Re: What Are Teacher's Rights to Political Opinions in the High School Classroom
I don't have a union contract or representation at this time.
I do not have a union contract and am not a member of the state teachers union. Will they represent me if it comes to that?
Re: What Are Teacher's Rights to Political Opinions in the High School Classroom
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prsnl123
I don't have a union contract or representation at this time.
I do not have a union contract and am not a member of the state teachers union. Will they represent me if it comes to that?
If you are not a member of the teachers union, they will not represent you. You teach in a private school, correct ?
Re: What Are Teacher's Rights to Political Opinions in the High School Classroom
Quote:
Quoting
prsnl123
I was trying to allow space for two sides of the argument to exist I just stated a personal opinion without persuasion to support the voice of the minority in the room. My opinions are in keeping with settled law on the subject. What are my rights concerning access to the video and statements taken from students? Thank you.
That may not have been how it came across. The portion of what you said that gives me some concern is that you said you "commented" on the "demographic" of those who voted for Trump. If that included a series of adjectives like, "misogynistic, racist, homophobic white people" that might not come across too balanced and benign. If it was something akin to the facts of the Electoral College, or the counties and states that swung his way, it may not be so damning.
Ultimately, if you criticized or belittled those who supported Trump or those who supported pro-life, that could be sufficient grounds for discipline. In the end, maybe, nothing will happen. Maybe your comments and discussion were benign and neutral. However, I kinda think if they were so objectively benign and neutral, this wouldn't be an issue. The devil is in the details in such things. Remember, you have a bully pulpit for many things in a classroom. And, unlike a tenured college professor (who are rarely trained to teach in the first place), a public school teacher does not often have the right to speak as openly on political or religious topics before their classrooms.
And f you have no union or rep., why not? If this is a private school, then you may be toast as you likely have fewer rights and can be terminated pretty much at will.
Re: What Are Teacher's Rights to Political Opinions in the High School Classroom
What subject(s) do you teach? You might have more of an argument if you teach History/Civics/Government or Debate. But if you teach Math/Science/Arts, I would say you definitely stepped over the line. Honestly, I am surprised as a teacher you haven't been trained to stay away from certain topics unless you work in a private school and are supporting their creed.
And honestly, as an HR person, I've learned to tell employees that it doesn't really matter if you didn't MEAN to offend or the comments wouldn't be offensive to most. As an adult/teacher, you must have known how divisive this whole election process has been and that blatantly picking a side meant you would offend someone. Many (on both sides) chose not to be very vocal -- in other words, you should have known your audience and you made a bad judgment call of not knowing your audience and making the assumption of what would offend. There seems to be an underestimate of a "silent" group.....
I think you are going to have a tough time overriding whatever punishment/consequences you get.