Students protest administration’s decision to not retain popular history teacher

The news that history teacher Jim Chin would not be returning for the 2014-15 school year has recently sparked outrage among a group of students who have petitioned the administration for his reinstatement.

A change.org petition, which was started by sophomore Kelly Xiao, garned 235 signatures and dozens of student testimonials the first night of its release on May 20.

A Falcon opinion article written by Samuel Liu lamenting the loss of Chin got 2000 hits an hour after being put online on May 20.

The administration’s decision not to give Chin tenure or have him return to school next year was fairly routine, but what set it apart from other cases was the overwhelming student support for Chin and anger with the decision by the administration.

After being informed of the administration’s choice, Chin resigned rather than being “non-reelected,” which might have hurt his future job prospects.

Chin said he did not want to leave the school, and the administration did not tell him exactly why he will not be coming back.

Principal Paul Robinson declined to comment on Chin’s departure from the school because it is a personnel issue.

Chin said he believes the school is looking for a teacher who is completely polished.  He added that there was no specific deal breaker that resulted in his departure.

History teacher Kim Anzalone told some of her students that the administration felt Chin needed more experience with teaching. According to Anzalone, the school recommended that he work at another school for a year and try returning to Saratoga afterward.

Chin said that if given the choice, he would have liked to stay here for as long as possible because of the sense of community and the bonds he has formed with students.

During his two years at the school, Chin became an adviser for several clubs, including mock trial, and also assisted the History Bowl team.

Key signers of the petition, including Xiao, met with Robinson on May 19. According to Xiao, Robinson claimed that the school had little involvement in Chin’s departure.

“We were told that the board had apparently received a letter of resignation from Mr. Chin,” Xiao said, “but when we asked whether Mr. Chin would still remain as a teacher if he hadn’t submitted the letter, Robinson gave no definitive answer.”

When Chin began working here in 2012-13, he was assigned a probationary status (as most new teachers are), meaning he could be dismissed at any time without cause. Administrators also observed him at least three times in each year.

This year, Chin underwent what is known as “probationary 2,” in which he was more closely examined. When this period ended on March 15, the administration had to decide whether to give Chin tenure — and ultimately chose not to.

The administration began conducting interviews for Chin’s replacement during the week of May 5.

Junior Vivian Roan, who had Chin for World History last year, said that she was “extremely surprised” to learn that Chin would not be returning next year.

“Everything in his class was fun,” Roan said. “From simulations of battles to lectures, Mr. Chin made everything interesting.”

Anzalone said Chin was both professional and fun when interacting with his students and that she has enjoyed working with him.

“The department is sorry to see him go,” Anzalone said. “We think he brings a lot of energy and a lot of thinking outside the box into the social studies department.”