Dang. Where were you when I was in school?
There are some things that should be absolutely banned from public school. For example, the reading of pornography. One of my fellow education students said he had a teacher bring in Playboy because the articles were well-written and the teacher thought they would interest students in reading. The argument that allowing students to read anything as long as they are reading has its obvious logical limits. The problem simply becomes where to draw that line.
But when you’re teaching in a public school, there is a need to be consistent with accepted standards. While I don’t believe that Harry Potter should be included in “accepted public standcards,” I don’t control that. They are partly responsible for the growth of interest in witchcraft and I personally believe that that’s a problem. I frankly have a problem with a lot of what is taught and introduced in the public schools today, but I think I can have a much greater influence by trying to be a force of reason in the midst of the insanity than by always complaining about it. Teach kids how to think calmly and rationally. Some things clearly deserve a public “rant,” but you can’t do that often and I want to preserve that for the worst of the worst. Otherwise, you destroy your credibility.
Plus, I’m also aware of how my Heavenly Father has dealt with me over the years. I haven’t always been the most obedient or loving of children, but He has always been patient, never hateful, forceful or raving. He speaks and moves gently in my life because he wants my mind and soul, given by my choice. I think I have a responsibility to do the same to the young charges who come my way.