What would you do if the following things happened in your son's or daughter's classroom?

Question

1. The teacher has a clear anti-Catholic bias, being an agnostic, and preaches that all religions are false creations of man.

2. The teacher allows certain groups of students to cuss and swear.

3. The teacher makes the principal look like a fool constantly telling the students that he(the principal) doesn't know what he is doing?

4. The teacher allows certain students to watch Monty Pithons "Every Sperm is Sacred" and another video mocking Jesus hanging from the cross.

5. The teacher has the students do a writing assignment about the principal that must be written negatively. He actually told a student that if he wrote positive thinkgs, he would fail.

I don't give a hair if you don't believe this is a real situation. I have seen and heard it with my own eyes and I am not telling the name of the teacher, the school, or the students.
But what would you do if your child came home and told you these things were happening in class? Would you even believe him or her?

By the way, the teacher's association thought this guy was great.

The Administration collected documents and evidence from the Aids, students, teachers' computer, and anywhere else they could. The teacher was placed on Admin Leave and dismissed, the last I heard.
Again, the teacher's association thought he was a great guy. I used to like unions (organizations).

It happened at a High School.

This has been a very difficult school year. My school has quite a few teachers who have been dismissed. But I am surprised to find that there are so many of these kinds of horrible teachers in so many places. I knew there were alot of bad one, but its worse than I ever suspected in my own experience.
I've worked at 10 different schools and thought I'd seen alot. What is the matter with the teaching profession that it allows these people to teach? Why does NEA, AEA, CTA, CEA defend these idiots? I used to like believe in unions, not any more.

Answer 1

1. I'd discuss the issue with the teacher during a meeting in which the principal were present. I'd then make it very clear that such behavior is unacceptable, and should it continue, I'd take the issue to the school board and to the press.

2. I'd discuss the issue with the teacher. There's not enough information to make a judgment about this scenario.

3. I'd allow it to continue (as a parent). It's not my place. Besides, what if he's right? You're certainly quick to think most public school teachers are horrid creatures. Why too then, wouldn't the principals be just as bad?

4. Was this during school hours? What was the purpose of viewing the film? Why were only "certain" students watching it? Again, I'd want to know more about the situation.

5. I see absolutely nothing wrong with this assignment AT ALL in and of itself. It challenges students to write creatively within the confines of a very structured assignment. Was #3 in conjunction with #5? Perhaps the teacher was simply giving examples and playing Devil's Advocate before giving the writing assignment. I'd want to know the purpose of the assignment, but I wouldn't be upset.

Hossteacher, I find it amazing that a person can live inside of such a stuffy bubble. How sad it must be for you. Please find a needle to poke a hole in that thing and join the rest of us...And by the rest of us, I mean ordinary Christians and teachers who don't give either group a bad name.

Answer 2

There was a teacher at my old high school (he's still there as far as I knew) that was EXTREMELY racist. Now, here's the kicker: He was African-American. White kids were told NEVER to take a class with him. He HATED white kids, especially Christians. He usually spent his entire time in class talking about the evils of white people, and every religion except his; he was Muslim. He also constantly talked about how horrible Republicans, especially conservative Republicans, are. Most of my high school was Democrat (or the children of Democrats), so that didn't matter...but his racism against white people was pretty bad.

So why do I mention this? Because it's a well-known fact that SOME teachers do nothing but try to inculcate their own opinions into their students. I've witnessed several examples. I've had teachers who belittled particular politicians, religions, political persuasions, and races.

If my child had a teacher like the one that you mentioned, I would pull them from the class, no questions asked...but only if the principal and the rest of the district's administration wouldn't do anything about him or her. Unfortunately, if the teacher is a minority, or if they're tenured, there isn't too much the school district could do. I would NOT, however, allow my child to be subjected to such a thing. I do NOT tolerate hatred and intolerance, in whatever form. If my child had a teacher who was blatantly anti-homosexual (like hated homosexuals) or hated people of ANY religion or race, I would pull my child from the class.

And I would make sure my voice was heard, too!

Answer 3

1. Well, they are correct, but unless its a comparative religion class, I don't see why they are touching on the subject. Though I don't think agnostics single out Catholics. Sort of by definiton, they'd have a problem with all denominations.

2. Define cuss and swear and do other groups get in trouble for the exact same words?

3. Well, maybe the principal is a fool. Unprofessional to rant about it in class, and in my experience, studnets can tell when someone is a moron on their own. If the principal does know what he's doing, the teacher saying he doesn't is more damaging to the teacher than the principal.

4. By "certain students", it sounds like this was an extra assignment and not something done for the whole class during standard class time. Which is fine. If Jesus can't handle being mocked, he's not all that impressive.

