In this day and age, it’s easy to get distracted by what’s happening in the world. So many controversial issues and differing opinions.
So much anger and vitriol.
But for the sake of your students, it’s best to set it all aside the moment you walk into your classroom.
Yes, it feels good to share your frustrations and opinions. You’re in an influential position. And yes, you may feel strongly that your students need to hear what you have to say.
But it’s a mistake.
It’s a mistake not only because your views are just your views, but more importantly, you don’t have time. Education is their way out. It’s a bridge to their dreams. What’s best for them, then, must be paramount, above and beyond anything else.
Great teachers have a fire under them, an urgency to provide the skills and knowledge students need before it’s too late.
They do this by focusing on just three things.
1. Content
You must be an expert in your content area. This is the only way to arm your students with the intelligence and wisdom to understand the world they live in.
It’s the only way for them to acquire the reading, writing, thinking, and motivational skills to earn a degree or learn a trade, make a living, and contribute to their community and family.
It is through hard work and challenge that students develop the confidence and self-worth to form their own opinions and develop strong healthy working relationships with people of all ages and walks of life.
The focus on content – both in the training of teachers and its place in the classroom – has fallen by the wayside. It has been for decades but has dropped precipitously in recent years.
Developing your students academically is your primary job. It solves and eliminates a world of personal and societal ills. But you must have a deep and comprehensive knowledge of your subject area.
You must be able to read, write, and speak off the cuff about the intricacies, tensions, history, important figures, and impact of your field on the world. It’s the key to being interesting and drawing your students into a love of learning.
2. Accountability
Accountability in school is dying, and with it goes kindness, empathy, respect, and politeness. The behavior of students without accountability is growing more alarming by the day.
And yet, we allow it or make excuses for why it’s happening.
Yes, many students don’t have any discipline at home. Many have grown up with thousands of hours of social media influence and the glorification of wealth and crime.
But this underscores rather than excuses the importance of having strong accountability at school and in your classroom. Learning that they’re responsible for their behavior through sometimes hard lessons can be – and is – life saving.
Yet, we give in. We appease. We cowardly look the other way, which all but guarantees a difficult and tragic future for our students.
To be an effective teacher today, you must be tough-minded. You must care enough for your students to make the hard decisions. You must do the right thing for them even if they don’t understand in the moment.
This entails having unwavering determination, a classroom management plan that works, and the will to follow it calmly and dispassionately no matter the cost.
3. Safety
Although related to accountability, keeping your students safe from bullying, threatening, name-calling, violence, and the like is a critical part of your job.
You must supervise vigilantly and protect your students’ right to learn and enjoy being in your classroom. You must anticipate and read body language. You must keep your classroom peaceful and devoid of excitability.
You must build trusting and influential relationships.
But most important is avoiding these problems altogether by creating a safe haven for your students through strict adherence to your classroom management plan.
Learning from you is their job. A great education is their payment. Yet, many students have no understanding of this. They don’t even know what their purpose is for being in your classroom. Nor the tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars spent on their behalf.
They don’t know the incredible gifts and benefits afforded them. They don’t grasp the vehicle of opportunities and attainment of dreams big and small right at their fingertips.
They don’t know because all of the talking, interrupting, disorder, chaos, and stress drown out your wee little voice and influence.
Thus, you must be the guard at the gate, willing to stand bold and fierce, facing and turning away every threat to mental and physical well-being. You must be strong and undaunted enough to say . . .
“Nope, not happening. Never, ever on my watch.”
Them, Not You
You’re a leader and role model.
But you’re not a friend. You’re not a cool youthful semi-adult hoping to impress your students or push your self-righteous ideas and beliefs upon them.
You’re a teacher. And although having fun and a good laugh with your students is a wonderful way to build rapport, this is serious business. Schools are failing. Scores of students are falling through the cracks.
Your job is to provide your students with knowledge and skill in your expert content area, and then let them form their own views and opinions based on their developing intellect and growing understanding of the world.
No matter how vociferously you believe you’re right, or those who disagree with you are evil, don’t do it. Don’t share or opine or wear your politics on your sleeve.
You don’t have time.
For it drops students further behind and makes them more helpless and dependent. It makes them less confident in themselves and more confused than ever about their place in the universe. It deprives them of learning.
Instead, be a great teacher. Know your stuff cold. Take ownership for everything that happens in your classroom. Be a stickler about follow through.
