Marianna teacher ‘told students what ‘CHANGE’ stood for’
Greg Howard
Published: October 2, 2008
Updated: October 13, 2008
The Jackson County School Board has taken action against a teacher who apparently made racial commentary on presidential candidate Barack Obama.
According to parents and students in Greg Howard’s seventh-grade social studies class, Howard on Friday, Sept. 26 asked the class a question regarding Obama’s call for change, and proceeded to write out what the letters C-H-A-N-G-E stood for.
“She told me that he wrote on the board ‘Can You Help A (expletive) Get Elected, and then laughed about it,” said Shelia Christian, a mother of one of Howard’s students.
Jackson County Superintendent Danny Sims said that description of this incident was “pretty accurate.”
Sims said Howard apparently repeated the action in more than one class, having made the comment in “a couple of periods.”
According to a news release from the school board, Howard was suspended with pay on Monday, Sept. 29.
On Wednesday Howard was given a written reprimand regarding his actions, and those actions will be reported to the Florida Department of Education Office of Professional Practices, according to the school board.
As of Thursday, he was suspended without pay for 10 days, was relieved of his football coaching duties, and will be transferred to the Jackson County Adult Education program, according to JCSB.
Howard is also required to submit a letter of apology to the students involved, and is required to attend diversity and sensitivity training, the school board reported.
Sims said Howard’s racial commentary was not directed at any students, but were directed at a political party.
“We’ve handled this swiftly and we’ve handled it with a concern that we’re not going to tolerate it and this is a pretty stiff (action). The situation is behind us and we’re ready to move forward,” said Sims.
“My daughter came home very upset after that happened. When you’re in school teaching our kids, you’re supposed to be teaching them what’s right by the law, not what’s right in your opinion. This is not the stone ages. We don’t come through the back door anymore. I raise my kids to be respectful and they should be led by example,” said Christian.
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Reader Reactions
I have read every comment that all of us have posted and I think some have forgot what this is really all about, one teacher who was teaching our children that racism is still a major part of all of our lives. This was never about the election and who is running. This is still the south and the lines are still being drawn. If it was a black teacher, I would hope the same thing would happen, but I think he would have been fired. Yes, America is a melting pot. Our country was built on the morals that most of either forgot or never had instilled in us. So what if another black person calls themselves that! So what if another white person calls themselves a cracker or a honkie!
This is the shame that we brought to Jackson County into this kind of light. This has not only went nation wide, but to the world.
This question is not rhetorical bucause I would like an answer. Rhetorical would mean that I do not expect an answer. So if anyone out there is down on my level, would you not want your children to be taught ethics, integrity and diversity in school as well as fairness to others. This should be taught by the action of the faculty and other students in the school system. If we expect our teachers to meet the higher standard then we should expect them to teach a higher standard. Please, if you are down on my level, as ericmiami said, then feel free to answer. (honest it is not rhetorical).
If students were taught fairness, none of this would have happened.
What kind of question is “So what would be wrong with teaching students fairness?“
That’s a rhetorical question, “Freedom.“ No need to respond. I’d rather you asked your next question of someone more on your level.
ericmiami,
Yes, I acually do know that he was a POW. I also know that Obama is not running against President Bush. Sure the teachers should be held to a higher standard but does that prevent them from expecting a student to hold to a right standard? Also school is not only a place to learn reading, writing and arithmetics, it is also a place for learning ethics, diversity and integrity. Granted these things should be basically taught at home, but school should be an extension of these lessons. So what would be wrong in teaching students fairness?
freedom: I’m of the opinion that a teacher is held to different standards than a student in casual conversation with other students. By the way, did you know McCain was a POW? He doesn’t like to bring it up so I thought I’d let you know. I don’t blame you for supporting him.
This discussion has became a political one that will not change anyone’s mind on their choice. I am a McCain supporter and I know I would not be able to say anything to an Obama supporter that would likley change their mind. So! Let’s get back to my original suggestion and make it a disciplinary offense for anyone to use such language no matter color or if it is a student. If I call myself white trailer trash or continue to call someone else white trailer trash then I do not have the right to complain if a black person does the same. Either way it would not be right for me to call anyone a name. Therefore my right to freedom of speech does not include slandering someone else. Everyone should be held to the same standard as we expect Mr. Howard to be. If he is wrong then everyone in the school system including students would be wrong for doing the same.
yologoso, I’m glad you posted your opinion.
Let’s talk.
You say “Most of the people in the classroom cracked up.“
Did you notice the black students cracking up? They do have feelings and are human beings just like you. It must have been difficult for them to hear a teacher and coach use that word to describe someone who promises hope to them and also to you and I.
Look into what Obama represents as opposed to what McCain and his “Little Eskimo” have in mind for this country. Get back to me….
karvictho - And the Church said, “AMEN”.
Bonnie, and anyone else concerned about Obama’s religious affiliations——
In America, yes this America, there is supposed to be such a thing as separation of church and state. Besides not funding churches, or any religious group with federal funds of any kind—or giving churches any type of tax break—separation of church and state means to me that no matter what your religion it has no business being held against you so long as you do your job, and refrain from criminal activity.
However, that seems to be a big big problem in America, and that’s too bad. And before anyone starts ranting and raving about all the good his/her local church does, save it. There are too many relgions and different beliefs, even here in America, for yours to be the one everyone should think is best or right.
The real problem for you Bonnie, and others like you who keep harping on Obama’s religon is you just don’t want to vote for a Black person—-
Otherwise, your concern about the candidates’ religion and morals would require you make inquiries about the Republican’s running for office, and you’d might have to wonder about Palin’s church in Alaska—where they speak in tongues, and believe they should do what they can to bring about the end of days.
Hey!!! To me that means if she thinks going off to war with any country America has an issue with is ok because if it leads to our annhilation—well that would be a good thing in the end.
Doesn’t that worry you Bonnie????
But hey you’re right this is about Howard who spews racist comments to his students who are a captive audience.
Why isn’t Howard allowed to use the N word but black people can?? For the same reason that if a black person called you “white trailer trash” you would considered it racist and hostile. But a white person saying the same exact words would just be a minor insult about your economic status and lack of manners.
Howard should not be allowed to teach kids, because even if he learns not to say those things outloud, he will still think them which means he won’t do his best for non-white students….
Bonnie,
You guys kill me! Do don’t want to look like racists so…. you say that you are voting for Barak because he’s black, You’re not voting for him because he’s Muslim or Arab. Hey, This is the USA, The Melting Pot - REMEMBER. Why does it matter!?!?! Apears that if it aint WHITE it anit RIGHT in your eyes. Try looking at the mess this country is in and tell me why anyone in their right mind would want to endure any more years of the same. Look at a candidate for his or her stance on the issues, not the color of their skin or ethnicity. None of this should be about race, so why does it matter what PERCENTAGE Negro Barak is? You know what…it doesn’t, because for you (Bonnie) it’s not White and it’s not RIGHT!
So sad for you to live a life of waste. God has bless us with an exceptional plethora of resources in each other and we cannot get past the color skin to enjoy the abundance of experience, knowledge and
magnificence we all possess.
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