Before each class he teaches, Jose Texidor says a prayer.
"Just something short and sweet," Texidor said. " 'Give me the strength that they learn something today or come out with something different today.' "
But as soon as July, his 14-year teaching career at Penn State could come to an end, even as students pull together to help save his job.
On Oct. 22, Texidor, a senior lecturer in crime, law and justice, received a letter from John McCarthy, head of the department of sociology and crime, law and justice, informing Texidor that his three-year contract wouldn't be renewed June 30.
The department's grievance was that Texidor had engaged in more than four days of consulting, a violation of policy. The exact definition of consulting is open to interpretation and his understanding of the term is a part of his defense, Texidor said.
"Anyone teaching an online course not at Penn State is in violation of the consulting order," Texidor said. "Any work outside of Penn State is consulting."
In fall 2008, Texidor began working as a special part-time instructor at Lycoming College in Williamsport, Pa.
Texidor said he informed the College of Liberal Arts Dean Susan Welch and McCarthy -- also a professor of crime, law and justice -- of his position at Lycoming about a year before he was told it was a problem.
Welch and McCarthy both wrote in e-mails last week they would not comment on the situation.
In the midst of the controversy, Texidor's current and former students want to take action.
One student created a Facebook group, "KEEP PROFESSOR TEXIDOR," which had 62 members as of press time.
Another student, Todd Clark (senior-crime, law and justice), sent letters to Penn State President Graham Spanier, McCarthy and Welch.
He has only heard back from McCarthy, he said.
"It didn't have much substance, but was very polite," he said, of the letter he received.
Clark also spoke about the situation to one class and distributed prewritten letters for students to sign and return to him. He sent four or five letters to the university that day alone, he said.
Clark, who had Texidor for two courses, said he hopes these actions will contribute to the best possible ending.
"I really respected him as a professor," Todd said. "He was very clear in his instruction and gave great examples."
Another student, Kerry Homan (senior-crime, law and justice), said she has taken every class she could with Texidor.
And future students might not have the benefit of Texidor's guidance -- a real shame, Homan said.
"I honestly feel bad for the upcoming students," Homan said. "This is criminal."
But she also said she understands the importance of law.
"If it was a contractual law that was broken, there have to be consequences," Homan said. "I don't think those should be termination, for the betterment of the student body."
Beyond a student response, there are several investigations surrounding the lecturer.
The Penn State Affirmative Action Office is currently investigating the situation, Texidor said. Vice Provost for Affirmative Action Ken Lehrman could neither confirm nor deny an investigation.
"We try to keep that as confidential as possible," Lehrman said.
Texidor said Dec. 1 that he may file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He wrote in an e-mail Dec. 5 that he would likely do this over winter break.
"I'm not a vengeful person," Texidor said. "I'm more concerned with people in similar situations being subject to the same malicious treatment."
Texidor took the position at Lycoming after Welch and McCarthy put Texidor on probation in the summer of 2008, resulting in a $20,000 to $30,000 financial loss, Texidor said.
Texidor said he was put on probation because "[McCarthy] was disturbed about the statistical data concerning grades issued to students."
But Texidor said he challenges students, and they want to meet this challenge.
"My tests are considered the hardest in the university," Texidor said. "I don't give away grades."
Some student said they agreed.
"I got A's, but I've never worked so hard and I'm an underachiever," Homan said. "I'm the Bart Simpson of my generation."
Texidor said he feels his record speaks for itself and his evaluations justify his continued employment. He can only remember about five negative reviews from the thousands of students he's taught.
Now, he's just unsure of his future.
"I'm going to do whatever God has me to do," Texidor said. "If he wants me to go back to being a lawyer, I'll do that. It's in His hands."
