Claims of being Sacked for Wizardry is a Hoax.
May 8th 2008 05:32
Claims of being Sacked for Wizardry is a Hoax.
Whilst everyone is in the mood for being scared like a bunch of magpies to a car backfire we should at least get the whole story before printing something that seems to reassure and confirm whatever prejudices we wish to harbour. The story of a substitute teacher named Jim Piculas has been floating all over the web based news sites and blogs for the last two days. What has been reported in most cases is that the teacher was sacked for performing wizardry.
Instantly the word of Jim Piculas has been taken as gospel as a whole chorus of naysayers have come out using this as an example of how dangerous and backward all these Christians are. They are out to burn people as witches because of a sight of hand trick in school. The fact that no one bothered to chase up the facts is real sign of backward thinking. It suits some people to believe that every Christian is a fanatical witch burner and no amount of balanced reporting will fix that in a perverted mind. However in the interests of the truth which is far more important than a few bruised egos here are the actual facts.
Jim Piculas is a teacher who was sacked for a number of reasons, many of which were considered to be serious complaints from students about his performance.
Here is some missing details edited out of most reports.
Assistant Superintendent Renalia DuBose said the word "wizardry" never came up on the school district's end.
"That was his rendition of what happened," she said.
DuBose also said "there was a lot more involved" than a simple magic-trick demonstration.
She said the principal interviewed students after the regular teacher complained about Piculas' performance in the classroom. The principal then requested that Piculas not return to the school and said he "absolutely should not be subbing," DuBose said.
"The toothpick demonstration was minor compared to the other problems," she said.
In a letter the district sent to Piculas, performing a magic trick at Rushe Middle is just one of the reasons the district gives for dumping him from the substitute-teacher list. The others are that Piculas did not follow the lesson plans, he allowed students on computers even though another teacher said not to and he told the fifth-period student peer that she was in charge.
In other words DuBose is claiming that Jim is a Wizard with lies and that only he has ever mentioned the supernatural.
Jim Piculas claims that his supervisor Pat Sinclair had said that the wizardry was the reason for his sacking. However there is no reference to wizardry in any documents or correspondence that has been sent to by Pat Sinclair. A letter dated 28th January only mentions trick at the bottom of a list of more serious violations of school policy.
Whether Jim was treated unfairly and sacked unduly is never discussed. However what is clear is that he was not sacked for Wizardry and the only person who has used the word is Jim.
Of course a scenario that would appear to be more likely is that Jim Piculas was not up to scratch as a substitute teacher and he was given his walking papers. Jim may be trying to play up some ‘Witch Hunt’ defence in order to secure future employment.
The media circus follows the story because the facts are never checked.
References worth checking:
Really Long Link
Really Long Link
The bigger the lie the more people believe it.
Whilst everyone is in the mood for being scared like a bunch of magpies to a car backfire we should at least get the whole story before printing something that seems to reassure and confirm whatever prejudices we wish to harbour. The story of a substitute teacher named Jim Piculas has been floating all over the web based news sites and blogs for the last two days. What has been reported in most cases is that the teacher was sacked for performing wizardry.
Instantly the word of Jim Piculas has been taken as gospel as a whole chorus of naysayers have come out using this as an example of how dangerous and backward all these Christians are. They are out to burn people as witches because of a sight of hand trick in school. The fact that no one bothered to chase up the facts is real sign of backward thinking. It suits some people to believe that every Christian is a fanatical witch burner and no amount of balanced reporting will fix that in a perverted mind. However in the interests of the truth which is far more important than a few bruised egos here are the actual facts.
Jim Piculas is a teacher who was sacked for a number of reasons, many of which were considered to be serious complaints from students about his performance.
Here is some missing details edited out of most reports.
Assistant Superintendent Renalia DuBose said the word "wizardry" never came up on the school district's end.
"That was his rendition of what happened," she said.
DuBose also said "there was a lot more involved" than a simple magic-trick demonstration.
