HHS Teacher Arrested
Hampshire High School's band teacher was arrested shortly after midnight last night in Mineral County. Brian Douglas Bowers, 42, was charged with 2nd Offense DUI and speeding. He was arraigned this morning with bond being set at $3,000.
The Board of Education Employee Code of Conduct states requires all employees demonstrate responsible citizenship by maintaining a high standard of conduct, self-control, and moral/ethical behavior and comply with all Federal and West Virginia laws, policies, regulations and procedures. (Policy 5902 - Section §126-162-4. Employee Code of Conduct. - Subsections 4.2.6 & 4.2.7.)
A DUI most definitely goes against this Employee Code of Conduct. Here we have someone who is teaching and setting an example for young people who is charged with a 2nd Offense DUI. One thing is certain, his disregard for the safety of others, as well as his own, is quite apparent. I'm sure some will say it was an error in judgement on his part. However, this is his second "error" of this type. I guess he didn't learn from the first one. If he, or any other teacher, is this irresponsible and lacks this much self control, then it is not someone I want to set an example for my children.
Posts
17 comments:
i believe the publication of this is wrong you think that because someone messes up it should be brandished before all? how bout if you did something embarassing and they announced that on the fron page so-and-so the father of this child was found guilty of blahblahblah and made a big deal out of it if it wasnt for something like this students would never know that such an event would have happened yes i believe that he should be punished but to be blatantly called more or less an unfit teacher is ludacris i mean seriously there was a teacher that beat a child who was found innocent and we point out his flaws? why are you so quick to disrespect someone who could move a state away and make almost double his current salary do you not think that the students have suffered enough?to lose a teacher who in an honest opinion pushes students to do better? you kno this place is an asylum how do you expect to have good teachers for students with such miniscule pay and being humiliated for making a mistake?
We all make mistakes and have to pay for those mistakes. He, too, should have to pay for this mistake. How many second chances do you, dudeman, think someone should be given? This isn't his first offense. It's his 2nd DUI. Not only was he driving while under the influence, but he was speeding. Each are dangerous enough alone, but when you combine the two, you end up with a cocktail for a potential deadly accident. Now, dudeman, if you can honestly sit there and tell me that you believe anyone who has gotten caught at doing this not once, but twice, and failed to learn a lesson should still teach and set an example for students, then I pity you. Notice I said he has gotten caught twice. How many other times do you think people who get repeat DUIs do the crime and do NOT get caught??? My stepdaughter loved Mr. Bowers as a teacher, but that is irrelevant. His behavior is irresponsible and dangerous to himself and others. Not only that, but it's quite apparent he fails to learn from these serious errors in judgement and either fails to see the trajedy his actions could cause or just doesn't care.
i didnt say he shouldnt have to pay for his mistake not by a long shot he should have to pay but i do not think that his ability to be a teacher should be called into question for the sheer fact that who someone is in his/her personal life is not who they are at thier job
Well Informer I agree with you,It was bad on his part and he deserves his punishment, him being a teacher shouldn't mean hes to get special treatment..But do you seriously know this man like your stepdaughter does or even the band of the high school? I say NO. Yes he was driving dronk and Yes he was speeding and Yes this is Mr.Bowers 2nd offence..but what you need to recognize is that him doing this only makes the man HUMAN and we as humans we are going to make many mistakes some more then others and when we go throught our trial Pray the Lord has mercy.You as a person who doesn't know him on a personl level has no room to judge him, because all you look at is his 2 DUI he has there for you are quick to publish his bussiness all over the world, but you don't see the 100+ children that love him and respect him because he loves each child as if it was his own.You don't see the time and effort he put in to the band to make them what they are as a band and as a person nor the many opportunities he has thrown to his student nor do you see how this men has encouraged his students of the past years. I believe he is a great teacher to have in the school beaause hes there to prove that when somthing knocks ya down get up and Brush ya shoulders off and keep on pushing.. I would like to see you publish that so informer say if you are with out fault cast the first stone.(St.John 8-7)
Knowing Mr. Bowers for the past four years, and being a past band member, I know his standards and expectations for his students. Believe me, he expects the best. Understanding that, and seeing the time and effort put into students without much recognition, why should his teaching career be affected by what happens out of school? There are other teachers at HHS who don’t set good examples of what a person of good character should be let alone their capability to teach. Yes, he messed up, but at least when he tells his students to be careful or don’t go to that party this weekend, he has the experience to say look, I’ve been there. What better example could there be than one who knows the situation. The students don’t need perfectionist robots; they need real people that can tell their stories and relate to students in order to connect with them.
I agree. WV informer, you don't know him on any level other than his 2 DUI's. It happens. I'm sure you've done somethign that you regret but theres always room for chances. Don't question his teaching abilities. He doesn't say anything to the band about his problems. He focuses on the students. Mr.Bowers helps any kid in need. He has even paid for some of the students to go to some summer band programs. Before you go saying you don't want him to teach your kid, ask her what her opinion is. The band has only gotten better each year. Its from Mr.Bowers' dedication and his ability to motivate the band. He doesn't just pay attention tot he band. He is able to step into the shoes of any student in the school and help them by any angle. You don't know him at all. Don't judge someone unless you do.
As all students have to adhere to Code of Ethics, so does each and every teacher. It is part of obtaining a teaching career, and employment at any given job.
