Liberal teachers

[fintstone]

This article is a very good example of several things discussed on this BBS lately. It shows good reason why teachers should not get tenure, is a good example of why government schools are a liberal training ground, and why kids grow up so brainwashed politically in blue states. Just like the Communists and the Nazis before them....they seek to change the country by brainwashing our children.

Today: November 25, 2005 at 11:26:24 PST

Vt. Teacher Accused of Anti-Bush Quiz

ASSOCIATED PRESS

BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP) - A high school teacher is facing questions from administrators after giving a vocabulary quiz that included digs at President Bush and the extreme right.

Bret Chenkin, a social studies and English teacher at Mount Anthony Union High School, said he gave the quiz to his students several months ago. The quiz asked students to pick the proper words to complete sentences.

One example: "I wish Bush would be (coherent, eschewed) for once during a speech, but there are theories that his everyday diction charms the below-average mind, hence insuring him Republican votes." "Coherent" is the right answer.

Principal Sue Maguire said she hoped to speak to whomever complained about the quiz and any students who might be concerned. She said she also would talk with Chenkin. School Superintendent Wesley Knapp said he was taking the situation seriously.

"It's absolutely unacceptable," Knapp said. "They (teachers) don't have a license to hold forth on a particular standpoint."

Chenkin, 36, a teacher for seven years, said he isn't shy about sharing his liberal views with students as a way of prompting debate, but said the quizzes are being taken out of context.

"The kids know it's hyperbolic, so-to-speak," he said. "They know it's tongue in cheek." But he said he would change his teaching methods if some are concerned.

"I'll put in both sides," he said. "Especially if it's going to cause a lot of grief."

The school is in Bennington, a community of about 16,500 in the southwest corner of the state.

[TheMentat]

Originally posted by fintstone

One example: "I wish Bush would be (coherent, eschewed) for once during a speech, but there are theories that his everyday diction charms the below-average mind, hence insuring him Republican votes." "Coherent" is the right answer.

thats hilarious...

admit it... you're only pissed because you're charmed by his everyday diction.

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Total B.S.

The question put forth is an EXAMPLE, a context in which the particular vocabulary word is supposed to be used. It's not a statement of opinion.

I suppose if the question had been, "Hillary Clinton should (relinquish/vanquish) her seat in the U.S. Senate", I doubt these knuckleheads would be raising any objection.

In the same way that I "fear the government that fears my gun" I fear the government (or individual) that fears open dialog and discussion (censorship). This is a hallmark of the current administration, to say nothing of others like Hitler's Germany, Mussolini's Italy, Stalin's Russia, Hussein's Iraq, Pol-Pot's Cambodia, etc.

Supression of speech has a very rich history of being intertwined with despotic regimes.

It is also troubling that government (or its citizens) would seek to stymie education, free speech, or use the process of educating our children to further a particular agenda. This tactic (both here and in regards to the idiocy of the "intelligent design" debate) is as desperate as it is contrary to the notion of "freedom".

[competentone]

Originally posted by Porsche-O-Phile
Total B.S.

The question put forth is an EXAMPLE, a context in which the particular vocabulary word is supposed to be used. It's not a statement of opinion.

There are "rules" for examples given in tests -- examples are supposed to be "neutral" and not contain ideas that could be considered opinion-related or emotionally charged.

It is poor teaching and testing to put opinion-related examples in a vocabulary quiz -- and that would apply no matter what side of the political spectrum the opinion might be coming from.

[fintstone]

Clearly the teacher could have put the words into a statement that did not contain extreme political views. Children should not be taught to say insulting things about anyone...particularly about a sitting President and especially not in school. Some of the children probably had parents who are Republicans and to get the right answer...would have to call them stupid.

[TheMentat]

Originally posted by fintstone
Some of the children probably had parents who are Republicans and to get the right answer...would have to call them stupid.

You need to bone up on your rules of inference...

[gassy]

My kids have to say "One Nation, under God" every day...
Good luck Chenkin.

[nostatic]

Originally posted by fintstone
Just like the Communists and the Nazis before them....they seek to change the country by brainwashing our children.

Wow, a teacher takes a jab at a sitting president (that by all accounts has problems with public speaking) and it is equated with Commies and Nazis.

So how is ID not equated with the Inquisition? I mean if we're going to generalize from n=small number and go over the top on things...

[pwd72s]

How about a Jr. High Social Studies teach who puts on a true-false quiz: "Mr. (his name) is a stud." Once a mom raised hell, it was explained by our local superintendent that "stud" merely meant a cool guy. Happened here back in the 80's...and that's only a small part of it. Warning to parents...your children aren't being educated in the government schools, they are being indocrinated!

