In 2011, John Jones, a middle school social science teacher began a unit on the American election process. He began with an introduction of political parties from the revolution to present day. At the end of the politically-balanced unit, students participated in mock debates as candidates from each party and ultimately held a mock presidential election in his classroom. After the votes were counted and a winner determined, one of his students asked Mr. Jones who he was planning to vote for in the “real” election.  He answered the question in age-appropriate language and, when prompted, explained why. He reminded his students that voting was not only a reflection of personal beliefs, but a responsibility as a citizen of the United States. When Janie Johnson got home from school that day, she noticed – for the first time – signs in her neighbor's front yards supporting one of the presidential candidates. At dinner she asked her parents who they planned to vote for. Their choice differed significantly from her teacher’s. Janie’s father was quite upset at Janie’s explanation of the other candidate. To him, it was not Mr. Jones’ job as her teacher her to “put those kinds of ideas in her head.” The next day he called the principal demanding that Mr. Jones be removed from the classroom. You are the principal. 1. What do you tell the father? Why? 2. What, if anything, do you say to Mr. Jones, the teacher? Why? You are Mr. Jones. 1. Have you done anything wrong? 2. What court case(s) would you cite in your behalf? Be specific. Cite the case name, court ruling, or law. Answer the following questions: 1. Who was Pickering and why is he important? 2. A teacher speaks out at a rally against FCAT. This is not the first “FIRE FCAT” rally held in this community. Can her statement be protected by the First Amendment?  Under what circumstances? 3. A student sees a picture of math teacher James Johnson in his KKK garb that Johnson posts on his facebook page. Can Johnson be fired because of his KKK membership? Why or why not? 4. After their honeymoon Jane Jones and her new husband Jason return to their teaching jobs at JFK Middle School. At lunch that day the principal informs them that one of them must transfer to a new school. Can the principal do this? Why or why not? Chapter 10 covers several topics, chief among which is teachers’ rights.  There are three main court cases which address free speech: · Pickering v. Board of Education · Connick v. Myers · Garcetti v. Ceballos In order to respond to the questions, you will have to do some research on your own.Ask yourself this question:  “Is the employee speaking as a private citizen or as an employee?” Question 1 :  What is the main difference between the Pickering decisions and the Garcetti decision?  Where does the Connick decision fit in? Question 2:  A special education teacher complains to his principal that the school is violating federal law in trying to meet the n.

1. In 2011, John Jones, a middle school social science teacher
began a unit on the American election process. He began with
an introduction of political parties from the revolution to
present day. At the end of the politically-balanced unit, students
participated in mock debates as candidates from each party and
ultimately held a mock presidential election in his classroom.
After the votes were counted and a winner determined, one of
his students asked Mr. Jones who he was planning to vote for in
the “real” election. He answered the question in age-
appropriate language and, when prompted, explained why. He
reminded his students that voting was not only a reflection of
personal beliefs, but a responsibility as a citizen of the United
States.
When Janie Johnson got home from school that day, she noticed
– for the first time – signs in her neighbor's front yards
supporting one of the presidential candidates. At dinner she
asked her parents who they planned to vote for. Their choice
differed significantly from her teacher’s. Janie’s father was
quite upset at Janie’s explanation of the other candidate. To
him, it was not Mr. Jones’ job as her teacher her to “put those
kinds of ideas in her head.” The next day he called the principal
demanding that Mr. Jones be removed from the classroom.
You are the principal.
1. What do you tell the father? Why?
2. What, if anything, do you say to Mr. Jones, the teacher?
Why?
You are Mr. Jones.
1. Have you done anything wrong?
2. What court case(s) would you cite in your behalf? Be
specific. Cite the case name, court ruling, or law.

