Teacher burns cross on student's arm

[Guru-In-Vegas]

COLUMBUS, Ohio - An Ohio school board has voted to fire a science teacher accused of using a device to burn the image of a Christian cross on students' arms.
 
The Mount Vernon school board passed a resolution Friday to end the contract of middle school teacher John Freshwater. He can't be fired until after he is given a hearing to challenge the decision.

The instructor is accused of preaching his Christian beliefs in class and teaching creationism.

A family says Freshwater burned a cross into a child's arm that remained for three to four weeks. The family has sued the teacher and the school district.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080620/ap_on_re_us/teacher_bible

Damn, if some ass did that to my kid I would ask for more than just the loss of his job.  I would seek criminal charges and some jail time. 

...that whole arm burning thing wouldn't fly either! 

[StL FinFan]

 

[Sunstroke]

"The Inquisition...what a show.
The Inquisition...here we go.
We know you’re wishing that we’d go awaaaay...
But the Inquisition’s here and it’s here to stay!!"

[YoFuggedaboutit]

And this is exactly the kind of maniac that gives us Christians a bad rep.  He wants to preach about Jesus and Creation, fine.  But you can't force someone into your beliefs.  They have to do it because they want to.

"The Inquisition...what a show.
The Inquisition...here we go.
We know you’re wishing that we’d go awaaaay...
But the Inquisition’s here and it’s here to stay!!"

LMFAO!!!!  History Of The World!!!  What a movie!!!!!

[MaineDolFan]

Touch my kid, ever, and I'm going to jail for a very long time.

[run_to_win]

I have to agree with Tommy about maniacs giving Christians a bad rep - even though that is a bit "religionist".

I'd still like to hear more details to understand what he was thinking and determine just how out of line he was.  If the parents/family are open Christians acting offended just so they can sue - he was still wrong and they're taking full advantage of it.  If it was a child of a different religion then the cross would be intolerant and offensive - he'd be a lot more wrong.

Freshwater used a science tool known as a high-frequency generator to burn images of a cross on students' arms in December, the report said. Freshwater told investigators he simply was trying to demonstrate the device on several students...

Several students (volunteers) received the demonstration but only one is suing.  You know who pays for litigation against public schools.... you do.  They're easy targets and often willing to settle. 

He was wrong.  The district is trying to fire him but can't due the teacher's union (NEA - No Excellence Allowed).  I'm not sure it merits a lawsuit.

[simeon]

Guru you need to tell the whole story not just part of it. I am not going to defend what this guy did, even as a Christian I wouldn't this on my kids arm. But this guy is considered to be one of the schools best teachers, many students are sticking up for him. It sounds like these kids volunteered to have marks placed on their arms, he said he did it in a form of an x, but the picture clearly shows a cross. Let's not totally make this man sound like he abused these kids, because they would disagree with you. He has paid the price for his stupidity, and now he needs to live with it.

"The Inquisition...what a show.
The Inquisition...here we go.
We know you’re wishing that we’d go awaaaay...
But the Inquisition’s here and it’s here to stay!!"

Mel Brooks rules

[bsmooth]

Guru you need to tell the whole story not just part of it. I am not going to defend what this guy did, even as a Christian I wouldn't this on my kids arm. But this guy is considered to be one of the schools best teachers, many students are sticking up for him. It sounds like these kids volunteered to have marks placed on their arms, he said he did it in a form of an x, but the picture clearly shows a cross. Let's not totally make this man sound like he abused these kids, because they would disagree with you. He has paid the price for his stupidity, and now he needs to live with it.
Mel Brooks rules

Where in that report does it say anything about him being one of the best teachers because I didn't see it, but I did find this

But Lynda Weston, the district's director of teaching and learning, told investigators that she has dealt with complaints about Freshwater for much of her 11-year term at the district, the report said.

A former superintendent, Jeff Maley, said he tried to find another position for Freshwater but couldn't because he was certified only in science, the report said


Also it said several students which is significantly different than the many you are claiming.

[run_to_win]

best teachers

"Best" is subjective but this paragraph implies he's generally well liked by the students.

"Several students interviewed by investigators described Freshwater, who has been employed by the school district located 40 miles northeast of Columbus for 21 years, as a great guy and their favorite teacher."

Had any of the other students complained during their interview do you think the paper would have squashed that information?

The fact that "she has dealt with complaints about Freshwater for much of her 11-year term at the district" and they haven't fired him despite him being certified in just one area and not a member protected class says something as well.

[simeon]

All I am saying is that the story is slanted, what he did can't be defended, but he did not abuse these kids, as the article appears in this post. I have no problem teaching Christian views but like Tommy said you can't force it down their throats. I also believe parents should have the rights to opt their kids out of classes that may teach against their beliefs including atheism.

[bsmooth]

All I am saying is that the story is slanted, what he did can't be defended, but he did not abuse these kids, as the article appears in this post. I have no problem teaching Christian views but like Tommy said you can't force it down their throats. I also believe parents should have the rights to opt their kids out of classes that may teach against their beliefs including atheism.

Using a device to mark/brand impressionable children for weeks that are under you direct control and influence would probably be considered a for of abuse by a good portion of people, at the very least it a gross abuse of his position as an educator

[Dave Gray]

And this is exactly the kind of maniac that gives us Christians a bad rep.  He wants to preach about Jesus and Creation, fine.

No...not fine.  He's a science teacher.  Teach science.

[run_to_win]

Using a device to mark/brand impressionable children for weeks that are under you direct control and influence would probably be considered a for of abuse by a good portion of people, at the very least it a gross abuse of his position as an educator

Too bad people don't feel the same way about teachers preaching the liberal agenda. 

[Dave Gray]

Does bitching about liberals get tiring for you?  It's all you talk about.

You bitch about Jesse and Al tying everything to race.  You do the same thing.  You find a way to relate everything to your politics.

Get a hobby.

[run_to_win]

Wow Dave.  That was absolutely Guru-esque.  Is that the maturity level you were shooting for? 

Anyways, how many years did you work in the public schools?  Seriously.  Perhaps it's different where you are because you don't live in an ultra blue state.