The Untold Story of
Frank Navarro
By: Mallory Coish
Sydney Mozer 2
Dedication To my partner, Sydney Mozer, for accepting and accomplishing this challenging project with me. To Mr. Navarro, the MVLA School District, my brother Peter Coish, and all of my Freestyle Academy teachers for their support, cooperation, and guidance along the way.
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Table of Contents 4
2 6 8 10 16 20 24 26 28
Dedication Preface Introduction Chapter 1: Who is Mr. Navarro? Chapter 2: What Happened? Chapter 3: Who Cares? Conclusion Works Cited Biography
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Oat Field With Cypress by Van Gough
(Poster from Frank Navarro’s classroom)
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A
Preface
s a student at Freestyle Academy, I earned my rite of passage by persevering through the hardest project of the year: The Documentary Project. This was a collaborative project that connected our English, Film, and Design classes, leading to the creation of a book and
documentary film. Going into this daunting project, I was stuck. I couldn’t think of anyone
or anything that I found interesting enough to do such a huge project on. But then it hit me – the ‘famous’ administrative leave of Mr. Navarro. I was extremely excited about this topic because it was an incident that had already been in the limelight. However, my partner Sydney Mozer and I soon discovered that this was not going to be the easy task that we imagined. We quickly realized that there was more to this incident than the story told in the newspapers. There was this deeper story behind it all that we had to figure out. We hit bumps in the road like no other, causing us to reconsider our whole project at one point. However, we were past the point of no return. We had gathered testimony from multiple interviewees that gave us differing perspectives, causing us to be conflicted. We concluded that they are definitely two sides to this story that we needed to acknowledge. Having experienced confusion, excitement, and stress, we came out of it grateful for the lessons we learned, the answers we received, and the struggles we encountered.
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I
Introduction
t was November 10, 2016, and Frank Navarro, history teacher at Mountain View High School, had just been put on a one-hour administrative leave. Navarro believed this was a response to his comparison of President-elect Donald Trump and Adolf Hitler in one of his classes. MVLA Superintendent Dr. Jeff Harding explained, “The administrators involved were responding to a specific parent and student complaint of a serious nature,” and later informed Navarro that he would be returning to class the next school period, which was that Monday, November 13, when administration was “confident that the environment [is]safe for students” (“History Teacher Frank Navarro to Return Monday”). In the ensuing weeks, Navarro found himself gaining publicity from this administrative leave– one that influenced people across the nation and questioned free speech on politics in the classroom. Navarro mentioned that “ Without free speech we are truly hampered as teachers in doing our job. My limitations on free speech would be profanity and vulgarity but beyond that I think most things should be open to discussion. I think we should be doing more talking to each other, not less. And maybe we can, at the worst, we could agree to disagree and at the best we can come to a greater understanding of each other.” As a student at Mountain View High School, I found myself trying to make sense of this controversy. However, unlike some of my peers, I had never met Mr. Navarro before, and frankly did not know anything about him either. All I had heard of him was how many students, including some of my friends, really enjoyed him as a teacher and as a person. From what I read in newspapers and heard on campus, Navarro’s stance on free speech seemed completely understandable and acceptable. However, according to The San Jose Mercury News, “Some of Navarro’s students alleged his lessons were one-sided and that Navarro said things about Trump that his supporters would find offensive” (Sanchez). This made me curious about the deeper story behind the conflict between the school district and Frank Navarro. I soon realized that I had become an investigative journalist, hoping to find answers for what truly happened in this incident.
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Frank Navarro 9
Chapter 1 Who is
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Mr. Navarro?
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T
he one word you think
Hopefully I have something to say
of changes and impacts and
of when you hear Mr.
that is interesting, worth reading.”
contributions in gender, economics,
Navarro teaching history
He has clearly written material
heritage, and culture and how the high
is: passion. Mr. Navarro
that is worth reading because he
school will reflect the surrounding
has been recognized by the World
community immediately and the
really gets into his history. With the
big smile on his face and demonstrated Holocaust Remembrance Center
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greater culture in history of the U.S.”
knowledge for history, Navarro really
and is a Mandel Fellow of the U.S.
