Teacher claims he was fired over video

A science teacher at a Catholic school in Lake Zurich says he was abruptly fired for showing an AIDS prevention video to eighth-grade students.

With word of instructor Patrick Szady's dismissal spreading, many supporters have surfaced and are urging St. Francis de Sales Parish Pastor David Ryan and school Principal Roy Rash to reconsider the decision. They also have started a "Get Szady Back" support group on Facebook.

"He's probably the reason I'm teaching," said Buzz Johnstone, 41, of Chicago, a Szady backer who still attends Mass at St. Francis de Sales. He does not teach there.

Szady, 60, who taught at St. Francis de Sales for 32 years, said Friday he was suddenly fired early this month.

He said he has played the educational AIDS prevention video in previous years, but would not say why he had been fired over it this year instead of in those other instances.

"That's the only reason I was given," said Szady, adding an attorney advised him against getting into details.

Ryan Blackburn, a spokesman for the Archdiocese of Chicago's Office of Catholic Schools, confirmed Szady no longer works at St. Francis de Sales but said he could not elaborate, citing privacy concerns over a personnel matter.

Szady said the video is "Time Out: The Truth About HIV, AIDS and You," which features former basketball star Earvin "Magic" Johnson and celebrity Arsenio Hall.

Pastor Ryan's office directed calls to the archdiocese. Rash did not return a message.

Szady's supporters say he is a kind, enthusiastic instructor who was committed to St. Francis de Sales. They say his sudden firing was a sad end to a stellar career.

Mike Pokryfke, 22, a DePaul University senior, attended St. Francis de Sales and had Szady as a science teacher for three years. He recalled seeing the AIDS prevention video in 2001.

"He was great," Pokryfke said. "I think one of the things I liked most about him is he doesn't treat children as children. That video is a great example of that."

John Stride, whose daughter, Megan, graduated from St. Francis de Sales in 2001, said Szady's been a positive influence on many children. Now living in the Cleveland area, Stride said he will contact decision-makers in an effort to convince them to let Szady resume teaching.

Johnstone said while he understands how the topic might ruffle Catholic leaders, he doesn't see anything wrong with presenting AIDS prevention in an eighth-grade classroom.

"He's a science teacher," Johnstone said. "He's not a religion teacher."