MOUNT VERNON — Dinosaurs, dragons and Darwin were discussed Friday during the contract termination hearing of suspended Mount Vernon Middle School science teacher John Freshwater.
David Millstone, attorney for the Mount Vernon school board, introduced several handouts allegedly distributed by Freshwater in class. Former Freshwater students Simon Souhrada and Kate Button testified the dinosaur handout implied that humans and dinosaurs probably coexisted, contradicting the generally accepted theory of evolution. Button said Freshwater told her class there was new evidence that dinosaurs probably were around when people were, because of the global incidence of legends of dragons.
Both students also alleged Freshwater indirectly made it clear to students that he disagreed with Darwin’s theory of evolution, and exposed creationism or intelligent design as an equally valid theory.
Souhrada said Freshwater was a very good teacher with just a few exceptions, and those exceptions concerned the evolution chapter. He said Freshwater seemed to be trying to discredit evolution and that it seemed like he didn’t really want to teach it, although it was in the textbook.
Souhrada said what is called the Tesla coil was used when he was in Freshwater’s class. He said the tool was used to show the properties of different gases, and that Freshwater also used it to “draw” on students who volunteered. Souhrada said he was one of those volunteers, and Freshwater drew the shape of a cross on his arm.
Kelly Hamilton, Freshwater’s lawyer, asked why Souhrada didn’t tell his parents about the mark.
“It never registered as being anything, really,” Souhrada said. “I was in eighth grade and thought it was a cool, shocky thing on my arm.”
Button said Freshwater was a well-liked teacher, but that his teaching style was “scattered.” She testified she disagreed with his views on things like evolution and dinosaurs, and that he presented some material she could “connect” to science. One example given was Freshwater reading “Chicken Soup for the Teenage Soul” to the class. Another was a discussion about Noah’s flood.
Middle school special education teachers Katie Beach and Kerri Mahan have spent time in Freshwater’s class, and testified as to his teaching style, topics discussed in class and religious items in the room. Both said to their knowledge Freshwater did not pick up and read his Bible during class. They also said some of the “nonscientific” discussions could have been initiated by the students.
Mount Vernon High School Science Department chairman Richard Cunningham was also called to the stand by Millstone. He talked about some of the same handouts referred to by the students, and said he and the science committee felt the material was written with a clear bias and did not pass the test of scientific peer review. Cunningham gave a detailed explanation of scientific methods and science standards and benchmarks in the school curriculum.
Hamilton asked whether Cunningham had spent any time in Freshwater’s class. Cunningham said he had, and said he believed Freshwater was a very influential teacher, which could be a good thing or a bad thing.
“If he misleads students about an issue, that would be bad,” he told Hamilton.
He also said he had no evidence that Freshwater misleads students.
Cunningham mentioned Biblical references on the wall, which he said seemed unusual for a science classroom or in a public school classroom. He said he did not report those concerns to the administration.
“Do you have any empirical evidence that John freshwater taught creationism or intelligent design?” Hamilton asked.
“No,” replied Cunningham.
“Can a teacher possibly teach standards from another grade level?”
“Yes, it could happen.”
“Is it permissible?”
“I’m not sure.”
“Do you know where it is specifically prohibited?”
“No.”
Souhrada’s father, Paul, also testified at the hearing. Following completion of testimony on Friday, the hearing was adjourned until Jan. 6, 2009.