She said the principal interviewed students after the regular teacher complained about Piculas' performance in the classroom. The principal then requested that Piculas not return to the school and said he "absolutely should not be subbing," DuBose said.
"The toothpick demonstration was minor compared to the other problems," she said.
In a letter the district sent to Piculas, performing a magic trick at Rushe Middle is just one of the reasons the district gives for dumping him from the substitute-teacher list. The others are that Piculas did not follow the lesson plans, he allowed students on computers even though another teacher said not to and he told the fifth-period student peer that she was in charge.
In other words DuBose is claiming that Jim is a Wizard with lies and that only he has ever mentioned the supernatural.
Jim Piculas claims that his supervisor Pat Sinclair had said that the wizardry was the reason for his sacking. However there is no reference to wizardry in any documents or correspondence that has been sent to by Pat Sinclair. A letter dated 28th January only mentions trick at the bottom of a list of more serious violations of school policy.
Whether Jim was treated unfairly and sacked unduly is never discussed. However what is clear is that he was not sacked for Wizardry and the only person who has used the word is Jim.
Of course a scenario that would appear to be more likely is that Jim Piculas was not up to scratch as a substitute teacher and he was given his walking papers. Jim may be trying to play up some ‘Witch Hunt’ defence in order to secure future employment.
The media circus follows the story because the facts are never checked.
References worth checking:
Really Long Link
Really Long Link
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Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
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The male mystique
Debate Fan
On a side note, I still don't see any good reasons given for firing Piculas..I'd be curious to get the details of this.
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Thanks for sticking your neck out.
I am told by certain sources that the wrath of Damo is ruthless.
Jokes aside.
I have seen go after incorrect information to dig up the entire story. How many Muslim posts have been scrutinized for misleading and manipulated information by yourself?
Bam! You missed this one.
But don't feel too bad we all get caught some times.
On the question of why he was sacked, we may never know for sure but the likely hood of it being for Wizardry stretches the line of plausibility beyond any reason.
Further more the only source of such a claim comes from the very interested party of the sacked worker. If someone cries rape they need more evidence than just some ones say so to convict a man. If someone claims he was robbed they want evidence before the arrest.
But if someone shouts 'wizard hunt' the same rules do not apply?
Comment by tlcorbin
Coffee Quip
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Comment by Anonymous
This is part of what I wrote:
Tampa Bay's 10 talked to the assistant superintendent with the Pasco County School District who said it wasn't just the wizardry and that Piculas had other performance issues, including "not following lesson plans" and allowing students to play on unapproved computers.
Can I stress that again for you Damo?
Tampa Bay's 10 spoke to the school district and THEY SAID it was not just the wizardry. Not JUST the wizardry.
But thanks for all the attention.
Ruby.
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
The fun in life is often lost on people who have never had toddlers or bananas or chopsticks.
Ruby
Still at it I see.
The school made no such statement.
They never said that any aspect was about Wizardry as you have just claimed in you last statement.
Of course if you are more interested in saving face than the truth then you can keep arguing that black is white.
I am certain that the whole world will agree.
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
The school made no such statement? Oh, i'm sorry did you contact Tampa Bay 10 News and ask them did you?
I quoted them directly Damo. if you have a problem with that I suggest you contact that news service and take it up with them.
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Assistant Superintendent Renalia DuBose said the word "wizardry" never came up on the school district's end.
"That was his rendition of what happened," she said.
Your comprehension skills are a different matter.
Comment by Anonymous
Could it be that they are back pedalling? trying to save face?
By the way, you never cited that reference you quoted. When was that reported? By whom?
How many times can I repeat that I quoted the news reporter who said they spoke to the school district directly? And they admitted "it wasn't just the wizardry".
proved computers.
So it's not just the school's word against the teacher. It's the school's word against the teacher and the local news service. But keep grasping at those straws Damo.
