Janus
11th March 2006, 05:21
AP Press
DENVER - A high school teacher who triggered an uproar by telling students that some of President Bush's remarks sounded like Adolf Hitler will be back in the classroom Monday, vowing to be a better teacher while still promoting "social justice."
Social studies teacher Jay Bennish was reinstated Friday after more than a week on paid leave while officials investigated whether he broke school district rules. "He's not losing one nickel," said his attorney, David Lane.
Cherry Creek School Superintendent Monte Moses declined to say what the investigation found or whether Bennish had been punished, but said Bennish's "practice and deportment need growth and refinement."
Lane also refused to say whether his client would be punished, but said he would make changes.
"Jay's teaching style will perhaps be, as some would say, a little more fair and balanced on a minute-to-minute basis," Lane said. "When you put out one side, put out the other then and there."
The decision ends at least one chapter in a monthlong dispute over Bennish's Feb. 1 lecture in a 10th-grade geography class that even elicited a comment from President Bush.
Asked about Bennish Friday, Bush said "people should be allowed to criticize me all they want, and they do."
During the lecture, Bennish said some of Bush's State of the Union address the night before "sounds a lot like the things that Adolf Hitler used to say."
One of Bennish's students recorded part of the lecture and gave a copy to a radio talk show. His father gave a copy to the school district, which launched an investigation into whether Bennish violated a policy requiring teachers to present balancing points of view in the classroom.
While refusing to say how administrators had handled Bennish's case, Moses said "something had happened" regarding Bennish and that the teacher had been given "suggestions and recommendations" in the investigative report.
Bennish said his lecture was meant to encourage students to think and that he had always presents balanced views, though always not at the same time.
On Friday, Bennish he would continue to strive to be a better teacher but also teach his students "to promote social justice" and "keep encouraging my students to think critically."
Sean Allen, the student who recorded Bennish's lecture, said Friday he never wanted Bennish to be fired but thought school officials should make him temper his lectures.
The Colorado Senate on Friday rejected a proposal authorizing schools to fire teachers who routinely present one-sided views in the classroom. Instead, the Senate agreed to a measure saying teachers who violate school policies can be dismissed.
DENVER - A high school teacher who triggered an uproar by telling students that some of President Bush's remarks sounded like Adolf Hitler will be back in the classroom Monday, vowing to be a better teacher while still promoting "social justice."
Social studies teacher Jay Bennish was reinstated Friday after more than a week on paid leave while officials investigated whether he broke school district rules. "He's not losing one nickel," said his attorney, David Lane.
Cherry Creek School Superintendent Monte Moses declined to say what the investigation found or whether Bennish had been punished, but said Bennish's "practice and deportment need growth and refinement."
Lane also refused to say whether his client would be punished, but said he would make changes.
"Jay's teaching style will perhaps be, as some would say, a little more fair and balanced on a minute-to-minute basis," Lane said. "When you put out one side, put out the other then and there."
The decision ends at least one chapter in a monthlong dispute over Bennish's Feb. 1 lecture in a 10th-grade geography class that even elicited a comment from President Bush.
Asked about Bennish Friday, Bush said "people should be allowed to criticize me all they want, and they do."
During the lecture, Bennish said some of Bush's State of the Union address the night before "sounds a lot like the things that Adolf Hitler used to say."
One of Bennish's students recorded part of the lecture and gave a copy to a radio talk show. His father gave a copy to the school district, which launched an investigation into whether Bennish violated a policy requiring teachers to present balancing points of view in the classroom.
While refusing to say how administrators had handled Bennish's case, Moses said "something had happened" regarding Bennish and that the teacher had been given "suggestions and recommendations" in the investigative report.
Bennish said his lecture was meant to encourage students to think and that he had always presents balanced views, though always not at the same time.
On Friday, Bennish he would continue to strive to be a better teacher but also teach his students "to promote social justice" and "keep encouraging my students to think critically."
Sean Allen, the student who recorded Bennish's lecture, said Friday he never wanted Bennish to be fired but thought school officials should make him temper his lectures.
The Colorado Senate on Friday rejected a proposal authorizing schools to fire teachers who routinely present one-sided views in the classroom. Instead, the Senate agreed to a measure saying teachers who violate school policies can be dismissed.