My son's wingnut high school history teacher

[liberalhistorian]

My son is a freshman in high school and is enjoying school so far, especially his honors science and math classes. He's currently in Ohio with my parents while I'm working in South Dakota.

He likes history, which is good considering that his mother has a degree in history and his grandmother,(my mom) is a retired history and English teacher. I talk to him on the phone every day and we usually discuss his classes, schoolwork and teachers.

His history teacher is apparently a real wingnut who isn't shy about sharing his opinions with his classes. Among other comments, he's denigrated Carter, saying he was a hick who had no understanding of the workings of government and economics, and who shouldn't be president (kinda sounds like the Boy King Impostor currently occupying the WH, doesn't it?)

However, today I think he's gone too far. He talked about what a liar Clinton is, and imitated his "I did not have sexual relations with that woman" speech. I'd finally had enough, and told my son to ask his teacher which was better, to lie about sex or to lie about the reasons for going to war, thus causing the needless deaths of thousands of soldiers and civilians. I can't wait for the wingnut's response.

Now, I have no problem with people having their own opinions, of course not. I do, however, have a problem with teachers teaching their own opinions and beliefs instead of facts, especially in fields like history. That goes for liberals as well as conservatives, hell, for ANY political beliefs. The students are there to be taught knowledge and facts and not the personal opinions and beliefs of their teachers, regardless of political stripe. Like it or not, teachers have tremendous influence, both good and bad, especially with those students who may not have strong, solid family relationships.

My parents are retired teachers. They are both staunch liberals, always have been, but they kept their personal opinions and beliefs out of their classes. I imagine it was easier for my stepdad, since he taught English, rather than my mom, who taught history (and English, too, but mainly history and social studies), as some subjects are, frankly, more political than others. They still stuck to the material instead of their own opinions, which is the way it should be.

[mike_c]

1. I teach my students to practice jihad....

But that's just me.

[Anakin Skywalker]

4. Uh Oh. You Will Be Hearing Some Knocks On the Door Soon.

Why do you hate 'Murka? You are going to Gitmo.

[liberalhistorian]

10. LOL!

So you finally own up to it, huh? Good thing you've already been "denounced" to your bosses! :evilgrin: :rofl:

[mitchum]

30. LMAO!!!

[upi402]

33. LOL, c'mon

Jihad light... right?:rofl:

[Anakin Skywalker]

2. Hear Hear!

[blue sky at night]

3. Sounds like history to this teacher........

is his opinions put forth as "truth". Two things: get your son some books to read so he may see and hear the truth, second he may want to tape record this nut job so when you or your step dad speak to the Principal, it won't be your word against the teachers. Howard Zinn would be a good start. Nice post, thanks and keep us informed.

[babylonsister]

5. I hope your son asks this teacher if he's teaching

his personal opinion or historical fact. Your question was good; I'd also like to here his teacher stutter through a response.

[nadinbrzezinski]

6. That has been happening more and more

My view objectivity in history is a myth, truly... but he did go too far.

[liberalhistorian]

14. That's definitely true, and it's one of the first things that

even a cursory study of history will quickly show. Even indisputable historical facts are subject to wide and varying interpretations depending on the perspective and bias of the historian. History is NOT written in stone, never has been, never will be.

My college American history textbook had an interesting sidebar in every chapter. It took a major event that was discussed in that chapter and printed two very different interpretations of the same historical events and questions, so that we could see how different perspectives and biases could affect historical views and writings, even of professional historians.

[KingOfLostSouls]

7. Tell him to bring a tape recorder

or something and next time the asshat starts his "activist teacher" lessons, make a recording and send it off the K.O.

repubs have been pulling that crap on liberals for how long now? it goes both ways. kids in school shouldn't be forced into tax payer funded "indoctrination" programs for the right.

[havocmom]

8. But check local state laws re taping without consent first

Always a good idea to stay within the laws when setting out to bring down an idiot who abuses their position of authority ;)

[Clark2008]

17. I would suspect that anything taped in a public forum is valid

with or without permission. Anyone standing in that room would hear it, for example.

It's not the same as a private conversation.

[havocmom]

20. Don't assume.

Get the facts. Laws regarding recording vary greatly

[Minnesota_Lib]

46. Check out my post below about a student that did just that.

[gaja]

9. A good teacher is someone who makes others think,

I don't think that this is an attempt by stirring things up.

He should have asked something like .. Do you think that lying about sex was the real reason for impeachment?

Maybe next time he can ask his teacher what Bush's Grandfather(Prescott Bush) has done for his country. ( the financing of Hitler in Germany)


I liked the teachers that had something to say, teachers who stuck only into the prescribed material sometimes were just not my thing.

I really remember the ones who tried to give something of their experience, and it was good information.



But in this case it seems that this teacher should get more lessons himself.

Is it possible that the Government likes this kind of shallow people?
I remember there was a case where a teacher compared Bush's actions to Hitler and was recorded by Neocon kid and this tape went to FOX News, what happened to him?

