MOUNT VERNON — When asked why she thought she and other student Fellowship of Christian Athletes leaders should have been interviewed by the firm investigating allegations against suspended Mount Vernon middle school science teacher John Freshwater, his daughter, Jordan, replied, “I know a lot of truth and I think it should be shared.”
Jordan, 15, said she was one of the main leaders of the middle school FCA during the 2007-08 school year, and said she ran it and talked to the other members. She said her father did not ask her to become an FCA leader, but told her he thought it would be “good for me to gain leadership skills and boost my confidence.”
Jordan described the role of a student FCA leader, and said the main job is to invite speakers. Jordan said she is the person who chose the movies shown in FCA meetings. She testified that students ran the meetings, initiated and led the prayers, and said her father “just sat in the back of the room” during meetings. She said she never heard John Freshwater use the word satan in FCA meetings, never saw him bring a Bible to FCA meetings held in the band or choir room, and said the students initiated contact with the speakers.
Asked by Freshwater attorney Kelly Hamilton whether John Freshwater might have contacted Pastor Dennis Turner, Jordan said, “It was one of the leadership. My dad does not contact people, so I know he didn’t.”
Jordan also discussed her experiences with the Tesla coil in the classroom. She said it was demonstrated when she was in the second or third and sixth grades, as well as at sixth-grade orientation. According to her testimony, when she saw her dad demonstrate it, he did not touch any students with the device. She also said sixth-grade teacher Dino D’Ettorre demonstrated the device. Jordan said she volunteered to try it in D’Ettorre’s class and reported that “it kind of tickled.”
Jordan described her father as an “out-of-the-box” person and teacher who likes adventures and makes things fun. She said he is involved in a lot of things in the community, and that former students often approach him in the community and thank him and say, “I love science” because of being in Freshwater’s class.
Asked about the Bible on Freshwater’s desk, Jordan said she has seen it there, but never observed him reading it during class time. She also said her father would not force the Bible on anyone.
“You don’t push the Bible on people,” she said. “Dad taught me that.”
On cross-examination by school board lawyer David Millstone, Jordan again said that her father never suggested speaker names to the FCA leadership team.
Asked by Hamiliton to identify the list of FCA speakers referenced earlier by Millstone, Jordan said it was not the same list as the one she had seen in her father’s classroom during FCA leadership meetings.
D’Ettorre was the next witness called by Hamilton. He testified that he has used a Tesla coil in his sixth-grade science class during a unit on plasma.
“It is a great way to teach about electricity and conductivity,” D’Ettorre said.
He said he would demonstrate it on his own arm as an example and talk with students about safety factors such as making sure the power level was on low. If student volunteers so desired, D’Ettorre said, he would touch the arc to their arms, never the device itself. He also said he told students it may or may not leave a mark on their skin, but any mark would not be permanent or stay long. D’Ettorre testified that any marks caused by the device would not show up right away, describing it “like making designs with a sparkler in the air.”
“If you can’t see the line you’re making,” asked Hamilton, “ then you’re not sure what design you are making?”
“That’s correct.”
Regarding religious items in the classroom, D’Ettorre said he has a Bible in his desk, and that he never saw Freshwater read his Bible when students were present. D’Ettorre testified he has talked with students about Good Friday and Easter, if students asked. He said he would tell them what he believes — that the Lord was crucified on Good Friday and was resurrected on Easter — but does not consider that to be preaching to students. He said he also talked with students about the salvation message, if they raised the subject.
D’Ettorre also said he used movies in class to supplement what was being taught, and also as a reward at the end of the grading period.
Speaking to Freshwater’s character, D’Ettorre said, “A lot of teachers looked up to John because of his integrity, what he stands for, his counsel and his wisdom. ... He likes to bring out the best in people.”
Millstone, on cross-examination, had D’Ettorre explain how science textbooks are shared between grade levels. He also asked D’Ettorre whether he has talked with students about religion since attending a religion in the classroom seminar at Mount Vernon Nazarene University three or four years ago.
“No,” said D’Ettore.
“If your principal tells you to do something, do you do it?” asked Millstone.
“Yes.”
Barb Spitzer, eighth-grade special education and reading teacher, was the final witness of the day. She testified that she at one time was in Freshwater’s class every day and never heard him discuss religion in class or read the Bible with students present. She also said she never heard any complaints from students regarding Freshwater, including none from Zachary Dennis.
Talking about Freshwater’s teaching style and work habits, Spitzer said he was hands-on and student oriented. She described him as highly ambitious and always willing to do more than what is required, and willing to modify assignments and lessons, if need be, to help students understand them.
Millstone had only two follow-up questions, which related to when Spitzer worked in Freshwater’s class many years ago, and whether other eighth-grade science teachers had IEP students in their classes; the answer was yes.
The hearing was adjourned until 11:30 this morning.
