Portfolio # 2 1

Jaynise Porter

February 16th, 2020

EDU 210

Portfolio # 2

Teachers’ Rights and Responsibilities

PORTFOLIO # 2 2

The principal and assistant principal, Freddie Watts and Jimmy Brothers decided to

dismiss teacher, Ann Griffin, a tenured teacher at a predominantly black high school, due the

comment made by her during an intense conversation with principal and assistant principal.

During the conversation Ann Griffin stated she hated all black folks. Ann’s comment was leaked

and word got around to what Ann had written in her statement. The principal decided to

terminate Ann Griffin’s employment based on concerns regards to the ability to treat students

fairly and concerns with her judgement and competency as a teacher.

Brown v. Chicago Board of Education (2016) will be the first cased presented to support

the dismissal of Ann Griffin. In the case Brown v. Chicago Board of Education, a teacher was

disciplined for using racial slur in a classroom , in violation of a Chicago public school policy

that forbids teachers from using racial epithets in front of students. Brown, a 6th grade teacher,

interpreted a note between two students that included music lyrics using the word n****r. He

used that as an opportunity for a lesson. Brown was suspended and the Seventh Circuit Court of

Appeals upheld the suspension of Brown. We can assume that if Brown had use the terminology

he used towards another student he would not have been suspended but terminated.

Loeffelman v. Board of Education of the Crystal City School District (2004) is the second

case I will present to support the principal decision in dismissing teacher Ann Griffin. In the case

Loeffelman v. Board of Education of the Crystal City School District, Jendra Loeffelman, an

eighth grade school teacher was placed on paid leave due to racial comments made to students

inside the classroom. During a discussion with a student, Loeffelman was presented with a series

of questions, which included if she was for or against interracial relationships. Loeffelman

response was that she was totally against interracial relationships. The teacher also made other
PORTFOLIO # 2 3

comments stating that interracial couples should be fixed so they cannot have children. Another

student in the class who happened to be biracial overheard the responses and comments made by

the Loeffelman. The biracial student informed her mother who then spoke with Loeffelman later

that day. During the discussion with the students mother Loeffelman stated that whites should

marry whites and blacks should marry blacks. The next day Loeffelman was placed on paid leave

pending investigation. Following the investigation the board decision was to terminate Jendra

Loeffelman based on numerous facts, which including that the Loeffelman comments were race-

based and constituted an instance discriminating on the basis of race.

Cox v. Dardanelle School District (1986) is the first case I will present to stand in favor

of Ann Griffin. In the case Cox v. Dardanelle School District, Nancy Cox an eight grade teacher

at the Dardanelle Public School District employment was usually renewed every two years. In

the school year 1979, Cox became more active in the teachers local organization, the Dardanelle

Education Association. The same year Cox was appointed as representative. Nancy Cox spoke

out on numerous occasions concerning the administration of the educational process, usually in

disagreement with the principal, Dillard. Nancy Cox was informed later that year that her

contract would not be renewed for the upcoming school year. Nancy Cox refused to follow

directions in that she signed in for Ms. Johnson, and February 15, Cox refused to follow

administrative policy in that she allowed her class to be interrupted by a visitor without the

permission of the principal. The district court found that the appellant had dismissed Cox not for

insubordination, but because of her continued expressions of disagreements over the educational

policies. The court concluded that her expressions were protected by the First Amendment,

freedom of speech.
PORTFOLIO # 2 4

Perry v. Sinderman (1972) is the second case I will present that will stand in favor of Ann

Griffin. In the case Perry v. Sinderman, Robert Sinderman a professor at Odessa Junior College

was working under a one-year contract and had been employed for year at the college.

