2010 26 Feb

Be careful when joking around, principal learns

I’m sure all educators, at one time or another, have had students who were, shall we say, only slightly more intelligent than a slug. Usually, after meeting the parents of the slug-brained child, the educator then understands where the child gets it from and makes adjustments to said child’s curriculum.

All educators, I’m also sure, have had lazy students or even a complete lazy class. I have no scientific evidence, but I’m positive the number of lazy students greatly outnumber the number of slug-brains. Educators depend on parents to help prod their lazy little snowflakes along and urge them to do their best in school.

However, professional educators must keep such opinions to themselves and only share with colleagues – and then very carefully.

A principal in Litchfield Park, AZ wrote a very condescending, however true, note to parents as a joke. He never intended for it to actually be sent home, just shared for a laugh between colleagues. One teacher did not read the letter and sent it home with the students. Ergo, principal is now in hot water up to his neck. Even though some parents took it as the joke it was, the district administration was not amused.

The principal has apologized and even though the parents are wanting to accept his apology, leave him in place as principal and move on, the district wants his head on a platter. Sometimes, good people have a lapse in good judgment, but it doesn’t make them any less good. I, too, say: accept the apology, slap him on the wrist, and move on.

You can read the original article and letter at abc15.com.