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Two Teachers Suspended After Showing Video Of Beheading
Grisly Video Shown In Three Classes
POSTED: 10:52 a.m. EDT May 19, 2004
UPDATED: 12:16 p.m. EDT May 19, 2004
FORT WORTH, Texas -- Two teachers are on administrative leave, accused of showing the beheading of Nick Berg to students.
The teachers allegedly showed the entire graphic video of Berg being beheaded by his Iraqi captors to juniors and seniors in the Northwest School District, just north of Fort Worth.
Administrators said it happened in three different classes over two days.
"We certainly think it was very inappropriate," the district's superintendent said.
The superintendent suspended the two teachers after complaints from parents.
"I just have to keep telling you this was not appropriate," the superintendent said. "It was very inappropriate and very poor judgment."
While some parents and students are sticking with the teachers, some parents agree that it was not the right thing to do.
"It's over the top," one student's father said.
Those that defend the teachers for showing the video are quick to point out that students were given the option of not watching. Pamela Harris, 17, did watch.
"It was a teaching matter," she said. "I mean, we're in war, and that's what happens, and he was showing us."
Vickie Harris, Pamela's mother, said, "I don't think they should get fired or anything else. It's history. It's part of life that's going on now."
Student Kristy Vanderwalt didn't think the video was a problem.
"I don't think it's a problem at all that kids saw it. I think that we're all old enough to realize and if you are sick to the stomach or you don't think that you can handle it then, you are almost an adult and you should be able to say 'no, i dont want to watch it.' And, if you watch it, then you have to deal with the consequences," said Vanderwalt.
"To me, it's real life," said parent Anne Vanderwalt. "They must have an entire view of the world. They're old enough to handle it."
One senior said many students had already seen the video, which is available on some Web sites.
The teachers allegedly showed the entire graphic video of Berg being beheaded by his Iraqi captors to juniors and seniors in the Northwest School District, just north of Fort Worth.
Administrators said it happened in three different classes over two days.
"We certainly think it was very inappropriate," the district's superintendent said.
The superintendent suspended the two teachers after complaints from parents.
"I just have to keep telling you this was not appropriate," the superintendent said. "It was very inappropriate and very poor judgment."
While some parents and students are sticking with the teachers, some parents agree that it was not the right thing to do.
"It's over the top," one student's father said.
Those that defend the teachers for showing the video are quick to point out that students were given the option of not watching. Pamela Harris, 17, did watch.
"It was a teaching matter," she said. "I mean, we're in war, and that's what happens, and he was showing us."
Vickie Harris, Pamela's mother, said, "I don't think they should get fired or anything else. It's history. It's part of life that's going on now."
Student Kristy Vanderwalt didn't think the video was a problem.
"I don't think it's a problem at all that kids saw it. I think that we're all old enough to realize and if you are sick to the stomach or you don't think that you can handle it then, you are almost an adult and you should be able to say 'no, i dont want to watch it.' And, if you watch it, then you have to deal with the consequences," said Vanderwalt.
"To me, it's real life," said parent Anne Vanderwalt. "They must have an entire view of the world. They're old enough to handle it."
One senior said many students had already seen the video, which is available on some Web sites.Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
