was suspended with pay Friday while investigators review her case, according to Greg Thomas, a Wake schools spokesman. The suspension came after some of Hussain's students and their parents objected to comments on her Facebook page, many revolving around her interaction with Christian students.

Hussain wrote on the social-networking site that it was a "hate crime" that students anonymously left a Bible on her desk, and she told how she "was able to shame her kids" over the incident. Her Facebook page included comments from friends about "ignorant southern rednecks," and one commenter suggested Hussain retaliate by bringing a Dale Earnhardt Jr. poster to class with a swastika drawn on the NASCAR driver's forehead.

"I don't defend what the kids were doing," said Murray Inman, a parent of one of Hussain's students. "I just couldn't imagine an educator, or a group of educators, engaging in this kind of dialogue about kids."

Hussain did not return calls and e-mail messages Monday.

The Wake district doesn't have a policy on the use of social networking sites, Thomas said. But the district, North Carolina's largest, does have a code of ethics for employees that the school spokesman says applies to social networking. The code says employees' conduct "should be such as to protect both the person's integrity and/or reputation and that of the school system."

Teachers across the nation have been suspended or fired because of questionable material posted on their Facebook pages and other online social networking sites.

'We are public figures'

In 2008, seven Charlotte-Mecklenburg school employees were disciplined and at least one was fired because of Facebook postings. That led to a memo going to all Charlotte-Mecklenburg school staff warning that offensive postings to social networking sites are grounds for termination or disciplinary action.

Thomas and Jennifer Lanane, president of the Wake County chapter of the N.C. Association of Educators, said they're not aware of any Wake school employees who were fired because of postings. But Lanane, who said she wasn't aware of the details of the Hussain case, said teachers need to be careful about information they put online.

"We are public figures," Lanane said. "We are held to a higher standard."

In Hussain's case, the comments in question were on the public side of her Facebook page. She has since limited public access.

Parents of children in her class said they learned about the comments last month, leading them to complain to the school three weeks ago.

The picture of Jesus

Parents said the situation escalated after a student put a postcard of Jesus on Hussain's desk that the teacher threw in the trash. Parents also said Hussain sent to the office students who, during a lesson about evolution, asked about the role of God in creation.

On her Facebook page, Hussain wrote about students spreading rumors that she was a Jesus hater. She complained about her students wearing Jesus T-shirts and singing "Jesus Loves Me." She objected to students reading the Bible instead of doing her work.

But Annette Balint, whose daughter is in Hussain's class, said the students have the right to wear those shirts and sing "Jesus Loves Me," a long-time Sunday School staple. She said the students were reading the Bible during free time in class.

"She doesn't have to be a professing Christian to be in the classroom," Balint said. "But she can't go the other way and not allow God to be mentioned."

Hussain, a 2004 Florida State University graduate, has been a Wake teacher since 2006. Her religious affiliation isn't on her Facebook page.

'Merry Christmas'

The flash point for the comments came after the Bible was left on Hussain's desk in December. The Bible was accompanied by an anonymous card, which, according to Hussain, said "'Merry Christmas' with Christ underlined and bolded." She said there was no love shown in giving her the Bible.

"I can't believe the cruelty and ignorance of people sometimes," Hussain wrote on her Facebook page.

Hussain also said she wouldn't let the Bible incident "go unpunished."

Her friends soon joined the discussion about the situation. The one who suggested Hussain's "getting even" by bringing the swastika-marred Earnhardt poster to class said it would be "teaching" students a lesson.

"And without a job," Hussain responded. "But I like it!"

Hussain's comments included one where she complained that she "hates" parents who complain about their child's first B in middle school. She said her husband suggested she start a blog "based on ridiculous students and their parents."

Balint said it was clear to the class that Hussain was talking about her daughter. "I feel violated that she would say those things," she said.

The length of the investigation is frustrating parents.

"My biggest concern is whether the resentment between the students and the teacher will continue for the rest of the school year," said Robert Boretti, a parent.

The commenting function on this story has been turned off because of abuse.

