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March 13, 2008
Students Protest at St. Mary's School for the Deaf in Buffalo
Parents and students at St. Mary's School for the Deaf are angry over the dismissal of a longtime math teacher. As news 4's George Richert reports, some students openly protested the move during school hours.
At dismissal time the protest spilled outside, these 31 students of St. Mary's School for the Deaf spent the day inside, but refused to go to class, because one of their favorite teachers, Nettie Brewer was being let go.
Kylea Stewart, student, "She was great, she taught us a lot of things, and we felt motivated in that class and all the students loved here, right...yea"
Brewer is a Certified Math Teacher experienced in sign language who has been at the school for more than 4 years, for the last 3 she was in probationary status, and due to get tenure, but the principal decided not to recommend her for tenure.
Dr. Bill Johnson, St. Mary's School for the Deaf, "It was a personnel matter. It was a decision, and ya know, she was a good signer.."
If there is a specific reason, the school couldn't say.
Kylea Stewart, student, "She told us, they let her go for no reason."
So for her last day on the job, half of the high school and middle school students refused to go to class and stayed in the assembly room all day.
Now that you've seen the support for her, is there a chance that the school would reconsider?
Dr. Bill Johnson, St. Mary's School for the Deaf, "At this point in time, I doubt it, but you never say never."
David Wantuck, student, "Finding a teacher that signs for our school is very hard to come by. Knowing a teacher that teaches math is not easy to find, and they say they're gonna look for another one."
The school says Brewer's replacement starts tomorrow. As punishment for refusing to go to class today, the students say they're not allowed to have after school activities for a week.
http://www.wivb.com/global/story.asp?s=7977682
Posted by 4HL on March 13, 2008 8:42 AM
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