Did Clayton teacher threaten student over being gay or did joke go too far?
Clayton is back in school news with a strange story about a teacher charged with threatening a 16-year-old student because he was gay.
He was also accused of joking about putting a “hit” on the 11th grader. The story raises issues about what is appropriate banter with students and how far teachers can go in “joking” with teens.
On Tuesday, a three-member tribunal was asked to recommend that the county Board of Education fire Randolphe Forde, 33, over the incidents. Clayton School Superintendent Edmond T. Heatley told the tribunal that he reviewed staff reports and believes Forde should be fired, saying “educators have a higher responsibility than most.”
While Forde did not attend the personnel hearing, his attorney made the argument that Forde was kidding in whatever was said and that his students knew that.
According to the AJC story:
The 11th-grader, who turns 17 Wednesday, testified that Forde pulled him out of algebra class one day and asked him twice whether he was gay. The student said he told Forde he was not gay and that the question upset him
The teen testified that he and Forde exchanged harsh words the next day. Later, he said, a classmate told him that Forde had mentioned a possible “hit” and had held up a note, suggesting the 11th-grader be the target.
The other teen said he initially didn’t know whether to take Forde seriously. In September, he said, Forde had made a similar statement about a hit, only that time the target was a girl.
Algebra teacher Jennifer Fletcher testified that Forde was a dedicated teacher who was trying to encourage the 11th-grader and others in her class to focus on academics. She said the 11th-grader often danced with another boy at the back of the class when he should have been doing school work.
This entire case seems strange to me. I understand the defense that the teacher was joking, but is any of this a joking matter?
And how comfortable are teachers with joking with students? Isn’t there always the chance that a student will be offended?
I recognize that kids can seek to discredit teachers who have reprimanded them, but this teacher hasn’t helped his situation with the question to the student about being gay.
What do you think?
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68 comments Add your comment
Echo
November 16th, 2009
6:29 pm
I got $20 that says this “student” is BD. I got another $20 that there will be a significant lack of coverage on this when the allegations turn out to be false. A teacher putting a hit on a student? This kid may actually be retarded too.
Cane
November 16th, 2009
7:02 pm
It seems to me like the family is trying to get paid, and Mr. Forde is another scapegoat that the school is using. Like the the previous comment stated, I agree that there will be absolutely No coverage once he is cleared. Come on man, a hit? From a teacher? For how much? This story is just JOKES.
V for Vendetta
November 16th, 2009
7:58 pm
I would have to agree. The allegations against this teacher seem ludicrous. I have a hard time believing them. There is more to this story . . . .
GA Teacher
November 16th, 2009
8:04 pm
Probably BS, but unfortunately it is proof-positive that joking around with the kids is great and develops that productive student teacher relationship, but it comes with risks. Even if joking, discussing a child’s sex life, or mentioning anything that could remotely be taken out of context can come back to bite you. Sad, but true. Hopefully, whatever the truth is…it will come out.
Cere
November 16th, 2009
8:05 pm
Are you sure the teacher wasn’t trying to “hit” on the student? You know – some words can be rearranged and a whole new story emerges!
InDAHood
November 16th, 2009
8:14 pm
FOLKS…this is CLAYTON County…..ANYTHING is possible
say what?
November 16th, 2009
9:54 pm
He put a hit on the child, so what was the payoff to be? Teenagers don’t do anything unless there is something in it for them. This is a story that the media should have waited a few more days, to get more information because it makes NO sense.
Slick Rick
November 16th, 2009
10:08 pm
A teacher should never ask a student if he is gay. Especially if he did it in front of the class. It’s hard enough trying to fit in without having to worry about the other kids wondering about your sexuality. Completely inappropriate.
MommaWriter
November 16th, 2009
10:15 pm
Regardless of the validity of any other facts of this story, the teacher admitted to joking around about the student’s sexuality and that is highly inappropriate within itself. That, alone, warrants disciplinary action for the teacher. I have no qualms with a teacher joking around with their students in order to develop a more productive classroom environment, but joking around with someone’s sexuality is never appropriate. It would not be tolerated or acceptable in a corporate environment with an employer and their subordinates.
Marie Evans
November 16th, 2009
11:39 pm
I would could not believe what I just read I will agree with Cane. Why did this student wait until everything turn bad for him and then then cry Wolf Yes is sombody trying to get paid. These Kid is a special aid student. Special OK
TAPPER
November 16th, 2009
11:49 pm
I can’t believe this. Although I don’t know the story about this situation, I know Mr. Forde from professional development classes. It is very surprising and unlikely of him. This is ridiculous along with the other mess that Clayton student’s pull. Where is the protection for the teachers?