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/counties/wake_county/story/341361.html?storylink=misearch

[wch84]

Ah yes, the tried and true southern redneck defense. The kids were obviously messing with her, but its also obvious the teacher detested her students. Kids pick up on that kind of stuff. I've had a couple of professors like that in college. I guess us ignorant redneck folk are just lucky to be in the presence of such enlightened souls. (pink is the sarcasm color, correct?)

SF-TX, those of us in Alabama would have been proud to have you. ;)

[JJ_BPK]

I suspect the teacher will use this court case to go after the school district:

When will we go back to the time when an insult was just that,,

and not an ACLU money pit???

:confused::confused::confused::confused:


http://open.salon.com/blog/kathy_riordan/2010/02/17/facebook_the_first_amendment_and_anti-teacher_rants

A Florida federal judge has ruled that a high school student's venting against a teacher on Facebook falls under the protection of the First Amendment.

Earlier this week, Judge Barry Garber ruled in favor of the student, Katherine Evans, 19, allowing her suit against her former high school principal, Peter Bayer, of Pembroke Pines Charter High School in Broward County, Florida, to move forward.

Evans received a three-day suspension from Pembroke Pines in 2007 after the principal discovered a Facebook page she'd created to vent about a teacher she disliked. An honors student, she was also removed from AP classes. Although she removed the Facebook page two days after it was discovered, it was two months later that she received the suspension.

With the help of the Florida ACLU, Evans brought suit against Bayer in 2008 in an attempt to remove the disciplinary action from her academic record.

In his opinion, Judge Garber wrote, "Evans' speech falls under the wide umbrella of protected speech. It was an opinion of a student about a teacher, that was published off-campus, did not cause any disruption on-campus, and was not lews, vulgar, threatening, or advocating illegal or dangerous behavior."

According to a report by the Miami Herald, Garber refused to dismiss the case, leaving open the possibility that Evans could also collect reimbursement for legal fees against Bayer if successful. However, he did not grant the request to force removal of the suspension from her high school record, recommending she amend her complaint and solicit that from the appropriate parties.

Legal experts have been watching the case closely as one considered groundbreaking in the intersection of social media, student-school relationships, and the First Amendment. In this case, it appears the judge supports the concept that the reach of a school, its teachers and administrators, should not exceed its grasp.

[LarryW]

A couple of things...

First, Charlotte is a metropolitan city with a school system that is as good as any in the country.

Second, it shouldn't take this long for the leadership of that District to investigate the Facebook question, hold a hearing, and dispense their decision.

IMO, they should sack the cow.

Finally...

I was once told by my third grade teacher (she was from New York) that she "...wished I would just go back to Alabama with the rest of the rednecks!"

Your third grade teacher was a cow, too.

[Pete]

....First, Charlotte is a metropolitan city with a school system that is as good as any in the country. ........

Apex is just S/W of Raleigh and in Wake County.

The Wake County School system is in the news every summer over redistricting. Most parents are getting ticked off over having their kid's school district changed every other year.

[18DWife]

I was once told by my third grade teacher (she was from New York) that she "...wished I would just go back to Alabama with the rest of the rednecks!" ;)

My 13 yr old son has pretty much been told the same thing ,at a school here in Fayettnam .Just replace Alabama ,with Mississippi .
As for the rest I will just keep my op to myself so not to offend anyone . I am sure its shared by many ,but ....

[Pete]

My 13 yr old son has pretty much been told the same thing ,at a school here in Fayettnam .Just replace Alabama ,with Mississippi .............

The school must be west of the river and north of I-95. The schools east and south have a more country flair to them.

[18DWife]

The school must be west of the river and north of I-95. The schools east and south have a more country flair to them.

Lewis Chapel On Skibo

We plan on moving out of the county asap ,we live literally on the county line right now . Biggest mistake we made was NOT moving closer to the woods :boohoo

He was also suspended yesterday ....b.c he was defending himself against a kid that has been bullying him since we moved back .
Oh and I was called a white rich bitch by an employee of the school as I walked by ...its such a pleasant place :munchin

[18DWife]

FYI the South doesn't have a monopoly on "redneck" populations -- we have them here too. And if that teacher was using "redneck" as code for "ignorant" then she needs to put herself in that category as well -- at least her students have the excuse that they are children. She just acted like one.