5. Again, depends on the class. I've had debate classes where I have had to write in support or against certain topics. It's potentially unprofessional to use such a close to home topic, but probably upsets less people than "write an arguement in favor of abortion in anyone under 25".

I'd probably believe my kid if they told me this, I'd ask what they really thought of the job the principal was doing (who if nothing else, is obviously horrible at keeping good relations with their teachers), and occasionally ask more about that particular class.

Answer 4

If these things are happening and you're hearing about it then you're probably not the only parent. If you parents do not unite (or even the principal even where is he in all of this?) then this teacher is going in influence your children negatively. Maybe he doesn't know what he is doing because he continues to allow this type of behavior...and it's from a TEACHER? Don't let this cycle continue. If you honest care about your child's education and QUALITY of education you should put a stop to this now. Parents unite! No student should have to deal with any religion in school unless attending a private school of choice. No child should be subjected to videos like that (and to be honest our school had a library and we were ONLY allowed to see the vids from the library this included teachers only being allowed to show the videos from the library). I can't say much about the language other than that is disappointing, but most patents allow it now-a-days like it's no big deal.

Answer 5

The bit about the Monty Python movies would be awesome, but the only way I'd buy any of it is if the classroom was a college classroom. Both of those films are rated 'R'. Our principal in high school wouldn't even let our art of film class watch 'The Graduate', which was unrated.

If this school were a real school you'd be telling us, because you know people here would write and complain. Since you aren't, I'm inclined to think that you're talking c*ap. Sorry.

Answer 6

Unfortunately, I'm not sure if there is a lot that you can do. The only thing that I believe may be in your power is to get you child out of that class. If perhaps you feel so strongly that something needs to be done, you could try a higher power. I'm sure the pricipal would like to know of these things, but if there's nothing he can do about it, the school board should be informed that this teacher is acting inappropriately and something needs to be done. As for believing my child, that would depend on whether the child has a habit of lying or exaggeration, if not, I would tend to trust that child.

Answer 7

Ok... first off i think no teacher should teache religion. I had a Sister teach me and whatever the church said, she did, so I grew up thinking like that. If he lets certain groups cuss and swear... that isn't the biggest deal in the world. If the thing about the principal is true, why wouldnt the principal say something to him. If he dosent know bring the fact to his attention. About the Monty Pithon movies brings up the fact again about religion. If the kid wrote positive things about the principal and failed I would bring it to the principal. He couldn't fail the class, only paper.
Overall you could get the guy out of there if it is a public school for talking about God, and if it is Private school he isn't teaching the faith.

Answer 8

It sounds like the right things were done, though I am sorry if they were not done fast enough. If I were an adult in the room (it sounds like you were an aide in this case) I would see it as my duty to the students to organize them and their parents. As a group, we'd contact the principal and go as high up the chain as necessary to get satisfaction. If the district wasn't helping, I'd involve the media. Throughout the entire process I wouldn't worry about my job--the greater responsibility is to the kids.

It also sounds like there is a problem with your local teacher's association if they stood by and did nothing. As a union president myself, I guarantee other teachers' associations and the NEA do not support the behaviors of the teacher listed above. I would organize other teachers in the district who felt the same way and change the leadership of the association.

Teachers like the one you describe above give the entire profession a bad name. Their behavior enables others to think they're justified in making unfair broad generalizations about teachers and public education.

If I were the president of the association in your district, I promise I would have listened to your concerns, helped you collect evidence, guided you through the grievance procedures, and then done everything I could to ensure the teacher never had contact with students again.

Answer 9

I would go to the school board and tell them I am going to the news paper also. They will not want to be on the news or in the paper. If your child goes to school year round as many do now, I would also DEMAND your child be put in another class. Many parents are intimidated by teachers and Principals. You are the childs parent and only you decide what kind of teacher will be teaching your child.

Can you talk to any other parents who have children in that class? You will get a better response when you are in #'s.

My best to you and be prepared for some grief.

Answer 10

Uhm, change schools. My religious beliefs aren't strong, but I wouldn't stand my kids watching humiliation of Christ on the cross even if I don't believe in it, he represents a symbol of faith for many and must be shown respect. I kinda agree with the agnostic standards, but I will not show disrespect for a figure beloved by so many.
I think what would irritate me the most would be the swearing, although it would depend on the age of the kids, if they are around 16-19, i wouldn't mind that much because kids at that age tend to swear tons (I should know, im 17)
About the principal issue, well, it would depend on the principals attitude and beliefs, although i believe this teacher needs to be taught some respect.
About believing in my kids or not, probably, i would believe in them, i mean this is not the kind of thing you make up. Maybe kids would exaggerate, but some of it must be truth. Unless the kid has a tendency of lying... and i would find it hard to believe.