Slippery Sloap

@laglen (19759)
United States
April 16, 2010 10:49am CST
The Oregon teacher who announced his intention to "dismantle and demolish the Tea Party" has been placed on administrative leave until the school district where he works finishes its investigation and decides his fate. The state's Teacher Standards & Practices Commission is also conducting an investigation into Jason Levin, a media teacher at Conestoga Middle School in Beaverton, a school district employee who requested anonymity, told FoxNews.com. Levin has come under fire for saying he'd do anything short of throwing rocks to bring down the Tea Party. In the last two days the Beaverton School District has received thousands of e-mails and phone calls from people across the country who said they were outraged at his behavior. The school district is investigating whether Levin's political behavior is appropriate for a middle school teacher. The source within the district said parents at Conestoga did not initially appear upset at Levin's anti-Tea Party activism -- but that changed in recent days as controversial statements continued to emerge. Levin has said he would seek to embarrass Tea Partiers by attending their rallies dressed as Adolf Hitler, carrying signs bearing racist, sexist and anti-gay epithets and acting as offensively as possible -- anything short of throwing punches. Now, the source said, parents have become outraged by the severity of his political activism, and many have told the school board members that it has no place in a public school system. Parents supported teachers who wore Obama buttons during the 2008 presidential election, the source said. But they say Levin has crossed the line. The district is also investigating whether Levin used the school's computers to update his "Crash the Tea Party" Web site, and whether he worked on it during school hours. That Web site has since been changed, and the calls to infiltrate the Tea Party have been removed. The home page now simply reads: "Want to Show your support for Jason Levin? BUY A TEA-SHIRT." The Beaverton School District is defending Levin's right to free speech, but it's investigating whether he used district computers to spread his political message or worked on his Web site during school hours. In a recent interview with Talking Points Memo, Levin said of his plans, "Our goal is that whenever a Tea Partier says 'Barack Obama was not born in America,' we're going be right there next to them saying, 'Yeah, in fact he wasn't born on Earth! He's an alien!'" In a now deleted post on his "Crash the Tea Party" Web site, he called on his supporters to collect the Social Security numbers -- among other personal identifying information -- about as many Tea Party supporters as possible at the numerous rallies that took place on Thursday, Tax Day. "Some other thoughts are to ask people at the rally to sign a petition renouncing socialism. See just how much info you can get from these folks (name address, DOB, Social Security #). The more data we can mine from the Tea Partiers, the more mayhem we can cause with it!!!!" he wrote. The state agency is investigating whether this is a hint at identity theft, and whether it is appropriate behavior for a public school teacher. It also will investigate charges that Levin used school computers during school hours to work on his Web site. Levin teaches 6th, 7th and 8th graders about computers and technology. According to the school district laws regulating teacher conduct, which are posted online: "The Beavertown School District rules involving teacher use of the district's electronic system clearly state: The district's electronic communications system shall be used for educational purposes consistent with the district's mission, priorities and beliefs. Educational purposes do not include commercial use, use for personal financial gain or political advocacy." The investigation will be assigned to a case agent who will compile a preliminary report that will be presented before the commission. The commission members will then decide whether to charge Levin with misconduct or dismiss the case due to insufficient evidence, said Melody Hanson, the director of professional practices. http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/04/16/teacher-sought-demolish-tea-party-placed-leave-school/ Do you think this falls under free speech? Do you think the parents should be heard? Is this appropriate for a middle school teacher? "Some other thoughts are to ask people at the rally to sign a petition renouncing socialism. See just how much info you can get from these folks (name address, DOB, Social Security #). The more data we can mine from the Tea Partiers, the more mayhem we can cause with it!!!!" he wrote. This part really concerns me. When I am at a rally, if I want to give my info I only give my email. I would hope nobody would give their social security number. Would you?
1 person likes this
4 responses
• United States
16 Apr 10
As long as he left it outside of the classroom...I could care less. No I don't agree with what he was planning on doing. It wanted to silence people who have a right to free speech. But then he has a right to be a stupid, idiot too. now for the "data" mining he was trying to do with Tea Party people..that is illegal. Teachers do need to held accountable for what they say and teach children. I could have told you just about all my high school and college teachers political leanings. Why? Because they advertized it. They told us.They talked about it a lot. Not that we asked. Especially in an election year. I remember I got kicked out of a class in college. Why? Because the teacher had a habit of going off on his political beliefs in class. It was NOT a political science class. It was a English Lit. class. I finally got sick of it and told him I paid for this class to learn English Lit...not his personal view on politics. He got mad and kicked me out of the class. LOL. Politics and personal opinons need to left out of the classrooms. Teach the facts.
