73 Year Old Jazz Teacher Being Forced Out Of His Job

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This was not the fitting coda Chuck Wackerman had imagined.

In the Los Alamitos Unified School District, Wackerman is revered as a jazz education legend, having led his middle and high school band programs to critical acclaim for nearly half a century.

But in March, district officials told him that his contract would not be renewed. Wackerman, 73, teaches two jazz classes on a part-time basis, and school officials wanted one director to oversee the instrumental music department.

Wackerman's impending departure triggered a groundswell of support from parents and students, who say he's earned the right to teach as long as he wishes.

Wackerman would like to stick around until 2006, his 50th anniversary in teaching.

http://www.latimes.com/news/custom/showcase/la-me-teacher16may16.story

give the guy just 2 more yrs. He's part time, probable not getting full benefits. The kids want him, the parents want him, truly this man has earned this.

you make it fifty years, your retirement is your entire working salary? Cheapskates. They should videotape what he can do since
you will never see another fifty year teacher in that district
again. Or anywhere else. I only hung in 27. Did have a cousin with
50.

let alone listening to high school jazz.........but come to think of it they might actually finish tuning their instruments and PLAY A DAMNED SONG!