Well, we're both teachers in middle school. We've never had any run-ins of any kind before, so I was a little surprised by his hostility toward me today.
I assigned my students a homework assignment of researching how Christmas (Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, etc) is celebrated in a different country and then they write a paper about it and give a presentation about it in class.
My kids appear to be excited about it and I thought it went well with the season. I thought I was being politically correct, because I wasn't asking the students how THEY celebrated Christmas and I didn't restrict it to Christianity.
But, my co-worker is a Jehovah's Witness and he really tore me a new one today ranting about how not everyone in the world celebrates Christmas and I'm brain-washing the students into my belief system.
Really, it was over the top. Especially since my assignment doesn't concern his class. Does anybody have any ideas about what I can do to appease this situation??
2007-12-11 09:36:10 · 34 answers · asked by christiekpoe 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Um wow. Tmarie, apparently you need to go back to school. Because what I absolutely DID NOT say was: Tell me how the birth of Christ is celebrated during Christmas, Kwanzaa, etc. If you went to school and stopped degrading your teachers maybe you would have learned how to read...
Get the damn chip off your shoulder.
2007-12-11 11:31:00 · update #1
Hmmm..... you did not ask them to explain how they personally celebrated it and you included other religions celebrations in the assigment.....how exactly is that brainwashing? He needs to keep his nose out of your class business.
2007-12-11 09:41:19 · answer #1 · answered by PaganPoetess 5 · 9⤊ 1⤋
It's obvious he was misinformed.
Ask him exactly what he heard about that assignment. Explain to him that "we've never had any run-ins of any kind before, so I was a little surprised by your hostility toward me" that day. Etc.
As one of Jehovah's Witnesses I might have a problem with that assignment if I were one of your students. If you gave me some leeway to allow for an explanation of how Christmas originated, rather than just "how it's celebrated in another country" I could complete it with a clear conscience.
Some teachers are hardnosed and some are more flexible.
2007-12-12 18:06:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Honestly, I never had a problem doing assignments on holidays like Thanksgiving. That said, I remember the last one I did got me yelled at by the teacher. Appearantly what she wanted was a simple, "Turkey is good" report. I gave a report on what some do, and how I feel.
It could be there was some sort of misunderstanding with you and the other teacher. The fact that he knew about your class even though it doesn't affect him seems strange. Maybe one of the students complained to him.
Ultimately, it is a sad fact that we all make mistakes. If he really went about ranting at you, it was wrong, and hopefully he will see it.
I am a Christian, one of Jehovah's Witnesses.
2007-12-11 23:06:13 · answer #3 · answered by Ish Var Lan Salinger 7 · 7⤊ 0⤋
She is a JW not a christian. those human beings have a brilliant style of religion. God isn't approximately faith. he's approximately loving you and sharing with you His be conscious (Bible) and exhibiting you the certainty. So pray, and definite tell her what a foul occasion she is. If she does not pay attention, then pass to her superiors or somebody else who's a frontrunner which you have self assurance in. Pray that God will lead you a actual christian church the place God is worshiped and the place you will study approximately Gods love for you.
2016-10-01 09:30:12 · answer #4 · answered by bardin 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that maybe the best thing to do is to have a calm talk with that teacher and explain to him that you think he misunderstood the assignment you gave the class or that you think he overreacted. Explain that you just want the students to learn about different cultures and point out that you did in fact not tell them to write about Christmas celebrations only, but about celebrations of other religions too. Maybe he was just having a bad day.
I'm an atheist and am generally against preaching a particular religion to children in school, but I have no problem with kids learning about various religions in school (as long as they are taught in an objective way) and I don't think your assignment sounds like you're pushing your beliefs on them.
I hope you and that teacher can settle your differences.
2007-12-12 02:30:09 · answer #5 · answered by undir 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
Your co-worker is out of line. Telling the history of a celebration is not brainwashing.
I was raised a JW and I enjoyed these type of assignments. I would gladly present to the class the orgin of Christmas, the Roman empire, Easter and various other subjects. I used the full 52 minutes once with questions included. Many were surprised about the non-christian orgins of their sacred days. At my 20 year reunion, someone mentioned they later became a witness from my presentation in 8th grade.
