Teachers and professionalism

Hello- I just had another idea of a blogging topic!

An issue I have noticed at our school is teachers expressing their opinions in class.

Since it is an election year, I think this issue is becoming even more prevalent.

Personally, I believe that teachers should not tell us their political preferences, or even allude to it, and should act professionally. I think I feel this way because I disagree with many of my teachers beliefs, so I feel uncomfortable when they start talking about it in class. I have experienced teachers say outright that they are a "raging liberal" and expressed their opinions on individual political issues. Some teachers express their opinions in more subtle ways though, such as hanging only an Obama poster on the wall or just a quote by a former Republican president. Overall, I think expressing political opinions is unprofessional and teachers should stay objective while in the classroom. If they want to go to rallies on the weekend, go for it.

By posting this, I do not mean to say that these teachers are "bad" or anything along those lines. I just feel like teachers expressing their political opinions can only really lead to conflict in the classroom. I think that classrooms should be places of objective learning and open discussion.

Just something I have been thinking about recently. Thanks guys.

9/9/2012

So I finally figured out how to navigate the blogging world! Yay!

Today, I'd like to talk a little bit about the upcoming election (an idea I got from Christian :)), which I am very excited to vote in, and some of the issues that are involved in talking about politics.

One issue I have noticed with teens, and really anyone, and politics is that people can't really have a civil conversation about things they are so passionate about. I was thinking that these were the knowledge issues: How do I respectfully disagree with others? Can I see both sides of the issue?

One example I noticed this happening with is the "Vote No" campaign. Many people are very passionate about getting people to support their "Vote No" belief and are very upset when they see people supporting the "Vote Yes" side of the issue.

A friend of mine was very disturbed at those who want to vote yes, and believes that that opinion is "wrong."

I personally can get myself to understand the thinking behind both sides of the issue. I just thought it was interesting that, the "Vote No" campaign as an example, each side is so entrenched in their own belief that they cannot understand the other side's thinking at all.

I guess this is the reason that there are such vicious debates between the two different political parties, as well as on Facebook.

So just a quick thought I had! I'm sure many, many other people have noticed this too when it comes to politics.

Thanks for reading guys!