I would say the situation your daughter has been in could definitely
constitute sexual harassment. The comment the teacher made show gender
bias. It also sounds like his classroom could be considered a hostile
environment and obviously inhibited her from fully participating in class in
anticipation of comments from him, which then hindered her and others'
academic growth.
Many wishes of strength for you, your family, and your community.
Melissa S.K. Ponder
mponder@edcc.ctc.edu
NW Center for Equity and Diversity
EDCC
20000 68th Ave. W.
Lynnwood, WA 98036
>Date: Mon, 20 Jan 1997 12:32:41 +0100
>From: "Candace A. Isherwood" <cai2@acsu.buffalo.edu>
>Subject: Re:
>Sender: owner-edequity@tristram.edc.org
>Reply-To: edequity@tristram.edc.org
>Apparently-To: edequity-tempore@tristram.edc.org
>X-Info: Edmonds Community College
>
>I need some advice on a personal level. Last year I had my then 15
>yr. old daughter removed from a class when I felt a teacher was making
>inappropriate comments to her. She felt very uncomfortable in his class.
>One comment was a reply to her correct answer to a question outloud in
>class. He said something to the effect of a pretty girl with a brain
>said in a tone that made her believe that he believed that pretty girls
>don't have brains. Needless to say, she did not raise her hand after
>that. My question is, do statements such as these constitute sexual
>harrassment? I know school involves compulsory attendance and I know
>that sexual harrassment involves a person in position over another.
>This teacher is now up on charges of sexual harrassment for "alleged"
>comments to other girls. The school district is asking other girls to
>come forward, which some of them have. My daughter comes home every day
>with a new story on the case. This has affected our community in an
>statements that the original two girls have personal and family
>problems themselves. It sounds like they are going to drag these girls
>through the wringer. If anyone has any comments or advice on this issue
>please forward. I am a teacher myself and am almost finished with my
>administration in education degree. This is a situation that concerns
>me both personally and professionally.
>Thanking you in advance for your comments.---Candace---
>
>
Melissa S.K. Ponder
206-640-1065
mponder@edcc.ctc.edu
NW Center for Equity and Diversity
Edmonds Community College
20000 68th Ave. W.
Lynnwood, WA 98036