High School Teacher Makes Slanderous Statement About Student

[brooksnic]

A high school band teacher in Idaho made a statement to a group of students calling my daughter an "unpaid whore" after she voiced her opinion in band class about her views on living together before marriage. The teacher was taking a poll in the classroom after giving his opinion on his belief about "God's Law" which was also completely innappropriate. I

I met with the principal and he has now interviewed the students and the students have verfied that the band teacher made the "unpaid whore" comment about my daughter. Their proposed punishment for the teacher is training and a letter in the file.

My daughter is devastated and has had to transfer out of that band class to another schools band. She is going to major in music and this is very important to her. She is also now seeing a counselor because she feels so terrible about this comment from a teacher she admired, and the embarrassment it has caused in front of her peers.
What should I do?

[jojo4]

Did he actually tell others that your daughter was an unpaid whore or did he state that his opinion is that she would be an unpaid whore if she lived with someone outside of the bonds of matrimony?

His opinion, even if it is wrong, is not slander.

What do you expect to happen here? He is being reprimanded. Your daughter is continuing with her music career. Your daughter really needs counseling because one moron made a stupid comment?

You should tell your daughter that even teachers sometimes are morons and make stupid comments. That his comment in no way reflects upon her and to hold her head high.

[brooksnic]

His statment was "living like (my daughter) is like being an unpaid whore."

I think that it does constitute slander per se.

Worse yet, when confonted about it by me, my daughter and the principal, he denied it. Later to be verified by now more than four students. This teacher will also serve as her judge on future solo competitions etc for the next year and a half.

This man is a teacher in a public school. Yes, he is a moron, but I have a hard time letting him get away with what he has done with some training and a letter. Seems a bit light to me. He signs a contract agreeing to abide by the State Board of Education ethical standards of conduct which prohibit discussions about religion and moral issues in the classroom and discrimination against students because of their beliefs (or non beliefs as it may be)

[chuckycheese]

Well, you just stated that he is a "moron"...which means his mental age is between the ages of 8 and 12 years (according to the dictionary meaning).

Don't you see how such a statement might diminish your case???

[Mr. Knowitall]

I'm sure we will after you explain. Go right ahead.

The problem I see is that the teacher apparently did not call your daughter a whore. He analogized what is euphemistically called "living in sin" with being an "unpaid whore". I didn't catch where you stated that your daughter presently lives with her boyfriend; if she does not, the simile seems to fail right there.

By all means, as you feel strongly about sending this guy a message, consult a lawyer and see if you have a viable case.

[4eyedbuzzard]

If you have a viable suit against the teacher and/or school for damages go for it if you so choose - but remember that there are consequences. I lived in Utah for a year and reading your location I have suspicions that there may be cultural issues at play in your case. You could also contact the ACLU and see if they're interested, but I doubt this is high profile enough, yet anyway.

FWIW, I'm a very strong advocate of keeping religious indoctrination, intimidation, and discrimination out of schools, but the reality is that if you fight the zealots on their home ground be prepared to deal with the public consequences.

[BOR]

His statment was "living like (my daughter) is like being an unpaid whore."

I think that it does constitute slander per se.

Ordinarily such would be per se, but it was in reference to a comment she made about shacking up, so there may be a "fine line" between him expanding what she already said and per se, as a Tort cause of action that is?


NOW, as you point out, it was VERY unprofessional and not worthy of an educator, I am in total agreement.


You can of course consult an attorney who specializes in defamation cases to review the facts.