Amanda Harder, an English Honors and AP World History teacher, used Trump for a classroom example of a “master of pathos,” explaining that his arguments manipulate audiences by appealing to their emotions. The class discussion was centered around Greek philosopher Aristotle’s modes of persuasion.
“He is poking the fires under the particular niches of people in this country,” Harder said in the recording. “People who are anti-Mexican, people who are anti-Muslim, people who are anti-woman. Basically, the only people who seem to be safe from this guy are white Christian males ... am I missing anything? Oh, American — white Christian male Americans.”
These comments, recorded on a students’ cell phone, reportedly angered some. One student shared Harder’s example with a parent. The mother reached out to A.P. Dillon, a conservative blogger, who was first to break the story.
The story was picked up by national and international news outlets. She said that while the attention probably factored into the teacher’s resignation, the recording’s release wasn’t intended maliciously.
“I was disturbed to see her tender her resignation,” Dillon said. “In my opinion it was not my intention to cause jeopardy to anyone’s livelihood.”
Policy 7720 in the Orange County Board of Education manual prevents employees from using their position to “encourage or coerce” their views upon other employees or students.
At an Orange County School Board monthly meeting Monday night, Board Chair Stephen Halkiotis said although the school district encourages political discourse, it draws the line at explicit political endorsement.
“While our teachers are free to educate students about political issues when relevant to the curriculum, there is a fundamental difference between educating and advocating; between informing and voicing personal views,” Halkiotis said.
