We, the undersigned former and current students of Tom Chan, respectfully sign this petition to request fair and complete coverage of the situation involving our teacher. 

Background:

Recent news coverage regarding Mr. Tom Chan, a math teacher at Lowell High School, has prompted us to come forward as former students who were directly present in his classroom. While we acknowledge, without reservation, that several quiz questions contained inappropriate content and reinforced harmful stereotypes, we believe the current coverage is incomplete and does not accurately reflect the educator we experienced. 

The quiz questions were never delivered with malicious intent or in a manner designed to demean any individual group. The intent, as we understood it, was to provide comic relief during high-pressure testing environments. His humor was misguided in hindsight, but it was not rooted in hostility. 

Regarding the “Grades vs. Dignity” extra-credit video, as students who participated in that video firsthand, we can confirm that participation was entirely voluntary. No student was pressured or coerced into taking part. To the contrary, this was an opportunity that students themselves requested as a fun end of year extra-credit opportunity post AP-tests. 

Our Concerns:

A story built on a single source is, by definition, an incomplete one. Responsible journalism demands that all sides be represented, and we are concerned that the current coverage falls short of that standard. 

The real-world consequences of incomplete reporting like this cannot be overstated. Once a story like this circulates, the damage to a person’s reputation is swift and permanent. Mr. Chan is an exceptionally dedicated educator who has spent years investing in his students’ success, as supported by student testimonies, and a single narrative, stripped of context, has the power to erase that legacy overnight.

Beyond Mr. Chan himself, there is a broader loss to consider. Current students at Lowell are impacted by Mr. Chan’s suspension. For his Algebra 2 and AP Calculus BC classes, a student teacher will take over in the classroom starting this coming Monday (3/9). Without Mr. Chan present in the classroom, students are unable to ask clarifying questions and seek help with math problems essential for their learning. Future students at Lowell will be deprived of a teacher and mentor who went above and beyond in ways that are rare.

Our Request:

To that end, we formally request that media outlets covering this story publish a follow-up article that incorporates the perspectives of the students who were actually present. We believe their readers deserve the complete picture, and we are confident that a more thorough account will reflect more accurately on both the situation and Mr. Chan’s character. 

We are not asking to dismiss concerns that have been raised. We are asking for the full truth to be told.

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