Gay Teacher Was Asset to School

Our son is an eighth-grader at John Muir Middle School, scene of the demonstration by Queer Nation because of the forced resignation of two openly gay teachers. Mr. Stewart, one of the two protesting faculty members, is one of his teachers.

Our family’s opinion is that the school was wrong to evaluate Stewart negatively as a teacher. We were aware, long before the controversy erupted, that Stewart was open about his gayness, but found him a concerned, imaginative and effective teacher.

His matter-of-fact attitude toward being gay had no appreciable negative impact on his teaching abilities or on the classroom, as far as we were able to determine as concerned parents.

Having sent three kids through Burbank schools (Emerson, John Muir and Burbank High), I can safely say that we need more teachers like Stewart, not fewer.

His attitude of self-acceptance was a healthy and positive thing for kids to be exposed to at an age when, out of their own fears and insecurities, they often seize on perceived differences to be hurtful to each other.

My wife and myself have taught middle school ourselves in other school districts and feel qualified to speak out in support of Stewart.

Parents angered at the demonstration ought to direct their anger more at the school officials whose discriminatory actions resulted in denying their kids an effective teacher.

I’d be happy to talk with other concerned parents to try to regain an atmosphere of greater harmony and acceptance of diversity.

MICHAEL NOVICK

Burbank