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Teacher who forbade ‘disrespecting’ Obama will keep her job

Sally Nelson Contributor
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The high school teacher who warned a student that disrespecting President Barack Obama could lead to his arrest will keep her job, reports the Salisbury Post.

Tanya Dixon-Neely, a social studies teacher in North Carolina, argued with student Hunter Rodgers after he questioned Obama. She warned him that people were arrested for saying bad things about President George W. Bush during his administration.

“As a teacher, I’m not supposed to allow you to disrespect the President of the United States,” she said.

Despite the controversy over her statements, Dixon-Neely will return to her job this fall. After a 10-day suspension without pay from North Rowan high school, the teacher will start a monitored growth plan, superintendent Judy Grissom said in a press release.

“As I have stated to our entire school system staff, I expect all teachers to be professional during class discussion and not to force their personal or political views on students, demean students, or instruct students on what to believe,” Grissom said. “Teachers must create a positive instructional environment conducive to learning within the guidelines of our state curriculum.

School administrators report that the incident does not reflect Dixon-Neely’s usual performance, hence her retention. Before the recording she received two positive formal classroom observations, Grissom said.

“While I remain deeply concerned about the performance documented in the recording of Ms. Dixon-Neely’s classroom, I have concluded that she should have a chance to improve her teaching skills,” Grissom said.

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