This shows that not only has Navarro
knows what he is teaching. He is an
Holocaust Memorial Museum. He
been known for writing about history
intelligent writer, a confident political
has also written newspaper articles
related topics, but he also continues
advocate and a Holocaust scholar.
such as “A Class of the Past” and
to write about anything that he finds
“Suburban Teacher Labors to Help
influential and important to our
has many newspapers and articles all
Students Understand History,
society.
over his classroom wall written by
Strength of Human Spirit”, and
him and plaques given to him for his
even most recently wrote an article
is a staunch advocate of free speech,
involvement with certain museums.
in “Educator” magazine about his
especially in the classroom. Being a
He enjoys writing so much that when
brief administrative leave. Navarro
history teacher, especially during the
he retires he expects, “to write from
mentioned that he is “currently also
2016 Presidential election, it has been
7:30 to 11:30, Monday through
working on a history of Mountain
more impactful than any other, making
Friday and see where it takes me.
View High School, as a reflection
free speech a very sensitive, debated
Navarro loves to write. He
It follows, then, that Navarro
“If you’re going to get in trouble, say something way out there.” -Frank Navarro
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topic. Navarro has always been an
impact it has on our society and that
Holocaust Remembrance Center.
advocate of free speech, which has
free speech is very essential to our
Frank first started looking at the
shown through his teaching style
growing society. Something I found
Holocaust in 1986 and has become
these past years. Navarro himself
particularly interesting was when
more passionate ever since. “I would
said, “I absolutely am an advocate
Navarro said, “I mean if you’re going
go to Yad Vashem the international
of free speech and I was informed
to get in trouble, say something way
study for the Holocaust in the
some time ago and we’ve had a
out there.” This stood out to me
summer of ‘89 and then I offered
great many discussions about it,
because this evidently shows us how
a course called Facing History.
apparently, according to case law,
passionate Frank is about having
The crux of it was Hitler and the
teachers don’t have free speech. And
free speech in a classroom, as well
Holocaust and how it developed.
for a History or an English teacher,
as how confident he is; even though
And from there I also started writing
even a science teacher, not to have
he knows what his limits are, he isn’t
about the impact of Holocaust
free speech, not to address the great
afraid of drawing controversy if it
education on students”(Navarro).
issues in our country, not to address
means sharing what is important for
This shows us that Navarro has been
it honestly based on knowledge is
our society to understand.
a very passionate Holocaust scholar
limiting intellectual endeavor and
for nearly 30 years.
growth”(Navarro). From this, we see
has also been seen through his
that Navarro strongly cares about
involvement with the U.S. Holocaust
free speech simply because of the
Memorial Museum and the World
Frank’s passion for history
“History may not repeat itself, but it sure rhymes”
- Mark Twain
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“Somebody who teaches with the heart, teaches to his strenghs� 16
-Frank Navarro
Chapter 2
F
What Happened?
rank Navarro has been
recently however, something came
election, a very emotional time for
proudly teaching history
up that influenced Navarro’s teaching
everyone. Of course teachers and
for 40 years, and is
style: the 2016 Presidential election.
students shared their feelings about
currently teaching World
Frank mentioned that he “felt it
President-Elect Trump. “History
History and Economics. In the past,
was important to raise the issue of
may not repeat itself, but it sure
he has taught European History,
Donald Trump being similar to Adolf
rhymes,” Frank Navarro quoted
Facing History, and American
Hitler and I had a feeling that was
from Mark Twain. This quotation is
History, but mainly has focused on the going to offend people.” Did this
very important to Navarro because it
Holocaust and the universal lessons
stop Navarro? No. Being an advocate
evidently influences his teaching style
that one derives from the Holocaust.
