-- Science teacher dissed evolutionHumanist Network News #32

[webmdave]

He taught creationism and burned crosses into students' arms

 

A Mount Vernon, Ohio, teacher undermined science instruction in the public school district by discrediting evolution in his classroom and focusing on creationism and intelligent design, an investigation has found.

 

Eighth-graders who were taught by John Freshwater frequently had to be re-taught in high school what they were supposed to have learned in Freshwater's class, according to outside investigators hired by the district.

 

For 11 years, other teachers in the school district and people in the community complained about Freshwater preaching his Christian beliefs in class and slamming scientific theories, a school administrator told investigators.

 

"There is a significant amount of evidence that Mr. Freshwater's teachings regarding subjects related to evolution were not consistent with the curriculum of the Mount Vernon City Schools and state standards," the consultants reported.

 

Freshwater was told to stop teaching intelligent design and creationism, but he continued, the report found.

 

HR on Call Inc., the consultants who investigated allegations against Freshwater, released their findings yesterday. Mount Vernon school board members will meet today to discuss the report and decide what, if any, action they will take.

 

The report confirmed that Freshwater burned crosses onto students' arms, using an electrostatic device, in December.

 

Freshwater told investigators the marks were X's, not crosses. But all of the students interviewed in the investigation reported being branded with crosses. The investigation report includes a photo of one student's arm with a long vertical line and a short horizontal line running through it.

 

The family of one student who was burned filed a federal lawsuit last week against Freshwater and the district, saying the student's civil rights were violated.

 

Yesterday, the family's attorney, Jessica Philemond, said it was "unfortunate" that the school district didn't do anything sooner to stop Freshwater.

 

"These concerns had been going on for at least 11 years, and the school had not done anything," she said.

 

A teacher who worked in Freshwater's classroom last year also reported to investigators that Freshwater told his class that homosexuality is a sin.

 

Neither Freshwater nor his attorney, Roger Weaver, could be reached for comment last night. Freshwater's friend Dave Daubenmire defended him.

 

"With the exception of the cross-burning episode, I believe John Freshwater is teaching the values of the parents in the Mount Vernon school district," he said.

 

Daubenmire is a former London High School football coach whose district was sued in 1999 by the American Civil Liberties Union because he led his players in prayer at games, practices and meetings.

 

"Do you think there are other teachers in the public classroom that are trying to drive their opinions in the classroom?" Daubenmire asked. "I don't care who you are. You cannot separate your value system from your teaching."

 

The debate about Freshwater's actions became public in April after he refused to remove a Bible from his desk, as the district had ordered.

 

The report says he was insubordinate for failing to remove the Bible and other religious materials from his classroom but also found other issues about his teaching and behavior.

 

Story Link | Link to the Report

 

 

ClThis month's Humanist Network News podcastis modeled after the popular National Public Radio program StoryCorps.In this program we hear the personal stories of humanists fromScotland, Africa, the Netherlands, Malaysia, Brazil and the U.S.

Segment 1: A Humanist Wedding and Funeral in Scotland

Scotland made national headlines in 2005 when the country hosted thefirst legally recognized humanist wedding. Derek Young and Clare Marsh,members of Humanist Society Scotland, share their stories ofparticipating in humanist weddings and funerals in Scotland. Clare alsoshares her story of being a humanist teacher at a Catholic school inScotland.

End: 15:05

Segment 2: Homosexuality and Humanist Activism in Africa

When Asaba Lawrence of Uganda hosted a humanist event where gays andlesbians were of course welcome, he lost his job because homosexualityis punishable by death. Asaba shares that story with Gea Meijers ofBelgium. Lawrence belongs to the Uganda Humanist Association. Meijersworks for the International Humanist and Ethical Union.

End: 25:07

Segment 3: Atheist Bloggers: Chicago & Malaysia

The Friendly Atheist blogger Hemant Mehta, of Chicago, speaks with theMalaysian atheist blogger of the Evolved & Rational blog. Becauseshe is so outspoken about atheism and her attitude toward theists, thisyoung female blogger tells Hemant that it would not be safe for her toreturn to Malaysia if she were to reveal her identity on her blog or onthis podcast.

End: 35:50

Segment 4: Gender and Division of Labor in Brazil

Prof. Geraldo Adriana Godoy de Campos speaks with Juliana Lago, both ofBrazil, about the division of labor between the sexes in Brazil.Juliana says she hopes to raise a family in which housework is spreadequally between the men and women, even though that was not the case inthe family she was raised.

End: 44:07

Segment 5: Listener Comments: Christian Death Metal Music

A listener responds to our interview with punk rocker Greg Graffin ofthe band Bad Religion. Listeners review the Humanist Network Newspodcast.

End: 51:51

Songs:

Another Sunny Day by Belle and Sebastian, from The Life Pursuit




Revolution (BOP Remix), from Oskidoâs Church Grooves 6

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