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Petition to Support Mr. David Peterson

633 Comments

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Scott Handy
11 years ago

I hope when my son reaches his high school years, there are curriculums that encourage the very books that Mr. Peterson is being attacked for. I want my son to think and feel fully and one of the best developmental tools to encourage full thinking and full feeling is literature, including the brilliant, relevant and inspired choices by Mr. Peterson. Shame on those prosecuting Mr. Peterson!

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Mark Stevenson
11 years ago

teach the children well

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Johanna hall
11 years ago

Free speech is essential to a democracy. Books are never threats, only opportunities to think and learn.

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Ned Stuckey-French
11 years ago

I've taught for several years at all levels from the 8th grade to graduate students, and the materials Mr. Peterson has used seem very much age appropriate. Respect him and his students.

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Tom Payton
11 years ago

I have faith and confidence in our young adults to be able to read quality literature and use their brains to think about it. The world is a complex place, and our nation needs complex thinkers, not perpetual children living with a naive perspective. Have more trust in our kids to to think for themselves.

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Cara (Daniels) Sevensky
11 years ago

Great teacher!

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Cynthia Atkins
11 years ago

Freedom in Literature

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Thomas Cayzer
11 years ago

Mr. Peterson was my greatest supporter in high school, not just the one class I had with him my freshman year. Do not let him go. Teachers like him are to be commended, not punished.

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Bernard Meisler
11 years ago

Let kids learn.

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Suzanne McElfresh
11 years ago

I don’t know Dave Peterson, but I support him being able to continue teaching his students as he sees best. I attended Scottsdale High School (a long time ago, before they tore it down to make way for condos, obviously). I was fortunate enough to have several extraordinary teachers there - including two English teachers, Luther Stewart and Edward Sandling. Both were huge influences, teaching and inspiring me to read, think, pursue music and writing, and be an independent person. They opened my eyes intellectually, and inspired me to pursue my dreams – ultimately in NYC. I don’t recall any material seeming “offensive,” but by today’s conservative measures I imagine that some of what we learned would be judged that way.

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Susan Gould Kelley
11 years ago

Literature is meant to stimulate thought and critical thinking. The parents who object to their children have the right to censer ONLY their c hildren

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Jill Marderness
11 years ago

My daughter considered Mr. Peterson one of the best teachers she had at Arcadia HS. Her love of reading, writing, research and thoughtful discussion were greatly inspired by Mr. Peterson.

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Anna Lisa Broos
11 years ago

He is the best English teacher I have ever had! He truly cares about his students!!!!

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Alan Light
11 years ago

New York, NY

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Brett Riley
11 years ago

Censorship is a boil on the hindquarters of an allegedly free society. The arts are supposed to drag into the light those difficult subjects that we would otherwise ignore.

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Bonnie Roberts
11 years ago

You should be ashamed of yourselves for censoring your students and threatening this man with his job.

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Eli Kravetz
11 years ago

This man has inspired me in more ways than anyone can imagine. I am currently writing about him in my college application. Removing him from Arcadia Staff would be detrimental to the English curriculum.

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Alice and Brad Jardine
11 years ago

Mr. Peterson is a gifted teacher that Arcadia cannot afford to lose.

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Kim Mayorga
11 years ago

Dave Peterson makes our profession look good.

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Susan Hesse
11 years ago

I remember Parents Night when my son was freshman in his class, wishing I was a freshman again. What a shame we let the small minded get away with trying to shrink our minds.