When Will OnePasadena Apologize?
OnePasadena has never apologized for defending the behavior of a teacher removed from the classroom.
We haven’t talked a lot about OnePasadena recently. The radical left-wing political group that is masquerading as a “non-partisan” group that had a mad when I called them out for being a left-wing political group was one of the staunchest defenders of a certain Chesapeake High School teacher that was in the news recently.
OnePasadena took some time out advocating for left-wing causes to defend Chesapeake High School Social Studies Teacher Willa Hoard in a long-winded, self-congratulatory statement.
The key statement that I want to highlight is this.
First, to Mrs. Hoard: You have long been regarded as a good teacher, having received awards for your service, and having students return to talk to you many years after they pass through your classroom. You are well-regarded among your fellow teachers, for the concern and dedication and results that you bring to the job. You are an advocate for the students, including the marginalized, bullied, and harassed students at CHS. Our common causes allowed us to become friends.
Billie, as you go through this, you remain a friend of One Pasadena, and you will not be alone.
Hoard of course was placed on indefinite leave on October 3rd related to violations of the policy for Anne Arundel County Public Schools Social Media policy. The Duckpin has received unconfirmed reports that Hoard was permanently fired.
So what has OnePasadena had to say about their full-throated defense of Hoard and Hoard’s activity at the school? A terse, two-sentence statement.
What does that even mean? Does that mean that OnePasadena doesn’t think Hoard should have been disciplined? Does this mean that OnePasadena believes a teacher should be talking on social media to underage children about sexual matters? Does this mean that OnePasadena believes that public school employees, particularly ones in positions of trust should be freely able to talk to underage minors about private matters in private social media settings?
OnePasadena will not want to hear this, but the behavior Groom has been accused of sounds like grooming.1 Is OnePasadena ready to defend a teacher grooming their students?
OnePasadena has been relatively silent in the last month, speaking only on social media about the upcoming Pasadena Thanksgiving Parade. Maybe instead they should be formulating an apology to the Pasadena community, specifically to parents at Chesapeake High School, for defending Willa Hoard’s alleged behavior.
I don’t like using this word, because it has been overpoliticized to the point that it is almost meaningless (see Cox, Dan). But it remains the best way to describe Hoard’s alleged activity.