Syracuse Post-Standard
Sept. 29, 2009
To the Editor:
This is in reference to the Baldwinsville teacher and his T-shirt obsession.
In forcing 9-year-old Nathan Johns to reverse his Yankees T-shirt, Peter Addabbo has violated every professional and educational ethic in the book. He’s also guilty of censorship, bad taste, poor judgment and, most seriously, sending the wrong message to the rest of Nathan’s classmates and the entire school population.
Mr. Addabbo, did you think you were being clever? Did you think you were being cute? Did you think there would be no consequences to your juvenile pursuit?
The teacher needs to be reminded that his role, along with teaching a curriculum, is to provide constructive guidelines for behavior. He needs to grow up and act like a responsible adult, not cater to his own adolescent whims.
It would have been outstanding if Nathan had sought clarification or advice from the principal’s office, or perhaps from a favorite teacher. Instead, this 4th grader acted the good student and complied with Mr. Addabbo’s request.
The Baldwinsville school district must respond to this matter harshly. Otherwise, it will send the message that this kind of nonsense will be tolerated.
At least Nathan got some unexpected recognition, and a gift package from the New York Yankees.
Joe Ippolito
Fulton
Sept. 29, 2009
To the Editor:
This is in reference to the Baldwinsville teacher and his T-shirt obsession.
In forcing 9-year-old Nathan Johns to reverse his Yankees T-shirt, Peter Addabbo has violated every professional and educational ethic in the book. He’s also guilty of censorship, bad taste, poor judgment and, most seriously, sending the wrong message to the rest of Nathan’s classmates and the entire school population.
Mr. Addabbo, did you think you were being clever? Did you think you were being cute? Did you think there would be no consequences to your juvenile pursuit?
The teacher needs to be reminded that his role, along with teaching a curriculum, is to provide constructive guidelines for behavior. He needs to grow up and act like a responsible adult, not cater to his own adolescent whims.
It would have been outstanding if Nathan had sought clarification or advice from the principal’s office, or perhaps from a favorite teacher. Instead, this 4th grader acted the good student and complied with Mr. Addabbo’s request.
The Baldwinsville school district must respond to this matter harshly. Otherwise, it will send the message that this kind of nonsense will be tolerated.
At least Nathan got some unexpected recognition, and a gift package from the New York Yankees.
Joe Ippolito
Fulton
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