Steve Bitterman and Genesis

Steve Bitterman, an instructor at Southwestern Community College in Iowa, was teaching his Western Civilization class the Old Testament from an academic standpoint. Like any good professor, he delved deeper into the story, much to the chagrin of some of his students.

Marianne Kearney-Brown and the Oath

 Marianne Kearney-Brown, a California State University math teacher, was required to sign a loyalty oath before beginning her new teaching positions. She had signed it twice before, each time modifying it due to her Quaker beliefs.

Karen Salazar and Activism

 Karen Salazar, an English teacher at Jordan High School in California, liked to engage her students. She wanted them to observe and think about the world around them. She encouraged their political activism, telling them they were “part of the long legacy, the strong history, of fighting back.”

Abby Nurre and Atheism

 Abby Nurre, an eigth-grade math teacher in Iowa, taught in a private Catholic school. On day, while on Facebook, she saw a survey asking if she believed in God. She answered “No.” Her profile was private, meaning that only her friends could view her information and activities. Somehow, the information found it’s way to the school officials. Her religious beliefs and her survey answer were called into question, and she stated that she was not an atheist.

Seth Stambaugh

 Seth Stambaugh, a Beaverton School District student teacher in Oregon, was in the middle of teaching a fourth grade class when he was asked a very innocent question: whether or not he was married. Being an honest and openly gay 23-year-old, Seth replied that he was not. He then went on to explain that it would be illegal for him to marry in Oregon because he “would chose to marry another guy.” For this honesty, Stambaugh was fired.

Sydney McGee and Art

 Sydney McGee, an art teacher at Wilma Fisher Elementary School in Texas, lead her students through the Dallas Museum of Art. Accompanied by 89 students, 4 other teachers, 12  parents, and a museum docent, the large group observed and admired works of art that dated as far back as Ancient Greece. Everyone seemed to enjoy the trip.

Michael Baker and War

 Michael Baker, a high school teacher in Nebraska, was a celebrated teacher in his district and the state. In 2006, he was one of only 47 teachers in the state to win National Board Certification. A celebrated and beloved teacher, there were no complaints about him until he showed the documentary “Baghdad ER” to his geography class.

Jim Piculas and Wizardry

Jim Piculas, a substitute teacher in Florida, likes to start off his classes with a 30-second magic trick in which he makes a toothpick disappear then reappear. He heard no complaints from his Rushe Middle School class in Land O’ Lakes. That is until the middle of the day, when he got a call from his supervisor.