Education

Anti-Tea Party Teacher Returns to Classroom

By Elizabeth Rich — April 29, 2010 1 min read
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Recently, we reported on teacher Jason Levin, who was put on administrative leave at Conestoga Middle School in Beaverton, Oregon for his anti-Tea Party sympathies. Levin was allowed to return to his classroom on Monday, although he remains under internal investigation for his intention to “dismantle and demolish the Tea Party,” according to Fox News.

In an e-mail to Fox News, district spokeswoman Maureen Wheeler wrote, “He is not a danger to students, and the District has not found evidence that he has been sharing his political viewpoints with his students.”

The local Tea Party and some parents, according to Fox, don’t necessarily agree. In an e-mail to the school superintendent, they expressed their “disappointment” that the district did not comply with their request for “a written apology [from Levin], professional assistance for Mr. Levin, and a letter to be sent to district employees reiterating the district’s own requirements for employees to refrain from political activity during school time or using district resources.”

The group asked for an immediate response from the district with a public explanation of Levin’s reinstatement and a commitment to send the reminder letter to employees concerning political activity during school hours. The district did not respond.

According to Wheeler, the district’s investigation of Levin should conclude by the end of the week and no disciplinary actions will be taken before then.

A version of this news article first appeared in the Teaching Now blog.