Teacher Denies Telling Students They Will Go to Hell For Marijuana Use

Sequoyah High School teacher John Osborne did not grow up wanting to become a teacher. However, in the last 19 years, he’s grown to love the profession and the students he’s tasked with helping become productive adults.

However, the events that have occurred in the last week have caused Osborne to rethink whether he has a future in education. On Friday, Osborne said a parent complained to Sequoyah administrators that he allegedly told students they would “go to hell” if they smoked marijuana.

“You know that’s not me,” he said, recalling what he told administrators when he was confronted with the allegations. Osborne, who said he is not shy about his commitment to Jesus Christ and his Christian faith, said he may talk about God in the classroom, but he adamantly refuses to pass judgment onto others.

Osborne said he was never allowed to confront the parent about the allegations to explain that “this is not true.”

The teacher said he was hurt by the allegations, and noted he “never got any support” from the administration at the school. After the meeting with administrators, Osborne said he was able to get through his first period class without any problems.

By the second period, however, the teacher said when he stood up to begin his lesson for the day, he uttered the words, “I can’t do this anymore.”

“I broke down and at that time, I told them why,” he said, referring to his students. “I just told them the truth and…said, ‘I’m sorry, but I cannot teach anymore’.”

Subsequently, Osborne on Friday submitted a request to take a leave of absence this week, which led many students to believe the teacher had been suspended or fired. That led to a student protest on Tuesday at the Hickory Flat school.

Cherokee County School District spokesperson Barbara Jacoby said Osborne is still an employee of the district and he has not been suspended. The student protest, she added, was staged “under the mistaken impression that this teacher’s employment had been terminated by CCSD.”

“It was halted by administrators, as students needed to report to class,“ she added. “No administrative disciplinary action has been taken against students for their participation in the event; some students were disciplined by their teachers upon returning to class due to tardiness.”

Social media has been abuzz with students tweeting photos of the protest and their reaction to Osborne’s fate, their notices to report to detention and their plans to wear white on Wednesday to show solidarity with the teacher.

Students posted their tweets using the #wewantosborne hashtag.

Osborne on Sept. 5 created a GoFundMe account. Titled A Teacher’s Journey/Lost Faith, Osborne notes he has three goals in mind: create an online interactive website to give high school students tips, advice and wisdom to get through the day; start his own counseling service for teens in the Canton area; and create a nondenominational webpage or blog dedicated to teens.

The teacher said he’s appreciates the students rallying to his side. He noted in his classes he reminds students to keep their protests peaceful, as turning violent means you “have ruined everything you’ve worked for.”

Osborne, who added he did not direct students to protest, stated he’s putting his job and marriage on the line by being vocal about his situation.

“This is not something that may end up pretty for me,” the 46-year-old teacher stated, adding there’s a distinct possibility he may not return to the classroom once the second semester begins.

Osborne teaches history and law courses at Sequoyah, where he has been for the last 13 years.

In his classes, he openly discusses religion and world history, and makes an effort to equally discuss Christianity, Buddhism and Islam. He also states he is mindful to not force his views down the throats of students.

Once the dust settles, Osborne hopes this will lead to more open discussions in the classroom and for students to be able to talk about any religious topics they desire, including any questions they may have about God, Buddha, Muhammad or Jesus.

“I want them to feel comfortable about doing it,” he said. “The kids want to know the truth, but we are just hiding it from them. Kids in the classroom are afraid to ask about God because they think they are going to get in trouble. To me, that’s a shame.”

He also said he wants to be able to talk to students not just as a teacher, but as “as a Godly man” who cares and listens to their opinions. That does not mean it’s okay for students to pass judgment onto others as “we all have got skeletons,” Osborne stated.

He also expressed gratitude for the students’ support.

“Thank you for the support and your prayers are welcome,” he stated. “I don’t know how this is going to turn out, but there is a plan out there. I don’t know what it is right now. None of your work and protests or things you’ve done for me will go without fulfilling a purpose. I just don’t know what that purpose is.”

(Photo credit: Sequoyah Student Elaine Ware/Twitter)