of free speech, Frank Navarro
by encouraging him to compare our
Frank believes that a perfect teacher
decided to speak up during this very
past history with our current history,
is, “somebody who teaches with
controversial election, which seemed
because he also believes that “History
the heart, teaches to his strengths,”
to have more of an impact that he had
is very much our story and that it is a
which has been evident in Navarro’s
thought.
story that needs to be told again and
teaching style these past years. Just
again for us to remember,” which
It was the day after the
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is presumably what led Navarro to
could put me on leave for virtually
reports made based on allegations
compare Trump to Hitler.
anything. The phrase and the
surrounding this incident.
contract allows them to put a
Manager Cynthia Greaves said
teacher on leave at their whim.” But
Mountain View High School’s
that, “This is a situation where a
what Cynthia Greaves found most
own Oracle, in addition to the
teacher was called to speak with
troubling was that “The challenge
San Jose Mercury News and
their supervisor, for some reason
I have faced with this is that the
Huffington Post, along with many
he [Navarro] told his students it was
headlines don’t really speak to the
others, had started spreading this
about him drawing a comparison
truth. What was frustrating for me is
‘fire.’ Mercury News stated, “A
between then elected President
that it’s really hard to set the record
history teacher at Mountain View
Trump to Hitler and he’s a history
straight after it has become reported
High School has been placed on
teacher, that seems like it would be
in so many papers, most of which
paid leave after drawing parallels
a normal things to do, but that’s not
never bothered to call the district
between Republican President-elect
why he was called in to speak with
office to verify whether the story was
Donald Trump and Adolf Hitler
his supervisors.” With that being
true or not.” Greaves then clarified
in his lesson plan” (Sanchez) ,
said, you are probably wondering:
that Mr. Navarro’s “administrative
similarly to Huffington Post which
what was the real issue here?
leave” lasted only the one hour of
suggested that, “He was placed
the meeting with his supervisors. As
on “administrative leave” with pay
troubling as a teacher was that, “I
we all know, news can spread as fast
Thursday afternoon when a parent
had no power to defend myself.
as wild fire, which in this case it did,
sent an email to the school district
By contract, the administration
with many newspapers, articles, and
complaining about a lesson Navarro
MVLA Communication
What Navarro said he found
Newspapers such as
taught his ninth grade students”
and it is troubling to think how little
this was a pattern.” She also said
(Singer). With all these articles
power that I really have directly
that the names of the students and
coming out in a matter of less than
with the admin.” However, Greaves
parents who has expressed concern
a week after the incident occurred,
revealed that “it wasn’t just one
were not shared so there would be
any newspaper would try to get a
comment from one parent on that
no negative repercussions for the
hold of the story and write what they
day, for several weeks leading up
students and parents. Needless
could. Like Greaves mentioned
to the election the district office
to say, we can clearly see how
before, many papers never bothered
had been receiving concerns from
troublesome this incident was
to check to see if the story was true,
parents and students about some
for the school district because of
and in this case, we can see how that
of the things that were being said
uproar, with rumors and stories
caused a major problem.
in the class and the language being
from outside sources along with
Navarro said that, “Even to this day
used, so it wasn’t just a one time
the miscommunications and the
I have not been allowed to read the
circumstance where a thing was said,
emotions that were heavily involved.
email that made these allegations
a parent called, and this happened, 19
Chapter 3 Who Cares?
I
f you are a parent, student,
to teach present day politics in
people seem to believe that politics
teacher or advocate of free
the classroom? Some of you may
are a very fundamental part of
speech, you are most likely
think that politics should never be
learning, with a few exceptions.
influenced by this incident
discussed in the classroom, similarly
Krish Gujral, one of Mr. Navarro’s
because it brings into question free
to the 1996 Education Act which
students, voiced that “they
speech in the classroom and raises
states that “sections 406 and 407
[teachers] should be able to teach
the question: To what extent should
prohibit the promotion of partisan
politics but rather than enforcing
teachers be allowed to teach present
political views in schools” (Jones).
their opinion, it’s okay if they say
day politics in the classroom?