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
I was giving a direct quote from the Tampa Bay Tribune.
By RONNIE BLAIR
The Tampa Tribune
Published: May 6, 2008
The story is also floating around the museum of hoaxes.
Tampa Bay 10 is reporting from the position of hearsay and that never carries very much weight.
Of course if you think that tabloid television is reliable that is you problem.
Maybe the fellow was sacked because he was a man.
Maybe because he was white.
Maybe because he was fat.
Pick the least plausible and run with it.
The only quote we have that even mentions Wizardry comes from the man himself. No physical evidence in the form of a written accusation of Wizardry.
No witnesses.
No precedent of previous teachers being sacked for Wizardry.
Complete denial from the school that has politely called him a liar.
"His rendition of what happened"
Maybe if people stopped trying to save face they may realize that they are being taken for a ride by a media beat-up.
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
Actually I did go to Snopes Daily (nothing) and couldn't find much else about it (from reliable sources, that is).
And, to be dead honest--Florida does tend to harbor more than the usual share of freaks, lunatics, social outcasts, fanatics, tax evaders, et.al. Sacking a teacher for wizardry? Just another day here in sunny FLA.
We have a saying here in south Florida: "Shit rolls downhill."
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Snopes tends take a while to get the story pinned up on their website. They do not have every story and they are not my only source of verification. I just happened to be reading the Museum of Hoaxes looking for other stuff when I happened upon this. Then kept following links until more and more came out.
Florida may be nutcase centre after all but that does not mean that this particular case is an example. Guilt by association is not evidence.
If you have any specific knowledge about this case I am interested to read it.
Namely is there a reliable media source that can be trusted to have reported the story correctly with direct quotes and responses.
I have sent an email off to the Tampa Tribune for clarification on some points.
Mostly to look at the track record of the school and whether it has a litany of incidents involving disputes over supernatural accusations. Also to check the actual quotes that were given. I am hoping to get a copy of the dismissal letter but that may be too much to ask.
I know it may seem banal but often when someone is sacked they use the witch hunt defense. I was sacked because they are crazy not because I am a bad worker.
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
I don't see what the track record of the school has to do with it either. If no-one else has been sacked for being a wizard, that automatically means this guy is lying? Bit presumptuous no?
Also, the teacher in question never stated the word "wizard" was on the dismissal letter. He was called into the headmaster's office and told he had been accused of wizardry after a traumatised student complained to his parents about the magic trick.
I presented the story as fact because all the news reports I read before printing it presented it as fact. And I did not decide to go ahead with it until reading that Tampa News 10 reported they had spoken to the school district directly. Maybe you should write to them also? I also gave links to legitimate news sources in my original post
Now it may well come out that he is lying or exaggerating, but that does not make the story a 'hoax'. At this point in time, he has not been found to have fabricated the accusation.
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
I will do this one step at a time for you:
The fact that something is listed on the museum of hoaxes does not make it a hoax. However the forum did raise a lot of questions that should have been asked by reputable journalists.
The track record of the school shows whether there is a reason to distrust their version of events. If the school had sacked others for Wizardry, Witchery or Spoon Bending then there is anecdotal evidence linking the school to questionable practices.
The school says one thing to the Tampa Bay Tribune and is directly quoted. Tampa Bay 10 used the third person (hearsay) to convey what was said. This is not the same thing as no direct quote. I could cover more about how evidence is weighted in the scientific terms but that would require a whole post. You have every right to think that hearsay is better than a direct quote but that just open a whole nest of logical inconsistencies.
The teacher cannot point to the word Wizard on the dismissal paper because it was never put on it. The only person who has been directly quoted as claiming that 'Wizardry' was the reason he was the sacked teacher.
He said / she said arguments fall apart without any material evidence to back up the sensational claims. The school has documented its evidence against the teacher which he has agreed are correct. He did not deny those charges. I wonder why.
I could write to Tampa 10, I could also write to the school and I can always write to the sacked teacher but I have already written one letter and I am waiting for a reply on that first.
