An apparent misunderstanding of a Britton Middle School English
teacher
’s statements regarding Germans and the Holocaust caused
concerned parents to call the school and the Morgan Hill School
District office seeking a response and disciplinary measures.
An apparent misunderstanding of a Britton Middle School English teacher’s statements regarding Germans and the Holocaust caused concerned parents to call the school and the Morgan Hill School District office seeking a response and disciplinary measures.
According to a concerned parent who did not want to be identified for the sake of his eighth-grade Britton student, the teacher and her English class were discussing the Holocaust when, the parent said, the students were led to believe the teacher considered that “there was nothing wrong with the Holocaust or that it never even happened.”
Britton Principal Jim McDonald, who was not on campus the week the discussion occurred, the week before the Feb. 16-20 school holiday, said it was a case of major misunderstanding.
“What was interpreted and what was meant and what was said were very different things,” McDonald said Monday. “There was no intent to convey that it (the Holocaust) didn’t happen or was a good thing … Although I don’t know the exact words that were used, I think the key point was that not all German people were responsible for the Holocaust just like all Jewish people did not kill Christ referring to the Mel Gibson movie coming Wednesday.”
The discussion was sparked by students talking about a book by a Holocaust survivor, who annually comes to the school to discuss her experiences with the students.
McDonald said he could not discuss personnel issues, such as whether the teacher is a temporary teacher on probation, as has been suggested by parents, or actions, if any, taken by the district. He would not release the name of the teacher.
“This was quite a bit of misunderstanding that has been dealt with, appropriately handled,” he said. “Several parties were brought together to resolve the issue, and it was handled in a very professional manner in-house. (At the time) I was handling things by phone with one of my assistant principals, and she and I were in contact with our Human Resources office.
The fact that students may still be talking about the misunderstanding, he said, is a concern.
“If there are any parents who would like to talk to me, I will follow up and make sure there is clear understanding on the part of the student,” he said. “The intent is not to go back and dig this whole thing up, but if there are still those ripples on campus, parents certainly need to call me.”
Part of a teacher’s job as an educator, McDonald said, is to listen for these kinds of concerns that the students may have.
“We have to watch for the rippling effects this kind of situation has,” he said. “We also have to make sure that students aren’t making prejudicial statements or drawing these kinds of generalized, sweeping conclusions. If they are, then discussions need to take place.
“I am comfortable with the resolution (of the situation). Parents are welcome to call me. It is important that they let us know.”
