Okay, my daughter just got home from middle school. Obviouslyl, they are doing stuff about government and such. I don't mind that at all. What I DO mind however, is the teacher giving HER opinions on the current President and his job. School is to TEACH, NOT to voice yoru opinions. Keep in mind, this is a very influential class where most students take things literally and as gold if you say anything. She(teacher) believes current President is making all good choices...WHAT?!?! I am NOT blaming her for having her opinion. That is NOT the issue here. I could care less what she thinks. However, I DO care that she is supposed to teaching objectively but is instead giving her opinions politically. BTW, I'm printing up a fact sheet tonight. Gathering resources now. Urghh. Fustrated b/c I really hate that the political arena of some teachers gets int he way of education of our students. Again, do NOT mind at all what she thinks of current President. I'd be just as mad if she was against this man. Like I told my daughter, it is WAY too early to say if a President is good or bad. Give him a few months to do the job. I know most of the teaching realm is democratic and I had one other teacher in my son's class in 5th grade send letters to Bush bashing him on environmental issues. She NEVER told the parents she was doing this. I was outraged. Am I wrong to think teachers should teach objectively? Are they supposed to be giving their opinions on all these issues? I'm currently teaching my homeschoolers government and community as well. I keep MY political views to myself though both know who we voted for. I give them FACTS to let them make their opinions on. I told them when they are older, I don't care who they vote for or what party lines they are on. As long as they are personally informed fo the issues and what the potential Presidents would do about those issues. I need feedback on how to approach this teacher. I think it is very wrong what she did. Live your personal opnions out of class. Bottom line. am I over-reacting? Again, this is twice it has happened to my kids, different teachers, different schools. I don't want any political bashing on this thread. Just want ideas on what to do to kindly tell a teacher to leave her personal political opinions out the door at home and just teach facts. STephanie--mom to 7
Some teachers are there to teach and others are there just to lecture or collect a check. A teacher should offer and unbiased opinion of what is currently happening and just convey the facts. She is in a history class or social studies not a political debate class that one might find in college. A presidency can not be considered “good” or “bad” until the term is over. Then the positives and negatives are weighed. My daughter was “taught” the Regan was such a great president. I do not feel the same, and took it upon my self to speak with her and instruct her about why I feel as I do. Then I let her make up her own mind. When she turned in a report on what he did in office, the teacher was none to pleased but gave my child a good grade based upon her research ability and fact finding to support her ideas. That is how a teacher should be. She may not have agreed but used an objective eye when judging the students. If you have a problem with teachers, contact the principal’s office and speak with someone there. More often then not they will back the teacher. After that, though, write a letter to the school board of Johnston County and “CC” the Principal. It will stay in the teachers work file for years. I have written letters of praise and complaints. One teacher was reduced to tears when my letter was read aloud at a big Johnston county School meeting. It was in total praise of how she had positively affected my child and that there should be more like her. They never said her name till the end. When she saw me at school month later she was so grateful. I believe that praise is as important as complaining. Make sure your letter points out any good qualities the teacher may have, as well as, things you believe to be wrong. Be calm, reasonable and tactful. The nicer you are, the more they will be inclined to listen.
don't get me started on what I think of some of the teachers(in middle school) and their purpose for being in the building.....:banghead: in your particular case, unless your daughter overheard her teacher chatting with her teacher peers, then it's inappropraite, IMO, of her to voice her opinion.
Thanks! Sounds great. I too have complimented teachers in the past. One, all the way up to the DPI. She was wonderful and my daughter and son benefited from her immensely. Praise is just as important. This comment was said to the whole class, not just a teacher to teacher conversation. I will wait a day until I'm a little more calm about it all before I write anythign at all. I just want objectivity from teachers. Not an "agenda." This past year, ALL of my kids(minus the ones homeschooled) knew everything about Obama and HIS campaign but NOT a thing about McCain's campaign. Different grade levels, different kids. It should have been fair representation on both sides. Not a biased approach. How can you possibly explain what elections mean if the schools don't portray it equally. I think in high school, the kids are old enough to form their own opinions of a candidate. Elementary... they have no idea. No idea. Should be presented more objectively in my opinion. I know they say they are doing this, but I don't see it for sure. Thanks for your opinions. I will be honest and not mean. I just want things in class to be taught objectively and NOT for someone's own personal agenda. Simple...you'd think--LOL. Stephanie--mom to 7