2 people like this
@laglen (19759)
• United States
16 Apr 10
I agree they are entitled to their opinions, no matter how wrong they are But they should keep it out of the classroom unless you are specifically paying to hear his opinion!
1 person likes this
@laglen (19759)
• United States
17 Apr 10
Good point Maggie. I know I wold be very mad if I wasnt learning what I paid for.
@Maggiepie (7816)
• United States
17 Apr 10
Lil, I don't suppose it would have done any good to go over his head to register a complaint...? Or did you locate a teacher who actually taught the subject he or she was being paid to teach? Whatever, had I been in his class, I'd have raised holy Ned. You showed remarkable restraint! Maggiepie HAVE A TOPIC THAT WON'T quiiiite FIT INTO JUST ONE CATEGORY? POST IT IN Open Mike!
1 person likes this
@bobmnu (8157)
• United States
16 Apr 10
It appears that the school district is doing everything right. Did he use school computers to update the web site? Did he do it on school time? These are chargeable offences. What he was doing was outrageous but he was well within his right to do it on his time using his computers. I would also look into how he was teaching and what he was using for material. It would be like teaching the Viet Nam war but only show anti war films. I have had parents ask me if a teacher has the right to criticize a student for their opinion. One student was graded down for the topic she choose for the person she most admired. She choose President Bush and the teacher gave her a lower grade because "he is not someone to be admired". This is wrong just like it would be wrong for a student to be criticized for saying that the Health Care Bill is the single most important piece of legislation in the history of this country. If he did those things on school time then I hope he gets fired.
2 people like this
@laglen (19759)
• United States
16 Apr 10
Good questions and very relevant. My daughter took a class in 9th grade. The first day of class her teacher said he would offer about 12 different point of views. His expectation of the students is to form a point of view. There is no wrong point of view as long as it is your own. She learned ALOT in that class, and ended up with multiple points of views at different times. But the key there was he didnt foist one side, he showed all sides. He by the way is a Democrat, I am not. But we got a long great because we could respect each others opinions and were open to learning new things. I watch my daughter's classes and I let her teachers know right off the bat that I am watching. History a couple years ago, at the beginning of the year, my daughter came home and said "I am a Democrat" when I got back up, I asked her why. I cant remember her answer now, but it was fairly well thought out and it was something she was taught in class. It just happened to be parent teacher conferences I mentioned this, her teacher said to please be patient and watch her next week. The next week, she came home and said I am a Republican. I laughed. The teacher while being a flaming liberal is atleast teaching more than one side. This is my main concern.
1 person likes this
@spalladino (17891)
• United States
16 Apr 10
Ok, we're not supposed to post "me too" posts, but I basically agree with everyone else who has responded so far. The school's computers are for educational purposes only and that policy is clearly stated. I also don't believe that any teacher in any school should share his/her political opinions with any student because teachers are there to teach...not to indoctrinate student towards their way of thinking.
1 person likes this
@laglen (19759)
• United States
16 Apr 10
I agree but I do think that there are times that you cant help but have your beliefs bleed through. But the good teacher will make sure to temper that with the other side.
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@matersfish (6306)
• United States
16 Apr 10
My stance on things like this is extremely simple. Yes, this guy has a right to say whatever he wants to say. Go for it! Even though he's using his speech to attempt to silence others, it's still his right. He might be a moron, and possibly a criminal in training, but it's his right in America. Teaching children, however, is a privilege! With the ridiculous unions and all the protections teachers have these days, they have to pretty much bonk their students before losing their jobs. And even then a lot of them probably get to keep making their salaries for a little whilte. It's nutso! So, say whatever you'd like to say. But if you want to actually teach children, you can't be a loon activist who shills for one ideology while wanting to silence others. Anyone who would be bold enough to say that a teacher's leanings won't influence children is either a liar or insanely ignorant and in need of a little more schooling. It's because of bad knowledge that some children grow up to be bigots and the like. Do we need loons from the uber-left glorifying Alinsky tactics and worse teaching our children? I don't want any hardcore ideologues in the classroom, personally, no matter what they believe in. We should be demanding much more from teachers. Just look at the some of the outright activism and activists we have in American schools these days. A conspiracy theorist might claim that some schools are only hiring these days if you're a loon willing to train more uber-leftists. No tag. No touching. No history. Just sensitivity training with some math mixed in.
2 people like this
@laglen (19759)
• United States
16 Apr 10
not much math at that. I think you have some really good points there. Bottom line, teachers literally have our future in their hands. I believe that they should be teaching nonbiased. But I also would like pork flavored tomatoes to make BLT s cheaper to make!