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News > Features
Melissa Elliott-Lowell, known as "Mrs. E.L.," was vigorously defended Monday night by students at a Community Unit School District 203 board meeting, and some 500 of them have joined the Facebook group. Some students alleged that the teacher had been criticized for her Facebook interactions with students, but school officials would not comment on that. One board member expressed skepticism about the protest. "They probably don't know why she got fired," said member Dave Weeks. District officials refused to confirm that Elliot-Lowell will not be returning, citing privacy issues. But at least two board members said she was among the nontenured teachers notified that this would be their last year. "My understanding is that there were 22 teachers across the district that were let go because of performance issues," Weeks said. Senior Maggie Thomas said Elliot-Lowell told her she would not be back to the district for her fourth year. Elliot-Lowell did not respond to questions posed by e-mail. The district has no formal policy on the use of Facebook by teachers, but Communications Director Melea Smith said that during training officials "strongly discourage" teachers from using social networking to communicate with students. Students Rebecca Ebling and Alyssa Borgetti told board members they were making a mistake with Elliot-Lowell. "She should be given an opportunity to keep sharing her gift," Ebling said. "I think it's a shame they are letting such an amazing woman go," Borgetti said. Affan Qureshi, a student of Elliott-Lowell's, helped create the Facebook page in support of her. "In less than 48 hours, we have more than 500 people in the group," he said, adding he also is working on a petition to circulate. Ali Pope, a member of the Facebook group, weighed in, writing, "Mrs. E.L. is like my second mom, and she is one of my heroes." Chris Knutsen posted a comment about being helped by Elliot-Lowell via Facebook saying, "It's faster and easier than e-mail. It's sad that it has to end this way, but I guess us seniors we are lucky that we are graduating because the school sure is going to be missing something for the years to come with her absence." --Mick Swasko |
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