Joanne Jacobs and Sheila O'Malley uncovered this stunning rejection letter to a prospective teacher in the Atlanta school system:
I am a 22-year-old African-American male and recent graduate of a respectable liberal arts college in Kentucky. I acquired a 3.75 grade-point average with a double major in Social Studies Secondary Education and sociology. I was a Rhodes Scholar nominee, inducted into the Mensa society in May 2001, named to the National Dean's List for three consecutive years, successfully competed in intercollegiate forensics and served as student body president...
Over the summer, I came to realize that my true calling lay in inspiring, motivating, challenging and educating other young adults. After investigating, I assumed that Atlanta would perhaps be a viable market for teaching jobs. I applied to metro Atlanta counties including Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb, Gwinnett, plus the Atlanta public schools, all to no avail...
Recently, I interviewed with a school in one of the metro Atlanta counties, only to receive an e-mail from the principal stating, "Though your qualifications are quite impressive, I regret to inform you that we have selected another candidate. It was felt that your demeanor and therefore presence in the classroom would serve as an unrealistic expectation as to what high school students could strive to achieve or become. However, it is highly recommended that you seek employment at the collegiate level; there your intellectual comportment would be greatly appreciated. Good luck."
In other words, this teacher was rejected for the likelihood that he would have too high a standard for his students. Appalling. The writer, Mr. Marquis Harris, entitled this article, "Brains can hurt job applicants," which is as brutal a commentary on the teaching profession as I've ever seen.
Joanne's commenters have it exactly right. One says that it's not the kids who would feel threatened by Mr. Harris, and another provides this link that gives more information on this outstanding young man.
The Atlanta school officials should be ashamed. They've deprived their students of the chance to be exposed to a passionate and intelligent teacher who would have helped spur them on to greater achievement.