Jay Matthews of the Washington Post says that Rafe Esquith may be the best teacher in America. He is outraged that the LA school board voted to fire him.
He writes:
Obviously I’m biased. I don’t think Esquith could ever be guilty of any of the fuzzy accusations in an August statement from the district, including inappropriate touching of minors, inappropriate photos and videos on his computer, ethical and policy violations in the nonprofit group that funds his fifth-grade The dishonest nature of the Esquith investigation is clear from the fact it did not begin until a state commission ruled against the district on a silly complaint that he had somehow offended students and others with a mild joke involving a reference to nudity. I think the district investigators decided they were not going to let this celebrity teacher — countless awards, four intriguing books and movie star supporters — show them up….
I have been in Esquith’s classroom many times, seen his joyful multi-media plays, interviewed him for hours and talked to his wife, many of his students and educators he has mentored. I have never detected a trace of improper behavior. The district’s one concrete fact is an allegation that he abused a nine-year-old boy at a summer camp when he was 19, but neither the school board nor the L.A. police did anything with that when the accuser informed them in 2006.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Gee, Jay, nice of you to support a (non-charter school) teacher for once, but where were you when Michelle Rhee was making wild, unfounded accusations of sexual misconduct by teachers when she was Chancellor in DC, and this witch hunt train was leaving the station?
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Those of us who experienced teacher jail know the set up techniques. Pull the teacher from the site, confiscate his computer, prepare statements from witnesses coached by the district, ask leading questions , subject the teacher to numerous meetings where their union, UTLA won’t even attend to represent you because they know your fate has already been decided; attempt to get the teacher to self incriminate themselves, terminate the teacher by the BOE who doesn’t even read the facts of the case or allow the teacher to defend themselves in closed session. Vote by LAUSD to terminate falsely, unverified accused teachers, 99.9 per cent. LAUSD justice denied.
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I am happy Mr. Esquith is willing to fight for his rights. Sometimes even teachers have to “stand their ground” and say ‘enough.’ I hope he gets a progressive judge.
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Early in my career, I noticed on the news that popular and award winning teachers were often targets of claims of indiscretions. I personally know four. One was a personal friend and another was one of my own children’s teachers. In two of these cases the allegations were true. The third was a victim of sexual discrimination. Our administrator did not like men. She drove out all four male teachers from our school. She looked at his computer and decided that he was looking at porn. He had wanted an outline of a bunny for a classroom assignment during Easter time. She reported it to the district. The technology staff exonerated him. But he spent several days sweating it out. It was not the only time she had pressured him. He later sued the district over this and won. The fourth was also exonerated but not before he lost his job and reputation.
It seemed to me early on that as these and other teachers have been accused, the news report also announced that these teachers were well respected and popular or award winning. I decided that I did not want to become an award winning teacher. It seems to me that these teachers follow the adage “no good deed goes unpunished.” I hope Mr. Esquith can win his law suit. I am tired of hearing how allegations that are sometimes unwarranted damage innocent people.
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To Jay:
You wrote the fabricated accusation from a person who withdrew his fabricated story.
Here is the true testimony from an authority, a camp director:
[start quote]
Here is a comment that was posted by “melinson” which reads as follows:
“Rafe Esquith worked for me when he was a counselor at Camp Rancho at the Westside Jewish Community Center. I was the camp director. I NEVER heard any accusations against him. As I followed his remarkable career, I reflect on the enthusiastic 18 year old who was admired by the staff and loved by the campers.”
[end quote]
Thanks for your good words, and please write both sides of an important story. Back2basic
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Thank you m4potw for adding these important details.
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