California Family Minute

Last year’s “Teacher of the Year” at Mount Dora High School (FL) spoke his mind on his Facebook page, and after a reader complained, school officials have removed him from his teaching duties. A spokesman for the school said the teacher, Jerry Buell, has a spotless record of 22 years of service.

What could this man have said to have prompted this discipline? Well, it is a belief that is shared by millions and millions of people in the United States and across the world. Was it a threat of harm? No. Was it done in his capacity as an employee of the school district? No. 

Said Buell, “It was my own personal comment on my own personal time on my own personal computer in my own personal house, exercising what I believed as a social studies teacher to be my First Amendment rights.”

Buell’s comments opposed the New York State Legislature’s passage of homosexual “marriage.” But let’s be clear: Buell’s personal perspectives on any number of issues could have prompted disciplinary action against him. Perhaps even worse to some, school officials also noted that Buell’s Facebook page also mentioned Bible verses. The freedom of speech, once lauded as inspired liberty, may now result in a potential ethics violation and job loss for a gifted and passionate teacher.

“These are not fringe ideas that Mr. Buell espoused on his personal Facebook page,” said Horatio Mihet, an attorney for Liberty Counsel, to Fox News Radio. “They are mainstream textbook opposition to homosexual unions – and now he’s been deemed unfit to teach children because he opposes gay marriage? My goodness.”

The Fox News report stated that hundreds of people have left comments of support for the teacher on Facebook pages. To graciously express your opinion, you may contact:

Superintendent Dr. Susan Moxley’s E-mail - MoxleyS@lake.k12.fl.us
Lake County School Board - 352-343-1600
Mount Dora High School - 352-383-2177

As a postscript, California Family Council received a comment last week from a reader who suggested “enough already” to our common mention of the pressing homosexual agenda. Instead, the reader kindly suggested that CFC give more attention to the promotion of “doing good,” especially raising children to “do good.” We understand the reader’s frustration; teacher Jerry Buell was raised to “do good,” sacrificing higher income to positively impact the lives of teenagers. However, the definition of “good” is under scrutiny like never before in our legislatures and courts. CFC’s mission is to provide solutions to real-life issues – biblically based, confirmed by research, and compassionately presented.  

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