[Tervuren]

We hope they never teach off of Charlie and the big glass elevator! At least, you hope. The first parts are so funny in today's context its hilarious. The presiednet sitting there in an important meeting and telling knock knock jokes, etc. Funny!

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by nostatic
Wow, a teacher takes a jab at a sitting president (that by all accounts has problems with public speaking) and it is equated with Commies and Nazis.

So how is ID not equated with the Inquisition? I mean if we're going to generalize from n=small number and go over the top on things...

So, a few teachers do this? Stupidity. When the majority of teachers do the same, in a wide variety of classes? Math to woodshop? For example, a Physical Science teacher, in a classroom full of students, telling the class that one student's dad...who dared attend school board meetings and ask questions, is a "facist"? Well, one then begins to wonder about the government schools, and does his own research... I'd suggest to others willing to do research that they start with the national teacher's union, the NEA. My kid survived... yours may not.

[aways]

That teacher should be fired on the spot. He's an example of just the kind of scum that give the public schools a bad name. But, instead of being fired, I'm sure he's now the front runner for "teacher of the year" in Vermont.

[nostatic]

Originally posted by pwd72s
So, a few teachers do this? Stupidity. When the majority of teachers do the same, in a wide variety of classes? Math to woodshop? For example, a Physical Science teacher, in a classroom full of students, telling the class that one student's dad...who dared attend school board meetings and ask questions, is a "facist"?

You go from "majority" and then offer one example.

Sorry...my experience with the public school system is that the "majority" are not like the examples given.

[widebody911]

Originally posted by nostatic
So how is ID not equated with the Inquisition?

Everybody expects the Christian Inquisition! Their chief weapons are the Kansas School Board and a fanatical devotion to the Bushes.

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by aways
That teacher should be fired on the spot. He's an example of just the kind of scum that give the public schools a bad name. But, instead of being fired, I'm sure he's now the front runner for "teacher of the year" in Vermont.

Agreed! Its not his place to futher his personal viewpoints in school.

Let him teach on the garbage truck for a year or two then possibly come back.

JoeA

[pwd72s]

You want more examples? How 'bout a series of health class videos...you name the societal problem, it was covered here. In EVERY ONE of these videos if the kid's parents weren't causing the problem, they were useless in solving it. In EVERY video, the kid's saviour was a government worker...teacher, a school counselor, and in one lone case, a cop. Oh, I almost forgot the "solution" in one video...an abortion clinic! The not so subtle message? Never go to a parent or a religious leader for help..."We", the collective we of the government schools, are the solution to all the problems of youth. Some message.

More examples? I've got plenty! My studied opinion is that our government schools are sewers and we're tossing our dollars and our children into them!

[nostatic]

when did you see these videos?

[fintstone]

Most of the teachers that taught my children did exactly the same thing except they were smart enough to only say those things....they did not write them down. When they took classes where they had to write on a controversial subject...it you chose to write pro-abortion, pro-war, anti-welfare, against women-in-combat...you automatically got a bad grade. Since grading is subjective....it is almost impossible to prove. It is the same in college. If a student wants a good grade, they either take the liberal position or find some other area where the professor/or grad student agrees with their position. Teachers are a very strong authority figure for 12 years or more of a child's life...almost as much as the parents because the child is often in their company for more waking hours.
How would you feel if you had children that were taught that abortion was murder all day?

[nostatic]

as usual, hyperbole doesn't serve you well. No subject or topic is taught "all day." And your characterization of college intellectual life just doesn't jibe with my experiences. Sure there are liberal profs that exhibit bias. I also had conservatives ones that did too. And taking a stance counter to that of the prof did *not* automatically get a poor grade.

Maybe you just wrote crappy essays....

[fintstone]

Originally posted by nostatic
as usual, hyperbole doesn't serve you well. No subject or topic is taught "all day." And your characterization of college intellectual life just doesn't jibe with my experiences. Sure there are liberal profs that exhibit bias. I also had conservatives ones that did too. And taking a stance counter to that of the prof did *not* automatically get a poor grade.

Maybe you just wrote crappy essays....

I do not understand the part about "no subject or topic is taught "all day."" Politics can be interjected into any subject. The teacher in the article did not teach poly sci or government...or even history. He taught English. One could just as easily make political "story problems" in math. The sad part is that tis teachers seems to think he did noting wrong. Apparently it is so common in his profession that he considers it normal behavior. he is probably emulating his teachers.

So from your experience..it seems that conservative teachers treated you fairly. I am not surprised.

I was not referring to my work. Fortunately, the really bright kids find out early to write to the teacher's politics. The sad part is the average kids and dummies fall for the liberal indoctrination. Of course, that and labor unions are the only reasons Democrats get any votes at all.
When I went to school, conservative administrators kept the liberal teachers in check. Now those teachjers are the administrators.