Letter: The real deal

Not that Manny Touron needs anyone to defend him, but I felt that I could not read any more derogatory e-mails without saying something.

I have personally seen Mr. Touron walk out to the street at the end of the school day to talk to and shake hands with his students.

As a former ESOL teacher in Collier County Public Schools for 17 years, I never saw another principal do this or anything like it.

I was appalled by what I read in the naplesnews.com blog — comments written by the community in response to what has occurred at Immokalee High School, most probably by people who have never even taken the time to go to Immokalee.

I agree there is no room for over-age students in high school, but many times this is not so easy to verify when student’s records from other countries are incomplete or sometimes even forged.

To attack a person of Mr. Touron’s integrity without knowing anything about him, except what you read in the Daily News, is absolutely ridiculous.

These people need to get a reality check and all the facts before they accuse a man who has given his heart and soul to his community, students, parents, teachers and the schools he has directed.

Those of us who truly know Mr. Touron know that one mistake does not define one’s character. It’s easy to send anonymous e-mails and destroy a person’s character. Why not take a more active role as a volunteer in a school instead of criticizing people who are trying to make a real difference in people’s lives?

Collier schools could use more principals like Mr. Touron, who does not give just 100 percent to his students and school, but actually still believes in the American dream — something many people in this country forgot along time ago.

Stay strong, Manny. There is an entire community of parents, teachers and students who support you and believe, like you, that you are really making a difference.

Efrain Diaz/Massanutten, Va.