2. Answer the following questions:
1. Who was Pickering and why is he important?
2. A teacher speaks out at a rally against FCAT. This is not the
first “FIRE FCAT” rally held in this community. Can her
statement be protected by the First Amendment? Under what
circumstances?
3. A student sees a picture of math teacher James Johnson in his
KKK garb that Johnson posts on his facebook page. Can
Johnson be fired because of his KKK membership? Why or why
not?
4. After their honeymoon Jane Jones and her new husband Jason
return to their teaching jobs at JFK Middle School. At lunch
that day the principal informs them that one of them must
transfer to a new school. Can the principal do this? Why or why
not?

3. Chapter 10 covers several topics, chief among which is
teachers’ rights. There are three main court cases which
address free speech:
· Pickering v. Board of Education
· Connick v. Myers
· Garcetti v. Ceballos
In order to respond to the questions, you will have to do some
research on your own.Ask yourself this question: “Is the
employee speaking as a private citizen or as an employee?”
Question 1 : What is the main difference between the Pickering
decisions and the Garcetti decision? Where does the Connick
decision fit in?
Question 2: A special education teacher complains to his
principal that the school is violating federal law in trying to
meet the needs of students with disabilities. The teacher
subsequently made a statement to the local newspaper accusing
the principal and district of improperly spending federally
allocated money. The principal did not renew the teacher’s
contract. The special education teacher subsequently filed a
lawsuit alleging a violation of his First Amendment rights.
What might be the result of the lawsuit?

4. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tSnAs36d0go#action=share
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM-4Pjxa4Wg#action=share
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rKdQwH5WVc&feature=y
outu.be
Watch the three videos
What is your reaction?
List at least three things from the drill that peaked your interest
and why.

5. Review the following:
· A case for why K-12 teachers need tenure -
https://feaweb.org/todays-news-june-18-2014 (Links to an
external site.)
· Top 10 Reasons Why Teachers Should Not Get Tenure -
https://www.listland.com/top-10-reasons-why-teachers-
should-not-get-tenure/ (Links to an external site.)
· Vergara V. California Lawsuit Targeting Teacher Tenure
Could Revolutionize U.S. -
https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesmarshallcrotty/2014/03/31/
vergara-v-california-lawsuit-targeting-teacher-tenure-could-
revolutionize-u-s-public-education-for-better-and-
worse/#216e3ca931af (Links to an external site.)
· Teacher Tenure Debate: Pros & Cons -
http://www.teachhub.com/teacher-tenure-pros-cons (Links to
an external site.)
· The Truth About Tenure - http://www.mea-
mft.org/sites/www/Uploads/files/News%20Issues%20Actions/Tr

6. uthAbout/tenure.pdf (Links to an external site.)
Answer these questions:
1. What is the current state of K-12 tenure in Florida? Cite your
source. Make sure you check the date of your source.
Note: If you use this website Links to an external site.as your
answer - you will be wrong.
2. Select a different state in the United States and compare that
tenure system with Florida. Two similarities and two
differences. Make sure you investigate K-12 tenure systems and
not higher education. Cite your source.
3. Due process protections generally only applies to tenured
teachers. What does that mean for Florida teachers?
4. What is your opinion of K-12 tenure? Where do you stand?
Why?
Answers to all of these questions can be found on the Florida
Department of Education's
website. http://www.fldoe.org/ (Links to an external site.)Links
to an external site.
You can also use your own research skills to respond to the
questions.
1. True or False? UCF will issue your teaching license
automatically upon graduation. Where did you find your
answers? (provide a source) How did you find your answers?
2. What is reciprocity? Where did you find your answer?
(provide a source)
3. Can states use a test or assessment process as an eligibility
requirement for certification? Where did you find your answer?
(provide a source) Does Florida require such a
test? If so - what is it called? (provide a source)

7. 4. Can fingerprinting be required for employment as a teacher?
(provide a source) In Florida? (provide a source) Does a felony
offense disqualify from one for teacher
employment.? (provide a source) If so, what kind of offense
would be disqualifying? (provide a source)
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