Bad Teacher: American Federation of Teachers Applauds Cancellation?

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) is glad that the Bad Teacher TV show has been cancelled. What? The new CBS sitcom has been cancelled already? Not quite.

Apparently, the Investigation Discovery cable channel started airing a three episode docu-series called Bad Teachers (note the plural) on Tuesday, April 22nd. The show looks at educators who’ve gone “dangerously beyond the lesson plan to fulfil their youthful fantasies and selfish desires, often dragging students down with them into a world of deceit and danger.”

Some felt that Bad Teachers made all educators look bad and their protests caused Discovery to cancel the program and pull it from their site. AFT issued a press release applauding the cancellation. Unfortunately, they didn’t pay close attention to the show’s name and referred to it as Bad Teacher (no plural) — the title of the new CBS sitcom — which has caused some confusion.

It’s unfortunate timing that both shows premiered in the same week — and that the AFT didn’t double-check the Discovery show’s title. While the Discovery program is gone, the CBS sitcom will air as scheduled tomorrow night.

Here’s the AFT press release:

For Immediate Release
April 29, 2014

AFT’s Weingarten on Discovery’s Decision to Cancel ‘Bad Teacher’

Washington—Statement of AFT President Randi Weingarten on Discovery Communications’ decision to cancel the television show ‘Bad Teacher.’

“I was surprised to learn, through a barrage of tweets Sunday night after “Bad Teacher” aired, that Discovery would use its brand to promote such an offensive program. However, I am heartened that it has taken steps to cancel the show and publicly affirm that Discovery Education’s mission is to celebrate and support educators.

“Every day, educators go into the classroom to make a difference in the lives of our children. Their work should be honored and valued, not bashed, and we hope to work with Discovery to showcase the real work teachers do every day to help kids achieve their dreams.

What do you think? Have you heard of the Bad Teachers series? Do you think teachers could also be offended by the CBS sitcom?