I struggle with this issue, having been on the bottom end of an administrator's shoe after I supported student speech. The trouble with journalism advising is that we support kids who can feel self-righteous (and rightly so) about their rights. The kids graduate, perhaps a little battle-worn, but they move on with their lives and are better for having had the experience.
We, however -- we teachers -- we stay. I have had many conversations about this with other teachers at the Institute about this very problem. The damage done to the student is short-term, but for us it can mean a job, or at least our job satisfaction. Things became so rough for me at my last school that I was passively forced out. Classes were taken from me, including journalism classes, administrators scrutinized my every move, and I went home paranoid and angry.
Hazelwood contributes to this because it pits administrators against advisers. If we understood and upheld free speech rights for students, this kind of conflict would not occur. Administrators would become accustomed to difficult content, and they would move on. Many, with the authority they know they may wield, instead try to squash.
I have been fortunate these past few years to work with a great principal, but student press rights should not depend on the whims of one person. When this principal leaves, what will occur? Will the next one be so benevolent?
I'm hopeful that social media will erase the need to control, for the reality is that social media simply cannot be controlled. Hazelwood then becomes a moot point.
Here is a photo from today's session with Paulson. Thanks to him for taking the time to speak to us.
Hilari Anderson
Kentridge High School
Kent, WA
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