[liberalhistorian]

12. Oh, I'm not at all saying that teachers shouldn't

help develop critical thinking skills and should just stick to prescribed, rote material. You're right, some of the best teachers are those who make their students think and get them to see, compare and contrast different perspectives.

But there's a real difference between that and interjecting your personal political opinions and beliefs as facts. The best teachers will discuss many different perspectives of the same material, especially in history, and get their students to think critically about each perspective without bias.

[gaja]

18. I had to think of Frank Caliende's impersonation of

Bush and Clinton, but I doubt the teacher is so funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_3dxxBjKB_I


I think the teacher is stuck in his own belief system...

The dumbest people I know are those who know it all. Malcolm Forbes

[tinfoil tiaras]

23. Welcome to DU gaja!

:hi:

[gaja]

26. thanx

[Blackthorn]

11. Just my $0.02

"I do, however, have a problem with teachers teaching their own opinions and beliefs instead of facts, especially in fields like history. That goes for liberals as well as conservatives, hell, for ANY political beliefs. The students are there to be taught knowledge and facts and not the personal opinions and beliefs of their teachers, regardless of political stripe. Like it or not, teachers have tremendous influence, both good and bad, especially with those students who may not have strong, solid family relationships."

I agree in the context of teachers 'preaching' to their class. However, is it a bad thing to put different opinions to students in order to generate discussion? Is it a bad thing that students might be challenged in their own beliefs, that students might question why they believe something? It may not be politically sensitive to compare Bush to Hitler or discuss the semantics of Clinton's speech, but ignoring the substantive topic, there are plenty of benefits to be had from discussing things full stop, let alone such ideas as those.

That's the problem today. Too much "I know what I believe and fuck you".

[liberalhistorian]

13. Oh, I agree, see my response

above that I just posted before seeing your post. As I've said, there's a big difference between doing that and insisting that "I know what I believe and fuck you."

[elfin]

15. When I was a high school American hHstory (11th grade) and

Civics teacher (9th grade) I told the students that while they may figure out my political preference (despite my struggle to be apolitical even in the midst of Viet Nam) , never EVER let me quash their freedom of speech - and that ALL opinions had to based on FACT in their essays. This is CONSTITUTIONAL and NOT partisan and I had them read and discuss the pertinent secions of the Constitution.

I had one student obsessing about the body counts in Nam and yet another a future Freeper. Both ended up getting A's because they supported their positions within the logic and their research of the times. Needless to say, I gave extra attention to the anti-war student given my own opinions, but tried to be scrupulous in my estimation of all the other opinions. This is in 1964 - 1967.

Go to the parent teacher conferences (and the principal if needed) armed with this sentiment.

I still believe that ALL opinions should be freely voiced in middle and high school (and beyond). The students need to "try out" what they think they believe, even though it imight be parroting what they hear at the dinner table or in chruch and see the reactionof their peers and teachers and then be stimulated to reinforce their position or listen to others.

Good luck

[liberalhistorian]

16. Good points, and

very well said!

[Toots]

41. I guess things have changed some over the years. I had World History first

In my Sophomore year and American History in my Junior year and American Government in my Senior year. But that was back in the stone age when they actually taught history and government...

[HughSeries]

19. This teacher should not be talking about gratuitous sex

to 9th graders This is no sex education presentation. Flank him to the Right; give him a dose of his own poison, and demand the administration rebuke him for discussing sex in a gratuitous, self-serving manner in front of 9th graders.

[roamer65]

35. Great idea. Nail him on it.

[newyawker99]

44. Hi HughSeries!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[tinfoil tiaras]

21. I totally agree

I hatehatehate it when teachers express political views-i always think it's better for teachers to be apolitical in class and let the students express their views freely (especially in history-a great class for doing stuff like that). The teacher shouldn't get into the debate with the students; they should just moderate it and make sure things don't get too rowdy and maybe play devils advocate for both sides a little bit.

I'm sorry about the wingnut history teacher though. My conservative uncle used to be a history teacher (though he taught like the civil war and stuff) but i don't think he tried to pass his personal views as his own in class...

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

22. You should have a chat with the principal and discuss these concerns.

Review what the school and state board of education policy is on teachers foisting politics on their students.

[Irreverend IX]

24. Have your son do what that other kid with the creationist teacher did...

Record the guy's right-wing ranting. Have the principal and school board listen to it. If they don't care (small chance...) he can send the CD to local news outlets that aren't totally owned by the right. School officials start shitting bricks whenever the press comes calling.

[gkhouston]

25. which sport does the history teacher coach?

}(

[liberalhistorian]

37. LOL!

I don't know, but you have to kinda wonder on that, don't you? :evilgrin:

[knitter4democracy]

27. Where? I might know him.

*sigh* I went to Mount Vernon Nazarene college as a secondary ed track student (in English). I knew several history majors who were like that.

