Our brother Matt (known to many of you as Coach Hawn) was recently terminated from his teaching position by the now former Sullivan County Schools director who has attacked Matt’s introduction of racial justice materials to students to read and discuss in an upper level Contemporary Issues social studies class at Sullivan Central High School in Blountville, TN.   Matt has taught as a tenured teacher in the Sullivan County School system for 16 years and prior to this past year had never received anything other than satisfactory reviews as a teacher and coach, serving the entirety of his career at Sullivan Central High School where he taught Economics, World History, Cougar Experience, Personal Finance and for the past eleven years  Contemporary Issues. Matt has also coached softball, football, and was the pitching coach for the varsity baseball team.   We are proud of Matt---he has been an exemplary teacher for almost two decades, including being nominated for Teacher of the Year for Sullivan Central during this past school year. As is his legal right as a tenured teacher, Matt is fighting this termination process as he believes the actions taken by the former director of schools are unjustified and politically motivated.  While we ultimately believe the process will exonerate Matt and return him to the classroom and the playing field,  the appeal process as defined by Tennessee law could extend many months and has several steps either party may appeal until it reaches a final conclusion.  The purpose of this Go Fund Me is to support our brother financially with any expenses related to his dismissal appeal and to replace his salary in order to pay for his living and healthcare expenses----including health insurance. (Matt is a type I diabetic and will use the money raised for insulin, diabetic testing supplies, health insurance, insulin pump supplies, etc.) To those of you that know Matt, you know his passion for teaching and love for his students and players. He is eager to get back into the classroom and do what he loves...teaching students. Thank you once again for your support.  For those who may not know our brother, we request your support for the right and responsibility  of a professional teacher to introduce contemporary issues educational materials---including difficult ones regarding racial justice---to an upper level social studies course. Thank you for joining the Facebook group, Sullivan Stands with Coach Hawn... thank you to those who have texted and emailed Matt and our family...thank you to those that have emailed and called the Board of Education and showed up at school board meetings in support of this wonderful professional.    Our family is appreciative of the support you have shown Matt and us. We could not do this without each one of you.

Peter Daspit

William P George

Joseph Feinberg

Anonymous

Maria Reid

Dr. Edmund Stevens

EDWARD SHEN

Russ Bogue

Peggy Zahner

arlyn sharpe

Patricia Foster

Phyllis Kilby

Robert McNutt

Stand With Coach Hawn

Stand With Coach Hawn

Still $60,228 to go. Help us build momentum.