Current Events > Teacher who used N-Word in school keeps job

Topic List
Page List: 1
Simon_Gruber
07/19/21 2:31:29 PM
#1:


Do you think he should have kept his job (read story first)




The Lees Summit school board will reinstate teacher and coach Joe Oswald, going against the superintendents recommendation that he be terminated after using a racial slur.
Oswald, a tenured physical education teacher at Pleasant Lea Middle School, had admitted to using the N-word twice. But he said he only did so while filing a disciplinary report about a student who used the slur in the school cafeteria.
He is the third teacher in the Kansas City metro in recent months to face discipline for using the slur in front of students. The Olathe school board in May fired baseball coach Pete Flood after he used a racial slur toward a Black player. And earlier this month, a Harrisonville high school science teacher was terminated after students testified that he made several racist comments in the classroom.
Oswald is the first to keep his job. The school board voted 5-2 to reinstate him. The two Black members on the board, Megan Marshall and Rodrick Sparks, voted in favor of firing Oswald.
On May 6, Oswald and another teacher overheard a female student say a racial slur, he previously told the school board. While filling out a discipline slip, Oswald quoted what the student had said, including the slur, and then read it aloud. She asked him to repeat it, and he said it again. Another student in the room also overheard the exchange.
A district report, with details of the investigation into the incident, stated that the student was in shock because the word was offensive and she thought he would just use the term N-word.
School officials learned about the incident after the father of the second student emailed a complaint, claiming that Oswald looked into my sons eyes and aggressively stated N____, what you looking at?
But Oswald denied directing a racial slur toward anyone. And a district document stated that officials were considering terminating Oswald solely based on him repeating the N-word twice while disciplining the student, not what the email alleged.
He said he was only following district protocol by repeating what the student had said, in order to confirm why she was being disciplined. During a hearing on the incident last month, Oswald and several other teachers testified that officials had instructed them to fill out the disciplinary report by including exactly what had happened and what was said. And then confirm the words verbally with the accused student.
Obviously Im not going to say a racial slur to anyone, so I know not to not to direct a racial slur toward anyone, thats not me. Those words have never come through my lips toward anyone and, I mean, I just thought I was doing what I was supposed to, Oswald testified at the hearing.
But Superintendent David Buck and district administrators who investigated the incident determined that Oswald should be fired for immoral conduct and willful violation of district policy.
The administration feels that that conduct has jeopardized the safe and caring community at Pleasant Lea Middle School, said Michelle Basi, the attorney representing the school district. Mr. Oswald repeated this word twice despite numerous trainings on the importance of positive relationships, trauma-informed education, cultural sensitivity and social-emotional learning. Mr. Oswalds conduct in this instance caused harm to the students and the community.
Many community members called for Oswald to be fired, arguing that a teacher should know better than to use a racial slur regardless of context. Another 2,000 people, though, have signed a petition supporting Oswald and demanding that he remain employed. Several supporters showed up outside a closed door meeting on Tuesday night, as the school board met to discuss the teachers fate.
Oswald has been employed by the district for 27 years and has never faced disciplinary action during that time, his attorney Michael McDorman said.
McDorman stated in a document detailing the incident that there is no written board policy instructing teachers not to repeat racial slurs or profane language when processing a student discipline referral.
Contrary to the assertions of the Administration, the staff has not been trained to not say racial slurs, he said in the document.
A district document states that during the investigation, Oswald acknowledged that the N-word is offensive and not appropriate to use because it could be harmful to students.
The document states that Oswald has completed several years of diversity training, which teaches staff members that they may face consequences when they say or do something that intentionally or unintentionally causes offense to a student, family or community group.
Buck and other district administrators testified at the hearing that repeating the N-word back to the student twice was inappropriate and a violation of board policies.
District officials argued Oswald violated a policy requiring staff to maintain courteous and professional relationships with students, parents/guardians, other district employees and the public. They also argue Oswald willfully violated the policy requiring employees to communicate professionally and not use profanity.

https://www.kansascity.com/news/local/education/article252753033.html
... Copied to Clipboard!
OldHorrorGuy
07/19/21 2:32:53 PM
#2:


When you're quoting people don't fucking censor. Teacher acted correctly.