Eva
November 17th, 2009
1:55 am
As a retired teacher, I well know that a child can say ANYTHING against a teacher, and at least in the beginning, the school will take the student’s word! I have been accused of an outlandish attack on a student, and was stunned when I was called to the office. I did get a letter from their lawyer, but with luck, the whole thing was dropped. I left teaching for a number of years after that. Teaching was my love and I had many years of education for my preparation, then a student can accuse a teacher, and the teacher has to prove his/her innosense. Bad state of affairs. The sad thing is that we do have many teachers who should not be near children, we also have too many poor teachers. Many who, years ago, would have gone into teaching now go into banking, high tech, medicine, law, engineering and other higher paid professions.
Folks, we are in a serious situation in this country with our educational system in more ways than one.
Teacher with Experience
November 17th, 2009
8:31 am
Clayton County continues its downward spiral….
Trica
November 17th, 2009
8:41 am
As a female special education teacher, I have been accused of putting a male special education students’ life size poster on my wall so that he would be the first person that I saw when I woke up each morning. I am married. I was investigated and of course none of the lies were true. Teachers have no support, a weak union and little respect as professionals. I once had a very good rapport with my students, I would let them come to my home, spend the night, take them out to eat, etc. I built a rapport with my studenta. I gave them hugs because some of them needed love. I would not dare do any of these things now. When you are afraid of talking to a student or building a relationship with your students, who suffers?
Clayton Taxpayer
November 17th, 2009
8:48 am
I’m not surprised that this is the quality of teachers we are getting in Clayton County now, given the loss of accreditation. We have this joker who think’s it’s okay to challenge a student’s sexuality and let’s not forget the Jerry Springer directed fight between the two bimbos caught up in a lover’s triangle with another outstanding example of a male teacher. Yeah – it sounds like quality education going on at Mundy Mills – education in tabloid television.
Deanna
November 17th, 2009
8:58 am
To Trica, when I was a student 40 years ago, taking them out to eat, having them come to your home, letting them sleep overnight would have been inappropriate, even less so 5 years ago. I had a teacher that was the faculty sponsor of our school radio program (about 5 kids put it on). I ran the tape recording equipment, and had to drop out of this after school activity when the teacher was no longer allowed to drive me home after the afterhours recording session at the radio station.
For Real?
November 17th, 2009
9:12 am
These claims are absolutely ridiculous! So far, the media is only covering what the teacher allegedly did/said. What was the student’s response when the teacher supposedly asked him if was gay? If he isn’t, couldn’t he have threatened the teacher for asking him that? Let’s open our eyes to what’s really going on here. This student is trying to capitalize from a situation that newspapers and news media make him look like the victim here. And what does the alleged “hit man” have to say about all of this? The story is plain stupid. Honestly though, when I heard it was in Clayton County, I was not surprised that something this ludicrous was being reported.
DeKalb Conservative
November 17th, 2009
9:28 am
Teacher is out of line here. If the original incident does stem from a male student dancing with another male student, then regardless of sex of each of the students there is a discipline problem. Ignoring if the teacher asked if he was gay in the hall, no other witnesses, if the teacher did in fact talk about putting a hit on the student that is completely inappropriate and unacceptable.
What if the tables where turned? What if the student said he was putting a hit on the teacher to the class?
sr citizen dawg
November 17th, 2009
9:44 am
How many dollars does the kids momma want to “make this thing go away”? Interesting that the kid got into a separate incident of “trouble” before he asserted this action against this teacher. Sorta like throwing up a smokescreen so that the real issue may go away. If the teacher is wrong then do the appropriate thing but it sounds to me like that isn’t the case.
Dialogue
November 17th, 2009
10:40 am
The teacher has ADMITTED to asking the young man about his sexuality which under any circumstance would seem EXTREMELY inappropiate. Why is it so far fetched to believe its possible that a teacher would try to place a hit on a student. When you open the newspaper or watch the news you see every vocation imaginable behaving in an outrageous manner. Maybe the student is lying but teachers are not above reproach either.
jj
November 17th, 2009
10:45 am
In yesterdays story it said he asked if he was gay after the “victim” and another boy had been dancing in a inappropriate manner in class. What are two boys doing dancing in a classroom?
Why anyone would be a teacher in today’s environment is beyond me. God bless them all.
Jennifer
November 17th, 2009
10:46 am
Teacher should be suspended for the remainder of the year without pay and he should be required to attend education courses and/or do community work so he can understand why it is important to not mock a student’s real or perceived sexual orientation. Take a look at suicide rates for students being harassed about actual or perceived sexual orientation. Regrettable that an adult would do this.
budman
November 17th, 2009
10:46 am
I would do another tour in Vietnam before I would step into today’s classroom. Student teaching was an introduction into hell! I got my BS degree I said “mail the diploma to me,” c-ya. If you are a teacher today may God have mercy on you. I remember years ago my wife and I ran into one of her old high school teacher the woman had just retired..my wife asked “retired? would you do it all over again…the woman looked my wife in the eye and said..”no way” That was over 30years ago but I’ll never forget….
