Politics in the Classroom

DHRBC07
Mon, 25 Aug 2008 20:29:17 +0000

Dear Friends,

I am just about to embark on my first year as a history and civics teacher at an acclaimed public high school in the Boston area. I am very excited to be teaching civics during this, the election year of all election years. I have a question as to how politics should play in the classroom.

You see, I am a very, very liberal Democrat. I have been campaigning for Barack for well over a year and would join a socialist party should it become more developed. I am committed to presenting both sides of issues, playing devil’s advocate, and letting kids decide for themselves, however I worry that my personal politics will seep through into the lessons.

If you or your child were a student in my class which would you prefer:

A: Disclosing my personal politics on the first day of school and my promise to be “fair and balanced” in the classroom

or

B: Saying nothing and hoping that my opinions only play a minute role.

The district is very liberal in general, however, because of the demographics (a large Orthodox Jewish Synagogue, Mormon Temple, and Evangelical Church are nearby) I will have more conservative students too. WHat would you prefer be said on the first night of school and at PTA “Meet the Teachers Night”