---
Joyrock/OctilIery/DSFlashlight
... Copied to Clipboard!
WrkHrdPlayHrdr
07/19/21 2:34:56 PM
#3:


I skimmed the write up but from what I'm seeing:
1) Girl was causing problems and needed to be disciplined. He wrote up a slip and the reason he used is she said the N word, but actually wrote it out on the slip.
2) Chick is like WHAT AM I IN TROUBLE FOR?!?!?!?! And he says, you said "n-word" but again he actually used the word.
3) People want him suspended.

I'm gonna say he shouldn't have been disciplined. Yeah he could have handled that a little better by saying "n-word" instead of the actual word but he wasn't calling her that or anything.

Edit: And just for clarity sake I don't see a problem with him writing the word on the paperwork, but maybe shouldn't have said it out loud.

---
"No. I'm a man so theyll get me a full size McDouble." - DuncanWii
https://imgur.com/cSxy3Od
... Copied to Clipboard!
dj1200
07/19/21 2:37:21 PM
#4:


I don't think he should have said it. For example,

Kid: I hate this fucking class.
Teacher: You're in trouble.
Kid: Why?
Teacher: You said fuck.

---
"It was so ridiculous and I have so many feelings about it."
-Virtual Energies
... Copied to Clipboard!
WizardPowers
07/19/21 2:37:55 PM
#5:


Simon_Gruber posted...
Many community members called for Oswald to be fired, arguing that a teacher should know better than to use a racial slur regardless of context

Those many community members are stupid as fuck

If you're writing up a report you should include exact quotes.

If they're so upset that he quoted it, did they fucking guillotine the student in the town square or some shit then?

---
... Copied to Clipboard!
Lairen
07/19/21 2:38:06 PM
#6:


This is the ultimate teacher bait.

Imagine calling your teacher a bitch. And the teachers like "Dont call me a bitch, youre in trouble now." And then the teacher gets fired....

---
When it rains, it pours.
... Copied to Clipboard!
Arcanine2009
07/19/21 2:38:40 PM
#7:


did the girl say it with a hard R or a? The latter is usually just used with friends as we know.

I mean if he was just repeating it on the report, that should be okay imo.

This sounds like a repeat of that boondocks episode that parodied what happened in school

---
Less is more. Everything you want, isn't everything you need.
... Copied to Clipboard!
DocileOrangeCup
07/19/21 2:39:46 PM
#8:


... Copied to Clipboard!
Bass_X0
07/19/21 2:40:07 PM
#9:


Arcanine2009 posted...
did the girl say it with a hard R or a? The latter is usually just used with friends as we know.

I personally don't see a difference either way. People who try to make excuses are just perpetuating racism.

---
"Well, it's not a bad game. It's made by Capcom, so how could it?" ~ AVGN
... Copied to Clipboard!
Sheiky-Baby
07/19/21 2:41:01 PM
#10:


I'm guessing Spanish teachers are banned from saying black in their language.

---
Don't you dare die on me, or else I will never speak with you again!
... Copied to Clipboard!
dj1200
07/19/21 2:41:43 PM
#11:


Sheiky-Baby posted...
I'm guessing Spanish teachers are banned from saying black in their language.

*rolls eyes*

This is a huge stretch.

---
"It was so ridiculous and I have so many feelings about it."
-Virtual Energies
... Copied to Clipboard!
Sheiky-Baby
07/19/21 2:42:30 PM
#12:


dj1200 posted...
*rolls eyes*

This is a huge stretch.
You realize people are stupid, yes?

