During the 2004 election my students had a hard time figuring out which side I was on...and that is how it should be...I was not one of the activist liberal teachers showing Michael Moore movies in class. I made sure the social studies teacher I knew put up Kerry AND Bush stuff...he had about 80% Kerry until I helped him.
Well, here is a story from Michelle Malkin
BENNINGTON, Vt. --The school superintendent whose district includes Mount Anthony Union High School has labeled "inappropriate" and "irresponsible" an English teacher's use of liberal statements in a vocabulary quiz.
"I wish Bush would be (coherent, eschewed) for once during a speech, but there are theories that his everyday diction charms the below-average mind, hence insuring (sic) him Republican votes," said one question on a quiz written by English and social studies teacher Bret Chenkin.
The question referring to the president asked students to say whether coherent or eschewed was the proper word. The sentence would be more coherent if one eschewed eschewed.
Another example said, "It is frightening the way the extreme right has (balled, arrogated) aspects of the Constitution and warped them for their own agenda." Arrogated would be the proper word there.
Chenkin, 36 and a teacher for seven years, said the quizzes are being taken out of context.
"The kids know it's hyperbolic, so-to-speak," he said. "They know it's tongue in cheek. They know where I stand."
He said he isn't shy about sharing his liberal views with students, but invites vigorous debate in the classroom.
"Never once have I said, 'OK, you're wrong,'" he said. "Instead, it's, 'OK, let's open this up. Let's see where this can go.'"
Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union Superintendent Wesley Knapp said he would not want his children subjected to such teaching.
"It's absolutely unacceptable," he said. "They (teachers) don't have a license to hold forth on a particular standpoint."
I really hope you all find this offensive. Is this okay for a teacher to say? What should happen to her?Why are most teachers liberal by the way? I think its about 70-30, maybe 75-25.
Posts
12 comments:
This is abominable! If the teacher was a college level professor, it MIGHT, a big MIGHT at that, be ok to assert his own political beliefs to his students. This teacher is not behaving like a mature, responsible grown up adult. Children are not to be considered as equals when debating politics. Yet, judging from this teacher's statements, he considers his students to be his peers, thus he invites them to debate with him against his politics! What more could we expect of just another typical liberal getting down and dirty to win? Now they're picking on kids!
A teacher wording test questions slanted toward his political views is not acceptable for learners of any age group. Most certainly, if his students were adults, they would storm out of his classroom, and demand their money back.
Most teachers leak some aspect of politics into their classroom. At least from my memories when I was in school. Unfortunately for those of us who arent liberals, we dont get much representation. Education is always going to be liberal. Its in its very nature, like the arts or the working class.
Scorpion says---
The majority of today's teachers are liberal because the way college education courses,work-shops and views are presented often have totally liberal slants. This comes at a time when teachers who explore both sides politically are retiring or leaving teaching.
It is true that there will be a slight slant from time to time no matter how hard you try. However, it is the teachers duty to be as fair and balanced as possible. I would never show a Michael Moore movie or write test questions like that...I actually have a hard time teaching abortion because I really just want to say it is killing a baby...I don't say it, but even in my explanation of what actually happens it seems like I am arguing against it.
Honestly, I think teachers are slanted liberal because many teachers are unable to do anything else, and there are a larger number of liberals who really have no skills, ability or work ethic. That doesn't mean teachers don't work hard or care about their kids. I am saying while I was in school in physical therapy the students were much, much smarter and worked harder. Education classes were very easy and had a much lower quality student. Many conservatives use the skills they have to become sucessful and make more money than a teacher.
They're not Liberal Teachers...
Most of them are Left of Left of Left!!!
Hope you and yours had a great Thanksgiving, Game...
(I come by all the time, I just don't post as much as I should in the comments. I'll just have to change that... My bad!!!)
AubreyJ.........
This is very encouraging to read from a teacher. I know personally about 10 teachers at all levels of education. Of them, 4 are conservatives. Let's hope this is a trend!
Kids deserve to hear all sides of an issue. Not just the radical left position vs. the center left position on issues as it's been the last 40 years.
Great blog!
thanks everyone...glad to here some people enjoy my blog....get others to come here!!!!
Teachers are liberal for the very reasons you stated. They need to be able to cover various topics without letting their own views get in the way. Liberal, by definition, means broad-minded and free from constraint.
you know I was talking about liberal in the political sense...
most teachers get into teaching because they want to help others..this and social work et al naturally attract those who have a more liberal mind set..Our businesses and business schools are full of conservatives cuz that is where they excell. its pretty simple but I am sure it will be complicated beyond all belief. Children should be taught to think broadly and critically and if teachers are doing that they are fulfilling their responsibility in my book. If they are not they are failing.
Ron,
Do you agree with what the teacher did in this case...come on, nobody can agree with this!!!
Post a Comment