Finally what word should be used instead of hoax if the man is lying, exaggerating or creatively remembering?
It means the story is not true and if people print it as being true then Hoax is the kindest word out of the list that can be used.
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
I didn't get this story via dodgy unverified email, nor did I just cut and paste from another blog or unauthorised website. Whilst I would never rely on just one version of events given by one interested party, ie the teacher, I had no reason to doubt Tampa Bay 10's report.
And since you cannot prove that the man is lying, exaggerating or "creatively remembering", then you do not actually have the authority to call his claims a hoax, or a fraud or anything else. Nor do you have the right to call me a liar.
And the thrust of my post was more about how ridiculous it is that a teacher can be disciplined for performing a magic trick, whether or not it was only the magic trick that lead to his dismissal. And yes, the trick was on the list of his "offences". A harmless magic trick. They objected to his use of magic. That's the whole point of the story, right there, parents complained that their kids were exposed to magic. Whether or not the teacher had other performance issues does not change how utterly ridiculous that it.
And why so condescending?
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
I really don't think you of all people want to start mentioning inflammatory posts.
Lets just say that they way you gather evidence is alien to me and leave it at that.
I try not to waste time if people don't have the basic skills in that area because it takes too long to explain and frankly I just do not have time.
As we all know Schools in Florida are always sacking people for Wizardry. They even have a special form to fill in so that it can be recorded on the town register. They also have a form for UFO sightings and people killed by planet. But never mind the Illuminate will cover it all up and hide the evidence. Pull the other one it plays Jingle Bells.
Your post used the term Wizardry.
You continue to stretch the line of rationality and plausibility. Why is that?
Why so condescending huh?
Have you ever read anything that you have written.
Sorry Ruby but I do have a limit to how much BS I can swallow.
signed:
Media Watch Orble
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
The way I gather evidence? From legitimate news sources? How on earth do they even let me have a blog here?
And no, Florida's schools don't appear to have a history of sacking teachers for wizardry, which is probably why this story has made headlines all over the world. I'm yet to hear anyone other than yourself refer to it as a hoax either by the way. You are extremely presumptuous to have done that.
You may not like what I write but that does not give you the right to call me a liar, with no evidence to back up your claim and then you have the nerve to question my methods?
Yes, my post used the term "wizardry" as has every other newspaper, magazine, website, blog, online news service etc that has run with it. And what apparently led to the accusation of 'wizardry'? Why, none other than a magic trick.
Media Watch Orble?
You flatter yourself.
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Maybe you gathered news from news sources but the story was still incomplete and relied upon hearsay.
So far you have admitted that the Tampa School has no track record to assume that they are lying. Yes this is about who is lying: The school or the sacked teacher.
I work on evidence, not popularity contests of world headlines and disclosures by tabloids. All the evidence has failed to produce any substance to the accusation of being sacked for Wizardry.
You seem to have a problem with this for some reason.
Bang head against wall now.
However I do think that you have learnt something from this. If you want to put up stories that are questionable then they are going to be checked out and torn apart by someone. And if I did the same I would expect no lesser treatment.
That is the reality of the world Ruby.
People have a right to the whole truth rather than your preferred version of it.
Comment by RubySoho
Music Zone
Thought Zone
And just for clarification, I didn't "admit" that the school has no track record to indicate they are lying, only that they do not appear to have a history of sacking wizards.
Ah, my head hurts again...i'm going to disable the email notification for this post...if i know a reply is there i can't help but read it, even when i promise myself i won't respond...but i always do...no hard feelings...not on my end anyway.
Comment by D. Armenta
The Florida Keys and Everglades
The Black Sheep Chronicles
What constitutes bad manners?
The male mystique
Debate Fan
Comment by Damo
For the Sake of Argument
My Apologetics
Thanks.
DA
I think will try levitation next.
Tampa 10 the home of research