Art Teacher Loses Job After Kids See Nude Sculpture

[Abathar]

FRISCO, Texas -- An award-winning Texas art teacher who was reprimanded after one of her fifth-grade students saw a nude sculpture during a trip to a museum has lost her job.

The school board in Frisco has voted not to renew Sydney McGee's contract after 28 years. She has been on administrative leave.

The teacher took her students on an approved field trip to a Dallas museum, and now some parents are upset.


The Fisher Elementary School art teacher came under fire last April when she took 89 fifth-graders on a field trip to the Dallas Museum of Art. Parents raised concerns over the field trip after their children reported seeing a nude sculpture at the art museum.

The parents had signed permission slips allowing their children to take part in the field trip.

McGee's lawyer said the principal at Fisher Elementary School admonished her after a parent complained that a student had seen nude art.

McGee said the principal had urged her to take the students to the museum.

Now, McGee, who was honored with a Star Teacher Award two years ago, is on paid administrative leave until her contract with the school district expires in March.

Other parents are worried about the future of the art program at the school, which they cite as a reason for moving into the neighborhood.

"Our main concern right now is what's going to happen to the children and what's going to happen to the art program at Fisher Elementary. It is the best art program. That's the reason we moved to this neighborhood. It's because of the teachers," said Shannon Allen, a parent. "It was a principal-approved trip. What's the big deal?"

Officials with the Frisco school district declined to comment on the matter.

[Abathar]

1. What the hell is the world coming to?

[KurtNYC]

7. This is at least the 4th thread on this

it is one incident so I wouldn't declare this to be a trend just yet. In another thread (which linked to a published version of the story) it implied that this was an excuse to get this teacher whom the district has some other issue with.

Welcome to DU but please note policy is to copy no more than 4 paragraphs of news items published elsewhere and link back to the original material (for copyright and fair use compliance).

[mcscajun]

2. Next, they'll be picketing the museum, demanding that the statuary

be draped.

We're on a double-time march back to the Dark Ages, folks.

[patrice]

3. Some board member probably has family or a friend who

wants the job.

[asjr]

6. Or John Ashcroft is at it again!

[durrrty libby]

4. The wingers are trying to destroy us

This is so pathetic and sad, but the Ashcrofts of the world are happy.

:hurts:

[AndyA]

5. Heaven forbid a child sees a nude art sculpture!

Geez, now go back to your video game where you can slice people's heads off with your light sabre, blow them to bits by pushing a button, and start the implosion of Earth if you win the game.

Yes indeed, let's not traumatize the little darlings with nude art! They have more violent and viscious things to enjoy at home. Alone. While their parents are at work.

[Missy M]

8. This is unbelievable.....

I don't think the parent who complained should ever let her/his child see anything Michelangelo did in the Sistine Chapel.

[LaPera]

9. It's uptight, fucking backward Texas...what else would one expect?

You never hear about shit like that on the left coast!

[Der Blaue Engel]

10. American Taliban n/t

[mike_c]

11. this is utterly insane-- puritans, prudes, and (no doubt) christians...

...are so uptight their butts squeak when they walk. WTF do they think that the human form has been one of the most frequently depicted subjects throughout history? Do they think that artists are all sexual perverts? Most likely they do. They must live such horrible lives, knowing that under their own clothes resides a-- gasp!-- naked body.

Even more shocking is that the school went along with this nonsense. What did the principle or the school board think the kids were going to encounter at an art museum? Sculptures tastefully draped to conceal the naughty bits? OMFG! I am utterly amazed that people that ignorant are permitted any responsibility for educating children! :grr:

[louis-t]

12. I've always said that Repugs are disgusted by their own bodies.

[seemunkee]

13. So what was it the kids saw?

A penis?


Or boobies


A naked lady


Why those children will be scarred for life

[no_hypocrisy]

14. A 12-year old can't look at a "wee-wee" on a classical art statue?!

This is Bizarro World.

[tk2kewl]

15. Maybe her replacement can have the kids...

cut fig leafs out of construction paper and send them to the museum.

[neilepi]

16. If she'd taken them on a trip to Crawford.....

.....they might have caught a glimpse of an emperor without clothes.

[tocqueville]

17. click here if you are over 18 to see this exhibition of Christian art

http://exchristian.net/art/thumbnails.php?album=2



Creation of Adam, Sixtine Chapel, Rome

[waketheherd]

24. That painting is evil

Everyone knows Adam didn't have genitals!

[Iris]

18. I just can't believe this is a "fireable" offense.

I mean, if we fire teachers over petty shit like this, who will be left to teach?

And why does one kids' parents get to call all the shots here?

[Skittles]

19. do you have a link for this?

thanks

[pinkpops]

22. Not sure if this is the same article but theres more here-

http://www.courier-gazette.com/articles/2006/09/27/frisco_enterprise/news/d-newsfri04.txt

[pinkpops]

23. I think this is the original

http://www.wral.com/education/9936513/detail.html

[michaelwb]

20. I'm guessing

I'm guessing that the school library doesn't carry National Geographic either. Oh, that hotbed of naked ladies.....

[Anakin Skywalker]

21. Nude Statue = BAD. War = GOOD.

Great leadership, Amerikkka.

[Matilda]

25. Never, never let them see Michelangelo's David.

Makes you wonder how the complaining parent managed to conceive - in the dark with a blindfold
on?