Letters to the Editor 12-08-1997
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By -
- Teacher 'Retirement' - Teacher's Neighbors - Custody - Political Correctness
Teacher 'Retirement'
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing to clear up misinformation being promoted by those on the administration side in the Phyllis Roberts situation. I have heard it said that Phyllis wanted to retire and we should honor her wishes. I have also heard that "if she felt the punishment was unjust, why did she retire instead of fight for her right to teach?"
The fact is that Phyllis could not afford to fight and take even the slightest chance that she might lose. Her husband has Parkinson's disease and, if she fights and loses, she would lose her insurance and severance pay. She obviously cannot afford to be without the insurance and the money. When you get into litigation you never know for sure how it will come out. (Think about recent famous trials!)
The fact is that Phyllis wanted to fight but was put in the corner with the economic realities she faces. The fact is that Phyllis wants to teach, but is unable to fight for that right. So the community of North Webster is fighting for her.
Steve Coverstone
North Webster
Teacher's Neighbors
Editor, Times-Union:For almost 20 years we have been neighbors to Phyllis Roberts. During those years we have seen this lady leave for and return home long after school was over. We also see her tutor many students in her home. We would classify Phyllis as a dedicated, hard-working teacher who has a caring attitude for the well-being of her students. We have heard her talk about some of the children in her classroom over the years and have marveled at her patience and kindness. Her main desire is to try and make good students and citizens out of each child.
Now comes the scenario that Mrs. Roberts has stereotyped the blacks with her comment about how some of them treasure nice clothing and fancy cars over housing. This statement was used as she was teaching the different cultures of people. Was this statement severe enough to mean the termination of her career as a teacher? Let's not take the first isolated incident that comes up and use it against a teacher that does not deserve this type of treatment.
Phyllis lives her Christian beliefs in her daily life. She would not intentionally do or say anything that would bring harm to anyone. We see her live by the Golden Rule in how she treats others. To you, Mrs. Roberts, we would say "Well done, thy good and faithful servant."
We would like to ask the school board to re-evaluate this situation and the decision that has been made. This decision can be reversed and made right. Would you pray for guidance in making a fair and honest decision?
It would be nice as a community for everyone to attend the board meeting Tuesday evening, Dec. 9, to show your support for Mrs. Roberts. Let her know that her 31 years of teaching was certainly appreciated.
Walter and Nancy Corbin
Phillipians 4:6
Custody
Editor, Times-Union:Tony Burchette, in response to your letter I'm a mother of a 12-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son who live with their father and stepmother.
About two years ago he took custody away from me. I'm a working mother who works second shift. So when I had the custody the kids went to school all day and then a babysitter (grandma) until I got off work which played a big role in the custody change.
So let me tell you, moms do feel the same way. Granted, there are parents who don't want the responsibilities. So I know how you feel. I went through all the feelings of hate, bitterness and depression due to the loss of my kids. So I have walked in your shoes and then some.
Since I work evenings I try to call the kids every night or every other night just to say Hi or talk about school or just to hear their voices.
Birthdays and holidays are a challenge. But compromise is the key. I guess I'm a luckier parent because I can have my kids whenever. Every weekend if possible or sometimes the kids call: "Mom, can we come to your house this weekend?" Believe me, I'm very thankful for the time I get.
And yes, there are times they don't want to go home. And it hurts to leave them. I love my kids more than anything in this world so I have to put all my feelings aside. And there are times I have to bite my tongue.
No it's not been a bed of roses for me. But I can't let it spoil my time with the kids.
So enjoy the time you have with your daughter. Make your own memories with her. And hopefully in time everything will fall into place.
Just remember you have to do what's best for your daughter.
Part-time mother by law
full-time of the heart
Carol Hoover
Warsaw
P.S. Yes, I pay support faithfully every week.
Political Correctness
Editor, Times-Union:Regarding "the recent incident of a third grade North Webster Elementary School teacher allegedly making a stereotypical remark about blacks and the retiring" reported on the front page an area paper Thursday, Dec. 4, 1997, and particularly in the wake of a previous incident this year involving the Ku Klux Klan of all people, defending another teacher, it would appear that the Wawasee school district is a hotbed of racism. Granted, there are a few legitimate grievances in the community, but come on, give us a break!
A letter to the editor in another paper last week correctly identified the crux if the problem as a misguided attempt to enforce political correctness in the Wawasee school system. To do this, the original offended party and the participating administrators have demonstrated a willingness to crucify a teacher. To coerce other faculty members into politically correct conformity. Such behavior is an abomination to the principals our founding fathers were willing to die for! As Patrick Henry approached the gallows, he said, "Give me liberty or give me death." He meant freedom of speech as well as freedom to pursue life, liberty and personal happiness.
