Teachers Rights and Responsibilities 1

Artifact #2 Teachers Rights and Responsibilities

Mekhaela Klimer

College of Southern Nevada

EDU 210

February 12, 2017

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Ann Griffin is a white female teacher and a high school with mostly African American

students and staff. Her principal and vice principal are both African American males. During an

argument Watts poorly stated that she hated all black folks. This was not taken lightly at the

school. Co-workers of Griffin both black and white did not agree with this statement or the

thoughts behind it. Principal Watts wanted to dismiss Griffin because he became concerned for

his students. If a teacher is racist of speaks out of not liking a person because of their skin color

how is he/she able to treat all students fairly?

Watts recommendation of Ann Griffins dismissal is absolutely justifiable. Although

Griffin has rights to freedom of speech and expression, she cant voice a hateful personal attack

to the school staff and students she works with and is responsible for. I think what they did was

for the best of the students of the school. Its horrible for a teacher to voice these racial and

discriminatory thought to her own principal and assistant principal. Schools should be promoting

value and respect for all cultures and race. If you have an employed teacher who clearly cannot

teach these concepts nor display them in her own actions, then I dont think they are the right fit

to be educating students of all diversities. Students who dont do anything wrong could be

treated unfairly.

On the other hand, although Watts statement was hateful, under the First Amendment of

the U.S. Constitution her right to speak freely is protected. Also when this case was presented

Griffin was not offered due process and she was a tenured teacher. Unfortunately for Watts to

dismiss Griffin he had to also prove that she had a bad record or similar incidences. He couldnt

dismiss her solely based of her racist comment. It is hard to prove the facts of the conversation
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and statements in regards to Griffins statement. It is understandable that this isnt enough

information to dismiss Griffin. She didnt have a terrible recorded or any other similar incidences

on file. In my opinion I wouldnt want a teacher like that at my school, whether they were a co-

worker or if they were my own teacher. As a teacher you need to act with professionalism and

understand how the things you say can affect others and their opinions about you.

I believe her actions are enough to be dismissed from the school. Not only are her

colleagues aware of her feelings toward a specific race, but now surely her students and parents

are aware of her statement. It is preposterous to allow a teacher at a minority school to make

such declarations and keep their job. Regardless of the principals being African American, I think

any color principal would make the same choice whether they are white, Asian, Hispanic etc.

Racism should not be tolerated in any school. I imagine with this case being brought to court

there would be so much publicity that if dismissed from the school she wouldnt be able to find a

job anywhere. Schools wouldnt hire someone who is openly racist so why would they keep a

staff member who is?

Griffin overstepped her Freedom of Speech boundaries. Underwood and Webb state, In

the employment context the First Amendment protects communication and expressive activities

when the teacher speaks on matters of public concern. (Underwood/ Webb pg. 48). This is

brought up with the case of Pickering v. Board of Education. The Supreme Court overturned a

high school teachers dismissal and stated that, teachers, as citizens, do have the right to make

critical public comments on matters of public concern. (Underwood/Webb pg. 48). More

importantly, when put in context involving Griffin, The Court further held that unless the public

expression undermines the effectiveness of the working relationship between the teacher and the

teachers superior or coworkers, the teachers ability to perform assigned duties, or the orderly
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operation of the schools, such expression may no furnish ground for reprisal.

(Underwood/Webb pg. 48&49). This is where Griffins dismissal is justified. She made a

comment that was directed at a specific race and more so directed at people she worked with and

students she taught. This is absolutely a disruption to the operation of the school.
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References

Underwood, J., & Webb, L. (2006). School Law for Teachers. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson
Education.