Marine rejected at school

[freeandfun1]

GOVERNMENT SCHOOL --- SOLDIERS NOT WELCOME

Matthew Lund and Zach Richardson were college roommates. After college Richard joined the Marines and Lund started teaching. Richardson went to Iraq, Lund to Carson Middle School, there to teach a 6th grade language arts class.

As a class assignment Lund gave his students the opportunity to write a letter to Sgt. Richardson in Iraq. Richardson wrote back and gave the class the names of five other Marines who would like to receive letters. Soon other middle school classes were also sending letters to the Marines in Iraq.

When Sgt. Richardson returned to the United States he told Matthew Lund that he wanted to come to the Carson Middle School to personally thank the students for their support and letters. Lund filled out and submitted a "Resource Visitor or Guest Speaker Form" and submitted it to Principal Corbett. Lund says he never got the form back from Corbett. He says he asked the Principal about the form, and was told that she was not going to look at it.

Lund says that he realized his request to have Sgt. Richardson visit the school was going to be ignored by Ulrica Corbett. He made the decision to proceed with the plans for the visit, a visit that took place, or was to take place on May 23rd, one week before Memorial Day.

When Sgt. Richardson showed up at the Carson Middle School Lund took him to the school's media center to prepare to meet the students. At that point, according to Lund, Principal Corbett called him into the hall and told him that the Marine was not approved to be at the school. Lund told Corbett that the proper form had been submitted and had been ignored. Corbett's response was "that's your problem, not mine." Lund's version of the discussion with Corbett in the hallway suggests that Corbett harbored a great deal of hostility toward Sgt. Richardson and Matthew Lund. She told Lund that the students had not earned the visit from the Marine, and closed the discussion with Lund with the phrase "what part of what we just discussed do you not understand?" She then ordered Matthew Lund to escort Sgt. Richardson off the school campus.

When this story hit the local newspaper Ulrica Corbett thought it best to do a little CYA work. She submitted a written statement to the Herald-Journal in which she stated "My decision not to allow Zach Richardson to speak with the students on Monday came out of my regard for the safety and welfare of our children." What a crock. Is Ulrica Corbett saying that this U.S. Marine who had just spent a year putting his life on the line for his country presented some sort of a threat to the children at the Carson Middle School?

My guess? What we have here is some self-important middle school principal who harbors a dislike, if not an outright hatred, of the American armed forces, and who is steadfastly opposed to our actions in Iraq and quite possibly in Afghanistan. This principal then decided to let her petty prejudices stand in the way of what would have been a memorable and rewarding experience for both Sgt. Richardson and the children of Matthew Lund's 6th grade class. Now that's just a guess. I've received messages that Ulrica Corbett has family members in the military and serving in Iraq. You would have thought that information might have been set forth in her written statement to the newspaper. It wasn't

Corbett is saying that the teacher didn't follow protocol. The newspaper has signed and dated copies of the documentation submitted by Lund. Someone here isn't telling the truth. One thing for sure: Protocol be dammed, Ulrica Corbett could have found a way to allow this soldier to talk to the students who had befriended him. She didn't

This morning the story is getting increased attention. Calls have been coming into the Greene County Schools from across the nation. Superintendent John Jackson has offered a written apology, saying that the situation could have been handled differently. The official story still seems to be that Lund didn't follow the necessary steps to get permission for Richardson's visit. I would like to know a little more about Lund's assertion that Corbett told him that she was simply "not going to look at" the written request, and that this was "(his) problem, not mine." Right now it sounds more like the problem was with Corbett, not Lund. I guess it should be expected that the superintendent would protect an established principal in a controversy with a first year teacher on the way out the door.

Thanks to the Herald-Journal the people of Greene County know just what type of person they have in charge of the education of their children at the Carson Middle School.

Government schools. Gotta love 'em.

 

[GotZoom]

E-mail campaign! This is ridiculous.

I'm curious though - any of our "libs" want to stand up for the principal?

I can't wait to hear this.

 

[dmp]

does it surprise anyone?

I hate people sometimes.

That principal is worthless.

 

[freeandfun1]

does it surprise anyone?

I hate people sometimes.