And most of all stand sentry, protecting your students from anything that threatens a true and transformative education.
PS – Here at SCM, we welcome disagreements. However, comments that are meanspirited or misrepresent the article above will not be approved.
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I absolutely stand behind everything you say here. Your inspire me and make me want to do better. But I feel that I’m fighting a losing battle at school when my administrators seem to think school is about fun and keeping kids happy. I feel that our principal will do anything to make kids like her, including pulling children out of class for any reason. Meanwhile, on-task and respectful behaviour continue to decline. Any advice?
My former principal was the same. She even had pizza parties in the school hallway to the gymnasium for the verbally and physically abusive separate group students who met some of their goals. This was in a district with a “no food policy” due to allergies for ALL schools. The Superintendent excused it as “principal discretion.” The entire school population was permitted to pass by the tables from 11 am on, but not partake.
The only solution was that this principal’s contract was not renewed after three years of havoc and more serious errors in judgement. The bad news was she was hired in another State.
Best article I’ve read in year!
There were so many teachers in my building that shared opinions, all the time, with students about politics, other teachers, other students, health issues, finances, … even curriculum.
Two very common phrases about Mathematics were “I didn’t do well in Math in school,” and “I don’t like Math.” Even guidance counselors felt this was “effective” when consoling dejected students, regardless of their abilities.
In addition, History or Social Studies always had political comments or one-sided presentations or slanted information on bulletin boards or “centers” with opinionated worksheets.
This came from the top as the Principal espoused her personal beliefs, all the time, to staff, students, and parents. She even reflected on her “thoughts” versus actual content observed during teachers’ evaluations.
When asked by my student the names of the national or local candidates for whom I voted, I would decline and explain why. The Principal broadcasted her choices.
I presented the issues as voiced by all candidates directly, not mainstream media opinions, and taught students to recognize same.
We had class votes with paper ballots which I counted in front of them, with alternating students as “witnesses” by my side. Many teachers even misrepresented their class elections simply to reinforce their own bent. Students knew. This included simple things such as classroom choices for rewards, as well as national politics.
I was not perfect when it came to children, elderly, or animal abuse issues and would share opinions via my voice or the stories I selected to share. However, I prefaced any personal opinions or choices with statements identifying the decisions I made and my reasons why. Students were invited to question or share theirs as these were identified discussions. We were required to instruct students to give opinions and use debating skills.
Excellent article.
I really love most of your articles but this sounds completely toned deaf. This article really highlights that your experience really comes from only a small population of students. it is 2022, content it is not the number one thing that we need to be serving our students. Especially when we know for 100% fact that reading, writing and math etc…are not the only skills that make a person successful especially if they have any intersections in America.
The education system has never been and is not set up to be successful for all students in America and to continue to double down that this is the system that we need to fill into it without any substantial changes, is not helping students become critical thinkers. Or teaching them how to think. It’s teaching them WHAT to think.
Students especially those in secondary education will always be inundated with opinions of others, and to not then teach them how to deal with those opinions and parcel out those opinions, is leaving students at a disservice. and as an educator to pretend that you were human being do not have opinions or insinuate that you cannot share your opinions with your students also shows a lack in your ability to communicate. There is always a way in which to share information and beliefs in a respectful manner. And to not make time for that in the classroom. It’s showing that to some of your students and their personal lives and what personally affects them it’s not important.
Yes, this. 100%.
But what about when politics or issues of human rights that have been politicized begin to infringe on student safety? Am I “opining” when I refuse to allow anti-trans slurs and rhetoric in my classroom? Or anti-immigrant? Anti-BIPOC? Am I revealing my belief that Black Lives Matter by focusing my English lessons on the brilliance and beauty of Blackness and Black culture? What about when I use spoken word poetry that examines White supremacy and privilege or LGBTQIA rights? Our most marginalized students need to see their diversity reflected back at them in our classrooms or they don’t feel safe enough to take risks and learn. Neutrality and silence are dangerous and benefit the continued oppression of those considered “other” in this country. I worry that this article grants permission to those with privilege to remain silent about issues that truly matter to our students and our society.
I agree with this response and had the same reaction to the article.
It is not our place as teachers to continue to point out the differences in society. The worst thing you can do for a minority is to continually point out to that person that they are different. How would you feel if everywhere you went well meaning people tried to tell you that you are special, but different? You would feel like you will never fit in.
