Hot debate
A Social Studies teacher from Overland High School was audiotaped by one of his students during a lecture. In the lecture, the teacher made some comments comparing President Bush to Hitler. The teacher ended up getting suspended, and a huge debate ensued inside the school. Students supporting both sides of the situation walked out of school in protest. He will resume teaching tomorrow, and although there was a disciplinary consequence for him, the local Board of Education has not revealed what it is.
Obviously, this is a sticky situation. If you were one of the administrators, what would you have done? If you were attending this school, do you think you would support the administration's actions or not?
posted by Michelle S @ 2:29 PM
7 Comments:
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Okay, even though I'm anti-Bush I don't think the teacher had the right to make that comment. I mean, it's so offensive to so many of the kids. Even though we're all curious, I personally don't go to school to hear a teacher's political opinions. If I were an administrator, I would first make sure that the teacher understood that he was crossing the limits and what a sensitive topic he was discussing. I think its always important to talk to the offender before just issuing a punishment--I personally am curious to find out (and other people may know why)...why the comparison to Hitler?
Shamita, I believe the teacher later said in a statement that he was not trying to impose his personal opinions on the class; he was merely trying to make the students think. He also admitted that he should have presented both sides of the issue at once rather than letting the class absorb one side at a time. I agree he was discussing an extremely sensitive topic, and should have considered his audience before he gave the lecture; I also agree that someone should have given him a warning before he was punished.
Ok, this is one topic I can totaly talk about for hours, but I'll spare you all. Personally, I think the student handled this COMPLETELY wrong, and I have a theory that he may have been setting the teacher up, but I digress. If the kid had such a problem with the teacher, he should have tried to communicate to the teacher, then the administrators, and then the school board if no progress had been made. People today live for controversy, and that is exactly what this is. I disagree with the administrators approach to handling this situation. I mean, if two kids have differing views, and one were to make the same comment as this teacher made, would one be suspended or punished? Now, I realize that the teacher is in a higher position, but it is my personal belief that in order to TRULY learn, one must be exposed to a variety of views, ideas, and teaching methods, so that each student can decide for his or herself what one is best for them. If you are only taught one view, what good will that do you in the big picture? Throughout life you are faced with people who don't see things the way you do. If you learn to cope with that earlier in life, the better you will get at being diplomatic and willing to see something from a different perspective. Also, in order to be a GOOD teacher, you have to be willing to present both, or all, views, so to better your student's learning experience. That is just what I thought, so sorry for ranting on like that. I've already had SO many discussions about this, that I just had so much to say. Thanks for putting up with me!
If every teacher were fired for getting off the topic of the lesson, there would be a new teacher in each classroom every other day. Teachers do wander sometimes in what they say. I know that this happens in many classes. I think that this was entirely the student's actions (*cough* he provoked it *cough*), and HE handled it poorly, not the administration. See my last comment to know how I REALLY feel about this topic.
Although I respect your opinions, Patrick, I have to agree with Ashley. In our history class we talk about a variety of things to make connections to the curriculum, though they may not be directly related to U.S. History. And Ms. Crosby tries very hard to present an impartial view of things. Just because she doesn't always discuss U.S. History from the book doesn't mean she should be fired!
Patrick, have you ever heard of Voltaire, a famous French philosopher? One of his most famous quotes is "I may disagree with the opinion of a man, but I will defend to the death his right to say it." Don't you think this teacher has the right to express his opinion? A classroom is a place to learn about the world, to learn about different perspectives presented by different people in it. The argument against this teacher's actions may be that he overstepped his lines as a teacher, but all he was doing was trying to present a different perspective than the students may have been used to hearing. People may argue that he was trying to impose his opinions on his students, but that was not his intention. How do you know it was a "chronic" occurrence? And if so, why does that matter?
I wonder also, if it were Clinton he was comparing to Hitler, how this situation could have turned out differently. Would you have been so intrigued by this incident if it were another leader other than Bush?
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