SHEILA A. MATHEWS :::
Roxie Davis, a fourth-grade teacher at Orrs Elementary School, has received an official letter of directive related a classroom lesson that included the sharing of a CNN 10 Kid News clip about President Donald Trump’s comments pertaining to some NFL players kneeling during the National Anthem.
The disciplinary action followed an investigation conducted by the Griffin-Spalding County School System.
The letter of directive acknowledges the classroom activity “met the requirement of the standards,” but described it as “an extremely hot topic that was further inflamed by your sharing personal beliefs with your students.”
It goes on to state, “This letter of directive is given to remind you that it is not the policy of our school or district that we share personal or political beliefs with students or others that may cause your role as an educator to be compromised. It is important that we remain neutral on issues to maintain a clear line of open communication and not allow our personal feelings and beliefs to cloud anyone’s opinion or become offensive in their eyes. All instruction should be tied directly to the standards without any personal political interjections.”
Davis reportedly told students she, herself, would kneel as NFL players are doing, and that if she ever stood, it would be under force. Davis later wrote a letter of apology to Orrs Elementary School parents that stated in part, “Regrettably, I made a judgment in error by expressing some of my views on the NFL protest and the Pledge of Allegiance. While I may have shared my opinion on these topics, I also expressed that people think differently about many topics and I respect varying viewpoints on all matters, including this.”
The letter of directive, issued by Orrs Elementary Principal Evelyn Jones, also stated, “Continuation of this type of action may result in further disciplinary action up to and including a recommendation for termination.”
