Your political affiliation may vary, just as your response to George Floyd’s murder (and the response to the responses) may vary. But there’s a good chance you want your children to develop similar views and values to your own. But when the average child spends more of their waking hours at school than at home, how do you know they won’t take on the ideologies of their beloved teachers?
Fred Driscoll, 68, a social studies teacher in New London, Connecticut, resigned Wednesday after a 10-month investigation into his social media posts related to the recent nationwide protests regarding race and equality. Driscoll, who was previously on paid administrative leave for 10 months in 2018 after allegations of cultural insensitivity and apparent noose-tying lessons in the classroom, underwent a new investigation Tuesday after he posted on Facebook:
“Wanna stop the riots? Mobilize the septic tank trucks, put pressure on em … hose em down … the end.”
Fred Driscoll via Facebook
In his resignation letter Driscoll outlined his intention to retire from teaching.
He has his defenders and his critics, but the fact remains: if you are expecting every mentor your child comes into contact with at school to promote the same ideas you believe in, or be apolitical, you are sadly mistaken. Children are impressionable, and for better or worse, teachers like Fred Driscoll do have an impact.
New London High School in New London, Connecticut serves approximately 600 students in grades 9-12. It has a lower-than-average graduation rate and average SAT scores over 200 points lower than the state average. Other standardized test scores appear to be dismal. About a quarter of the student body is black. It recently began a large remodeling project estimated to cost approximately $108 million, which will add new art and STEM spaces.
New London teacher resigns over controversial posts about protests
Fate unclear for teacher whose explanation of noose led to uproar
$108 million New London High School construction project nears start
Where Your Children Are 