The beauty of true education, and, yes, I am speaking of the basics here (too much time is wasted on agenda driven “education” these days) is that it levels the playing field . It says, no matter how you look or where you are from, we are going to learn this together and learn it well so that everyone has the same opportunity to win.
When we see the value in who we are in our talents and what we can achieve, and are taught to come together and make this world a better place, unity happens. How do you cause division? Keep talking about it, and keep pointing out people’s differences.
I agree with A. Creating a classroom that fosters mutual respect and mutual goals- we’re here to learn together- can create a productive and safe community.
Thank you for the common sense voiced in your comment. I have wondered the same with these daily constants in our schools. Bullying with the bystanders doing naught has been an issue for decades and promoting differences and highlighting them has actually given this segment of society more targets. Schools are ineffective in handling bullies with this agenda of opinions versus facts.
Thank you for your comment.
Pretending like differences don’t exist—this “colorblind” ideology—ignores the very real ways our society was built on prejudice and White supremacy and othering. Ignoring these truths does absolutely nothing to foster togetherness or mutual respect for learning. It benefits folks in power, that’s it.
100%
I have no problem with a teacher not permitting anti-trans or anti-immigrant slurs or disrespect to any cultural or marginalized group or highlighting the beauty and achievements of different cultural groups so long as it is reasonably balanced for all students. But do you consider statements of biological facts about men & women to be rhetoric? What about Christian students who are marginalized if they talk about biological facts or about marriage being between one man and one woman? Do you support them if they are marginalized? The recent jump in percentages of people homeschooling or pulling their kids out of public schools is because Christian families do not feel that their students and their opinions are respected and that they can go to school without being persecuted for those beliefs. As a mother to daughters, I want girls’ private spaces such as bathrooms and locker rooms to be physically and psychologically safe for them. Yet many schools have no concern for these girls who are the majority when they allow trans students in those spaces. I agree trans students also need to feel safe and that thus far there is no easy solution that works for both groups. Erasing women and taking away girls’ sports scholarship and educational opportunities is going to raise tensions when the rights of one diverse group are elevated at the expense of other groups. This is not equality. Educators need to be responsive to the taxpayers and parents about these issues and have them addressed at the school board meetings not in the classroom where every student should be treated with respect.
I’m not sure what you mean by “biological” differences between men and women because those are genders, not sexes, and gender is a social construct that doesn’t involve biology at all. Same with marriage—what biology is involved in a union between two adults? Besides the fact that church and state are separate, if your belief system is so staunchly anchored in denying rights and humanity to others, then I don’t know. Home school is probably the best place for you. If your “safety” is dependent on someone else’s fear and discrimination, that’s not safety. That’s bigotry. The transphobic belief that allowing students to use bathroom or locker room that aligns with their gender is somehow infringing on safety has been debunked so many times, I don’t have the energy to spend there. Similarly, the argument about trans kids playing sports relies almost entirely on hypotheticals that further dehumanize a population of kids that does by suicide at rates drastically higher than cisgender kids. So, no.
Thank you, Käri. I was frustrated after reading Susan’s comments, and I appreciate your thoughtful response.
There is no scientific evidence for your gender ideology. It is literally based on feelings. Gender dysphoria is a serious mental illness and placating a delusion is not helpful, it’s harmful. I know it feels like the nice things to do, but it is harmful in the end. Sure, it is kind of the “hip” thing to do right now, and kids who don’t fit in can turn to this identity, be accepted, and find temporary relief. However, there is no research that dressing up in a costume or mutilating your body to try to change reality has long-term benefits for these people. In fact, research shows that depression and anxiety generally does not improve with the changes. Many trans-people who undergo surgery eventually regret it. And if you think logically about it, putting so much hope in a sex change or in your sexuality to give you fulfillment will of course fall short. People are so much more than this.
If I identify as a Korean, that does not make me Korean. I am still my same race. I can like the things I believe many Korean people like- that is totally fine, but I cannot expect others to say, “Okay, you are Korean,” since that is what you feel on the inside.
It is far healthier for student personality development to learn to live within the boundaries of reality.
I literally used to wish I was a boy, would pray God would change me into a boy, would fantasize about it. I never felt as feminine as the other girls. BUT thank God I grew up when I did or who knows where I would be now. Just like all healthy adolescents who often feel awkward and like misfits during this time, you grow through that awkward phase of your life, and on the other side learn to live your life functionally as yourself.
