Teacher Dan DeLong (pictured left) is beloved by many of his students, as an educator who pushes the envelope for his students.

But he’s not pushing anything right now. Students and parents say he’s been suspended from his job at the Southwestern School District High School in Piasa, located north of Alton. At issue: DeLong offered his students optional work by going to a website and reading a scientific report about homosexuality in animals.

The word of his suspension comes from Facebook, the online networking site. His supporters at the school have created a webpage in support of DeLong and more than
400 people have signed on to show support, or at least read details of the dispute.

DeLong teaches honors English to 10th to 12th grade students. The website option was made to a 10th grade class.

Students say the parent of one of the students saw the website and thought it was not appropriate for her child.

School officials, according to parents, have set a hearing for DeLong for Monday night at the school board offices. (Source)

WGB: My source tells me that DeLong is a straight married man with two kids who is an ally of the GLBT community and was simply trying to educate through this assignment. This man needs our support! If you blog, please share this story. If you don’t blog please forward this blog post to friends, post this link to your Facebook, and Tweet it if possible – I would be grateful! Also, you can join his Facebook page below.