My English teacher at school is very opinionated and I need some advice on what to do.?

Question

I go to a very small school, 350 kids and I'm in 9th grade. Just telling you that to show that everybody knows everybody and I can't switch to a different class or anything. But, my English teacher, she teaches us a lot about grammer, she knows what she's talking about but, she is very opinionated. We were talking about the presidential candidates, and she made us all write on paper our vote. I voted for somebody, forgot his name but, she got the votes and the guy that I voted for had some other votes, and the teacher was telling us that we didn't want him to be president because he supported gay marriages, and I personally support same sex marriages. And then she went on talking about Hillary Cliton being a great candidate, because she is so smart...I was so mad I almost walked out of the classroom. Because doesn't Hillary support same-sex marriages. I lived in New York and all of my family still does and they all know that she just gives the all the money to the city. What do I do?

I'm not trying to complain about Hillary Clinton I'm just curious about her. And the 'what do I do' is about my teacher.

Great answers so far, but you guys all need to know some things about my teacher. She thinks that she is right about everything. While debating in class when anybody tries to talk and really express their opinion she tells them to 'shut up'. She gets mad very easily, she like throws things, one times she picked a desk up and threw it. Some other students and I went and spoke to the guidance councilor about her getting angry and she just told us that 'it might be because she has diabetes' and my mother is a nurse and said that most people with diabetes don't have anger problems like that and if they did then they need to control it better. She doesn't care what anybody thinks. She is really hard to get along with. And right now we are watching Fahrenheit 9/11, and all it is about is trashing Bush. Anybody ever see it? And she asked if anybody was really opposed to watching it, but nobody said anything, because nobody really knew what it was about. If I said anything now everybody

would be mad at me, because we would have to go back to reading. One more thing, sorry I have to get this figured out, all of my friends and classmates are for Hillary. Simple because she is a female. And they are all for trash talking Bush, when really none of us keep up with politics closely. The movie has made everybody go against Bush, even the ones who were for Bush before the movie, because the movie ONLY talks about the 'bad' that he has done, it hasn't said one good thing!

Answer 1

Go to the Principal. She shouldn't be saying this kind of thing to her students. It's her job to educate you in books and life but she's obviously prejudice and that has no place in the classroom. Also, even though your not old enough to vote, who the heck does she think she is telling you who you want to vote for. That's why we have elections in the first place. One more thing, I can't stand Hillary as a person or anything she represents. If there's to be a female president, it shouldn't be her.

Answer 2

If you felt so strongly about it you would educate yourself on all aspects of politics. Try and learn about the candidates they are talking about and have an intelligent and engaging conversation with her after school. Tell her that you think it is wrong for her as an authoritative figure to be expressing her opinion in such a strong willed manner over her students. If she erupts with anger I would highly recommend bypassing the guidance counselor and going to the principal.

Another good thing to do would be record the conversations she has. Its not wrong to express an opinion but to be completely unopen to opinions is wrong.

Also, y in an english class would this teacher be talking or even showing political movies?

Answer 3

Although I don't agree that a highschool english class is an appropriate venue for political views, it is just her own personal opinions. No matter where you go in life you will meet opinionated people who will try to force those opinions on you. My advice to you would be let it go in one ear and out the other. Only you can decide what your views are, she is only voicing hers. If you don't agree you can either ignore her or in a respectful way ask her why she feels the way she does, maybe if you question her she will in turn allow you to state your views.
I had an english teacher that I had many debates with on a daily basis. To an outsider it would have seemed very tense, but he and I still have a very high respect for each other. On occasion after highschool we would still stop the have a short debate.
Good luck!

Answer 4

If it is a small school and you are a freshman then the safest thing to do is to keep your mouth shut. Believe it or not, your personal opinion CAN effect your grades, especially at this level.

If you want to take action, you can formally complain about the "politicizing" in the class to your principal, or better yet have your parents make the complaint.

However, you need to know that in a small school, it can make things really uncomfortable.

Be aware that the further up you go in education, the more this is going to happen to you. You will find professors in college with strong political views. The best ones will welcome intelligent conversation on convergent or disagreeing views. The worst will allow their views to color the grading.

From personal experience I found that keeping my mouth shut worked best, especially in English classes.

Answer 5

I am sorry to say this, but it sounds like you don't have that good of a teacher. Even though it is good to have debates and open discussion, she should stay neutral while the students speak and write what they think. In the mean time, you should listen to her lessons as the english part will be usedul in your future. However, if your opinion holds you back - you need to go over her head to a principle or another teacher and tell them what is happening in class. It is ok to have and express your opinion, but it is not ok to force your opinion onto another person - and your teacher is an adult and she should know this (but don't straight up and say it in class). Go to another teacher or someone above her, this is not right.

Answer 6

Teacher who is against same-sex marriage is also Pro-Clinton? Perhaps she values some aspects of Clinton above that issue?

Hmmmm... Anyway.

Let her rant. She really should stick to English or start teaching religion or philosophy or political science where it is more appropriate. But I'm not for censoring teachers, maybe she just wanted to get everyone thinking and provoking them works (so that might explain the Hillary and marriage conflict).

Part of your education, part of how to get through life, I hate to say, is knowing how much to open your mouth, learning to control your emotions, and when to keep your mouth shut while waiting for the right time to bail and get yourself into a more comfortable situation (and I know we are talking years here)

Answer 7

after graduation go for it. But right now he will be arrested, lose his job, and not be able to get another teaching job. You don't want all that on your conscience. Keep your distance for now, even if you turn 18 before graduation it still is inappropriate until after you are no longer in that school. Plus be careful. Posting this online can get you both into trouble.

Answer 8

You might want to go to the principal. She's not supposed to be talking about politics, and definitely should not be telling her students what to do. If she doesn't watch it and offends the wrong person, the school might face a lawsuit.

Add-on:
It sounds like this teacher might need to be taken to higher authority due to her actions. She's probably only still there due to contract.

Answer 9

teach ought to be teaching who might be best able to accomplish the greatest good for the greater population of the country.what things do you think ought to happen for the greatest good to be realized.who is the candidate that can best help this come about.one issue is no way to elect a president,or buy a home entertainment system.your letters a bit ambiguous,maybe your teach is too

Answer 10

I would stay after class and just have a little word with your teacher. Oftentimes, teachers will welcome well-formed criticism. Let her know that you don't appreciate a biased vote or voting process, that everyone is entitled to their opinion, and that she, as the teacher, should present the facts as they are, and let you, the student, decide for yourself. That's what education is about.

Good luck! :-)