However, some of you, like Navarro
what their opinion is, but they
This has been a hotly debated and
and Greaves, would believe that
should let the students know that
emotional topic for all, will continue
teaching politics is essential in a
they have their own opinion and
to be challenged and examined, and
classroom. But where do you draw
they need to be able to back up
has yet to be resolved.
the line between teaching politics
their opinion with facts.” Coming
and promoting opinion?
from a student’s perspective,
we can see that Gujral believes
So ask yourself: to what
extent should teachers be allowed 20
In this day and age, many
teachers must be able to link facts
(Drummond). This is similar to
a man who has called Mexicans
with opinions if they are going to
Krish’s opinion in a sense that if a
criminals and bad hombres, who
go about teaching politics in the
teacher has an opinion, they should
jokes about attacking women, who
classroom, which is a completely
be aware and be understanding of
was sued for discriminating against
understandable viewpoint. Similar to
the other opinions that are out there.
African Americans in his hotels
Krish’s point, in a book called The
some time ago. A man who has in
Political Classroom: Evidence and
for 40 years now, and faced this
fact, declared bankruptcy four times
Ethics in Democratic Education,
issue of free speech in the classroom
and is becoming President. And so
one of the authors, Paula McAvoy,
just recently. Considering the whole
I would argue that the issue is here
points out, “What’s most important
administrative leave in general,
with me being put on leave and the
is that teachers create a culture
Navarro passionately shared that
publicity I received are bigger than
of fairness in the classroom. That
he was “gratified and okay with the
me. They are large issues that affect
means being fair and reasonable
publicity because we need to be
all of us. And it’s why I raised them
to all the competing views that
discussing these issues. We do need
with my classes. I want the young
are in the classroom and that are
to talk about the actions of a man
ladies in my class to know that it is
being represented in the public”
who is called for registry of Muslims,
not alright what he did and what he
Navarro has been teaching
FREEDOM OF SPEECH 21
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was charged with. I want my Hispanic kids
that she “feel(s) kind of sad about my dad
to understand that I stand with them and I
retiring just because I feel like besides
stand with the girls in my class.”
being my dad, history and teaching history
is his life, I feel like he loves waking up
From this, we can clearly see the
emotion and power in Navarro’s voice
and being a history teacher and after it’s
when he talks about his administrative
all gone, I don’t know, I feel like it will be
leave, because after the whole incident,
sad, I’m sure he will find other things to
Navarro still believes that what is taught
do, but his main passion will kind of be
to the young students in his classroom is
gone after he retires.”
far more important than what happened.
Navarro is retiring after this year and
show passion in other activities, such as
mentioned that, “The action of the admin
biking and exercising. “I love biking. I
gave me a push to the door. Though I
shoot for between 80 and 100 miles a
could have said ‘No, I am going to stay one
week so I get home, I try to leave about
more year,’ but it is something to consider
3, and I bike into the Coyote Hills and
that they had so little regard for me that
down to the Alameda Trail and out to
they put me on leave for the flimsiest
Niles Canyon which is roughly 14 miles.
of reasons.” As Navarro leaves, he will
And I have a coffee shop in the town of
take with him his passion and confidence
Niles that I pull out a book and pull out
in himself, free speech, and history.
my writing and I’ll take a half an hour
Navarro’s daughter, Sadie Navarro, said
break” (Navarro). Frank is noticeably
With that being said, Navarro does
as passionate about history as he is for
she “feels like he has influenced me a
biking and writing. Frank also mentioned
lot to keep motivated even when things
that in 2013 he had open heart surgery.
are hard.” It is evident that not only is
“I was in the hospital in total for 28 days.
