!["Teacher" John Freshwater](http://cdn2-b.examiner.com/sites/default/files/styles/large/hash/7a/5d/7a5dbca4f1470f2a90fe3a7a8d055bd5.jpg ""Teacher" John Freshwater")
Mount Vernon, Ohio teacher John Freshwater is a walking talking example of how the religious right is trying to inject religion into every aspect of education they can.
From thinly veiled attempts at introducing creationism to full-on attempts to force bible education, fundamentalists in America have been charging hard to force religion into public schools. And while John Freshwater's actions might be extreme, they are hardly stand-alone events in American education.
The latest news to come out about Freshwater, reported in the Columbus Dispatch, is how he allegedly used Legos to demonstrate how creationism could be the only explanation for life.
Freshwater said he "can't recall" the lesson. Then tapes of a radio show surfaced.
"If you mixed up the blocks for years, the likelihood that they would become something tangible is improbable, Freshwater told a radio show host, Dr. Patrick Johnson of Rightremedy.org. He compared the blocks to human cells and said that the chances that a random combination of cells could become an eyeball are "slim to none."
This is the same teacher who reportedly burned crosses onto student's arms with lab equipment.
And passed out question sheets asking students about their faith.
He also posted the Ten Commandments and other biblical passages in his classroom, kept a bible on his desk, and referenced the absolutely bunk science of Answers in Genesis.
Freshwater is on unpaid leave pending the outcome of a now 14 month hearing that has cost the school district an estimated half a million dollars.
That is a travesty almost as wrong as that which allowed him to keep teaching in the first place. Not only should he be fired, he should have his teacher's credentials revoked and the administration which allowed him to teach needs investigated.
Perhaps some time in jail with some Legos would allow Freshwater to conduct experiments, but not a science classroom!
Comments
The man is dangerous and should not be allowed near a public school. He should be teaching at a private Christian school, if at all.
Amazing how some people would throw others in jail based on hearsay. For others who want the other side of the story:
mountvernonnews.com/local/09/12/30/validity-of-e-mail-questioned-in-freshwater-hearing
In his evaluations through the 21 years he's worked for the district, Freshwater has drawn consistent praise for his strong rapport with students, broad knowledge of his subject matter and engaging teaching style.
dispatch.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2008/04/19/protest.ART_ART_04-19 08_B1_QU9VKT7.html
online.worldmag.com/tag/john-freshwater/
SHAME ON THE COLUMBUS POST DISPATCH
accountabilityinthemedia.com/2009/01/inside-john-freshwaters-classroom.html
Sounds like the fix is in to destroy a great teacher for having the audacity to teach all of science.
Who's to blame for the district having to spend $500,000 on legal fees? You can bet ACLU attorneys vacationed in Aruba.
I can name many daily examples how the Godless-left are trying everything in their power to remove God and religion from daily life, including Christmas and Easter. If that's not absurd, I don't know what is.
Glad that another liar is being removed from the school system. Creationism is a Christian mandated lie; a view held by a vocal minority.
The article says: “This is the same teacher who reportedly burned crosses onto student's arms with lab equipment”
A teacher, Lori Miller, who spoke before the Mount Vernon Board of Education back in 2008, about the allegation of the burn, said that she has also allowed students to touch the spark from the Tesla coil without incident: “I have never had a concern or an issue with it and I cannot honesty comprehend how that device can burn an individual as alleged.”
You can see a video of Miller’s comments on YouTube:
youtube.com/watch?v=Db560QnoQUE
The allegation of the burn is at most just an allegation. Actually, it was an issue that was officially resolved by the school in January 2008. (See my article “Tesla Coil Matter Was Officially Resolved January 2008.”)
accountabilityinthemedia.com/2009/10/tesla-coil-matter-was-officially.html
The article says: “That is a travesty almost as wrong as that which allowed him to keep teaching in the first place. Not only should he be fired, he should have his teacher's credentials revoked and the administration which allowed him to teach needs investigated.”
As far as his teaching abilities go—Mr Freshwater’s students met and exceeded state standards on the OAT test. (See my article “Re-teaching John Freshwater’s Ace Students.”)
accountabilityinthemedia.com/2009/07/re-teaching-john-freshwaters-ace.html
Mountvernon1805
The tesla coil issue was only a non issue to the teacher. Other teachers have testified that tehy REFUSED to touch students with the electric arc because of the danger it couls cause.
Also state standard testing is a review of three years of education not just the eigth grade year.
Teaching Creationism and/or intelligent design is not teaching science. Despite what a lot of people keep claiming there is no controversy on the basic principal of evolution, in the scientific community. There maybe disagreements on parts of evolution like how quickly living organisms change or what factors influence evolution but the basic tenant that creatures evolve and are not designed by some higher power is not disagreed upon by legitimate scientist. The controversy that people talk about is from outside the scientific community from people who have little or no expertise in science. Papers on creationism and intelligent design have never been successfully peer-reviewed and approved by the scientific community.
So for those of you calling for the teaching of the controversy accept that there is no scientific controversy only a political one, and scientific correctness isn't determined by popular support only by facts and evidence.
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