It's A Shame
November 17th, 2009
11:08 am
Clayton County really ought to try taking a break from being in the news. If it’s not accreditation or female teachers brawling over who stole their man, its this crap.
Uncle Tom
November 17th, 2009
11:26 am
BD?
DeKalb Conservative
November 17th, 2009
11:42 am
@ Jennifer
Can’t use the homosexual teen suicide excuse rate here. This teen, along with another boy were dancing in the classroom together. They outed themselves. The teacher had two choices 1) stop them from dancing and actually team or 2) send the naughty boys to the principal’s office.
The teacher screwed up by having some talk about sexuality. If the charge of ordering a hit is true then formal and serious action should be taken against the teacher. It is not different than yelling fire in a theatre, or rape on a college campus.
If the teacher never ordered a hit, then the student should be punished heavily for potentially ruining a man’s career.
RJ
November 17th, 2009
12:29 pm
Students lie every day. Teachers have no rights. You’re guilty until proven innocent.
eazye
November 17th, 2009
12:30 pm
it makes logical sense. the teacher is on the DL (down low) and probably wanted to have “relations” with the student……. why else would he ask the question? he just wanted to be sure before he made a move……. people wake up……….lol
eazye
November 17th, 2009
12:32 pm
the teacher is gay!!!!
majii
November 17th, 2009
2:19 pm
Jennifer,
I agree that one’s sexual orientation should not be mocked by anyone. I also want to add that one doesn’t have to look too hard to find this kind of attitude toward, and intolerance for, LBGT persons, on display in the land of the free and the home of the brave. We have very prominent members of our society showing negative attitudes and intolerance in words and actions toward members of this society who are perceived as being “different” than they are. It’s a type of ostracism, IMHO. Although I am not a member of the LGBT community, I don’t see them as a threat, nor do I see them as worthy of being ostracized. I’m leaving it up to God to do the judging at the appropriate time as I’m following the Scripture which admonishes Christians not to judge others. I think that in the world today many Christians have usurped the Lord’s power, and Jesus’s, too.
I think that a very thorough investigation needs to be conducted, not a peremptory one. Hopefully, the truth will come out.
westernpa50
November 17th, 2009
3:00 pm
What’s the big deal, it probably just runs in the “SEIU family”…after all, in Allentown, PA, the SEIU union goon threatened to “check on” an actual quote, an Eagle Scout for serving his community with a volunteer service project. What’t the big deal with this..?
westernpa50
November 17th, 2009
3:05 pm
Majii, for goodness sakes lady, breathe…I have a news flash for you honey, most people, by far the majority, don’t give a flying eff through a rolling donut about a persons sexuality, get real. What they care about, and care about deeply, is having this “alternative lifestyle” shoved in front of their face and down their throats 24/7. Look, just live you life and stop trying to live other peoples lives. That’s what this is all about. For gawds sake…
David Jr
November 17th, 2009
3:22 pm
This is like wow most of the time when it is a black teacher they DONT get remains on administrative leave with pay,
David Jr
November 17th, 2009
3:23 pm
than again when all the facts are out the truth will be known
David Jr
November 17th, 2009
3:34 pm
if the kid was or is gay , no one would have to ask it will be shown, however if Isee two guy’s dancing with each other kissing and slowdraging,,,, bumping and grining on each other, I might ask the same question and dont care who got mad about it, If they are doing it in my class room or in the school hallway. WTF go get a room lol.
reds
November 17th, 2009
3:35 pm
I think this is one student who is an idiot. If you are gay what the hell is the big deal. You act it and flaunt it but you don’t want anyone to ask it? You put the impression out that you could be gay, he was just confirming. As far as the teacher being gay, I doubt it! I think this student could be gay because there is something that was displayed for the teacher to notice. That is why it was asked. To many people want to be different but do not want anyone to notice. Than don’t be different. It comes with the territory. We are all different! We all get asked questions we don’t like or teased. You don’t see me running into court because I am teased about being a red head. Come on!
David Jr
November 17th, 2009
3:39 pm
But lets be real ok they aloud same sex marrage, so what if the kid is gay so what, and so what if he was ask. No one shooting anyone down just because some person out on the street might say damn them two woman are gay because they just got marred . But I still cant beleive this guy is on administrative leave with pay, and he’s a black guy. This kind of stuff just dont happen.
Cee
November 17th, 2009
4:31 pm
What the hell is the kid doing dancing with another male in a classroom setting anyways. For those of you criticizing the teacher for asking that type of question, you have to be willing to see both sides as inappropriate. The students may have felt uncomfortable with the dancing and they’re old enough to form their own opinions regarding the kids sexuality.
