<p>My daughter recently got a job in our local school district teaching social studies. She’s interested in helping out with the Obama campaign and we’ve been invited to do so at a very local level. Is that a no-no, maybe an unwritten one? She knows that she should be bi-partisan in the classroom.</p>
<p>First, I’d find out whether there is a written rule.</p>
<p>Good point, it may well be written there in her large packet of paperwork…</p>
<p>If there is a written rule about not getting involved in politics on one’s own time, I would be very suspicious. Of course she needs to be neutral in the classroom, but outside the classroom it seems like it’s a pretty basic American right, to be involved in political action.</p>
<p>Many teachers I know choose to live in another school district for exactly this reason. For reasons far better articulated by someone else, there doesn’t appear to be a line between public and private lives of public school teachers – at least not where I live. So I’d vote “no” on this. The only way I’d see this working out for your D is if Obama loses the election. Unfair but …</p>
<p>NewHope, We both agree that teachers should live out of the district they teach in but this position was a huge gift of a job and she cannot afford to move out just yet. It’s the first time in five years that she’s actually living here for more then a few weeks and we’re enjoying it. :)</p>
<p>A couple of thoughts:</p>
<p>Given the national nature of the campaign, I would think that the Obama team would be happy to have her help in the next town over. </p>
<p>After reading the packet, I’d also ask her department chair or another senior teacher for guidance on this issue. She should have an assigned mentor at school anyway as a new teacher.</p>
<p>I’m shocked that people think a teacher can’t campaign. Some districts are really big and it would be a hardship to go out of district to live or campaign. </p>
<p>My father couldn’t as a foreign service officer, but that’s because he had to represent whichever administration was in office.</p>
<p>I think she could campaign in another district or work phone banks.</p>