Teaching dispute leads to parent picketing and student walkout

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.ocregister.com/news/school-class-teacher-1952559-district-parents

Reassigned fourth-grade teacher says she has history of student success, but doesn't conform to district guidelines.
By ERIC CARPENTER
The Orange County Register



BRING BACK MY TEACHER: Joseph Ramirez, 10, protests the removal of his fourth grade teacher, Amy Asaoka-Nakakihara. Asaoka-Nakakihara was transferred out of the school over disagreements with administration over her teaching methods.


BRUCE CHAMBERS, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

ANAHEIM – Parents upset with the transfer of a fourth-grade teacher involved in a dispute with administrators over her teaching style took their students out of class and picketed in front of Sunkist Elementary School on Wednesday.

They are upset that teacher Amy Asaoka-Nakakihara was transferred out of her fourth-grade class in the middle of the school year. They are demanding that the school district allow her to return to class.

“She is such a passionate teacher and we see the improvements in our children. We just want her back,” said parent Gina Nuñez, who marched in front of Sunkist with her son, Joseph.

In all, 11 of the 30 children stayed out of class to protest. Parents said they would return their children to class Thursday.

The debate at Sunkist highlights a larger issue about increasing pressure on educators to boost student test scores. The result, many teachers say, is a frustrating lack of freedom in how they are allowed to teach, even when their individual styles have proven successful.

District officials would not comment specifically on the clash, saying it’s a private personnel matter.

FULL story at link.