Dear Editor:
I cannot believe what I read in The Gilroy Dispatch just
recently. As a former student of Kristen Porter’s, it is my
impression that her name is being smeared because of her passion
for the further education and higher expectations that she dawns
upon her students.
Dear Editor:
I cannot believe what I read in The Gilroy Dispatch just recently. As a former student of Kristen Porter’s, it is my impression that her name is being smeared because of her passion for the further education and higher expectations that she dawns upon her students.
When I was in high school (’94-’98) at Washington High School in Fremont, I had first hand experience of not only her teaching methods, but I have observed her growth as a teacher and witnessed many of the lives she has inspired during her time at Washington High. I was there when she transformed from the cool teacher that let students get away with anything to the professional educator that students respect and remember.
It is unacceptable that the superintendent is allowed to terminate the individuals that shape America’s future with such vagueness.
When asked by The Gilroy Dispatch what constitutes “inappropriate behavior,” he had no answers. His answer was, “[her behavior] is highly unprofessional.” Being “unprofessional” is many things to many people. I think being “unprofessional” means tardiness (which Porter never was at WHS and expected the same from her students), bad mannered (i.e swearing, scantily dressed, chewing gum, etc.), and a lack of respect for other employees.
On the other hand, someone else, let’s say Sadaam Hussein, may view being “unprofessional” as speaking out against the government (which would get you severely beaten if not killed), trying to induce change for a better nation, and not thinking like the majority. What definition is Porter being compared to?
Furthermore, the district should have a better understanding on what makes a good teacher than focusing if he/she is “a good match.” Excuse me, but when did teaching become a bad segment of Blind Date?
And why couldn’t she get a copy of her December teaching evaluation? Every employee has a right to view their own evaluation. In fact, why even conduct an evaluation if you aren’t going to share it? And I hope that the evaluation is more than just one question: “Is this teacher a good match?”
Three things I have learned from Kristen Porter that no one else taught me:
1. Keep your promises. If you burn someone, you too will get burned.
2. Show up on time, spit out your gum, take off the hat, clean up your vocabulary, and take pride in who you are.
3. Shakespeare really was an amazing author.
Kristen Porter deserves better than to be fed such shallow reasons for her termination such as “students sleeping in class” and “her frustration at a lack of students’ motivation.” It’s ignorant to believe that a tired student has a direct relationship to the effectiveness of a teacher, and to think that teachers should allow students to slug their way through school and then blame the school for never teaching them how the real world works.
A lack of motivation will get you fired wherever you go … except at fast food restaurants and telemarketing.
Kristen Porter is an educator and that deserves more than the headache and heartache Gilroy has given her. Clear her name, stop spreading rumors, and take a good look at what is going on. Don’t be afraid of your teachers and employees; embrace them and you will become wise.
“Fear is the main source of superstition, and one of the main sources of cruelty. To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.” – Bertrand Russell
Scott Schroder, Fremont
Washington High Class of 1998
Submitted Monday, May 3 to ed****@****ic.com