His best option is to quietly laugh at the guy. Drives them nuts. ;) His next best option is to use history and real figures to prove him wrong.

[Hippo_Tron]

28. So wait which Southern President has a nobel prize and a degree in nuclear phsyics?

I'll give you a hint, it's not the current one.

[Maddy McCall]

29. The current one isn't a Southerner.

[liberalhistorian]

40. Oh, but don't you know?

Nobel peace prizes are for sissies and lily-livered wimps! :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

[sofa king]

31. Be sure to mention to whom the lies were told.

President Clinton's lie--the one quoted by the history teacher--was told to the press. The real lie (which I believe is easily quoted as, "no") was told to a grand jury. The dog and pony show which followed actually generated tax revenue in the form of television advertising dollars.

President Bush's lie--the one in question here, not the thousands of other lies Bush and his fellow oligarchs have told to the press on a daily basis--was told to CONGRESS, while the President was performing his CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY to provide information on the state of the nation (Article II, Section 3). Our children's children will still be paying for it, just as we are still paying for the lies surrounding the Gulf of Tonkin incident.

Why not have your lad ask the teacher which section of the Constitution President Clinton violated on national television?

[longship]

32. Take action.

This is not something a teacher should be doing.

You need to alert the school administration about this jerk. I do not think that you should talk to the teacher. That would do no damned good. Instead, call the principal and arrange a meeting. Then, explain to the principal in no uncertain terms precisely what you think of this teacher playing partisan politics in the classroom.

First, the teachers actions are argumentative and confrontational.
Second, it stifles education.

Remind the principal that if you do not walk out of his/her office satisfied, you will not be dropping the issue.

[progressoid]

34. One of my history teachers was a staunch Republican but NEVER let it known in class

In fact, he encouraged us to question the system. He understood that education was as much about questions as answers. But, in finding those answers, he would not lead us down a specific political path.
He is still a friend of the family (my parents were liberal teachers too).

I hope you fight this. He's not doing anyone any good by forcing his opinions down kids throats.

[liberalhistorian]

36. That teacher sounds like a really

good one, especially in understanding that, as you say, teaching and education are as much about questions as answers. I also had very good teachers in junior and high school who were conservative, but you'd never know it in their classes. My parents, during their teaching careers, also had conservative colleagues who were also friends, none of them, including my parents, interjected their personal politics into their classes.

[progressoid]

43. Ironically, my Dad was sometimes thought of as a conservative

because he was a fairly strict disciplinarian. Couldn't be further from the truth. Aside from voting in a Repub primary to try to oust an undesirable candidate, he's Blue through and through.

On another note, I'm going to be in South Dakota tomorrow too! Have to finish a job. I'll probably only be there for a few hours though. Sounds like you are there for a long haul.

[Minnesota_Lib]

38. This guy is using his classroom as a bully pulpit. He is not a teacher.

I'd complain to the school district.

[treestar]

39. The beautiful thing about such wing nuts is that they think they

are "indoctrinating correct facts" when they are only provoking rebellion.

Let the wing nut do it. To high schoolers. What a moran; he teaches them but doesn't see they are naturally rebellious. He will turn out more democrats from that class than he thinks. Or maybe he is a liberal using reverse psychology.

[npincus]

42. this is disturbing.... he is inappropriate and unprofessional

school is not for indoctrination, it is a place of learning. He should be reported and disciplinary action should be taken. If he cannot control himself, he should be fired.

[Minnesota_Lib]

45. Check out how this student busted a sermonizing public school teacher....

Student tapes teacher proselytizing in class
Accept Jesus or 'you belong in hell,' he said

Wednesday, November 15, 2006

BY KEN THORBOURNE
JERSEY JOURNAL

A Kearny High School student has accused a history teacher of crossing the line between teaching and preaching -- and he says he's got the tapes to prove it.

Junior Matthew LaClair, 16, said history teacher David Paszkiewicz, who is also a Baptist preacher in town, spent the first week of class lecturing students more about heaven and hell than the colonies and the Constitution. LaClair said Paszkiewicz told students that if they didn't accept Jesus, "you belong in hell." He also dismissed as unscientific the theories of evolution and the "Big Bang."

LaClair, who described his own religious views as "non-Christian," said he wanted to complain about Paszkiewicz to school administrators, but feared his teacher would deny the charges and that no one would take a student's word against a teacher's.

<snip>

On Oct. 10 -- a month after he first requested a meeting with the principal -- LaClair met with Paszkiewicz, Somma and the head of the social studies department. At first, Paszkiewicz denied he mixed in religion with his history lesson, and the adults in the room appeared to be buying it, LaClair said. But then he reached into his backpack and produced the CDs.


Full article here: http://www.nj.com/search/index.ssf?/base/news-5/1163571262150640.xml?starledger?nnj&coll=1


On a side note, I guess lying is not a sin in Paszkiewicz's brand of Christianity.