Teacher in poem controversy resigns

April 21, 2004

NH Business Review Staff,

AMHERST

An English teacher who came under public scrutiny after teaching a poem with vulgar language has resigned from Souhegan High School, effective at the end of the school year, said Principal Ted Hall.

Christine Schadler’s resignation was accepted by the School Board at its April 8 meeting, Hall said.

Earlier in the year, Schadler read aloud “Curse Two: The Naming,” by Cynthia Huntington, the state poet laureate, to a world literature class for juniors. The poem contains graphic language. In March, Hall stated that the poem was objectionable and inappropriate for a high school classroom.

This was Schadler’s first year of teaching at Souhegan. She is a former college professor.

More news from NHBR:

NH rural health care faces challenges despite new grant

The federal government will give with one hand and take with another when it comes to New Hampshire’s rural health care system in 2026.

Investing in youth

As of April 2024, roughly 30% of New Hampshire workers were over 55, and more than 210,000 residents are expected to reach traditional retirement age in the coming decade.

Lakes Region asks for pipeline expansion

When New Hampshire called for more housing, the Lakes Region answered, and development in several central cities and towns took off fast. Then, the gas ran out.

Hiding in plain sight

Loss of manufacturing jobs contributed to our housing crisis

Amid volatility, local economies can provide a model of stability

As we begin 2026, we face another set of choices about how to forge a future that enables us to navigate the continuing instability and volatility in our civic and economic lives.

Cook on Concord: 2026 starts with a bang

On the morning of Jan. 3, American air forces executed an extraordinary raid in Caracas, Venezuela, capturing President Nicolas Maduro and his wife in their fortified home, brought them out of the country and ultimately to New York to face charges of drug trafficking.