Dear Editor:
I would like to respond to one section of Doug Meier’s latest
column. I admit that I enjoy the occasional digs and jabs that are
inherent in the opinion page, but I’m going to take exception to
the digs aimed at Ron Kinoshita, a science teacher who retired last
year.
Dear Editor:
I would like to respond to one section of Doug Meier’s latest column. I admit that I enjoy the occasional digs and jabs that are inherent in the opinion page, but I’m going to take exception to the digs aimed at Ron Kinoshita, a science teacher who retired last year.
Ron was, and still is, a respected figure at Gilroy High School. In many ways, he was the glue that held the science department together and made it the exemplary department it was. Not only did he teach and guide thousands of students in his 37-year career, he also mentored the teachers and gave freely of his time and expertise. As a science teacher in the district, I know what a positive influence Ron had at that school. He more than deserved the “Teacher of the Year” award he received. The only surprise was that he didn’t receive it long ago.
As for his speech at the graduation, even though it was long, I think we could afford to give Ron our respect and listen to what he had to say. What I found more distressing was the rude behavior of some people in the audience.
As for Ron’s recent letter to the editor regarding the Academic Alliance and the GHS English Department, Ron was only trying to point out that we all need to breathe deeply, step back, and take a closer look at the issues. Ron has always been very good at pulling people together, or at least getting them to listen to each other, even when they have very diverse points of view. Ron would never attack someone verbally or in print. It is not his way. I feel for Ron that someone has attacked him so publicly. He deserves better.
Michelle Nelson, President, Gilroy Teachers Association
Submitted Tuesday, Dec. 9 to ed****@****ic.com