Now I am a functional grown up woman, who enjoys sports and other “boyish” things, but I have no qualms about the fact that I am a woman. This idea that your temperament and personality define your gender is ludicrous and unnecessary.
If you are so self-righteous to say that Christians are bigoted for their belief and are yourself so ignorant of actual research that shows the unfair advantage dudes dressed as ladies have in sports competitions for example, or to dismiss students’ discomfort of going to the restroom with someone who has a penis, maybe you are the one who is bigoted and hard-hearted.
But I don’t expect you to tolerate my beliefs. Obviously, you will view my beliefs as hateful and uninformed without a thought. You will crush any student who does not have the same strong opinions as you.
The difference is the irony of our views on the word “hate”. I don’t “hate” people who disagree with me about this. But me simply stating any form of dissent is viewed by the “tolerant” as hateful and could easily earn me a death threat. A death threat. And somehow I’m the hateful, intolerant one who only deserves to be home-schooled.
You don’t want to make your classroom a place of critical thinking and discussion. You don’t want to make your classroom a place where freedom of religion and speech exists. You want to make your classroom a place where people think like you and believe what you believe. No room for dissent.
And that is the tragic irony of our current country’s situation.
Your response was very well stated. I have found this intolerance for any form of dissent very dangerous to our democracy and to our personal lives. It’s small minded and rigid. Thank you for delving into it.
Representation is an entirely different thing from indoctrination. I work in a school district that is extremely politicized right now (as in “Good luck getting anything by Toni Morrison taught,” even in AP Lit), but representation and diversity (both AP values) require works by authors beyond dead white European males. So, while Toni Morrison might be–temporarily, I hope–off the table, I will be teaching a unit on the Harlem Renaissance because to omit black representation is to risk losing the AP designation. We might not read a major work by a black author, but we will read poetry and short stories–and students will be conducting and presenting research on the historical context surrounding their works. I do not necessarily have to comment beyond correcting any inaccuracies the students come up with. There is a place for wisdom and discretion that still allows for representation. And, by the way, there is NEVER any excuse for slurs of any kind in any classroom–and you are always on firm ground in shutting that down.
False. He already addressed half of your complaints in section 3. Name-calling, bullying, and disrespect are not to be tolerated. Also, obviously, we should be including diversity in our curriculum. I don’t know why your assuming he is saying you shouldn’t do this. You seem like your reading his article through a lens of fear of anger and making incorrect leaps about what he is saying. Choose books with characters of all races. Teach about different cultures and the amazing things they have done. You can and should do this without pushing any political agenda or singling any group out and widening divides. Educate using facts. Don’t be one-sided. You also need to open your eyes to the fact that your beliefs about sexuality and gender ideology are just that-beliefs. Other religions and other people hold different beliefs about the topic. That doesn’t make them wrong or evil. It just isn’t your place as educator to “convert” them to believing what you believe, no matter how passionate you are about it. If that is your goal, you are in the wrong profession. Instead, be there for all of your students’ educational journeys. Love and support all of them by giving them the gift of a good education about literature, history, math, etc…Stick to FACTS. Don’t pick biased propaganda from any side that leaves out the nuances of actual life. Give your students enough credit to develop their critical thinking skills without you telling them what to think about certain topics.
The above was also in response to Kari R still.
This. Is. Truth.
My grandma was my biggest influence in pursuing a career in education. She had so much wisdom to impart, but what stuck with me the most was, “It is my job to teach students HOW to think, not WHAT to think.” I think about this every single day in my classroom. My kids need to learn empathy, self-awareness, and how to think critically, not my social or political beliefs.
Beautiful repose.
Response.
Every day (and night), my great grandmother returned to her log cabin home without electricity or running water by choice. She did not follow the agendas of others who wanted her to sell and move to the perceived comforts of institutional living with its bingo games. She didn’t spend her last years worrying about what others thought she should do to conform to society norms for people her age. She was a strong woman who lived without the frills and divisiveness people demand today. Like your grandmother, she knew it was important to think for yourself and not be a parrot.
Every teacher should read this article. I’m going to print it and post it in my classroom to remind myself every day of these encouraging words. I struggle with being a stickler with follow through and tend to want to feel sorry for my students. This will help me know my reasons behind sticking firmly to my classroom management plan. Thank you for your essential work in encouraging us teachers on the front lines. We care deeply for our students and truly want to do the best we can for them. I value your words leading us to know what the best thing is!!
