Artifact #2 Teachers’ Rights and Responsibilities 1

Artifact # 2

Kaitlyn Luchette

Teachers’ Rights and Responsibilities

College of Southern Nevada

November 4, 2017
Artifact #2 Teachers’ Rights and Responsibilities 2

Freddie Watts, principal, and Jimmy Brothers, assistant principal, are African-American

administrators assigned to administer a predominantly black high school. Ann Griffin, a white

tenured teacher, during a conversation with the administrators said that she “hated all black

folks.” When other in the school found out about what Ann had said it caused reactions among

colleagues both black and white. The principal recommended dismissal based on concerns

regarding her ability to treat students fairly and her judgment and competency as a teacher. In

this case I will preset both side of the argument.

First, I’m going to go against the principal’s decision. Substantive and procedural due process

rights, including the teacher right to receive notice of termination and right to hearing, this right

is given to Ann Griffin and she is subject to a hearing. She deserves to have a word on behalf of

what she said. Things and words get twisted all the time and who knows maybe it’s the

principals that are the ones discriminating against Ann Griffin. Ann Griffin also has the right to

Freedom of expression and association provided be the first amendment. She has the right to

freedom of speech, if she wasn’t putting her colleague’s or students in danger or harm and has a

record of treating and teaching all students the same she’s doing her job sufficiently and

shouldn’t be punished for that.

Also, The Due Process of the Fourteenth amendment comes into play and which states

that no state may deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law. The

United States Supreme court case of Cleveland Board of Education v. Loudermill is the leading

case involving the question of what process is due under the Constitution. This case provides that

a tenured teacher must be given oral or written notice of the dismissal and the charges against

him or her, an explanation of the evidence obtained by the employer, and an opportunity for a
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fair and meaningful hearing. The principal’s in this case need to take proper action before just

terminating Ann Griffin. But under legal terms and tenure she’s good to stay.

Now, for the opposite side of the argument. The principals have a right to instant dismiss

Ann Griffin. The students and administrators are uncomfortable with the statement of “I hate all

black folks”. With her making this statement proves that she is a racist and does not treat all

equally. This could cause controversy with the students she teaching and the colleagues she

works with. This is where tenure act needs to be over ruled. If the principals and other employees

at the school see an issue with it, it’s only a matter of time before parents get involved and it

goes to be a must bigger issue. It’s under the school best interest and the students she’s

teaching’s best interest for her to be dismissed.

Based on the facts and court cases above I think that the principals do not have the right

to dismiss Ann Griffin. Ann Griffin is tenured and there are no solid facts that Ann Griffin said

what was stated above. Even if she did she is protected under the freedom of speech law. It

seems a little weird to me that both the principals are black, she works in an all-black school and

she’s one of the white teacher that she is the one being discriminatory. I don’t think she would

willing work at an all-black school is she so called “hated all black folks” In this situation it’s a

good thing she’s tenured and that her job and licenses is protected by that.
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References

http://www.educationrights.com/teacherrights.php

Teacher Freedom of Expression

Teacher Freedom from Discrimination