Anti-Romney/Ryan Teacher Issues Letter to Students
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Anti-Romney/Ryan Teacher Issues Letter to Students
Ronnie Polaneczky, Daily News Columnist
Geometry teacher Lynette Gaymon issued a letter to all students at Charles Carroll High School, in which she references the misgudied comments she made to sophomore Samantha Pawlucy about a pro-Romney/Ryan T-shirt the girl wore to school last week.
Sources say the letter was written last night, so I can take no credit for any similarities Gaymon's sentiments might have to the advice I offered Gaymon in my column today. I'm good, but apparently not that good ...
Here's the letter:
Gaymon letter2012-10-09-103705
Racial and political intimidation. Bullying by a TEACHER with potential to bring physical harm to a young girl. Suppression of free speech. Branding a white kid with a KKK label is dangerous, not a joke. For that we cannot forgive. We cannot forget.— tr88- She still hssn't apologized.— Northeaster
- Gee, Northeaster's right:
She hasn't apologized, she hasn't taken responsibility, she hasn't realized that her attitude was every bit as racist, as bullying, and as corrupt as those trying to keep black kids from getting a good education at predominantly white schools. I say again:
"You can't be here with that shirt, this is a Democratic school"
"You can't be here if you're that color, this is a white school"
Bigoted, insensitive, bullying, and probably illegal (politicking while on the payroll). The teacher needs to be fired, and the administration replaced for not realizing this racist bullying for what it was.
Bringing the KKK into this? Labeling a 16 year old with that? Holy cow. If you don't think the teacher should be fired for race-baiting, then she should be fired for bullying. If not for bullying, then for politicking while on the public payroll. If not for that corrupt action, then, well, for being an insensitive idiot.
The one good thing about this is that this is going to erode support for the teacher's unions when they try to strike for a contract that gives them benefits way more lucrative than anything that the private sector taxpayers that pay their salaries get.— WizardofBoz - look she floats. she's a witch.
- SO WHY WAS THIS GIRL WEARING THAT SHIRT IF SHE'S SUPPOSED TO BE WEARING A UNIFORM, AND WHY DIDN'T ANY OF THE MEDIA ATTENTION MENTION THAT? THIS GIRL GOT WHAT SHE ASKED FOR BY NOT FOLLOWING THE SIMPLEST OF RULES.— Onassis
- onassis, is what dress down day. If you read the original story, you'll noticed that was mentioned.— palmyra21
- Onassis.....how about reading!!! It was "dress down" day, and the students were NOT required to wear uniforms. "Got what she asked for"....aren't you a real WINNER!!!!!— recGUY
- Translation of Lynette Gaymon's apology: "I am truly sorry that Sam can't take a joke - truly sorry that Sam's family caused such a stink. And truly sorry that so much negative attention was dumped on me, a vulnerable adult."— Dakota Frommer
- Gaymon to Sam: You're a racist, in a funny way.— palmyra21
- SHOULD BE FIRED PERIOD! How many years will it take to work it's way through the teacher's union? Probably her entire career with benefits. Now that is not a light hearted joke.— Alpha58
- doesnt seem like much of an apology.— Yogi Spinoza
- Must have missed the original story when I didn't care. Guess I still don't. Also, I think even on dress down days you're not supposed to wear shirts with ads or slogans.— Onassis
- light and humorous.......what a crock of shi______.
where is no_alls Nutter to demand an apology...— frank1121 - onassis, so your ok with school bullying?!— mulford71
- she's just sorry it hit the head lines >she she be fired!!!!!!!!!!— ladytriaxle
- Arlene A. will be weighing in soon....................
oh wait no she won't.........she is still counting da money......!!!!!!— hflu123 - Calling the students her babies? Give me a break, you start off your purported apology by trying to stroke the students. Hard to believe she had the brains to graduate from college after displaying such poor judgement and be qualified to teach geometry one the the most dreaded courses taken by those in the academic program. Many students get along well with younger teachers so not surprised she has student support. Too bad those that do support her don't have the intelligence to see how wrong she was. Her comments weren't those that could be considered something said in jest. She was angry and outraged at the words on Samantha's shirt and as a result put her foot in her mouth. Now she realizes the penalty for such stupidity could be great so sure she will say anything, can't say that I blame her. A pretty decent job, great benefits and a school that probably isn't prone to everyday violence like some schools are. My words of wisdom to all, think before you speak or write (email), it can come back to bite you and this time it took a big bite. Now it's time for the publicity to die down, whatever the outcome for Ms. Gaymon, let Samantha get back to her studies. She has already missed too much school and apparently this young lady intends to pursue a college education. Hope she passes geometry, whoever teaches it, hard course for me and many others. Wonder if schools will still have dress down day after this.— mother3
- Onassis made a stupid comment and got called out for it. I am betting a Narcissistic personality because no educated person would ever justify teachers bullying a student. Or perhaps Onassis is a hard core Obama supporters and would kill babies in the name of Obama. ...oh wait...— Pyungshin
When my phone rings here at the Daily News, nine times out of ten the caller begins the conversation with, “Yeah, so what happened was…”.
Because this is Philly, the caller doesn’t say, “My name is Bob” – or Mary – “and I wonder if I could have a moment of your time?” Philadelphians are too direct for that. They just say, “Yeah, so what happened was…”, and then tumble into a tale they think oughta be shared with a wider audience. I love getting these calls (even the ones where it becomes clear, after 30 seconds, where the caller sowed the seeds of his own misery), because they give me chance to connect with fellow citizens in a way that no other job allows. Well, okay, no other job for which I’m remotely qualified.
That’s why my blog is titled “So What Happened Was…”. To me, it’s the quintessentially Philly way of saying, “Once upon a time.” When I hear it, I know a good story is coming. And I can’t wait to see how it turns out.
Ronnie Polaneczky has been an award-winning columnist for The Philadelphia Daily News since 1999, offering a front-steps perspective on every aspect of city life, from the sublime to the stupid. In her past life, she was the editor-in-chief of Atlantic City Magazine, associate editor at Philadelphia Magazine and a fulltime freelancer published in Ladies Home Journal, Good Housekeeping, Redbook, Reader's Digest, Men's Health, MarieClaire and others. She lives with her husband, daughter and various pets in the city's Fairmount section, where she dreams of one day singing The National Anthem at an Eagles game. In addition to her column and blog, you can enjoy Ronnie's musings in podcast form here.
Read more from Ronnie Polaneczky at Earth to Philly, the Daily News blog on anything and everything "Green
Reach Ronnie at polaner@phillynews.com.