What does Code of Ethics mean to you? Code of Ethics - I consider it to mean honor, loyalty, respect, trust, and responsibility. DUI is a serious offense and the school board has a zero tolerance policy for students. This policy should stand for adults who are placed in positions to care of each and every student. For myself, if I were to incur a DUI, not only is my employment on the line, it effects my family at a deeper level. I see from reading all the posted messages, the care each student has for Mr. Bowers. I like him too. However, caring for him and his well being does not condone his recent actions.
My advice as a Band Mom of all of yous, is to continue to care for Mr. Bower's well being; and let the school board, and the courts, sort out the legal legistics of this serious offense.
I agree with wv informer aswell. He should have to pay for his actions. Yes it is human to make a mistake, but it is only right for him to go through with any consiquences. The deed is done and nobody can change that. I agree with wawa89 and ebony too though. As a current band member, I know that he puts so much into the band. He treats us as if we are his own. He looks after us and as wawa89 said, he tells us whats right and whats wrong by experience. We don't need perfect teachers. We need people who have been on our level before and can tell us the consequences. Mr. Bowers helps any student, whether they are in the band or not. You don't know Mr. Bowers, informer. You judge him by his 2 DUI's and your step daughter knowing him. If you were to be drinking and speeding would you want everyone bashing you? I don't think so. I hope that you'd realize your mistake and learn from it; even help others around you learn from your mistakes. Mr.Bowers realizes what he has done and he's follwing through with any consiquences caused by his recent actions. Yes, there is a code that teachers are to follow. He was wrong on his part but that just pushes us to be right on ours and we, as the band, are going to encourage him through anything going on with him. As he would do for us.
saying that paople can only teach if they do nothing that you need to be an age high schoolers arent even in their personal life is insanity [even to point out the principal jeff meadows and our pro officer are often off campus because they are in the parking lot of food lion or the hotel smoking cigarettes] i mean your esentially saying that kids cant be taught by normal people that havent done anything in life in my eyes that would be the equivolent of a chorus taought by a deaf person or an english class taught by a person who was blind. its part of life to make mistakes and learn from them i would like to point out that mr bowers is older than 21 he is legally allowed to drink yes driving whilst intoxicated is a lawful offense but to beat a dead horse so to speak alcohol impares your judgement now that being stated should someone at wherever he had been stopped him from leaving? but no he is solely to blame in your eyes. i think that since he IS a teacher actions should be taken to draw eyes AWAY from it so he can take his punishment without the involvement of the students but you kno that would only make sense for a school with one of the highest turnover rates ive seen but you kno what they say . . .
Ok folks, you think that the local paper is not going to publish this? Well guess what, they did. So it being on here is not the only place the public eye will have access to this info.
And as far as being humans and making a mistake, that is true. That is called DUI 1st. DUI 2nd is just plane out disregard for the law and the safety of others. Do you honestly believe that this guy has only driven under the influence two time in his life and got caught both times? Come on. Don't be stupid. He is in a position of responsibility so yes, his actions when away from the school on his personal time should be looked at and criticized. If he were at home and being a drunk so be it but when that spills out on the the streets and out in the public then it should be dealt with accordingly. I for one hopes he gets punished in the court system as well as in the BoE system.
The Infamous: I'll have you know that you can call up the regional jail and they will give you the information as to what people are charged with, who arrested, and what their bail is. So... just because someone expressed their rights as a citizen and figured out how to get some information, does not mean that they are a police officer. Typical idiot... let me guess... You're from Baltimore too...
This is an unrelated comment: Seems there is an outbreak of school drama in other counties as well. A teacher was arrested for stabbing his wife to death http://www.times-news.com/local/local_story_234204512.html
and another teacher is charged with having sexual relationship with a 15 year old male http://www.times-news.com/local/local_story_234122510.html
Infamous.... haha.. so misinformed. But please accept my apologies for calling you a Baltimoe idiot, (as Hampshire Co has quite a few of those). I was just letting you know you can call the jail and they'll tell you just about anything you want to know. I know that because I worked at the jail in Martinsburg for quite sometime. Granted, the uses of the info are not always appropriate, but nevertheless, it's there for the taking if someone wants to waste their time hunting it down.
I think what that article states about Mr. Bowers is disgusting i was one of his students for 4 years i took his marching band class and was captain of his colorguard for 2 years while being a member for 4! he is a great teacher and he has a blast with his students dont slander someone unless you can prove it i dont see any comments about the teacher that hit a student with an extension cord on here! and he came from the same High school! bowers is an awesome person and would do anything for his students he was like an extra guardian to each and everyone of my 2005 marching band class and will continue to be just because he messed up twice doesnt make him a horrible person or teacher so what if what he does in his personal life offends one or more of you he doesnt drink at school he doesnt speed at school and for the love of god he has never hit one of your kids unlike some of the other teachers have! so if he needs to drink to relieve stress i think you should leave him alone if i dealt with the amount of hellians that he has through the years id probably drink to! well i for one am standing up for him i know he would for me! I can remember all the times that he has made sure everyone was safe and sound and we werent allowed out of his site if we stayed after school for band functions and if our low life parents couldnt make it or just chose not to he would take us home or atleast make sure we got home how many other teachers would willing do this!
Post a Comment