That principal is worthless.

ah, c'mon, don't you know this is how the
libs show their support for the troops?

 

[nakedemperor]

This story is full of "we don't know, but it sounds like..." conjectural statements. We'd have to know the extenuating circumstances to know exactly what went down, and why. (That is unless you're comfortable making uninformed statements like 'this teacher is a liberal' and 'there is nothing other than the principal's hatred for the armed services at work here'). If I had to guess I'd say it was something along those lines, but it could also be a conservative (with members of her family in the armed services) who is disenfranchised with the war. In which case her actions are deplorable, but we avoid the guessing and slandering that goes along with saying "she was definitely a liberal and all liberals hate the military and dont support the troops".

P.S. what's the source? This doesn't read like legit journalism.

 

[GotZoom]

This story is full of "we don't know, but it sounds like..." conjectural statements. We'd have to know the extenuating circumstances to know exactly what went down, and why. (That is unless you're comfortable making uninformed statements like 'this teacher is a liberal' and 'there is nothing other than the principal's hatred for the armed services at work here'). If I had to guess I'd say it was something along those lines, but it could also be a conservative (with members of her family in the armed services) who is disenfranchised with the war. In which case her actions are deplorable, but we avoid the guessing and slandering that goes along with saying "she was definitely a liberal and all liberals hate the military and dont support the troops".

P.S. what's the source? This doesn't read like legit journalism.

Here is the link: About 2/3 of the page down. Also a link to the school website highlighting the individual who did this. Also email addresses to complain. WHICH WE ALL SHOULD DO!

http://www.kimmershow.com/latest.html

 

[Annie]

P.S. what's the source? This doesn't read like legit journalism.

http://onlineathens.com/stories/060305/opi_20050603001.shtml

Greene principal part of problem in public schools

Editorial





One of the easiest things for any public school administrator in Georgia to do is gin up sympathy for the plight of those schools. Let any administrator recite the litany of problems facing schools and his or her audience will be moved, at least momentarily, to wish something could be done to make those schools better.

So why is it the public has yet to truly wrestle with the obvious need to improve the state's public schools, part of the reason may be Ulrica Corbett, principal of Carson Middle School in the nearby Greene County public school system.

According to a story that surfaced in the May 26 edition of the Greensboro Herald-Journal and has since attracted national attention, Corbett would not allow a Marine Corps sergeant to speak with some of the sixth-grade Carson Middle School students who had corresponded with him while he was deployed to Iraq.

The association between Sgt. Zach Richardson and the sixth-graders began as an assignment in language arts teacher Matthew Lund's class. Lund and Richardson had been roommates at Young Harris College in the mountains of north Georgia. Soon after Lund's students began sending letters, Richardson provided the names of other Marines who would appreciate similar correspondence, and other Carson Middle School classes began sending letters and packages to Iraq.

Once back in the United States, Richardson wanted to thank the Carson Middle students, so Lund filled out the form required for classroom visitors and submitted it to Corbett. According to Lund, Corbett didn't return the form, and when he asked about it, the principal told him she wasn't going to look at the request.

Lund nevertheless continued his efforts to get Richardson into the school, making arrangements for the sergeant to visit on May 23. According to the Herald-Journal story, as Richardson was setting up a display in the school's media center, Corbett confronted Lund and ordered him to escort Richardson from campus.

There are only a couple of explanations for Corbett's actions, and neither one of them inspire confidence in the ability of public schools to deliver anything approximating an education.

First, it's possible Corbett objected to Richardson's presence on grounds she simply didn't want students exposed to a soldier's perceptions of, and reflections on, a major current event. In other words, she just didn't want her students exposed to any learning experience over which she had little or no control.

Second, it's possible something much more benign, but no less dangerous - an unquestioning devotion to rules and regulations - blinded Corbett to what certainly would have been a memorable experience for students.

The closing paragraph of a written statement submitted to the Herald-Journal by Corbett is somewhat chilling. It reads, "I simply required my teacher to follow protocol. I am sure that if he had done so, we could have agreed upon a date, time and agenda that would have benefited all."

So what happened instead?

