Chapter 6
Letter of Resignation
…in the mail
San Diego School District
1009 Lakeland Avenue
San Diego, CA 92109
Dear Superintendent Arnold,
It is with great sadness, but with no regret having to write this letter. While I am compelled to
compose something for the official record, this is hardly standard. To make it so would insult my
principles as an educator. As of now I am resigning from the San Diego school district. I don't
know what career path is next for me, but I know I'd rather do nothing than to teach school again.
I am sure you are aware of what the media has sensationally tagged as the Marigold Drive
murders. Before her brutal death, Audrey Nichols came to me looking for any advice she could on
finding her son Drake who unfortunately got involved in a start-up cult. Both Drake Parker and her
stepson Josh Nichols were recent graduates of Belleview High. While Josh was one of my best
and brightest students, it was Drake that I tried to reach. I have had many sleepless nights since
the senseless slaughter of the Nichols family that if only I stepped away from the toughlove
approach, if only I didn't appear to be another "nagging woman" to a student who turned me off, if
only I praised his musical talents. If only I did any of those things, maybe this letter wouldn't need
to be written.
There is no current proof that Drake was involved in the murders or if the slayings were even
connected to the cult Mrs. Nichols so desperately wanted advice about in order to ensure her
son's safe return. I know deep down in my heart that it is connected. I know that in some small
way it is my fault because I failed that boy.
He needed direction and guidance for his life in a style that was palatable to him. It seems so easy
now in retrospect to see the solution that was right in front of my eyes the entire time. The reality is
a family was murdered and their bodies propped as if they were a sick form of entertainment, a
young daughter lost her parents and siblings, and another young son is out there, we don't know if
he is alive or dead. I hope with all of my heart that Drake is alive. From what I researched on the
subject, I know the road to recovery will be long and difficult, but what I wouldn't give to see him
smirk at me with the invincibility factor that all young people have.
For all of the shortcomings he had in my classroom, Drake Parker was not a bad seed. Sure, I did
send him to Mr. Talbot's remedial English class on occasion when he acted out and disrespected
my assignments; it was my vision of toughlove.
A vision that failed miserably.
I do hope that the current teachers and future ones employed by the district take the time to reach
out to their students.
Even if the student and the instructor play a game of verbal tit for tat, don't let this be the only
communication you have with the student. Show an interest in their lives, compliment their
achievements, and most importantly be a mentor.
Mrs. Nichols kept telling me that she felt like a failure, because like me, she felt she turned into a
'typical nagging mom' who only wanted her son to find a job and make his way into the world.
The truth was we can all take a part of the blame for what happened in that house that horrific
night. Drake Parker needed a lifeline and no one gave him one and that is the reason why I am
quitting from the teaching profession with a great sadness in my heart that my life will never be
quite the same again because of it.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Alice L. Hafer