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To the editor:
Teachers under consideration for termination present a case of free speech.
This is a very selective argument but ignores the real situation which is a breach of the professional standards as set out in Rule 6A-10.081, Florida Administrative Code, Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida. The very first standard is that an educator values the worth and dignity of every person, the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, acquisition of knowledge, and the nurture of democratic citizenship. Essential to the achievement of these standards are the freedom to learn and to teach and the guarantee of equal opportunity for all. The worth and dignity of every person, not just students.
Anything posted on social media is representative of personal attitudes as expressed by writing, speech or in actions. Does that educator encourage free speech of others including students, or only accepts ideas in alignment with their own ideologies? Is there a punitive attitude held by that educator that may spill over to their students? Has a line been crossed that interferes with the educational bond that a teacher needs to create in the educational environment? Does this represent a character trait that creates fear in the classroom?
Students are smart and perceptive. They intuitively understand most teachers are there to protect and help educate them and some that are there for the dollars. Students recognize hypocrisy, rage, conflicts between do as I say and not as I do. They see behavior bias that is positive towards students that hold beliefs like their own, or punish those that think differently.
No matter how a student receives this information be it social media, personal acts, or word of mouth, it creates an environment that can make or break the educational bond. Students are smart enough to see there is no difference between themselves, and whoever is at the receiving end of an online post.
If a teacher celebrates violence towards others that think differently, then a student can correctly assume that violence towards them is a possibility if that student holds thoughts that may not align with the teacher's personal beliefs. This can create an environment of fear which students should not have to endure while being forced to go to school and interact with this type of teacher. It is free speech, but if an educator does not understand how this crosses a professional line, they may not be in the correct line of work in spite of having degrees, awards, or years of service.
The Chinese Philosopher Lao Tzu observed, "Watch your thoughts, for they become your words; watch your words, for they become your actions; watch your actions, for they become habits; watch your habits, for they become your character; watch your character, for it becomes your destiny."
More than in any other profession, character is of prime importance as an educator.
Our education system needs to foster an environment of civility, open discourse, debate, acceptance, forgiveness, and that all are individuals growing at different times learning from different inputs. All are valid to the student at a single point in time and to deny those growth inputs denies education. If an educator presents an attitude of intolerance and celebrates the demise of persons with a counter viewpoint then we move from education to indoctrination.
It is always sad when in a moment of rage, frustration, or manic glee, a person disregards civility and violates the values, the worth and dignity of every person. The school board is now in a position to respond. Do they terminate, rehabilitate, or do nothing? Regardless, there needs to be recognition of intolerance towards others by these teachers and that is not acceptable.
Final thought: We don't keep poor educators because there is a shortage, because they may sue, because they are popular, because they have years of service, or we don't want to "ruin" someone's life, because someone thinks that this may be politically motivated, fulfilling an "agenda" or assuming that teachers can never "hate."
We keep teachers because they should represent how civility should function within the educational system, create a trust bond, and a safe educational environment where all viewpoints can be listened to and allow a student to investigate, learn and grow without fear.
J Caplin
Cape Coral
A retired school district employee of 34 years