An opportunity for a moment or two of real education was sacrificed at the feet of a power-tripping pedagogue. And the damage won't stop at the doors of Carson Middle School. Corbett's actions will simply reinforce many of the public's notions about the dearth of common sense in public school administration.

How much damage has already been done, for instance, by administrators slavishly devoted to "zero tolerance" policies? Some recent examples from around the state: In Muscogee County, a Spencer High School student was suspended for three days for refusing to hand over his cell phone while taking a call from his mother, who was stationed in Iraq.

A Bryan County High School student was suspended after hunting ammunition was found under a jacket in his father's truck, which he had driven to school. And a student at Rockdale County's Salem High School was suspended for violating the school's anti-smoking policy because her clothes smelled like smoke.

Administrators like Corbett and those involved in the incidents outlined above do little to inspire confidence in the state's public schools. What they do is add another problem - unfit leadership - to the litany of difficulties besetting those schools.

 

[Gabriella84]

BOTH sides are wrong. Both sides acted in a deplorable manner.
The principal was wrong for refusing to consider the visit. If she approved the letter-writing campaign, then she should have approved the visit. She is wrong for holding grudges and refusing to do what any good principal would do, which is consider each case by its individual merits.
The teacher was wrong for refusing to follow protocol. Instead of allowing the principal to have the last say, he should have gone up the chain of command. Instead, he made the soldier a pawn in his personal battle with the principal. This was an entirely wrong manner to approach things.

 

[Annie]

BOTH sides are wrong. Both sides acted in a deplorable manner.
The principal was wrong for refusing to consider the visit. If she approved the letter-writing campaign, then she should have approved the visit. She is wrong for holding grudges and refusing to do what any good principal would do, which is consider each case by its individual merits.
The teacher was wrong for refusing to follow protocol. Instead of allowing the principal to have the last say, he should have gone up the chain of command. Instead, he made the soldier a pawn in his personal battle with the principal. This was an entirely wrong manner to approach things.

Yep I do agree with you here. He should have gone to the superintendent. If refused, should have gone to the press.

 

[freeandfun1]

Yep I do agree with you here. He should have gone to the superintendent. If refused, should have gone to the press.

I kinda agree with you and Gab. The difference is, I will not say that their actions were "equally deplorable". She, as the leader of the school, should have taken the high road and considered the feelings of the soldier and the students. The teacher proclaims that he submitted the correct forms and the principal didn't sign them or acknowledge them. Are both wrong? Likely. Are the wrongs equal? Not at all.

 

[Annie]

I kinda agree with you and Gab. The difference is, I will not say that their actions were "equally deplorable". She, as the leader of the school, should have taken the high road and considered the feelings of the soldier and the students. The teacher proclaims that he submitted the correct forms and the principal didn't sign them or acknowledge them. Are both wrong? Likely. Are the wrongs equal? Not at all.

 

[GotZoom]

Let's see...the principal had a choice.

1. Take the teacher off to the side and explain how he did not follow procedure. By not following procedure, he put the principal in a very bad spot and she doesn't appreciate it. However, because the students worked for this and obviously want the visit, she will allow the visit - FOR THE STUDENTS. Also telling him that if he ever does something like this again, he will have to answer to her in a much more official and more harsh manor.

2. Or do what she did and cause this uproar.

I won't even mention the "protecting the students" crap.

No brainer.

 

[Merlin1047]

Let's see...the principal had a choice.

1. Take the teacher off to the side and explain how he did not follow procedure. By not following procedure, he put the principal in a very bad spot and she doesn't appreciate it.

No. The teacher attempted to follow procedure by submitting a written request. After that, it became rather problematic since the bitch principal refused to respond. Ratholing paperwork is not "procedure". It's chickenshit. Just like this sorry shrew who would be well served by a good ass kicking.

I also note that our two resident military haters felt the need to post their extremely lame rationales on this one.

 

[GotZoom]

No. The teacher attempted to follow procedure by submitting a written request. After that, it became rather problematic since the bitch principal refused to respond. Ratholing paperwork is not "procedure". It's chickenshit. Just like this sorry shrew who would be well served by a good ass kicking.

I also note that our two resident military haters felt the need to post their extremely lame rationales on this one.