As for whether I think the teacher is innocent or guilty of the “hit” there are too many holes in the kid’s story, I say not guilty and send that kid to another school.
stiltz
November 17th, 2009
6:48 pm
I think Obama is having a presser about this now disparaging the teacher…
I’m so tired of the media jumping to conclusions. The headline makes the guy sound 100% guilty. Read a few lines and you start to realize it’s not quite so serious. Teenagers will do and say most anything to escape trouble. Forde asked him if he was gay… After he was dancing with another boy?? sounds reasonable, although he shouldn’t have asked. What could the teacher possibly hope to gain by putting a “hit” on a kid.
Sounds to me like we have a teacher who just should have kept his mouth shut an nothing more
Shelander
November 17th, 2009
6:59 pm
A teacher joking about a student’s sexual orientation is just plain wrong. Period.
Hall Monitor
November 17th, 2009
7:40 pm
This story made http://detentionslip.org ! Check it out for all the crazy headlines from our schools.
Concern Parent
November 18th, 2009
8:04 am
Here we go again. It’s not enough that Clayton county school was just put on probation for violations due to the dsyfunctional school board after losing accrediat for a year. Now, within three weeks we have two female teachers fighting over a male teacher. I heard a parent say “that their personal business.” By the way, it would have been their personal business at home away from the school. Now, a student has alleged that the teacher put a hit on him due to his sexuality. At what point does everyone take responsibility? Our children are our future. School is suppose be the start of your child steps to being successful in life. Parents at what point are you going to be parents and make the schools be accountable for their actions. You are here where it starts. There are legal avenues you can take against Clayton School Board too ensure your child is provided the proper education deem by the Department of Education. How can a child learn when they are in the midst of a circus at school? Oh my goodness, what’s next. Poor babies. A criminal has a court appointed lawyer. Who is going to fight the children battle for a proper education? Any volunteers?
ReallyReal
November 18th, 2009
11:10 am
I went to school with Mr. Forde. I have always known him to be a man of character who loves his family and community. I can honestly say that this sounds completely out of character for him. He was so excited about being a teacher when I last spoke to him. He really believed that he was going to be able to help a lot of kids. I think that we should all reserve judgment until he is proven guilty or not guilty. However, in this day and age EVERYONE has an opinion even when they do not know the facts. How would you feel if you or someone you know were being tried and convicted in the media before having their day in court? I am going to pray for Mr. Forde and his family.
RJ
November 18th, 2009
1:02 pm
@Concerned Parent, you should be first in line. This story doesn’t make sense. Why would a teacher order a “hit” on a student due to his sexuality? Regarding fighting a battle for a child’s proper education, that’s up to the parents. I not only fight for my kid’s education, I am involved. I teach them at home, and I set up expectations for them at school. Teachers know who I am because I take the time out to come to the school on a regular basis.
While I disgree with the teacher “possibly” asking the student about his sexual orientation, it’s not enough for him to be fired. He probably was joking. We are in such a sensitive world now that nothing can be said to kids anymore. The real question is, who REALLY wants to do this job?
Wounded Warrior
November 18th, 2009
1:50 pm
This is another example of affirmative action gone wild. The Teacher was hired based on race instead of qualifications. The other two women thugs fighting over a man, also in Clayton. That is what happens when Human Resources becomes lax with back ground checks.
Maureen Downey
November 18th, 2009
1:57 pm
Wounded Warrior: How do you know the man was hired based on race? Are you a Clayton employee?
Maureen
MissMeliss
November 18th, 2009
2:02 pm
Some of you guys need to get some help with your grammar! lol.
dieter
November 18th, 2009
3:33 pm
LOl at all you backwoods rednecks defending this teacher. If it was a story about a teacher doing this to a so-called straight kid..all the same people would be outraged that the teacher did this to their precious Hetero kids!
buncha hypocritical dolts!
Brett Jefferies
November 18th, 2009
4:36 pm
MR. FORDE: PERVERT OR HOMOPHOBE?
The teachers are supposed to EDUCATE and protect our children while in their classrooms, not ask them about their private sex lives. Mr. Forde sounds like a pervert to me. Going around asking 16 year old boys what they do in the bedroom. Sick!!! Well, he’s either a pervert or a homophobe. Neither should be allowed to teach our children!
RJ
November 18th, 2009
4:57 pm
Hmmm…don’t you think calling him a pervert is a little pre-mature? I guess I’m one too. Here’s my story. Two students, football players, were wrestling in the classroom. When I walked in they were on the floor, one holding the other down. I looked at them and jokingly said, “Look guys, I’m pretty open-minded, but…” and left it at that. They looked at me, jumped up and asked me what was I trying to say. I just laughed, so did they, and we started class.