Reinstate Mr. Thomas Leahy

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This discussion topic has been automatically created of petition Reinstate Mr. Thomas Leahy.


Guest

#251

2015-11-06 14:49

While Mr. Leahy may or may not have bent some rules in his decision to show the anti-bullying video the fact is his reasons for choosing to address a previously unexposed bias/prejudice of some of his students were valid and his choice of material based on its content and impact were well thought out and appropriate to the situation. Mr. Leahy's actions should be commended not condemned..


Guest

#252

2015-11-06 14:51

In my State, and I THOUGHT it was National, teachers are REQUIRED BY LAW to act against bullying - or they can lose their teaching certification ! They are called "Mandated Reporters".

Guest

#253

2015-11-06 15:27

Don't let fear and bigotry win. This is an even bigger teachable moment. Fight on.

Guest

#254

2015-11-06 15:48

Head in the sand has never worked. It's not going to start working now.

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2015-11-06 16:39



Guest

#256

2015-11-06 16:52

Because I myself have a gay son! And the Bullying needs to STOP. Kids/Parents need to be aware of what they are doing to these kids when they are bullied. This teacher had a teachable moment and ran with it.. Isn't this what we want our teachers to do? His students were bullying! He turned the tables. I applaud him and would hope that other teachers do the same thing!

Guest

#257

2015-11-06 17:05

This was an anti bullying video. No matter what school officials like to tell the public bullying is rampant. This teacher should be congratulated.

Guest

#258

2015-11-06 17:09

Because children and adults need to treated other with respect.
SheCra

#259

2015-11-06 17:11

It disturbs me to no end to see kids bullied for any reason. My kids have been bullied for their religion, their vegetarian diets, the fact that we are poor and they don't have what other kids have, by kids and teachers, alike. I have heard from co-workers that they would beat their children if they turned out gay. We live in a society where "if you aren't like me, then F- you!" People that put down others for their sexual preference...always hear me say, "as a gay woman, I resent that!" (I am not gay) or if they put down a black person, because of their color, they hear from me, "being married to a black man, I resent that." (I am not married.) It makes the person stop and see how ignorant they are. I have very strong feelings about treating people all the same way...and I know that there isn't a soul on this earth, that is qualified to be the ultimate judge of other people. It disturbs me that we have to make films like this...to wake people the "F" up. I have 6 kids and I am proud to say, they were not raised to hate another human being for color, religion, sexuality, disabilities, Nothing.


Guest

#260

2015-11-06 17:28

Teachers should not be penalized for teaching acceptance. Forcing a teacher to resign for showing the young that hate is wrong is aligning oneself with hate and akin to a state which is anything but free with liberty and justice for all. Such disciplinary action is not just pro-hate but anti-American.
RJ

#261

2015-11-06 18:10

I applaud Mr. Leahy for finding a tool to open the minds of our youth.  Our children need to know that people are people, no matter what gender, color, learning level, physical or sexuality.  Bullying can have such negative outcomes (such as in the film---folks, that happens in real life everyday!) Kids need to be aware their bullying actions can have such negative outcomes. 

Showing a film where the world is reversed was a great idea.  I only hope that the students that were involved in the creation of the "create a society" lesson have learned that we all matter.


Guest

#262

2015-11-06 18:12

This is the kind of lasting lesson that is not covered by the Common Core testing fiasco. It is, perhaps, the most important lesson these students could learn.

Guest

#263

2015-11-06 18:18

I thought he was addressing a problem in a thought provoking way for kids to learn.

Guest

#264

2015-11-06 19:05

He does owe an apology for not getting permission first, however he has a valiant cause...saving the life of even just one child would be unarguably worth it.
I have done the research on bullying of lgbt students. They endour so much pain, and a large percent contemplate or even attempt suicide.
I can not thank this teacher enough for attempting to remedy the true problem.
I could only pray my kids would be fortunate enough to have a teacher like him.
Thank you for standing up for what is right. For deciding to put a voice forward for those who suffer in silence.
Sincerely
A mother of 3

Guest

#265

2015-11-06 19:32

Because he has a social conscience and his ultimate goal was to make school safe for everyone.

Guest

#266

2015-11-06 19:48

A life is a terrible thing to waste and to ignore, especially in the face of some procedure so shallow in comparison. Yes, give the kids and parents some warning, but do no refrain for any reason,

Guest

#267

2015-11-06 20:11

This film shows the absurdity of hateful discrimination. It makes no sense to punish a teacher for raising awareness.

Guest

#268

2015-11-06 20:20

I am Conway Springs alumni. I attended school in this district from Elementary through High School. My father was also born and raised in Conway Springs. I feel the town needs more teachers willing to open discussions regarding bullying and teach respect for the differences in each of us. Eventually, these kids will be released into the real world and will need to know how to respect the opinions and lives of others. Mr. Leahy, realizing controversial aspects of the film, addressed those aspects responsibly and sensibly. At most, he should receive a reprimand for breaking lesson plan protocol. The parents in Conway Springs should be proud to have an ally in preparing their children for life outside the shelter of this small town.

Amy Grimm
Class of 1998!

Guest

#269

2015-11-06 20:46

I feel the kids in his classes were more than old enough to know what it's like to be on the other end of bullying. It's a lesson in critical thinking which is sorely lacking in education today. Besides, I will bet that the parents that "freaked out" over it, turn a blind eye to the graphic, violent video games their Special Snowflakes play on for hours at a time.

Guest

#270 Re:

2015-11-06 20:56

#9: -  

 Right on !!!!!


Guest

#271

2015-11-06 21:02

Too many pay only lip service to fighting bullying. I realize this film was tough, but it was nothing compared to what a bullied student goes through. Kids don't always realize the consequences of their actions, I felt this video did an excellent job in correcting that.
Mother of 4

#272

2015-11-06 21:09

It seriously makes me want to pull my daughter out of the school if he's not aloud back in. If this district forces a teacher out for supporting and acting against bulling then I don't want my child learning here. I grew up here, and if one of my children ends up gay I don't want them in a community that supports bulling. 


Guest

#273

2015-11-06 21:12

We need more teachers like Mr. Leahy!

Guest

#274

2015-11-06 21:28

Not only should Mr. Leahy be reinstated and receive a full public apology and a pay bump, but all members of adminstration who pushed for his resignation should be immediately fired. In fact, they should also be deported out of the United States with a specailly constructed catapult and it should be strongly suggested to them that they commit seppuku. This is the only way to erase the shame they brought on their families.


Guest

#275

2015-11-06 21:35

Protecting children happens at many levels, and while those affected by watching a video will no doubt recover, the attitudes which their teacher wished to shock out of them with this video will grow and develop like a cancer if not challenged.