Middletown Teacher Apologizes for Showing Anti-Trump Video

Middletown, NJ - Embattled Middletown high school teacher Joe Ventre, who at first lost his job after showing a video mocking Donald Trump and was then taken back by the school district, penned an apology letter Monday, April 25 to the community, saying he was wrong for showing this John Oliver clip to his class. Read the letter at right or the full copied text is below.

"To the Middletown Community:

"I made a mistake by playing a profane and inappropriate video in my classroom and am deeply sorry. I had no intention to cause any harm. It was entirely appropriate for parents and students to question the appropriateness of my judgement," Ventre wrote in the letter, now circulating among Middletown parents on Facebook. "This matter has arisen entirely because of my lapses in judgement."

In his letter, Ventre said that while he appreciates the outpouring of student and parent support, "the rallies, media postings, petitions and so forth need to stop immediately." He also asked that parents and students not show up at a Board of Education meeting scheduled for Tuesday night, April 26 to defend him, saying it would not "serve any useful or productive purpose."

Ventre showed this clip to his history class at Middletown High School South. Several parents told Patch that at least one student told her mother, who complained to the school district that the video was biased and inappropriate to show in a politically neutral classroom setting.

After that, the Board of Education was presented with a letter of resignation from Ventre requesting to be released from employment with the district at the end of this school year, Superintendent Bill George told Patch. There was a massive public outcry of support for Ventre, including hundreds of students who signed this petition for Ventre to keep his job.

Ventre withdrew his letter of resignation last week and will remain as a teacher at MHS South. In the letter, Ventre also wrote: "People who raised the concern about this classroom situation should not be criticized or disturbed and their privacy must be respected."

Here is the entire text of Joe Ventre's letter:

April 25, 2016

To the Middletown Community:

I have been a a part of the Middletown community for almost two decades. The recent showing of support from this community has been overwhelming. Although the support is appreciated, I believe it has been misdirected. I made a mistake by playing a profane and inappropriate video in my classroom and am deeply sorry. I had no intention to cause any harm. It was entirely appropriate for parents and students to question the appropriateness of my judgement.

Unequivocally, this not the fault of the administration, the Board of Education, parents or students. This matter has arisen entirely because of my lapses in judgement.

My apologies to anyone injured or erroneously portrayed during this effort. It was not my intention to compromise anyone's integrity. This applies especially to any students and parents who expressed concerns. Accordingly, people who raised the concern about this classroom situation should not be criticized or disturbed and their privacy must be respected.

Everyone is aware by now that I rescinded by resignation. The recent activities, inclusive of the rallies, media postings, petitions and so forth need to stop immediately. Thank you again for your support; however, I implore that you respect my request to stop all postings, activities and any action planned on by behalf in the near future.

Furthermore, it is my understanding that there is an action planned for supporters to wear "T-shirts" either during the day and/or during the April 26 Board of Education meeting. It is not necessary to continue with this action, and I ask that you do not appear at the April 26th Board of Education meeting on my behalf – neither action would serve any useful or productive purpose.

Thank you for your understanding and thank you for honoring my wishes.

Very truly yours,

Joe Ventre