DEAR EDITOR:
I am writing because I was concerned to hear how former teacher
Kristen Porter was treated by the Gilroy School District. She was
apparently fired for somewhat vague reasons, according to the
articles I read in the Gilroy Dispatch.
DEAR EDITOR:
I am writing because I was concerned to hear how former teacher Kristen Porter was treated by the Gilroy School District. She was apparently fired for somewhat vague reasons, according to the articles I read in the Gilroy Dispatch. I would like to contribute to the clearing of Kristen Porter’s name by sharing with you some firsthand knowledge I acquired while I was one of her students at Washington High School In Fremont during the years of 1993 to 1997.
I was fortunate to meet Kristen as a freshman in high school, and she helped give me the confidence to be more outgoing and speak out in class and overcome my shyness. I participated in drama productions and had some of the best moments in my high school life while doing so. Kristen helped me appreciate many things about the world of theater that I still remember fondly today. She also taught English very well and wanted her students to succeed and care about what they were learning. I was a student in one of her English classes as a sophomore and remember having to work much harder than I would have expected – because Kristen showed much dedication to the success of her students. Oh, and Kristen NEVER allowed anyone to fall asleep in class. It was very important to her that we participate and add something to our class discussions.
As a teacher’s assistant to another of Kristen’s English classes once I was a senior, I was still witnessing her unfailing support of her student’s success. When I look back on high school I remember Kristen as one of the teachers who made a difference in my life and who is still there to support me in my endeavors as I prepare to apply to graduate school. She welcomes correspondence and news about my life as time goes by and is the only teacher who has reached out to maintain contact with me today. This shows me that she really does care and I will always be grateful to her for her support and what she has taught me over the years.
Thank you for allowing me this opportunity to speak my mind.
Renee Gama, Eugene, OR
WHS class of 1997
Submitted Thursday, May 6 to ed****@****ic.com
