are teachers covered by freedom of speech?

[GandD 5,966]

The title of this post is misleading. Maybe instead of "are teachers covered by freedom of speech?" it should be "Should freedom of speech include hate speech?"

I suppose this comment will not "lead to imminent hate violence" so it likely will not be found a violation of any law. Drives me nuts when people get to advocate mass imprisonment/murder based on race or religion and then hide behind Freedom of Speech.

Yeah yeah, slippery slope, I know, don't waste your breath.

[B_J 2,752]

as adults its our responsibility to raise children to not be bias against any religion, nationality or gender........defeating prejudice begins in the home then comes from the school as they have all of our children more waking hours a day than we do.........

Not disagreeing with you or agreeing with what the teacher said. I'm just answering your initial question about if teachers are covered by freedom of speech. Teachers are usually given the freedom to answer questions that are asked of them. So, don't expect much to happen to the teacher over this.

Hopefully, the teacher will learn something by speaking to you and your sister and something good could come of this.

[Darnell 8,478]

are teachers covered by freedom of speech?

No, not at all.

first, they have to adhere to the code of conduct that the school district made them sign off on.

second, they have to adhere to any city ordinances covering hate speech.

third, they have to adhere to any county ordinances covering hate speech.

fourth, they have to adhere to any state ordinances covering hate speech.

fifth, they have to adhere to any federal laws covering hate speech.

so, if there's a union involved and the teacher is a member, there is some wiggle room, but if no union,

you should get a hungry attorney - as (IMO) that's a great case for a hate speech trial, getting monetary damages from

--the teacher

--the school

--the school district

--the county

etc etc.

Go Get Em, and Good Luck !

[Darnell 8,478]

I would go to a lawyer asap. I see a multi-million dollar lawsuit here.

Absolutely !!!

[Darnell 8,478]

as adults its our responsibility to raise children to not be bias against any religion, nationality or gender........defeating prejudice begins in the home then comes from the school as they have all of our children more waking hours a day than we do.........

I think it's really important to know what contract the teacher signed, and what the code of conduct is for teachers in that school district, asap.

To preface an inquiry to the principal with:

on 8 May 2013 at approximately 10:32 am George Jones violated Paragraph 23, section II, of the Orehutt ISD Teacher Code of Conduct Policy by ...

gets more results than

Hey ! What are you going to do about this?

IMO, anyway.

[duraaraa 203]

The teacher should absolutely have disciplinary action taken against him. Regarding this, there is no doubt. In fact, I would go as far as to say that anything less than firing him would be inadequate.

Edited May 10, 2013 by duraaraa

[himher 634]

my youngest sister is an 8th grader...and the only muslim student in her class....her English teacher stated after the bombings of the twin towers and the bombing in Boston his personal opinion is that all muslims should be rounded up and put into concentration camps......when we asked her how that even came up in english class she stated that a student asked him what he thought of muslims........we understand that many people have strong feelings about muslims and thats ok but isnt this something that should be kept silent about when in a class room full of impressionable teenagers?

sara

It is a basic and gross violation of freedom of religion actually. Public officials in a public setting are not allowed to express opinions in this manner while representing a public entity (such as a school)

Its a slam dunk lawsuit. The contract or local policy have nothing to do with separation of public and religous activity or opinion

Edited May 10, 2013 by himher

[Sarah Elle-Même 660]

Teachers are usually given the freedom to answer questions that are asked of them. So, don't expect much to happen to the teacher over this.

They most certainly cannot for the reasons Darnell stated above.

Edited May 10, 2013 by Sarah and Adnan

[BaBamSam 239]

Even if they are covered under the first amendment (which they aren't wholly due to codes of conduct and school regulations, etc.), that does not allow them to say anything without repercussion. Freedom of speech allows people to say anything they want and not risk imprisonment, but it does not shield them from workplace disciplinary procedures. Raising this concern with the principal will probably lead to an interview with the teacher and may lead to suspension, further investigation, or firing.

