Vegan teacher finding lots of support
Students at Fox River Grove Middle School may be able to get a free vegan meal and more, thanks to all the attention caused by the ousting of their art teacher.
Two animal rights groups have come to the defense of Dave Warwak, an art teacher who was sent home earlier this week for trying to teach his students about the health benefits of a vegan lifestyle.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals sent Principal Tim Mahaffy a letter Friday criticizing the decision to dismiss Warwak after he distributed literature to faculty and students detailing the health benefits of a meat-free diet.
"In this case, the school was pushing commercial milk advertising on kids," said Bruce Friedrich, a vice president of outreach efforts for PETA. "The school was stamping its vote of support on a product that promotes cruelty to animals and harms children."
A vegan diet excludes not only meat but all products from animals.
In the letter, Friedrich offers the school district care packages that include a vegetarian starter kit, a book on veganism and a DVD expose on factory farming.
PETA also plans to honor Warwak by giving him the group's "compassionate educator" award, Friedrich said.
Mahaffy on Friday said he hadn't yet seen the PETA letter, but had no comment on Warwak's supporters.
School officials confirmed Warwack is still employed with the district. Warwak said he expects to meet with school officials Monday to discuss this week's incident and his future job status.
Nathan Runkle, executive director of Mercy for Animals, said the Chicago-based group also plans to send a letter to the school district in defense of Warwak.
Runkle said the letter will come with the group's own offer of a free vegan meal to the entire staff and school as a way to "ease the tension."
"We believe there would be no controversy if Mr. Warwak was talking about, let's say, the Michael Vick case and the cruelty of dog fighting," Runkle said. "I think his case shows there's a disconnect of what's considered cruel for animals considered pets versus those meant for human consumption."
As for Warwak, he said he's received hundreds of e-mails of support from across the country in the last few days since he was sent home.
"I thought I'd be out here alone in meat and dairy land," he said. "It would be a wonderful thing if the school district accepted these generous offers, but given the way they've resisted in the past, I don't see it happening."