I read your blog every Saturday and love your work. You rescued me when I was a first year teacher and struggling.
Yet I think this article is off base — I agree with much of the content regarding what should drive teachers, but we should not ignore current events when they infringe on students’ well-being and safety. Some students need to hear me say unequivocally that Black Lives Matter after last week’s terrorist attack in order to feel safe in the room and be able to learn. And Black Lives do matter — that’s a fact and should not be a political belief. And a woman’s right to choose what happens in her own body should be fact, not a political belief. I believe strongly in being authentic and real with my students AND building their content knowledge. I am an expert in my field. But if I’m devastated because of a racist mass shooting I will let my students know, and then build their content knowledge to let them know they have the power and responsibility to make the world a better place. What else is education for?
Black lives do matter and a racist mass attack is reprehensible. Every life matters. The organization, BLACK LIVES MATTER, however, is an entirely different matter. I doubt many people went to their website to see what they were about before jumping on the bandwagon and donating to them. They are a Marxist organization promoting the entire dissolution of the family among other things. Black families have not been helped by the absence of fathers. All the sociological evidence shows this.
A black woman should have the right to choose what happens in her own body so long as it does not cause the violence and death of a black life (her unborn child) residing within her body. Same for any woman. Yes, it’s political because that is the system used to change injustices. To have absolute control over another human being-even to the point that beating them to death was not considered a crime-was true of the injustice of slavery. This same absolute control is given legally to women over their unborn children even to the point that dismembering and removing them from the womb is not a crime. Not much different than the subjugation and oppression during slavery. You want to really educate your students on a woman’s right to choose? Show them the graphic pictures of the violence involved in that choice. Or better yet, just do as Michael suggests and stay out of it altogether.
A lot of this is, uh, not true.
Which part?
ALL lives matter. The Black Lives Matter movement (in my opinion) is failing to bring people together. It is just causing more devision in our schools, as well as our society. It keeps people on edge & their action prove that. It makes all other minorities feel segregated. I am the ISS Coordinator at my school. I witness every day the division among the students in my classroom. The racial slurs, among other inappropriate slurs are heard on a daily basis. They are also disciplined for those inappropriate slurs). I was taught by my parents (very poor financially by the way) that you treat others the way you want to be treated. (no matter their skin color, religious beliefs, etc). If we all lived our lives keeping that golden rule in mind, we would all see the difference we all hope to make in the world.
I agree with you in general but want to echo Kari above in that I believe we need to take a stand when politicians direct bullying rhetoric at our students and their families.
Thank you for sharing this article! Every teacher needs to hear this because we live in a time when everything is politicized and our students hear what to think, everywhere that they turn. A neutral learning space is a safe place because it takes into account every student.
I think that nowadays, unfortunately, students don’t learn much in the classroom. Maybe, many teachers invest too much time in learning systems such as SEL Strategies and practices, in order to create classroom and schoolwide conditions that facilitate and support social and emotional development in students.
Moreover, today all fields of thought are completely censored, we live in the dictatorship of political correctness. This creates a dictatorship of thought, if you say something it will receive negative interpretations.
So the possibility of dialoguing with a student is much more difficult than it was 15 or 20 years ago. For some, asking them something as simple as what hobbies they have, or where do you live (only the city) is a very personal and private question that they don’t want to answer.
Students are on the lookout for any comment, even the tiniest, in order to generate controversy and have something to hold on to, an excuse to be able to roam freely in the classroom.
I love and appreciated this article, but don’t understand why a classroom should be “devoid of excitability.”
Shouldn’t students be excited to learn?
I am sorry but I cannot support this article. Even the comments have become a welcome haven for anti trans and anti black sentiments. That alone should tell you it’s off base. Young people are not only growing their academic skills in classrooms but also the way they treat each other and those outside of the classroom. It is absolutely our jobs to ensure that they treat others right and this requires teaching them about people that are different to them so they can better understand them.
Agree completely.
Yessssss.
It is unfortunate to see a rise in educators believing that left-wing revolutionary politics should dominate the educational process, especially at the expense of teaching kids the knowledge and skills they need to succeed and help our society thrive. The moment you question the tenets of this “ideology,” be ready to see them retreat from the motte and into the bailey of “it’s about protecting [insert oppressed group here].” Oh, and my favorite statement of theirs “neutrality is oppression,” which is a cheap tactic to get you to believe that you must agree with them or you’re evil. All this is really about overthrowing society to replace it with some vague, undefined “equitable” utopian future. Animal Farm should tell you how this will turn out.
