Pearson's termination does not fit crime

This letter is in reference to the decision to terminate Mrs. Pearson, as a valued teacher of Swanton High School. It has come to our attention that this decision is based on an incident which involved Mrs. Pearson and her students at Swanton High School. We are not saying she was not at fault in this situation but we would like you to hear our point of view on the severity of her punishment.

Over the course of many years that Mrs. Pearson has been teaching at Swanton High School, she isn't only a teacher in our eyes. Teaching is not only a profession to Mrs. Pearson; teaching is what she was meant to do. Mrs. Pearson is unlike many of our teachers, she actually cares from her heart for the students. It's not just a job. Mrs. Pearson is a role model, an inspiration, and a mother figure to each student. No matter how many students she has had over the years, she has a special bond and a place in her heart for each and every student.

We do have a question for the members of the school board: How can one teacher become an example for a mistake like this when other teachers are known for their unprofessional behavior inside and outside of school. Even though the administration is aware of this poor behavior it still continues and the administration looks the other way. How can you make an example out of one teacher without punishment for the rest?

The examples that we are speaking of are:

* Inappropriate teacher/student interactions. * The behavior outside of school by teachers and faculty that represents Swanton High School in a negative manner.

Although, we do not agree with this, we are also a small community that wishes to "save face" and not speak of these allegations.

We students are punished for these infractions that the particular teachers are doing out in the public. These adults are not leading by example. They are doing exactly what us the students are preached not to do. We all represent Swanton High School as a whole.

All we are asking of the Swanton School Board members is to take into consideration not only that Mrs. Pearson is a teacher, but a human being. We all make our own mistakes, and can learn from them. In this situation, we believe the punishment does not fit the crime.

Cassandra Kline

Swanton High School

Senior