It is ironic that liberal groups such as the ACLU and NAACP, whose principles we should be in agreement with, have resorted to intimidation to promote their agenda. Who else, besides the media, could our administrators be responding to? Certainly, the vast majority of voters in the Wawasee School District support the teacher. If you doubt that, I suggest that you attend the school board meeting in North Webster Tuesday evening.
I believe it was the flag of the state of Vermont during the Revolution that said, "Don't Tread on Me." If there were a community flagpole in North Webster I believe that flag would express the current attitude of the citizens who vote for school board members, who in turn hire and fire administration and faculty! The board's real power rests with the voters of the Lakeland Community.
I have been a member in good standing of the Syracuse/Wawasee ministerial association for several years and I have represented them on the Wawasee Indiana 2000 Committee. My personal poll of the majority of the pastors in this area confirms that the "clerical advocate" of the politically correct position in our community definitely does not represent the ministerial association. Our role is not that of advocates or adversaries, but peacemakers. And further, that position definitely does not represent the charismatic movement in general or the charismatic/Pentecostal leaders in this community.
We also need to remember that tenure was adopted in the academic community to protect academicians from tyrannical interference with their freedom of thought and expression. It is really immaterial what the teacher said. (It is also interesting to note that no one has been willing to make known exactly what was said.) Talk about star chamber proceedings!
The principle of academic freedom of speech far outweighs that of political correctness, no matter how valid the objections. After all, Harvard put up with Timothy O'Leary, the father of the U.S. drug culture. As premier academicians, they lived by the liberal dictum "I thoroughly disagree with what you said, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it." That's true liberalism, and that's the foundation of the concept of tenure: not just protection from political appointees.
Isn't this amazing? We have school administrators repressing freedom of speech and the Ku Klux Klan defending it. It appears that the world has been turned upside down.
We know the school board to be composed of individuals of principle who represent the community. They are true Hoosiers who believe in the individual freedoms that our country stands for. They can dismiss the objectives of the radical (counterfeit) liberals and cast a vote for the true liberal principles that are at stake in this debate and we believe that they will. See you Tuesday in North Webster. It ought to be a watershed event.
G. Thorpe Mitchell, Col. USAFR (Ret)
Pastor, Northern Lakes Cathedral Of Praise
Syracuse
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- Teacher 'Retirement' - Teacher's Neighbors - Custody - Political Correctness
Teacher 'Retirement'
Editor, Times-Union:I am writing to clear up misinformation being promoted by those on the administration side in the Phyllis Roberts situation. I have heard it said that Phyllis wanted to retire and we should honor her wishes. I have also heard that "if she felt the punishment was unjust, why did she retire instead of fight for her right to teach?"
The fact is that Phyllis could not afford to fight and take even the slightest chance that she might lose. Her husband has Parkinson's disease and, if she fights and loses, she would lose her insurance and severance pay. She obviously cannot afford to be without the insurance and the money. When you get into litigation you never know for sure how it will come out. (Think about recent famous trials!)
The fact is that Phyllis wanted to fight but was put in the corner with the economic realities she faces. The fact is that Phyllis wants to teach, but is unable to fight for that right. So the community of North Webster is fighting for her.
Steve Coverstone
North Webster
Teacher's Neighbors
Editor, Times-Union:For almost 20 years we have been neighbors to Phyllis Roberts. During those years we have seen this lady leave for and return home long after school was over. We also see her tutor many students in her home. We would classify Phyllis as a dedicated, hard-working teacher who has a caring attitude for the well-being of her students. We have heard her talk about some of the children in her classroom over the years and have marveled at her patience and kindness. Her main desire is to try and make good students and citizens out of each child.
Now comes the scenario that Mrs. Roberts has stereotyped the blacks with her comment about how some of them treasure nice clothing and fancy cars over housing. This statement was used as she was teaching the different cultures of people. Was this statement severe enough to mean the termination of her career as a teacher? Let's not take the first isolated incident that comes up and use it against a teacher that does not deserve this type of treatment.
Phyllis lives her Christian beliefs in her daily life. She would not intentionally do or say anything that would bring harm to anyone. We see her live by the Golden Rule in how she treats others. To you, Mrs. Roberts, we would say "Well done, thy good and faithful servant."
We would like to ask the school board to re-evaluate this situation and the decision that has been made. This decision can be reversed and made right. Would you pray for guidance in making a fair and honest decision?
It would be nice as a community for everyone to attend the board meeting Tuesday evening, Dec. 9, to show your support for Mrs. Roberts. Let her know that her 31 years of teaching was certainly appreciated.
