Controversy aside, teacher is great with children

I just finished reading Marisa O’Neil’s front-page article titled

“Teacher returns amid controversy.” The accompanying question asks

“Will first-grade teacher Shannon Jay’s return to the classroom at

Newport Heights help restore unity at a school several parents have

called ‘divisive?’” Here is my response.

I do not know the situation, because I have no kids at Newport

Heights. But I know Jay very well -- she is my nephew’s wife. I don’t

imagine reinstating her will hurt the “unity” one bit.

In the article, the assistant superintendent is quoted saying, “We

wanted to do what was best for the kids. The kids adore her, the

parents love her, and the principal thinks she is a great teacher.”

I’m not surprised that the kids and parents think so highly of

her, because so do I. I can’t imagine a better teacher than Jay for

little kids. She’s loud, fun, energetic, intelligent, cute, caring

and, most importantly, she loves kids. I’ll bet most of those

children will never have a better teacher than Jay the rest of their

lives.

The part of the quote that’s puzzling is that “the principal

thinks she is a great teacher.” If she thinks Jay is such a great

teacher, then why was she let go? (In all fairness, I have not spoken

with her, so I don’t really know the circumstances.) Still, after

reading the rest of the article and the follow-up article, it appears

to me that the principal has a major attitude problem.

I’m sure Shannon’s reinstatement was a good move for the school,

and it sounds like replacing the principal might also be a good one.

The parents deserve accountability from their principal.

JON GARNER

Costa Mesa