It’s tragic that so many intelligent educators have drunk the critical, deconstructionist, Freirean Kool-Aid and are now hell-bent on a moral crusade.
I used to believe in this stuff when I graduated and started teaching. I went through all the privilege training, had vulnerability induced into me by the professor and then offered far left ideology as the only solution to the nation’s problems. This ideology inhabits the same psychological place as religion. Some of these people are fanatics, and would rather use their role as teacher to evangelize this world view.
A turning point for me was seeing the events unfold at Evergreen State College a few years ago. Look into that if you haven’t already and you will see how this ideology descends into struggle sessions.
Teaching through a political or religious lens, whether Left-wing or Right-wing, has no place in the classroom. As educators, we represent diverse communities of varying beliefs and backgrounds. Our job is to teach knowledge and skills. We are NOT missionaries!
Appreciate your comments.
Some of the commenters are suggesting that this article is supporting mistreatment of certain marginalized people groups. I belong to one of those groups, and I don’t feel that way at all. I think teaching children to be kind and respectful to all people is different from sharing my political or religious views.
Thanks Michael, I’m with you. Stick to teaching skills and strategies and avoid opinions. Seek neutrality and avoid controversy. I’m not surprised that as you propound these principles you come under attack. Idealism used to be suffered to be less intense until people matured and became aware of the realities of life and perhaps you confronting us with these time honoured values will assist us in the maturation process.
This article has shown that educators will argue for voicing their opinions in the classroom. This would not be a problem if they were always aware of the impressionability and attentiveness of the audience; all the stages of growth present; the age range – actual, emotional, and intellectual; the family (or lack thereof) situations; the squirrel outside the window (e.g., distractions); and even if the child ate the night before or that morning …. To argue that teachers’ opinions are necessary in the classroom – no matter how or when presented; who the sources are; not identified personal thoughts and not facts; for all grade levels; and …. is a disservice to the students.
Great article. The comments show why an article like this is necessary. Politicians divide our country. Teachers should not divide our classrooms. Focus on content and leave personal opinions at home.
My thoughts exactly when I read the comments after the article. The article is spot-on and makes much needed points so clearly. Let’s provide content, accountability and safety. From the comments, this article is falling on many deaf ears, but I am hoping a seed is planted.
There’s an even bigger issue here. It’s not our job to indoctrinate students into political or social ideologies. In 2020 when racism, protests, and a major election were big news, I had colleagues who were telling students ‘this is what we should do and this is why.’ It didn’t matter whether I personally agreed with their positions or not; as a professional, I took issue with their approach (and correctly predicted that their statements would be picked up in the local news – no, it wasn’t me).
The problem is that we’re supposed to be teaching kids how to think, not what to think. Sharing your views with them openly is tantamount to telling them what they should think. A much better approach is to discuss how to find information, share information with each other, discuss it, and ask the students what THEY think and why.
Great example of why kids hate school. Sounds like terrible advice to me, if the goal is inspiring your students. Kids know when you are being real, or not, and “sticking to the curriculum”, when that curriculum is likely designed to maintain and support the status quo is not in your student’s best interests. Be real, and be brave enough to accept the trouble that comes from that. The last thing students need as a teacher trying to play it safe.
Awesome points
The article is more about being a professional in a difficult time. In this politically charged era, a great deal of people are not thinking clearly because they’re caught up in their emotions. When you share your opinions, especially in a self-righteous or manipulative way, you force kids to be either “with you” or “against you”. Often, playing it safe and holding your tongue is the best course of action.
I have a question for those who disagree with this article:
What about teachers who voice opinions that you don’t personally agree with? Who decides which opinion is OK to share?
Teacher A thinks same sex marriage is a good thing.
Teacher B only supports heterosexual unions.
Which one should shut up?
My answer: both of them
As a queer woman married to a woman with two children, I’m absolutely not going to shut up about my life or my family. The problem here is that you’re asking teachers (and then also students) to leave aspects of their identities aside because their identities have become politicized. Ignoring those identities is invalidating and dehumanizing. Like I said earlier, if your existence and feeling of “safety” is so rooted in ignoring my right to exist in society, that’s just bigotry. Our society no longer tolerates outward racism and sexism; are History teaches supposed to be neutral when teaching about the Holocaust? The Trail of Tears? Is the fact that the Holocaust was genocide just an opinion? At some point, there is a base level of morality that exists, whether you want to acknowledge it or not. You pretending like you’re neutral doesn’t change that.