While it would be a slam dunk law suit, I applaud your comment that suing would not solve the problem. This problem can, and should, be rectified by working with the administration.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Not disagreeing with you or agreeing with what the teacher said. I'm just answering your initial question about if teachers are covered by freedom of speech. Teachers are usually given the freedom to answer questions that are asked of them. So, don't expect much to happen to the teacher over this.

Hopefully, the teacher will learn something by speaking to you and your sister and something good could come of this.

I strongly disagree with this.

A teacher is not given a free pass simply because they are asked a direct question.

Imagine: teacher, I heard you have an open marriage. Can you regale us with the details of your trysts?

A teacher should not answer that.

This goes beyond hate speech. As I mentioned earlier, a teacher should not be discussing the details of their sex lives or advocating illegal activity, or talking about who should be in concentration camps, or many other things either.

The "free speech" aspect is that the teacher will not be jailed for it. But it doesn't mean they have no consequences for their actions (this goes for anyone). A person can be fired for making inappropriate comments, for instance, sexual harassment.

I am glad the principal is mad about it, sara. It sounds like even the other kids in the class were bothered, since you said one said "isn't that a little harsh?" For a kid speaking to an authority figure, even that "light" comment takes guts. Good luck.

And for anyone new to this country, I would offer the idea that we should all be offended by this, even if we are not in the group being hated against.

[duraaraa 203]

Would it be wrong for a teacher, let's say, a science teacher, to say things that contradict religion? How about if a teacher told kids that there was no Santa? If a teacher told the kids there was no god? Where do we draw the line here?

I was a science teacher, and I taught kids in a country where they are not religious, so I didn't have this problem. If, however, someone were to ask me about god, I would tell them that there is no proof of any god, and no non-delusional reason for someone to believe gods exists. Would this be something someone in the U.S. could be sued for?

Note: I am not using this as defense of hate speech. Obviously, "we should round up all the Muslims and do xyz with them" is hate speech and completely wrong. I'm asking where people think the line should be drawn.

Edited May 10, 2013 by duraaraa

[chaine1 116]

Not disagreeing with you or agreeing with what the teacher said. I'm just answering your initial question about if teachers are covered by freedom of speech. Teachers are usually given the freedom to answer questions that are asked of them. So, don't expect much to happen to the teacher over this.

Hopefully, the teacher will learn something by speaking to you and your sister and something good could come of this.

This teacher displayed 2 simultaneous lapses in judgment:

1. For actually thinking that, and

2. For thinking it's appropriate to voice that thought to 12 and 13 year olds. Who cares if the kids asked?!

I would bet this isn't the first time this teacher has been a problem for the administration.

If he hasn't been problem until now, he will, at the very least, face some serious concequneces. If he has previously been a problem, then this maybe the final nail in the coffin.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

For science, there is a school curriculum and the teacher follows it. Most people don't think that science contradicts religion. But you can look into the debates over the teaching of evolution in the south.

I would think it's better if a teacher said something like "many people have many different beliefs" and change the subject. The kids don't need to hear your personal beliefs, or your personal life story.

My 6th grade teacher did tell us that we should tell our parents to vote for Ross Perot. Giggle.

Edited May 10, 2013 by Harpa Timsah

[B_J 2,752]

Again, not agreeing with anything the teacher said. From my experience, when the teacher is asked for their opinion, they are usually given some leeway in how they respond; as opposed to if the teacher taught a lesson about Muslims and how they should all be put in concentration camps. Obviously, this leeway does not include the teacher promoting illegal activity.

This is one where the teacher is probably going to have to face a very angry principal for putting him in the position of defending the indefensible.

Again, not supporting what the teacher said, just answering the initial question.

This will also vary depending on where the school is located.

[Harpa Timsah 13,258]

Again, not agreeing with anything the teacher said. From my experience, when the teacher is asked for their opinion, they are usually given some leeway in how they respond; as opposed to if the teacher taught a lesson about Muslims and how they should all be put in concentration camps. Obviously, this leeway does not include the teacher promoting illegal activity.

This is one where the teacher is probably going to have to face a very angry principal for putting him in the position of defending the indefensible.

Again, not supporting what the teacher said, just answering the initial question.

This will also vary depending on where the school is located.

It should not matter where the school is located. It is a public school for everyone.