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Artifact 2

Rachel Kramer

EDU 210 Nevada School Law

Dale Warby

10 September 2018
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Ann Griffin, a teacher, was having a contentious conversation with her Principle Freddie
Watts and the Assistant Principal Jimmy Brothers. Ms. Griffin during the conversation said that
she, “hated all black folks.” Ms. Griffin is a white tenured teacher. Mr. Watts and Mr. Brothers
are both African American. The highschool they all work in is mostly made up of African
American students. Mr. Watts was concerned with Ms. Griffins being able to treat students
fairly. He also questioned her judgement and compentenancy. He recommended that she be
dismissed from her teaching position.
Based on Taxman v. Board of Education of Piscataway, the school has the right
reserve racial diversity within its staff. Mr. Watts and Mr. Brothers should retain the right to
have a staff that is diversified yet meets the needs of its predominantly African American student
body. They should not have to worry about teachers discriminating against racially diverse
students. They would rather have a staff that is understanding and accepting of other races and
will to treat each student equally. They should not have to worry about how Ms. Griffin is
treating the students and that they are more focused on their education.
Griggs vs. Duke Power Company, states that teachers cannot be discriminatory against
their students because of race. They may not implement unreasonable tests or require challenging
tests in order to eliminate others from an opportunity. Ann Griffin, if kept as a teacher, would be
seen as a discriminatory teacher. Her students now know what she has said. Her teaching
practices can be taken as bias or discriminatory against her students. Therefore, she should be
dismissed from her teaching position.
On the other hand, Wygant v. Jackson Board of Education says that White Employees
cannot be released in order to. “Preserve the percentage of minority teachers” (Underwood,
Webb, 2006). Ann Griffin cannot be laid off solely on the color of her skin. She needs a more
reasonable cause. Ms. Griffin can claim that she is being discriminated against because it is a
majority African American School.
In Loeffelman v. Board of Education of the Crystal City School District, a teacher has
the right to freedom of speech. Ann Griffin did not directly say this to her students, it was said in
a private disagreement with Mr. Watts and Mr. Brothers. Her freedom of speech was actually
taken advantage of when what she had stated was spread around the school. According to the
FIrst Amendment, everyone is entitled to their own opinion and freedom of speech.
After reviewing the previous four cases and the situation, in my opinion the court will
uphold the dismissal of Ms. Griffin. Ms. Griffin clearly stated something that she believes,
heated argument or not. As a teacher, we cannot think or speak like this. It can be harmful to the
students and we have to do what is in the best interest of the students. With Taxman v. Board of
Education of Piscataway, the school still has the right to a diverse staff and can fulfil the position
as they please to support this diverse staff.
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References
Underwood, J., & Webb, L. D. (2006). School law for teachers: Concepts and applications.
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall.