Keep West Best: Bring Valerie Townsend back to the Parkway West High classroom.

No brainer!

A teacher that says the N word in class, stops in the middle of the road to yell at a driver, and causes a freshmen to run out of her room crying doesn't deserve to teach

Class of 2008, Mrs. Townsend was crucial in my development as a student, critical thinker, and compassionate person. Students at West will be worse off not having her in the classroom.

She was, and stilk is, one of my favorite teachers. Fix this injustice!

We love and miss Mrs.Townsend . We need her back.

Valerie, I support you!!!

Parkway West class of 2005, I too have been impacted by a short list of teachers and professors over the years. Mrs. Townsend was most certainly one of them. She was kind and passionate about teaching and always sought to better her students. The education system needs teachers like her, no question about it.

Good teachers are hard to come by, Valerie is one of the good ones. My son is in the class in question and after hearing him retell the story from his point of view am convinced she should remain teaching in his class. I hope Parkway will not lose this excellent resource over that single event.

My son is in the class where the incident occurred. Although Mrs. Townsend, in my opinion, made a poor decision, it was by no means an offense that deserves a suspension and absolutely not something she should lose her job over! She is an incredible teacher and it would be a tremendous loss for West.

Parkway West class of 2004. When I suffered major depression and anxiety in high school, she was one of the only teachers to reach out and say she'd be there if I needed help. It's been over a decade, and I still not only remember that kindness, but instill it in the students I teach. We need more people like her.

Mrs Townsend is one of those teachers who works at a school because she enjoys teaching, not bc she wants to get paid. If she's gone because she "humiliated" someone, well then how about parkways takes a look at other teachers who humiliate kids daily without punishment.

It is difficult for anyone to make a decision based on AN incident. Hearsay. A much loved teacher? Obviously--that is not the issue. As parents we try to teach our children to make good choices. We only expect that of their teachers. Without knowing the specifics of this case, or the background, we as parents, have to assume that the powers that be are just as objective. We only have this one incident by which to voice our opinion. If we are not DIRECTLY involved in the incident, we are NOT able to objectively judge on the incident, or its outcome. A petition is an avenue to substantiate our support for the positive impact she has had in the lives of our kids, as well as in our lives as parents. We try to teach our children that there are many sides to any one story. Any one incident. Let's NOT blame the kids directly involved (who ARE considered the victims), or their parents, for the outcomes of this decision. It is highly likely they have little to do with the issue, or the ultimate decision. We ALL have had positive teachers in our lives. To blame a student, or the "pressure" or "influence" of one's parents is unjust.

My son had a very positive experience with Mrs. Townsend. She was a professional and caring teacher who made a huge impact on my son. He enjoyed her class and learned lots! I am saddened how this incident is being handled. Our society seems to "go in for the kill" forgetting that benefits nobody. Why ruin a teaching career? What would be better would be to allow students, teachers and the West community to sit down, talk, ask for forgiveness and show some compassion. Firing a teacher does not heal the student. Let's instead teach how situations SHOULD be fixed. Heartfelt "I AM SORRY" "I FORGIVE YOU" would better heal this sutuation. It would also show our students how to work through confrontations / hurts in their future. We can either hang on to wrongs or forgive and move on. Just my humble opinion.

I can count on one hand the number of teachers that have touched my life, and Mrs. Townsend is the first on that list.

No! She is a bully m. Absolutely not.

Anonymous Teacher: Consider it likely that "some Kid's parents" have absolutely nothing to do with any of this issue, and are not pushing for "removal". Shame on you, for your assumptions.

I had her when i was in high school and she taught me so much and such a great person outside of school..she cares so much about the kids and there wellbeing..i graduate from there in 2006 and still thank her for all that she taught me in English class

I echo all the positive comments made by students, teachers and parents. I would add that I am profoundly disappointed in the administration at both West and at the district level for letting it get this far. What a disservice to the students. And we should be a bit disgusted with the Board of Education as well...WE elected these community members and they don't appear to understand the pulse of this community nor believe they have any responsibility to respond to us. They need to find a way to get Valerie back in the classroom where she belongs.

Mrs Townsend as I know her was one of the most incouraging and effective professors of ever had and I know for a fact should be still teaching. It would be robbing kids of a great learning experience.

Mrs. Townsend is a professional, dedicated, effective teacher! This sounds like a classic case of some kid and his parents misleading someone in administration in an attempt to ruin a TERRIFIC TEACHER'S CAREER! Shame on those pushing for Mrs. Townsend's removal! :(