NJ History Teacher Accused of Proselytizing in Class Speaks Out
Earlier this week, I posted about the latest development in the case of Matthew LeClair, the NJ student who taped his history teacher using classtime to discuss his religious beliefs. In yesterday's NYTimes, a report on the first public statement from the teacher, David Paszkiewicz:
The teacher who is the subject of a potential lawsuit regarding proselytizing in a public high school history class denied on Tuesday night that he had preached in class and said that the student who taped him had never expressed discomfort to him about his comments.One of the reasons school boards have policies and the Department of Education has guidelines is to instruct teachers on how to conduct themselves properly and legally *without having to be prompted by a teenager.* If Paszkiewicz indeed said the things he's alleged to have said, they are inappropriate *even if no student in the class is discomforted.* Teachers may not simply do whatever they like so long as nobody complains. But when one does -- and especially as a minor -- he surely deserves the protection of the school and the school board in question from discrimination and harassment.
I wonder if the Department of Justice's new First Freedoms Project would take up his claim? Maybe someone should file a complaint and find out. Just a thought.