Tec Voc students rally in support of teacher

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This article was published 27/07/2011 (5216 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

A group of Tec Voc High School students have taken to the Internet to petition the school to reconsider reassigning their drama teacher to other duties.

Last week, more than 160 students had signed up to a Facebook group called “Petition to help Curtis Moore keep teaching drama at Tec Voc.”

Student John Seymour, a Brooklands resident, said he launched the petition after he was told by Moore about the move, and to show school administrators the impact Moore had on students.

“It really pissed me off because I know him on a personal level,” said Seymour. “I know much how much he loves to teach students.”

The reason for the reassignment has not been made clear. Seymour said he was told by Moore about the reassignment, but couldn’t elaborate on what exactly that meant.

Moore did not return request for comment. School administrators declined comment and officials with the Winnipeg School Division did not return calls for comment.

Seymour credited Moore with sparking his interest in acting, and helping him and other students land auditions and local acting gigs.

“He taught us how to audition, how to have presence, how to be up there on stage,” he said. “I don’t think I’d be acting right now (without Moore). He’s really changed my life, and you can see it through the students that go through his program.”

Now, Seymour’s worried that the loss of Moore will be a crucial blow to the drama program at the school, which is also used as sets for two local television shows.

“I don’t want to see the drama program placed in the hands of somebody who doesn’t really know acting,” he said, noting the school has previously brought in an inadequate substitute when Moore took a leave of absence.

“For two months, students ran the class. I don’t want to see that happen for future students.”

Another student, Krissy Marsh, said Moore also told her about the news. While she is not involved with the petition, Marsh said students started noticing that programs and productions were slowly being taken away from Moore’s control.

“He doesn’t deserve to be treated how he is being treated,” said the Tyndall Park resident.

“He was like a dad for me. That program made me who I am today.”

On the Facebook group, other students expressed disbelief at the situation.

“I’m coming back to Tec to upgrade and was going to take Drama just as an extra course only because of Mr. Moore. Guess not anymore,” wrote Kristine Kohinsky.

“Why the hell would they wanna take that away from him? hes so damned good at it…(sic),” wrote Dustin Monkman.

matt.preprost@canstarnews.com