Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Portfolio 6
Portfolio 6
Yasmin A. Gonzalez
Abstract
A kindergarten teacher Karen White who’s religious beliefs was based on Jehovah's
Witnesses was dismissed from her school. The reason of her dismissal was based on the fact that
she was not able to do certain activities because her religion prohibited. Certain activities
included: decorating the classroom, singing happy birthday, sing the pledge of allegiance or
planning certain activities for holidays. The parents protested against this and the school
principal Bill Ward was the person who had to make the decision for her dismissal. Besides the
parents protesting against this situation it was also said that she could not meet the needs of the
Students and teachers have the same rights to the religion expression at school. The main focus
while being at school is to keep a balance between the school being able to provide a well
rounded education and the religious beliefs. If a student or teacher needs a reasonable
accommodation for their beliefs it can be arranged. But not forgetting that only if an activity or
material violates the tenets of their religion in order to do the arrangements or to be excused.
As referring to Karen White there has been other cases in which the circumstances are
very different but relate to the situation. In the case of Wisconsin v. Yoder the argument was in
between how the Amish children were not required to attend school after eighth grade. Since it
went against their beliefs and religious rights. The court ruled that it was not required for them to
keep attending school if their basic educational skills had been met. Of course this argument is
more relatable to the one of another student but just as the students have the same rights as
teachers just different circumstances. This case law could represent how Karen White does not
have to keep doing an activity if it goes against her religion, that does not mean that she has to
stop teaching.
Just as in the case of Bauchman v. West High School in which a jewish student had an
elective of choir. In that elective she had a teacher who was Christian and included Christian
music to be sunged in his class and to be performed as well. The student rejected having to sing
the Christian songs because she claimed it violated the free exercise clause. Just as Bauchman
stop doing an activity because of her beliefs, this gives another example for the argument that is
being discussed about Karen White. The teacher has to also be able to support herself and
beliefs.
Dismissal For Beliefs 4
The importance that a teacher has in a school is the same as of the students in the
educational manner. Cheema v. Thompson in this case a few students decided to wear a knife in
which it related to their religion. The fact that the students had taken a knife to school violated
the policy of safety. The parents than gave the full explanation to the school due to why the
students were wearing them. The school was able to understand and did not get the students in
trouble. But just as the students would had have to adapt if they would have gotten in trouble for
the knives so does the teachers have to adapt and make some arrangements for the students.
Wigg v. Sioux in this case a third grade teacher wanted to participate in an after school
activity that included a religion endorsement. The principal then talked to the teacher and told
her that she could not participate in the activity because that would cause a some sort of
controversy since it had to do with religion. In this case law the court ruled against the principal
because it was an after school activity and it is also within her rights. If Karen White is not
affecting anyone in her classroom or school environment there should not be a problem with
their denying to do certain activities for the children, but since she is it gives a bigger supporting
I think Karen White should not be dismissed because, holidays should be recognized, but
just as the requests of students due to their beliefs can be accommodated so should the teachers
as well. The principal could have included an assistant for her to do those activities with the
children or combined another classroom for those activities. Because what really matters is the
References
https://www.ocregister.com/2011/08/20/court-teacher-cant-be-sued-over-anti-christian-
remarks/Lastname, W. (2009). If there is no DOI use the URL of the main website
Underwood, J., & Webb, L. D. (2006). School law for teachers: concepts and