Navarro motivated to strengthen himself,
In a couple of weeks when I got home, I
but influences others around him to do
had started walking, and they asked me
the same, and with that being said, will
to wait for about a month and I started
retire having influenced many students,
biking again. I was limited to 15 minutes,
teachers, and our whole community
three times a day. Within a couple of
through his passion of teaching and
months I had bumped it up to 30 minutes
helping others.
or 45 minutes. And the cardiologist told me that my conditioning and exercise had saved my life so I keep it up, I enjoy it. It gives me a break it gives me a time to think. It saved me” (Navarro). Navarro’s passion for exercising, as well as his persistence to get better and strengthen himself, even when he is faced with challenging obstacles, is shown not only through his teaching, but his everyday life. Sadie Navarro also mentioned that 23
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Conclusion
ltimately, Navarro is an unquestionably passionate teacher who wasn’t afraid of drawing controversy. While he drew attention to the importance of free speech in this polarized political climate, the school district’s voice was not fully heard – neither was it given enough fair attention in the media. The district has a larger duty to ensure students’ safety, which they were able to secure with a one-hour administrative leave; this
fact was underreported in the media, which led people to believe that it was much longer.
From this, the school district and Mr. Navarro engaged in a tense, yet ultimately a very valuable dialogue. Some of
this discussion happened face to face while some of it happened through the media. Even though they agreed to disagree on this incident, they both believe that free speech is essential in the classroom.
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Works Cited Drummond, Steve. “Politics In The Classroom: How Much Is Too Much?” NPR, NPR, 6 Aug. 2015, www.npr.org/sections/ed/2015/08/06/415498760/the-role-of-politics-in-the-classroom.
Accessed 20 Mar. 2017.
Greaves, Cynthia. Personal Interview. 4 April 2017. Gujral, Krish. Personal Interview. 21 March 2017. “History Teacher Frank Navarro to Return Monday after Environment Deemed Safe for
Students.” Oracle Online, MVHS, 13 Nov. 2016, mvhsoracle.com/news/history-teacher-frank-navarro-to-
return-monday-after-allegations-proved-false. Accessed 21 Mar. 2017.
Jones, Andrew. “From Brexit to Trump: Should Teachers Talk Politics in the Classroom?” The
Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 11 Jan. 2017,
https://www.theguardian.com/teacher-network/2017/jan/11/brexit-trump-teaching-politics-classroom.
Accessed 19 Apr. 2017.
Navarro, Frank. Personal Interview. 9 March 2017. ---. Personal Interview. 29 March 2017. 26
Navarro, Sadie. Personal Interview. 27 March 2017. Sanchez, Tatiana. “Mountain View High History Teacher on Leave after Comparing Trump to Hitler.”
The Mercury News, The Mercury News, 15 Nov. 2016, www.mercurynews.com/2016/11/11/mountain-view-
high-history-teacher-on-leave-for-comparing-trump-to-hitler/. Accessed 18 Apr. 2017.
Singer, Alan. “Frank Navarro Is Back In Class.” The Huffington Post, TheHuffingtonPost.com, 17 Nov. 2016,
www.huffingtonpost.com/alan-singer/frank-navarro-is-back-in_b_13039598.html. Accessed 21 Mar. 2017.
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Biography
allory Coish is a junior at Mountain View High School and Freestyle Academy. In addition to producing films at freestyle, she loves to play music and be with her friends. She also really enjoys traveling, experiencing many different cultures. Mallory is a positive, adventurous, and kind person that always tries to make the most out of things. She has a fun time hanging out with her parents and
brother, trying to make jokes majority of the time. She really appreciates Freestyle because it has brought out her creative side and has built many of her friendships, so she is very excited to be attending next year!
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“Without free speech we are truly hampered as teachers in doing our job. My limitations on free speech would be profanity and vulgarity but beyond that I think most things should be open to discussion. I think we should be doing more talking to each other not less. And maybe we can, at the worst, we could agree to disagree and at the best we can come to a greater understanding of each other.� -Frank Navarro