So your response is that both teacher A and teacher B can share their opinions.
How would you feel hearing teacher B share their opinions to the class?
Choosing teacher A to share and telling teacher B to shut up is clearly discriminatory.
Kari, you mentioned some things that I had not considered.
Also, I think history teachers should teach facts.
I’m gay and I won’t hide it. Adult representation can save kids’ lives. And please don’t invalidate my worth by suggesting my existence as a gay teacher is political; it shouldn’t be.
So true!
I can walk and chew gum at the same time.
I can focus on content and accountability WHILE honestly, truthfully, and kindly addressing the brutality of the headlines and the often cruel grind of the human condition.
That is my job.
Yes, it is a tightrope, and it is often messy; we didn’t choose education because it was easy.
This article makes me think back to when I was in high school – two of my teachers took very different approaches to how to address politics our senior year during the Bush/Kerry presidential election.
When my classmates asked my art teacher, she told us she couldn’t say anything about anything politically related, because it was up to us to make up our minds. Well, we made up our minds that she was a democrat voting for Kerry based on her hippie vibe. (LOL we were wrong. Most of the teachers at that school were republicans.)
When we asked my English teacher, he told us it was his duty to tell us his political beliefs so that we could understand the lens he was subconsciously sharing information through. And he shared a LOT – I remember even some of the more insignificant comments -he was staunchly republican, but wanted Kerry to win because he was worried the Hilary Clinton would be the next candidate if Kerry didn’t win, and he hated Clinton. (Man I wish I could hear about how he felt after all that has happened since then).
Almost 20 years later, I don’t disrespect either of their approaches, but I will say that I lean towards telling older students when they ask. I tell them exactly what my English teacher said – it’s important that you understand that I am a person with opinions, and whether I try to hide them or not, they taint the information I provide, and you need to know that.
Now, this doesn’t address the problem that some issues related to the humanity of my students have been labeled as “politics” as a way to keep them out of polite conversation. And when it comes to that, I’m glad I live in an area of the country where I can say that black voices are important and no one is labeling that as “politics”. Where I teach, bathrooms have no gender, there is no dress code for hair, and students can wear a cross or a hijab without anyone feeling threatened. I think that’s why this article is making so many people frustrated – politics doesn’t mean what it used to when I was in high school almost 20 years ago.
Identity politics are center stage, and now teachers have to choose whether to appear apolitical or to acknowledge the humanity of their students. If you teach in an area like this – I feel for you. There is no easy answer. All I can say is do what fits best with you – I know that I loved both my English teacher who shouted his political beliefs off the rooftops, and my art teacher who smiled quietly to herself while we tried to pry information from her. And despite growing up with majority republican teachers, I ended up with the same political affiliation as my parents – as most kids do. A series of comments in an English class can’t undo what’s taught at home – people think teachers have WAY more sway on young minds than they really do. What could be at risk from politics though, is ruining relationships with our students that allow for positive learning environments. Be sure any politics you bring in don’t target or dehumanize any of your kids – period.
Thank you! Honesty is always more important than politically motivated censorship! Because, “keep politics out of the classroom” always means “keep YOUR politics out.” A classroom is a political space. People who want to censor this are using kids identities as a dog whistle and using children as a political football. We have to stand up to this with integrity, accountability and truth.
I agree that your main concern should be to structure learning, knowledge, content, context and skills for survival and making the best, wise choices for life. However, never over look the issues that face your class every day. These issues may not pertain to subject matter, your class environment,but, they affect the students, their classroom attitude an their community around them. You have a part to allow them to speak out as you guide the to the most effective solution you can. Tell them when it is your point of view and when it is fact. Guide them to make a reasonable choice with out having to have their choice and no other consideration. Where they are not angry, upset or still conflicting with the issue. A time limit must be set for discussions.
To believe that content, accountability and safety are somehow not political is an impressive mental contortion. It is OUR JOB to raise up children to be informed voters and effective citizens. Do we want safer communities? More prosperity? More freesoms for all? Clean air to breathe, food to eat and water to drink? Do we want more students to graduate with self sufficiency, or add more names to the welfare lists? Then we need to accept that there is NO neutral way to teach, all teaching is political, and censorship in the classroom should always be rejected. Period.