I will agree with you. I was attempting to be "understanding" and suggest a way for the situation to have a much calmer outcome.

It is teachers like this who don't deserve the right to teach our children. Teachers are supposed to teach tolerance, understanding, consideration, and acceptance.

She obviously doesn't know the definition of any of these words.

 

[dilloduck]

No. The teacher attempted to follow procedure by submitting a written request. After that, it became rather problematic since the bitch principal refused to respond. Ratholing paperwork is not "procedure". It's chickenshit. Just like this sorry shrew who would be well served by a good ass kicking.

I also note that our two resident military haters felt the need to post their extremely lame rationales on this one.

agreed--ratholing paperwork is a frickin one person filibuster. And this person is in education ???

 

[Merlin1047]

I will agree with you. I was attempting to be "understanding" and suggest a way for the situation to have a much calmer outcome.

It is teachers like this who don't deserve the right to teach our children. Teachers are supposed to teach tolerance, understanding, consideration, and acceptance.

She obviously doesn't know the definition of any of these words.

Things like this set me off. It's not so much that she showed gross disrespect for the military as the fact that here we have another piece of crap sucking in money from the taxpayers and there seems to be precious little anyone is willing to do about it. This woman should have been fired immediately.

I get really infuriated seeing my tax dollars go to pay the salaries of vermin like these. It's high time that the taxpayer started demanding some accountability.

 

[dilloduck]

Things like this set me off. It's not so much that she showed gross disrespect for the military as the fact that here we have another piece of crap sucking in money from the taxpayers and there seems to be precious little anyone is willing to do about it. This woman should have been fired immediately.

I get really infuriated seeing my tax dollars go to pay the salaries of vermin like these. It's high time that the taxpayer started demanding some accountability.

Is it just me or is there a ton of apathy out there for an ounce of "give a damn" ? Americans seem to actually be willing to accept all this crap. Are they too busy or do they just think it's a waste of time? Guess the reason doesn't matter-- the ones actually doing something will get thier way. The rest is just worthless whining.

 

[Gunny]

This story is full of "we don't know, but it sounds like..." conjectural statements. We'd have to know the extenuating circumstances to know exactly what went down, and why. (That is unless you're comfortable making uninformed statements like 'this teacher is a liberal' and 'there is nothing other than the principal's hatred for the armed services at work here'). If I had to guess I'd say it was something along those lines, but it could also be a conservative (with members of her family in the armed services) who is disenfranchised with the war. In which case her actions are deplorable, but we avoid the guessing and slandering that goes along with saying "she was definitely a liberal and all liberals hate the military and dont support the troops".

P.S. what's the source? This doesn't read like legit journalism.

Looks pretty obvious to me "what went down." That is, unless you just don't WANT to see it.

This principal's attitude and actions are inexcusable. She is there to head the administration of a school and carry out SCHOOL POLICY, not misuse her position and authority to force her poltical viewpoints on anyone.

They need to bust her but back down to crossing guard.

 

[Gabriella84]

Just because the principal did the wrong thing does not give the teacher the right to do the wrong thing.
As Kathianne mentioned, if the teacher had taken the high road, gone up the chain of command, and then gone to the media, the case would have been a LOT stronger. Instead, the school administration is given the opportunity to hide behind "protocol" as an excuse.

 

[Merlin1047]

Just because the principal did the wrong thing does not give the teacher the right to do the wrong thing.
As Kathianne mentioned, if the teacher had taken the high road, gone up the chain of command, and then gone to the media, the case would have been a LOT stronger. Instead, the school administration is given the opportunity to hide behind "protocol" as an excuse.

Right.
The teacher DID the right thing - or attempted to. The principal ratholed the paperwork in an effort to make it go away and apparently timed things so that there could be no second effort to go over her head.

High road my ass. That's just a little liberal doublespeak. All that the teacher's actions accomplished was to give America haters like you and Nakey a means, once again, to seize another opportunity to become apologists for the idiot principal and to rationalize this bitch's anti-American and anti-military attitudes.

I'm looking forward to your rationalization of the comments by the Colorado idiot that supported the murder of two Army officers.