John Freshwater

Mount Vernon, Ohio, science teacher John Freshwater taught creationism in defiance of school administrators and allegedly burned crosses into the arms of students.¹

The Mount Vernon school board voted unanimously to terminate Freshwater in June of 2007. Freshwater is appealing that decision at an August 26, 2008 hearing.²

Fast Facts

1. Teaches in Mount Vernon, Ohio
2. Science teacher
3. Teaches eighth grade
4. Has taught at the school for 11 years
5. Also the school's football and wrestling coach²
6. Two-time "Teacher of the Year"
7. School received many complaints Freshwater's lessons did not comply with school curriculum
8. Continued teaching creationism and intelligent design in defiance of school administrators¹
9. Repeatedly asked to remove religious materials from classroom³
10. Allegedly burned crosses into some student's arms¹
11. Parents of at least one student burned have filed a federal lawsuit against Freshwater and the school¹

Freshwater Canned

The report on Freshwater's behavior was conducted by an independent investigator at the school's request.³ Freshwater has been fired as a result of the incidents.⁴

Categories