For those who may have forgotten, Amy Sorrell was the journalism teacher at Woodlan High in Fort Wayne, until a student editorial published in the school paper that advocated for the tolerance of homosexuality almost cost the instructor her job. She was eventually reinstated after local and national outcry at what was seen as a clear attack on both the freedom of school publications and tolerance, but she was punished by a required school transfer and the stipulation that she is unable to teach the subject she loves for three years.

As her employers at East Allen Community Schools continue to treat her as if she was directly responsible for their boneheaded handling of school policy, American University’s law school and the Marshall-Brennan Constitutional Literacy Project have honored teacher Amy Sorrell with the Mary Beth Tinker Award. From Kelly Soderlund of the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette:

Tinker gained national attention as a 13-year-old in 1965 when the Des Moines, Iowa, school board tried to bar her and some classmates from wearing black armbands to mourn soldiers killed in Vietnam. Some students were suspended for their actions.

The case eventually went to the Supreme Court that, in a landmark decision in 1969, ruled that students in public schools do have First Amendment rights.

Sorrell’s actions generated widespread headlines this year after her Woodlan principal demanded each edition of the school newspaper be approved before it went to print. The action came after the paper printed a student’s column advocating tolerance toward homosexuals.

Not only was Ms. Sorrell honored at the luncheon, she was a guest speaker before the audience of law students and faculty.

“I challenge all of you here today to take a step toward protecting student rights,” an excerpt from Sorrell’s speech said. “This is something we need to do now – not wait until you are a victim of censorship.

“We need to challenge schools to be advocates for students and to truly make schools a place for learning. Schools need to be places that harbor student rights, that encourage students’ thoughts and ideas even when they are unpopular.”

Sorrell was notified Monday that she was receiving the award and was recommended by law students who read about her case on the Internet.

While the bigots that employ Ms. Sorrell attempt to put this controversy behind them, I am thrilled to see national organizations recognize the courage that it took for this teacher to stand up to an administration (and school board) that has taken such a harsh and firm stand against tolerance and free speech.

Congratulations, Ms. Sorrell.

(Cross-posted at Blue Indiana)

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