Again, he is unprofessional and out of line. Do not accept this behavior from him. This is an assignment to gather information and share with others. IMO, using the bible would be inappropriate, but the historical info is great.
2007-12-12 16:52:27 · answer #6 · answered by Beautiful Death 2 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I am one of Jehovah's Witnesses, and personally, I wouldn't have a problem with any of my four kids doing the assignment you described.
I agree with others who have said he may possibly have been misinformed about the assignment. But Witnesses, as a general rule, are supposed to give people the benefit of the doubt and we're supposed to be "peaceable with people of all sorts". We're supposed to copy Jesus example of humility and loving-kindness.
But everyone has bad days. Maybe he just wasn't "himself" that day. But that's no excuse.
If you're bothered by his behavior, speak to him about it. Remind him of the points I just mentioned. Tell him how his outburst affected you and that you'd like to have a peaceful working relationship.
If he is a TRUE Witness of Jehovah, he will apologize for his outburst and do his best to be kind from then on.
2007-12-12 13:16:24 · answer #7 · answered by Xyleisha 5 · 6⤊ 0⤋
Christmas and Birthdays are a bit of a funny one with Jehovah's Witness as they believe that because king Herald's daughter ask for John the Baptists head for a birthday present, and we celebrate Christ's birthday at Christmas then Christmas is a bad thing.
Ok so that's why his reaction was so strong, as to how to appease the situation, trying in any way to face it may only make things worse. He will either see this as you trying to justify your act or as criticism of his belief.
JW's go though stress at this time of the year just try to be as understanding as you can, and may find excuses not to be around him until January
The best thing is to let time work it's course and allow him to move on to other thoughts, All will be back to normal after the Christmas break.
2007-12-11 09:55:58 · answer #8 · answered by Sly Fox [King of Fools] 6 · 3⤊ 3⤋
You haven't broken any rules, and it really is none of his business, unless he has a child in the class. Even then, you should be allowed to explain yourself to him.
Jehovah's Witness followers can be a little crazy (I don't mean that to be completely derogatory, well, maybe a little). You really might want to consider saying something to the Prinicpal just in case this other teacher says something and puts his own spin on the assignment. Just casually mention the assignment and how another teacher had a problem with it, without even knowing the details.
2007-12-11 11:00:37 · answer #9 · answered by mcq316 7 · 3⤊ 2⤋
In my personal experience with Jehovah's Witness' I have found them to be the least tolerant of people who do not believe like they do.
Personally - I don't consider myself anything - I'm a Universalist. If worshipping God works for you great.....if worshipping an Oak Tree does it...well that's great! Jehovah's have a tendency to just flat out think everyone else is wrong!
You're not wrong - you are looking at things multiculturally. I think that is special because it increases tolerance and acceptance of those who don't believe the same. If there was a Jehovah in your class - trust me you WILL hear about from their parent because they will not accept their child completing the assignment. You're coworker should have been told to go back and teach his own class -- but also informed that his refusal to aknowledge Christmas, Kwanzaa, Hannukah, or Winter Soltice was forcing HIS beliefs on his students.
2007-12-11 09:48:23 · answer #10 · answered by Susie D 6 · 8⤊ 3⤋
Your co-worker was out of line. He's probably having a hard time, because people are walking up to him offering him Christmas cookies and sending him cards. Not that this is an excuse to jump on you.
Tell him that you're sorry he's having such a bad season and you sympathize. What you meant to say was that you were trying to expose the kids to ideas outside the normal for most of America (and Christmas celebrating christians are still the Majority, like it or not - don't beleive me go to the mall people always advertise for the majority), and whether or not he likes it, most of American celebrates Christmas and it is the most prevailent holiday they will be exposed to. It is unfortunate that people are myopic, but you were hoping to open the minds of kids to different possibilities and that - since you are technically one of the good guys by his standards, it is probably inappropriate for him to waste his efforts and rhetoric on you. Preaching to the choir is wasted effort.
Cut the guy a little slack, it must be difficult and he gets it everywhere. Also, wish him a happy day off from me.
2007-12-11 10:03:50 · answer #11 · answered by Cindy H 5 · 5⤊ 3⤋