Posted on 08/25/2005 8:11:34 PM PDT by PLK
To parents concerned about public education leftist bias: here is the exact content of an email I just sent to my kid's freshman History teacher. I welcome any comments in case I receive a backlash from the principal, to whom I cc'ed in on the message, and possibly the teacher himself:
Hello Mr. ____:
I am ____ ____'s mom. He shared some things from your class presentation today that concerned his father and me. He said you stated, upon displaying an image on the overhead projector of a person crying, that the man was reacting to the assasination of a Kennedy politician. Then, according to _____, you made the following comment (paraphrased from his memory), "Do you think anyone would cry if President Bush died?"- and that you got the laugh from the class that you seemed to expect based on your delivery of the question.
We realize that might not be an exact quote or account of the class today, and that we are talking about the recall of a high school freshman. However, we wanted you to know that our 14-year old PERCEIVED that intent in your comment. We would like to believe that ______ was wrong about that, and that this sort of obvious political bias on the part of a K-12 public school teacher - whatever his/her personal political leanings - is not happening in our classrooms.
EVERY child's personal and family diversity should be respected and discussed in a manner that does not dishonor their viewpoints or silence their voices during class discussions. Certainly, we want our children to be exposed to many different ways of considering our world, but this should be done in an objective manner that encourages them to think critically. We do not want our children to feel pressured to pretend to ascribe to one way of thinking over another because they fear reprisal on the part of the teacher. I can say with certaintly that our son, based on what he relayed to us this evening, is feeling some pressure.
We are grateful for the investment you have made in the our educational system, and grateful for the time you have spent teaching the our children. Also, we appreciate your consideration of our feedback.
Sincerely, _______
Public schools are hell holes across the country because of people like this "History" teacher.
good one~! I am glad you tossed in the 'diversity' angle
A very good, restrained letter. And good for you for using the word diversity! That is the love word of the leftists! I'd be very interested in hearing his response & hope you'll post again.
I can't imagine having to deal with this situation. My wife and I are childless right now, but I hope to be able to deal with such a circumstance as this, with the restraint, and GRACE that you have shown.
God Bless.
Witch
We didn't have email when my kids went, and it's probably a good thing. I'm not as diplomatic as you are.
I will.
My spouse and I are very active in the school system, hubby is a coach, etc. So this is not easy to do and will create waves.
Learn to discuss this sort of thing and laugh it off. It won't be the first comment your child hears that he does'nt agree with and it won't be the last.
Good job! Nice that you went for the diversity angle, too. So much about "hate speech" or speech that someone finds offensive is about perception, too, so I like that you mentioned that, too. I'm thinking of the story of the Black lady (ies?) who got offended about the flight attendant's comments something like "eenie, meenie, miney, mo, get your things, we've got to go".
If it were me, I'd be talking to the police, my attorney, the school's attorney, and the teacher's attorney... from the jail cell that I'd have been hauled off to for assault.
I congratulate you on your restraint and your well-executed response.
A friend just had a baby girl. I'll be sure to send this to him. His wife is a liberal and she keeps dragging him down the hole.
Good letter, let us know what kind of response you get.
Good one - I suspect you'll receive an oleaginous response, feigning absolute innocence and good will.
But you'll know. ;^)
Keep after the b*stards. As a HS teacher in Portland, I can tell you those social studies teachers are an arrogant bunch. No one is going to tell them how best to teach. Hold their feet to the fire.
Keep us posted on this. I would love to know the school and the teacher and send them an e-mail of my own and see if they are willing to defend their position. If you are willing send it to me.
I suggest you sent a copy to the principal, just to cover yourself. The teacher is obviously immature. No telling if he might take this out on your child.
I would encourage you to cc each member of your school board also. Not to make a big stink, but to make them aware that you are interracting with the school on this matter. Too many parents are not interested enough to care as you do and they know it.
When I was in h.s., circa 1984 (before I wised up and enrolled in private school), I remember the playground being a lot like what I saw in prison films (aka "The Yard").
Do you think anyone would cry if Mr. _____ died? I think not. Not with that scumball attitude.
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