Last modified: Friday, February 17, 2006 11:51 PM EST Norfolk teacher submits resignation BY STEPHEN PETERSON/SUN CHRONICLE STAFF NORFOLK -- School officials have announced that embattled former teacher Eric Matez has officially resigned from the school depart ment. Matez, who taught in local schools for 17 years, was fired Jan. 31 by school officials after refusing to teach his third-graders according to state curriculum guidelines. The dismissal sparked an uproar among parents and the teacher vowed to fight for his job back. How ever, the two sides came to the agree ment that Matez would resign. `` There has been a great deal of recent public turmoil and commen tary regarding Mr. Eric Matez and his employment status as a teacher in the Norfolk school system,'' school officials said in a statement. `` This situation has led to ongoing dialogue between Mr. Matez, his representa tives, and school officials, and an amicable resolution has been reached. `` This resolution includes Mr. Matez's resignation from his teach ing position effective immediately, and therefore the end of any dis missal proceedings,'' officials said. `` All parties concerned, including Mr. Matez, agree that this course of action is in everyone's best interest.'' Matez, who had requested the Norfolk Teachers Association file a grievance on his behalf, contended the state curriculum stifled his cre ativity as a teacher, limited student learning and focuses too much on teaching students to take the MCAS tests. School officials countered inno vation and creativity is encouraged, but the guidelines have to be fol lowed. About 75 people turned out to a rally to back Matez outside town hall Saturday, Feb. 4. Numerous parents also attended last week's school board meeting, where a petition reportedly with the signatures of 100 people supporting the teacher was presented. Janet Cree, among the parents leading the sup port, said `` there was no other choice'' beyond Matez resigning. `` They weren't going to let him teach the way he teaches. It's an atrocity,'' Cree said. At the meeting, school commit tee mem bers said they would have con sidered Superin tendent Chris AugustaScott `` derelict in her duties had she ignored what she was pre sented with'' con cerning Matez. Free man-Cen tennial School Principal Lucia Godfrey also had a role in Matez's dismissal. Com mittee members said Matez was given opportuni ty to remain teaching in the class room, but refused to accept `` many offers for support.'' School officials also stressed they were unable to publicly tell the entire story, cit ing employee confiden tiality rules. School officials praised the outgo ing teacher in their state ment. `` Mr. Matez has been a charis matic teacher who has been appreciat ed and supported by many in our school community. The school committee and the school administration thank him for his service and sincerely wish him and his family all the best in the future,'' officials said. `` Mr. Matez appreciates all the support he has been given, and wishes the best to his students and their families.'' Cree said parents, through a new group, would work with school officials to promote creative teaching, and to hold the officials accountable for their actions. (at)Byline = BY STEPHEN PETERSON SUN CHRONICLE STAFF NORFOLK -- School officials have announced that embattled former teacher Eric Matez has officially resigned from the school department. Matez, who taught in local schools for 17 years, was fired Jan. 31 by school officials after refusing to teach his third-graders according to state curriculum guidelines. The dismissal sparked an uproar among parents and the teacher vowed to fight for his job back. However, the two sides came to the agreement that Matez would resign. `` There has been a great deal of recent public turmoil and commentary regarding Mr. Eric Matez and his employment status as a teacher in the Norfolk school system,'' school officials said in a statement. `` This situation has led to ongoing dialogue between Mr. Matez, his representatives, and school officials, and an amicable resolution has been reached. `` This resolution includes Mr. Matez's resignation from his teaching position effective immediately, and therefore the end of any dismissal proceedings,'' officials said. `` All parties concerned, including Mr. Matez, agree that this course of action is in everyone's best interest.'' Matez, who had requested the Norfolk Teachers Association file a grievance on his behalf, contended the state curriculum stifled his creativity as a teacher, limited student learning and focuses too much on teaching students to take the MCAS tests. School officials countered innovation and creativity is encouraged, but the guidelines have to be followed. About 75 people turned out to a rally to back Matez outside town hall Saturday, Feb. 4. Numerous parents also attended last week's school board meeting, where a petition reportedly with the signatures of 100 people supporting the teacher was presented. Janet Cree, among the parents leading the support, said `` there was no other choice'' beyond Matez resigning. `` They weren't going to let him teach the way he teaches. It's an atrocity,'' Cree said. At the meeting, school committee members said they would have considered Superintendent Chris Augusta-Scott `` derelict in her duties had she ignored what she was presented with'' concerning Matez. Freeman-Centennial School Principal Lucia Godfrey also had a role in Matez's dismissal. Committee members said Matez was given opportunity to remain teaching in the classroom, but refused to accept `` many offers for support.'' School officials also stressed they were unable to publicly tell the entire story, citing employee confidentiality rules. School officials praised the outgoing teacher in their statement. `` Mr. Matez has been a charismatic teacher who has been appreciated and supported by many in our school community. The school committee and the school administration thank him for his service and sincerely wish him and his family all the best in the future,'' officials said. `` Mr. Matez appreciates all the support he has been given, and wishes the best to his students and their families.'' Cree said parents, through a new group, would work with school officials to promote creative teaching, and to hold the officials accountable for their actions.