Sinderman was elected as president of the Texas Junior College Teachers Association, which he

had several disagreement with the Board of Regents. In May 1969, Sinderman was not offered a

new contract and was terminated by the Board of Regents. The Board of Regents issues a press

release stating that his termination was due to insubordination. Sinderman filed suit in the Unites

States District Court. Upon filing suit, Sinderman stated that his termination was due to the cause

of the disagreements occurred with the Board of Regents. He stated it violated his First

Amendment right to have free speech and Fourteenth Amendment right to due process. The

District Court sided with the Board of Regents without giving Sinderman a full trial. Sinderman

then appealed to the Fifth Circuit, which held that his termination would have been

unconstitutional based on his First Amendment. The case was remanded back to the District

Court. Although Odessa College did not have a formal tenure system the court recognized the

possibility of college having a unwritten common law equivalent to tenure. The court ruled that

Sinderman was entitled to a full trial. Although Sinderman was entitled to a full trial the courts

were unable to decide if his First Amendment had been violated due to the lack of evidence. In

the case of Ann Griffin, I believe she would be protected under tenure, which would allow her

due process to argue her case and potentially get the court to side with her.

After full review, It is my conclusion that the court decisions would be to follow the

recommended dismissal of Ann Griffin by principal, Freddy Watts. In reviewing case,

Loeffelman v. Board of Education of the Crystal City School District, Ann Griffin comments

were discriminating based on race. Ann Griffins comments also caused controversy which stood
PORTFOLIO # 2 5

out as a school disruption. Ann comments were made as a citizen and would present lack of the

ability to treat students fairly within the classroom.

 PORTFOLIO # 2 6

References

Brown v. Board of Education, Morrisville-Eaton Central School District, 621 N.Y.2d 167 (App.

Div.1995). (n.d.). Retrieved February 16th, 2020.

https://www.casemine.com/judgement/us/591486f4add7b049344dd942

Cox v. Dardanelle Public School District, 790 F. 2d 668 (8th Cir. 1986). (n.d.) Retrieved February

16th, 2020.

https://casetext.com/case/cox-v-dardanelle-public-school-dist

Loeffelman v. Board of Education of the Crystal City School District., 134 S.W. 3d 637, 643 (Mo

.App. E.D. 2004). (n.d.). Retrieved February 16th, 2020.

https://caselaw.findlaw.com/mo-court-of-appeals/1109760.html

Perry v. Sinderman, 408 U.S. 593 (1972). (n.d.) Retrieved February 16th, 2020.

https://www.oyez.org/cases/1971/70-36

Underwood, J., & Webb, L. D. (2006). School law for teachers: concepts and applications. Upper

Saddle River, NJ: Pearson/Merrill Prentice Hall.

PORTFOLIO # 2 7

Footnotes
1
[Add footnotes, if any, on their own page following references. For APA formatting

requirements, it’s easy to just type your own footnote references and notes. To format a footnote

reference, select the number and then apply the Footnote Reference. The body of a footnote,

such as this example, uses the Normal text style. (Note: If you delete this sample footnote, don’t

forget to delete its in-text reference as well.)]

PORTFOLIO # 2 8

Tables

Table 1

[Table Title]

Column Head Column Head Column Head Column Head Column Head
Row Head 123 123 123 123
Row Head 456 456 456 456
Row Head 789 789 789 789
Row Head 123 123 123 123
Row Head 456 456 456 456
Row Head 789 789 789 789

Note: [Place all tables for your paper in a tables section, following references (and, if applicable,

footnotes). Start a new page for each table, include a table number and table title for each, as

shown on this page. All explanatory text appears in a table note that follows the table, such as

this one. Use the Table/Figure style to get the spacing between table and note. Tables in APA

format can use single or 1.5 line spacing. Include a heading for every row and column, even if

the content seems obvious. To insert a table, on the Insert tab, tap Table. New tables that you

create in this document use APA format by default.]

PORTFOLIO # 2 9

Figures

Figure 1. [Include all figures in their own section, following references (and footnotes and tables,

if applicable). Include a numbered caption for each figure. Use the Table/Figure style for easy

spacing between figure and caption.]

For more information about all elements of APA formatting, please consult the APA Style

Manual, 6th Edition.