[deh]

Teacher caught on tape pulling chair from under student refusing to stand for national anthem

Here is where you can see the video:


http://images.indymedia.org/imc/nyc/...irincident.wmv

BRICK -- The Board of Education may toughen its policy on use of wireless telephones in schools, after a videotape showing a Brick Township High School teacher screaming at his students to show respect for the national anthem — and then pulling the chair from underneath one student who refused to stand — was posted on several independent Web sites.

The tape was made by a student in Stuart Mantel's class and shows Mantel screaming at his students about standing quietly while "The Star-Spangled Banner" is played. When a student, identified on the Web site only as "Jay," refused to stand, the video shows Mantel yanking the chair from under him.

Although state statute does not specifically address whether a student must stand during the national anthem, Ron Rice, a spokesman with the state Department of Education, said there have been numerous court rulings stating that a student cannot be punished for refusing to stand while the Pledge of Allegiance is recited. Rice said those same rules apply to the anthem.

On the video, Mantel

tells the class to stand and keep their mouths shut. At one point, whistling can be heard, to which Mantel screams for the student to stop. He also told the students to stop whispering.

Then, while the anthem is playing, Mantel approached Jay, who was sitting, and told him to stand. When Jay told Mantel he did not have to stand, Mantel pulled the chair from under him.

"Are you serious?" Jay asked.

"I am damn well serious," Mantel replied.

Undisclosed discipline

According to a written description posted on some of the Web sites, the student who taped the confrontations was suspended for 10 days. Mantel was not disciplined.

District spokeswoman Jennifer Strano declined to say whether anyone had been disciplined, but said "appropriate administrative action" had been taken. School officials also would not identify "Jay" or the student using the camera phone.

Mantel has worked in the district since 2001, according to a state database.

Schools Superintendent Thomas L. Seidenberger issued a statement that "not all details cited on the Internet regarding this incident are factual." The statement did not elaborate.

"We as a Board of Education realize that we are ushering a new era and will be forced to review our policies and perhaps enforce a more stringent districtwide policy regarding electronic recording devices in the classroom," Seidenberger added.

Strano said each school in the district has a policy prohibiting the use of wireless phones in school during school hours.

In the statement, Seidenberger said he may ask the school board to adopt a stricter policy. He also said he may ask the board to consider developing a policy regarding unauthorized taping.

According to at least one Web site, students knew Mantel "was gonna go nuts because he frequently used to" over disrespect for the anthem, and that the students brought the camera into the classroom "to expose the teacher in case he did anything again."

[bassetman]

Man! THis is what the NeoCons say no one would ever do!

THat guy has some anger management problems!

[Mulderator]

Originally Posted by bassetman

Man! THis is what the NeoCons say no one would ever do!

THat guy has some anger management problems!

Anyone who teaches teenagers like that group is bound to have anger management problems--kids that age are enough to drive anyone nuts!

[bassetman]

Originally Posted by Mulder

Anyone who teaches teenagers like that group is bound to have anger management problems--kids that age are enough to drive anyone nuts!

True, but...

[Mulderator]

Originally Posted by bassetman

True, but...

The guy teaching that class kinda looked like you basset--did you substitute for a day?

[deh]

Dude definitely didn't seem to be in a good mood. No doubt kids that age are jacka$$es and i don't know if i could tolerate it but he should know better. I'm sure somewhere in his job requirements listed is tolerating spoiled slacker brats.

I am not a part of the situation but have a feeling this has to do with alot more than not standing for the national anthem.

[Big-K]

...do you here it? The sound of rights being trampled and a teacher not being repremanded...

[LANMaster]

Awful teacher. He should lose his job over that. Not so much the chair incident but for the screaming and cursing. Apparently this is a haboit with this teacher.

As far as the student not standing, he should have been sent to the office. Regardless why, he was told to stand and refused.
In my book that is insubordination. A student can be expelled for refusing to follow orders of the teacher. Had he been asked to participate (sing) and refused, I can understand where refusal would be granted, but standing in class when told should be something that a teacher can expect will be followed.

[WarC]

Yeah, in 2001 they passed a law requiring the national anthem or star spangled banner be played once a day in Wisconsin schools.

That's always been a source of debate. Originally there were no guidelines on whether or not you had to stand for it, teachers were allowed to choose. After awhile they just said "those who choose to participate may stand, others may remain seated" before the anthem or the star spangled banner every day.

One of my math teachers confronted the students who never stood up for the anthem one day, asking them why they didn't stand and then told us a story about visiting Canada and standing for the Canadian anthem out of respect. That was the only time I ever saw a more conservative teacher say or do anything about it.

My highschool was full-o-liberals though, students and teachers. One of the modern history teachers had communist flags hung all over the room, and then had a laminated paper american flag taped to the chalkboard....And then only because it was the law (the same one!). Whutta douchebag.

However, in this particular case, I would never stand for the anthem in that teacher in question's class. I hope the guy is fired! Stupidity knows no particular age or occupation. What a prick!

[Mulderator]

Originally Posted by LANMaster

Awful teacher. He should lose his job over that.

Don't know if I agree. I agree his conduct is over the top, but too often today we get teachers who don't care. This guys at least appears as though he gives a damn. We don't know the situation--we don't know what kinds of kids these are (maybe they are discipline problems that have been put with him for a reason). The question is is he a good teacher? If so, get him some anger management classes and keep him on. The next one may just not care and turn out the kids at the end of the year in the same position they started. Better some anger than no emotion at all.

[sle]

Originally Posted by Big-K

...do you here it? The sound of rights being trampled and a teacher not being repremanded...

[LANMaster]

I understand your point, Chris, but I wouldn't want my Son in that class. And certainly wouldn't want my Daughter in there either.
It is my understanding from the story that these kids brought the camera into the classroom because this is a habitual problem for this teacher.

[Fidelista]

Originally Posted by LANMaster

Awful teacher. He should lose his job over that. Not so much the chair incident but for the screaming and cursing. Apparently this is a haboit with this teacher.

As far as the student not standing, he should have been sent to the office. Regardless why, he was told to stand and refused.
In my book that is insubordination. A student can be expelled for refusing to follow orders of the teacher. Had he been asked to participate (sing) and refused, I can understand where refusal would be granted, but standing in class when told should be something that a teacher can expect will be followed.

The fact that students were ready for his foolishness shows he was right-wing nut.
And I agree with you Lan , the student should have stood, and kept his mouth shut. A little respect for dissenting ideas is not asking to much--much as we stand for other nations anthems. I agree , this boy has much to learn ,and teacher needs to find employment at Wal~Mart. >f

[Big-K]

Noone should be forced to stand for it. You can do it out of respect, but don't force everyone else to as well.

[Fidelista]

Originally Posted by Big-K

Noone should be forced to stand for it. You can do it out of respect, but don't force everyone else to as well.

I disagree. I don't believe it is unreasonable to ask to stand in respect for the nation in which you live. If it was political dissent--a price will be paid , as usual---expected.
I still think the teacher was a neo-con nut, and shouldn't be handling youth. >f