I know this is probably going to get buried under the corruption scandal posts, but I wanted to share some things said at my grade level meeting today.
Our principal received word from the district leaders to remind staff that we cannot share our political views or push political opinions on the students. They also wanted to remind us that even though they can’t prevent us from using social media, we can be held responsible for what we say if parents see something we say and trying to cause problems for us. I don’t use any social media that isn’t quasi-anonymous so the idle threat meant little to me.
My amazing USHistory partner (conservative black woman, not that her demographics matter but a necessary detail for later) admitted she and I were covering the election in upcoming lessons, and that she has a Trump flag up in her room right now. She said she tried to find a Biden flag but couldn’t. She was worried that after this “reminder,” she could be reprimanded if she didn’t take it down.
Another teacher who I viewed as pretty liberal chimed in about the unfairness of plastering Obama all over walls in school during his 8 years and that now everyone is told to hide all references to our president.
I just grinned and listened as these two ladies shared their concerns — that I secretly harbor as well — while admin started getting flustered. Tbf, I think at least one of our 2 admin is voting Trump, but they have to reinforce these policies.
Afterwards my partner told me that she was voting Trump, but she doesn’t feel like she can tell anyone else because her friends and family would attack her for being a traitor to her people.
As a teacher, I just keep quiet. And Vote!
And teach them to think for themselves while subtly warning them that the news is fake ;)
A kid comes to class, he says that there's a test today: I say fake news, don;t believe it, I didn't say it: It's fake news. I teach fake news. I also teach how to understand fake graphs.
One of my high school students asked who I was voting for. I asked him if he thought I was an intelligent person. After he said yes, I told him he already had his answer. Lol.
That’s amazing! Love to see it....we need more conservative teachers in this culture war.
I think there are just as many conservative teachers as the demographics in your area. The most vocal teachers are the ones in unions, and in giant districts like NYC and areas of CA so we get lumped together as raging liberals.
We do all like to bitch and complain about our pay, me included. It’s a hard job and I could do so much more if I wanted to sell out, but I enjoy teaching. I would work 12 months if state funding was there to pay us year round, but that’s what nobody wants to talk about — costs too much to cool buildings during the summer and also pay teachers 20% more annually.