Politics & Government

Patch Letters: Former Students Defend Teacher Accused of Ethnic Slur

Three graduates of La Cañada High School applaud Gabrielle Leko's professionalism and ''implore'' the La Cañada Unified School District to retain its math department chair.

The following students wrote Patch in response to its story of Oct. 12 about Gabrielle Leko, the teacher and chair of the math department The La Cañada Unified School District is investigating a complaint, filed by school board member Cindy Wilcox, which alleges Leko used the ethnic slur to refer to her student, as well as exhibit gender discrimination toward female students.

To the LCUSD School Board:

It was with great concern that we read the articles in Patch, the Valley Sun and LA Times this week regarding the allegations made of La Canada High School teacher Mrs. Leko. We both consider Mrs. Leko to be one of the finest math teachers at La Canada High School, and we would be extremely disappointed if she was let go. Her consistently excellent teaching paved the way for both of us to succeed in STEM-related disciplines, in college and after. Since we feel the article published in local papers expressed predominantly negative views, we would like to address the issues of complaint and to share our own good experiences.

While we cannot speak to the alleged “Jew boy” comment, nicknames in Mrs. Leko’s class were both frequent and affectionate.  Mrs. Leko never used a nickname in order to discriminate against members of her class.  She made it very clear how much she cared for her all of her students, encouraging us to do our homework and study for tests that we might do well and succeed, both in her class and in life after high school. She treated all students who respected her with equal respect, and didn’t tolerate behavior that would disrupt the classroom or cause distraction, to ensure that everyone would have the learning environment necessary to help them succeed. If a student showed he or she was trying hard, she went out of her way to make sure that they succeeded.  

As to the alleged discrimination against girls in Mrs. Leko’s class, we have to wonder if those who experienced it were in the same classes we were. If anything, Mrs. Leko strove to encourage girls to pursue careers in math-related disciplines.

Finally, we are very disappointed that this issue was not handled more discreetly. We recognize that it is possible not everyone has had the same good experiences we have had, but we feel that Mrs. Leko deserves more respect than she has been given in this situation.

Sincerely,

Annelise Thompson
Class of ‘09

Allison Thompson Brown
Class of ‘05

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To: Cynthia Wilcox and LCUSD/LCHS Administration


My name is Ethan Sox, former Chairman of the La Cañada School Site Council, former representative to the La Cañada Unified Curriculum Council, and alumni of La Cañada High School. I was recently informed of a complaint filed against Gabrielle Leko regarding actions taken during the 2010-2011 school year. Cynthia Wilcox has insinuated that Mrs. Leko is both anti-Semitic and sexist towards the female members of her class. As a former student of Mrs. Leko’s AP Calculus BC class during the school year in question, I can assure you these claims are unfounded and entirely false. Gabrielle Leko is one of the finest teachers La Cañada High School employs. She belongs to a class of teachers who do more than educate; they inspire their students. They are the ones who truly make LCHS a pinnacle of secondary education.

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In the year I was a student of Gabrielle Leko, I saw no indication of any of these allegations. She supported all of her students and was in no way discriminatory. The very thought that she degraded the female members of her classes is utterly ludicrous. This ridiculous complaint continues a string of actions that have led me to the understanding that the LCUSD administration has a poor understanding of how the high school actually functions. It is the teachers who deserve the credit and praise for La Cañada High School’s consistent performance as a top-flight school. The educators, who draw forth knowledge and passion from their students, make this school district great. You do not have to look any farther than Gabrielle Leko’s BC Calculus class. A short list of schools the 2010-2011 class is now attending include: Stanford, Princeton, MIT, Brown, USC, Caltech, Georgetown, and many more.


And so, I implore you. Do not rob La Cañada High School of one of its finest educators. Gabrielle Leko is the defining figure of the math department. Her dedication and hard work have been reflected in the successes of LCHS alumni.


Sincerely,
Ethan Sox La Cañada High School, Class of 2011


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