---
Don't you dare die on me, or else I will never speak with you again!
... Copied to Clipboard!
#13
Post #13 was unavailable or deleted.
OldHorrorGuy
07/19/21 2:54:00 PM
#14:


jeffhardyb0yz posted...
Lol Nothing wrong only according to that dumb rule

that teacher could have filed and used n word rather than the actual word like saying it once wasnt bothersome enough. Then he repeated it too using the actual word. Just use N word, dummy. Theres a reason why the student asked him to say it again.

disciplinary action for that ass
You literally aren't supposed to censor people you're quoting in a report.

---
Joyrock/OctilIery/DSFlashlight
... Copied to Clipboard!
FortuneCookie
07/19/21 3:04:36 PM
#15:


I had a professor in college who used to delight in finding excuses to include racist or dated rhetoric. Here's a 1920s newspaper which uses the five letter word white people aren't supposed to say, but it has a typo. Let's use that as the example of a typo in a newspaper and read the thing out loud. Let's find a time someone meant to spell "bigger," but hit the wrong key. Let's say that out loud. I don't give a fuck. I have tenure. (Fuck that guy.)

This is different though. It looks like the offending word was being written out on a disciplinarian report in the context of how it was used. That seems like something you wouldn't punish the teacher for. Then again, I think we've gotten to a point where that word is censored or bleeped in news reports. So, I don't know.

It seems silly to discipline a guy for writing out, "She said this word," unless you have a specific protocol for what to say instead.
... Copied to Clipboard!
ViewtifulGrave
07/19/21 3:04:38 PM
#16:


https://youtu.be/vz9Zy2-C_lY

---
When Kaidou fails to keep up with Luffy in their next fight remember this conversation - MrDrMan
... Copied to Clipboard!
Weezy_Tha_Don
07/19/21 3:09:18 PM
#17:


ViewtifulGrave posted...
https://youtu.be/vz9Zy2-C_lY

https://youtube.com/watch?v=E_5OqFOxSnc

---
https://imgur.com/hwZyGuA - courtesy of the homie United_World
I speak my mind, cause biting my tongue hurts.
... Copied to Clipboard!
ultimate reaver
07/19/21 3:11:38 PM
#18:


ViewtifulGrave posted...
https://youtu.be/vz9Zy2-C_lY

why does this dude have the complexion of data from star trek

---
I pray god will curse the writer, as the writer has cursed the world with this beautiful, stupendous creation, terrible in its simplicity, irresistible in truth
... Copied to Clipboard!
Bad_Mojo
07/19/21 3:11:52 PM
#19:


Teacher didnt have to actually use the word unless thats what they were instructed to do to make the write up legal or whatever.

---
... Copied to Clipboard!
Lairen
07/19/21 3:12:45 PM
#20:


How long till i cant say the V-word?


---
When it rains, it pours.
... Copied to Clipboard!
Bad_Mojo
07/19/21 3:13:50 PM
#21:


... Copied to Clipboard!
Choco
07/19/21 3:24:33 PM
#22:


... Copied to Clipboard!
Choco
07/19/21 3:25:01 PM
#23:


jeffhardyb0yz posted...
Just use N word, dummy.
why? @jeffhardyb0yz

---
... Copied to Clipboard!
sLaCkEr408___RJ
07/19/21 3:28:50 PM
#24:


... Copied to Clipboard!
Lordgold666
07/19/21 3:30:23 PM
#25:


https://streamable.com/pjf8hg

what should be the consequences for this guy?

---
"May the Father of Understanding guide you."
http://error1355.com/ce/Lordgold666.html
... Copied to Clipboard!
LostForest
07/19/21 3:31:23 PM
#26:


Guy did absolutely nothing wrong. Racial slurs are bad. He caught a student saying one. He reported her so that she could be punished.

The teacher is literally on the side of "racism is bad".

