Lauderdale BOE Needs to Rope In Some Teachers - Part I

 

When a Lauderdale parent first messaged us about "groomers" at Central Elementary School, we held our breath until we read the entire message. Then we received more messages from upset parents. First, these parents need to contact the Lauderdale County Board of Education. Second, they need to speak with the principal of the elementary school. Third, they should contact any press that will listen.

Yes, they contacted us, and we're appalled. It is not the job of the public school teacher to:

1. Tell your child how to get to Heaven. (That is the responsibility of parents and the church.)

2. Tell your child what sauce to put on chicken. (They can teach a module on nutrition, but that's as far as it goes.)

3. Tell your child for whom to vote.

As for number three, you shouldn't have to ask why, but in case you do:

Teachers are expected to be politically neutral in the classroom. This means that they should not express their own political views or beliefs, or encourage students to adopt their own. There are a few reasons for this.

First, teachers are in a position of authority over students. They are responsible for teaching students about a variety of topics, including controversial ones. If teachers express their own political views, it can be seen as an attempt to influence students' opinions. This can create a hostile learning environment and make it difficult for students to think critically about the issues.

Second, teachers are supposed to be impartial. They are supposed to present all sides of an issue fairly and accurately. If teachers express their own political views, it can make it difficult for them to be impartial. This can lead to students being misinformed about the issues.

Third, teachers are supposed to respect the diversity of their students. They should not make students feel uncomfortable or unwelcome because of their political views. If teachers express their own political views, it can make students who hold different views feel marginalized.

There are a few exceptions to the rule of political neutrality. For example, teachers may be allowed to express their political views if they are discussing a historical event or a current event that is directly related to the curriculum. However, even in these cases, teachers should be careful not to express their own opinions too strongly.

There are a few things that teachers can do to maintain political neutrality in the classroom. First, they can avoid discussing controversial topics altogether. If they do discuss controversial topics, they should present all sides of the issue fairly and accurately. They should also avoid expressing their own opinions on the issue.

Second, teachers can focus on teaching students how to think critically about the issues. This means teaching them how to identify bias, how to evaluate evidence, and how to form their own opinions.

Third, teachers can create a safe and welcoming learning environment where students feel comfortable expressing their own political views. This means respecting all students' views, even if the teacher disagrees with them.

Political neutrality is an important principle for teachers to uphold. It helps to create a fair and impartial learning environment where all students feel welcome and respected.

In six years at Richards Elementary School, three years at Appleby Junior High, and three years at Coffee High School (all in the previous century), we never had ONE teacher relate his/her voting preference. That is how it should be.

You do not pay taxes to have teachers instruct your children on candidates, no matter how good, attractive, or intelligent they are. If they are telling your children how to vote, just what else are they telling them?

Let's read that last sentence one more time: If they are telling your children how to vote, just what else are they telling them?

Tomorrow: How is this a Labor Day celebration?