Walter and Nancy Corbin
Phillipians 4:6
Custody
Editor, Times-Union:Tony Burchette, in response to your letter I'm a mother of a 12-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son who live with their father and stepmother.
About two years ago he took custody away from me. I'm a working mother who works second shift. So when I had the custody the kids went to school all day and then a babysitter (grandma) until I got off work which played a big role in the custody change.
So let me tell you, moms do feel the same way. Granted, there are parents who don't want the responsibilities. So I know how you feel. I went through all the feelings of hate, bitterness and depression due to the loss of my kids. So I have walked in your shoes and then some.
Since I work evenings I try to call the kids every night or every other night just to say Hi or talk about school or just to hear their voices.
Birthdays and holidays are a challenge. But compromise is the key. I guess I'm a luckier parent because I can have my kids whenever. Every weekend if possible or sometimes the kids call: "Mom, can we come to your house this weekend?" Believe me, I'm very thankful for the time I get.
And yes, there are times they don't want to go home. And it hurts to leave them. I love my kids more than anything in this world so I have to put all my feelings aside. And there are times I have to bite my tongue.
No it's not been a bed of roses for me. But I can't let it spoil my time with the kids.
So enjoy the time you have with your daughter. Make your own memories with her. And hopefully in time everything will fall into place.
Just remember you have to do what's best for your daughter.
Part-time mother by law
full-time of the heart
Carol Hoover
Warsaw
P.S. Yes, I pay support faithfully every week.
Political Correctness
Editor, Times-Union:Regarding "the recent incident of a third grade North Webster Elementary School teacher allegedly making a stereotypical remark about blacks and the retiring" reported on the front page an area paper Thursday, Dec. 4, 1997, and particularly in the wake of a previous incident this year involving the Ku Klux Klan of all people, defending another teacher, it would appear that the Wawasee school district is a hotbed of racism. Granted, there are a few legitimate grievances in the community, but come on, give us a break!
A letter to the editor in another paper last week correctly identified the crux if the problem as a misguided attempt to enforce political correctness in the Wawasee school system. To do this, the original offended party and the participating administrators have demonstrated a willingness to crucify a teacher. To coerce other faculty members into politically correct conformity. Such behavior is an abomination to the principals our founding fathers were willing to die for! As Patrick Henry approached the gallows, he said, "Give me liberty or give me death." He meant freedom of speech as well as freedom to pursue life, liberty and personal happiness.
It is ironic that liberal groups such as the ACLU and NAACP, whose principles we should be in agreement with, have resorted to intimidation to promote their agenda. Who else, besides the media, could our administrators be responding to? Certainly, the vast majority of voters in the Wawasee School District support the teacher. If you doubt that, I suggest that you attend the school board meeting in North Webster Tuesday evening.
I believe it was the flag of the state of Vermont during the Revolution that said, "Don't Tread on Me." If there were a community flagpole in North Webster I believe that flag would express the current attitude of the citizens who vote for school board members, who in turn hire and fire administration and faculty! The board's real power rests with the voters of the Lakeland Community.
I have been a member in good standing of the Syracuse/Wawasee ministerial association for several years and I have represented them on the Wawasee Indiana 2000 Committee. My personal poll of the majority of the pastors in this area confirms that the "clerical advocate" of the politically correct position in our community definitely does not represent the ministerial association. Our role is not that of advocates or adversaries, but peacemakers. And further, that position definitely does not represent the charismatic movement in general or the charismatic/Pentecostal leaders in this community.
We also need to remember that tenure was adopted in the academic community to protect academicians from tyrannical interference with their freedom of thought and expression. It is really immaterial what the teacher said. (It is also interesting to note that no one has been willing to make known exactly what was said.) Talk about star chamber proceedings!
The principle of academic freedom of speech far outweighs that of political correctness, no matter how valid the objections. After all, Harvard put up with Timothy O'Leary, the father of the U.S. drug culture. As premier academicians, they lived by the liberal dictum "I thoroughly disagree with what you said, but I'll defend to the death your right to say it." That's true liberalism, and that's the foundation of the concept of tenure: not just protection from political appointees.
Isn't this amazing? We have school administrators repressing freedom of speech and the Ku Klux Klan defending it. It appears that the world has been turned upside down.
We know the school board to be composed of individuals of principle who represent the community. They are true Hoosiers who believe in the individual freedoms that our country stands for. They can dismiss the objectives of the radical (counterfeit) liberals and cast a vote for the true liberal principles that are at stake in this debate and we believe that they will. See you Tuesday in North Webster. It ought to be a watershed event.
G. Thorpe Mitchell, Col. USAFR (Ret)
Pastor, Northern Lakes Cathedral Of Praise
Syracuse
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