---
http://poorcouplesfoodguide.com
Agender, curry fan, Top 10 lister, indie dev, gym hitter, musician, et al.
... Copied to Clipboard!
thronedfire2
07/19/21 3:33:23 PM
#27:


Yeah, you cant censor someone youre quoting in a report like that. I fired a woman for being racist once and I had to include the actual words in the write up

---
I could see you, but I couldn't hear you You were holding your hat in the breeze Turning away from me In this moment you were stolen...
... Copied to Clipboard!
Choco
07/19/21 3:39:18 PM
#28:


thronedfire2 posted...
Yeah, you cant censor someone youre quoting in a report like that. I fired a woman for being racist once and I had to include the actual words in the write up
idiotic cemen will unironically call you racist for that

---
... Copied to Clipboard!
sabrestorm
07/19/21 3:39:20 PM
#29:


He was following protocol and did nothing wrong if those in charge dont like it the need to change protocol, cant tell a teacher to do something then try to fire the teacher for doing as instructed
... Copied to Clipboard!
Turtlemayor333
07/19/21 3:39:40 PM
#30:


... Copied to Clipboard!
KILBOTz
07/19/21 3:40:15 PM
#31:


Simon_Gruber posted...
During a hearing on the incident last month, Oswald and several other teachers testified that officials had instructed them to fill out the disciplinary report by including exactly what had happened and what was said. And then confirm the words verbally with the accused student.

Teacher did absolutely nothing wrong.

---
... Copied to Clipboard!
archedsoul
07/19/21 3:42:54 PM
#32:


Lairen posted...
This is the ultimate teacher bait.

Imagine calling your teacher a bitch. And the teachers like "Dont call me a bitch, youre in trouble now." And then the teacher gets fired....
Which is exactly what happened to a black school security guard about 2 years ago. Some kid was calling him the n-word and the security guard told him to stop calling him the n-word and was then fired for using the n-word.

Eventually after the outrage, they rehired him.

Public schools always be on that super dumb shit.

---
"Fear cuts deeper than swords."
... Copied to Clipboard!
#33
Post #33 was unavailable or deleted.
Choco
07/19/21 3:45:18 PM
#34:


archedsoul posted...
Which is exactly what happened to a black school security guard about 2 years ago. Some kid was calling him the n-word and the security guard told him to stop calling him the n-word and was then fired for using the n-word.

Eventually after the outrage, they rehired him.

Public schools always be on that super dumb shit.
are you telling me schools in america have security guards

---
... Copied to Clipboard!
What_
07/19/21 3:46:05 PM
#35:


He used it in a report? Thats all?
... Copied to Clipboard!
Choco
07/19/21 3:46:38 PM
#36:


jeffhardyb0yz posted...
Please dont quote me while asking stupid shit like that, thanks
yeah quoting people seems to upset you for no reason

---
... Copied to Clipboard!
gmanthebest
07/19/21 3:53:52 PM
#37:


What happens if it comes across in a book?

---
What do I feel when I shoot an enemy? Recoil.
... Copied to Clipboard!
LostForest
07/19/21 3:55:38 PM
#38:


Choco posted...
are you telling me schools in america have security guards

Sort of. They're generally just unarmed, fat, old white guys who want an easy pre-retirement job, whose work is mostly to be physically large and intimidating-looking, but realistically they don't do much.

---
http://poorcouplesfoodguide.com
Agender, curry fan, Top 10 lister, indie dev, gym hitter, musician, et al.
... Copied to Clipboard!
Daniel_Berkhart
07/19/21 5:20:13 PM
#39:


Oswald and several other teachers testified that officials had instructed them to fill out the disciplinary report by including exactly what had happened and what was said. And then confirm the words verbally with the accused student.

So he does as instructed and got in trouble for that? School Board and the Superintendent needs some new members. Do they get voted in to their position?
... Copied to Clipboard!
Rhylos
07/19/21 6:29:34 PM
#40:


It's literally wrongspeak and should be punished fully.

sarcasm. obviously context matters
... Copied to Clipboard!
#41
Post #41 was unavailable or deleted.
Topic List
Page List: 1