Teacher Banned for Tarot on Halloween? WHAT?
By Sunny Shores
@SunnyShores (201)
Boone, North Carolina
November 13, 2015 5:32am CST
There's a high school art teacher in hot water for having brought a deck of tarot cards into the classroom on Halloween in Colorado today. The newscast video I saw showed that she has been removed from the classroom pending an investigation. That can take a month or more depending on the schoolboard. Students complained saying that the teacher prayed in the classroom and used sage & salt to ward off evil spirits. (This is usually done as an 'opening' for using the tarot - to provide a safe place - metaphysically speaking).
The teacher then did tarot readings for students who wanted. Students who didn't like the day's activity were allowed to leave the classroom and make personal phonecalls, videos & surf on the internet.
Do you think this teacher is being set up by a spoiled brat or a family out for a settlement?
4 people like this
6 responses
@inertia4 (27961)
• United States
13 Nov 15
Personally I don't think that belonged in the classroom. If she wants to practice that at home or with friends, that is her right to do so. But not in school. I understand it was Halloween, but there had to be other things she could have done for that. I personally don't believe in any of that stuff but lots of religious people do and do get offended by it. But on this I will agree, does not belong in the classroom. That's not what school is all about.
1 person likes this
@inertia4 (27961)
• United States
14 Nov 15
@SunnyShores I agree. I think it would have been better if the teacher decided to just tell scary stories. Kids love that stuff and they could have also interacted with a story.
1 person likes this
@SunnyShores (201)
• Boone, North Carolina
14 Nov 15
I agree @inertia4 I personally wouldn't have done it. Halloween is a secular holiday. The school gave permission for the holiday activities. If a student had shown up dressed *as* Satan would folks have been as offended? Or a teacher had come in costume as the Devil. And what about bobbing for apples? that's actually a fertility game... I guess the school should have been more clear on setting boundaries as to what is & isn't allowed
1 person likes this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
13 Nov 15
Obviously she is either Wiccan or pagan and since it was All hallows eve she wanted to do something about her beliefs on this day, But it shouldn't have been in the classroom where some kids have no idea what she was doing...Even in High School some may think she was invoking something evil...She may have lost her job over this or she may sue..depends on her mind.
1 person likes this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
14 Nov 15
@SunnyShores sadly i agree..grade school i could maybe understand but high school?
1 person likes this
@Rosekitty (19368)
• San Marcos, Texas
15 Nov 15
@SunnyShores yes it is..i always stressed to the young ones to think for themselves and don't be Robots agreeing with everything..sometimes i wonder what they are being taught in schools?
@SunnyShores (201)
• Boone, North Carolina
14 Nov 15
After reading more about this, I think the student & their family seen an opportunity to sue :(
1 person likes this
@owlwings (43915)
• Cambridge, England
13 Nov 15
The teacher was almost certainly breaching her contract by conducting what constitutes a religious ceremony during what was supposed to be an art lesson. I have a feeling that there is a great deal more behind the story than has been published in the media but, on the face of it, the teacher definitely exceeded her remit and it is perfectly right that she should be suspended.
1 person likes this
@SunnyShores (201)
• Boone, North Carolina
14 Nov 15
I think so too @owlwings There is a lot more to this story. It seems to be a student is trying to be offended enough for an ACLU case. :( Student who didn't want to particpate in the school sanctioned secular holiday were allowed to make phone calls, surf FB & leave the room.
@cupkitties (7421)
• United States
13 Nov 15
Some of the students were upset because they didn't think it was fair that they are told not to pray in school yet she gets to do whatever she wants. I fully agree with them. If you're going to have a rule, it needs to apply to everybody.
1 person likes this
@SunnyShores (201)
• Boone, North Carolina
14 Nov 15
I agree @cupkitties she shouldn't have prayed in school or she should have followed the schools protocols for prayer. Yet - tarot or fortune telling, is a common carnival game at Halloween.... the school should have set a standard for what is & isnt allowed under the "halloween" banner.
@SunnyShores (201)
• Boone, North Carolina
14 Nov 15
It seems she did intend it to be a lesson. Halloween is a secular holiday & the school had sanctioned it's celebration. Students who didn't want to participate were allowed to leave, surf FB & make phone calls. Maybe a student sees a payoff? Or an excuse to switch schools? Which she did after filing her complaint. hmmmm
@SunnyShores (201)
• Boone, North Carolina
14 Nov 15
@boiboing - the school did sanction halloween to be celebrated at the school - fortune telling is a common carnival game for the holiday. Students who didn't want to participate were allowed to leave, make phone calls & surf FB. So no one was forced..
@boiboing (13153)
• Northampton, England
14 Nov 15
@SunnyShores I can only comment on the basis of what you wrote in your post. If you introduce additional info afterwards, then you're rather changing the story.
1 person likes this
@SunnyShores (201)
• Boone, North Carolina
14 Nov 15
@boiboing Fair enough - too bad we can't link to the news article so everyone can read it & see the video.