That I agree with ...I consider myself a Redneck and proud but it has nothing to do with being born and raised in Mississippi . I have met Rednecks from all over the world thanks to the military ;)

[Dozer523]

It isn't just the teachers who make comments (BTW the smart ones keep it in the teacher lounge -- the smarter one keep it to themselves)
Here is something that is really scary for teachers. The evaluation criteria are 1) Easiness, 2) Helpfulness, 3)Clarity, and 4) Popularity. And there is the opportunity to post an anonymous comment http://www.ratemyteachers.com/

[Sigaba]

It isn't just the teachers who make comments (BTW the smart ones keep it in the teacher lounge -- the smarter one keep it to themselves)
Here is something that is really scary for teachers. The evaluation criteria are 1) Easiness, 2) Helpfulness, 3)Clarity, and 4) Popularity. And there is the opportunity to post an anonymous comment http://www.ratemyteachers.com/I would like to think that the smartest ones find ways to sublimate their anger by asking especially nifty questions:confused:--and then tell the class that the question will 'probably' be on the next exam.:p

FWIW, long before websites like ratemyteachers and ratemyprofessors, the University of Texas at Austin would put long tables covered with butcher paper in front of the undergraduate library during the weeks leading up to registration. Students would offer frank assessments of professors and teaching assistants.:eek:

Ms. Hussain needs to take her self-pitying hateful angst-ridden act to livejournal.com.

[robert2854]

It seems it is fine for her to degrade Christianity, but we are heathens if a word is mentioned aqgainst her feelings. The Christian Taliban would stone her if a woman, let alone a women who spoke up up, was to raise her voice against Christianity. Why is it they speak out against us and chatsise us but we can't chastise them?
Would it be a hate crime if she gave one of her students a Koran w/a Ramadan Card, of course not.

God, I love America!

Airborne!

[incarcerated]

I was once told by my third grade teacher (she was from New York) that she "...wished I would just go back to Alabama with the rest of the rednecks!" ;)

Wonderful teacher...

:(

[armymom1228]

:D

[nmap]

Some delightful pastries, as well as simple pie crusts, can be made with lard.

Pie filings, along with cake fillings and frostings, are sometimes enhanced with liqueurs.

:D

[plato]

I was once told by my third grade teacher (she was from New York) that she "...wished I would just go back to Alabama with the rest of the rednecks!" ;)

And, about 90% of the Yankees I've met don't know what a redneck is. They *think* they know.......

[armymom1228]

It isn't just the teachers who make comments (BTW the smart ones keep it in the teacher lounge -- the smarter one keep it to themselves)
Here is something that is really scary for teachers. The evaluation criteria are 1) Easiness, 2) Helpfulness, 3)Clarity, and 4) Popularity. And there is the opportunity to post an anonymous comment http://www.ratemyteachers.com/

As long as we have teachers, we will have students who find something to bitch about. :lifter As you say, the smarter kids and teachers keep it to themselves.
The less smart provide endessly fodder for stand up comedians.

And if that teacher was using "redneck" as code for "ignorant" then she needs to put herself in that category as well -- at least her students have the excuse that they are children. She just acted like one

Ignorance is when you let your ego get in the way of your common sense, if they ever had any to begin with.

[vsvo]

This reminds me of a story. Several years ago I decided to leave management consulting to go work for one of my former clients in industry. My boss at the time sat me down and tried to talk me out of leaving the firm, telling me, among other things, about the risk of hitching my wagon to my future boss. At the end, when I declined to change my mind, he threw his arms up in the air and yelled at me, "He chews tobacco for chrissakes!"

I went, worked 80-hour weeks, and had some of the best times of my professional life. That tobacco-chewin' redneck is now CEO and board member of a tech company based in Atlanta.