A Teacher's Opinion

When I was a kid, teachers were always right. Everything they told me to do I did and every word they said was law. This was common among kids in elementary school, but as the years went on, there was a definite difference in what I thought of my teachers’ opinions.

As I created my own opinion I would find some differences from theirs, but there was still that same subconscious feeling of “the teacher is right.” Bearing this in mind, is it okay for a teacher to express their political opinion in class? Honestly, to me, there isn’t a black and white answer. I believe that it all depends on how far they go with it. One of my previous social studies teachers always did her best to keep her political view out of the conversation- though it admittedly got harder for her through the election process- and, honestly, it always felt like we weren’t having the conversations we could be having. Keeping your opinion too guarded as a teacher can lead to students not being introduced to other views and learning how to defend their own.

On the other hand, however, there can be teachers that take it too far. A teacher should aim to find a solid middle ground where they show all sides of a topic but still open room for a debate. If someone isn’t capable of defending their opinion, then I don’t believe you can truly call that opinion theirs. A teacher giving them a place to learn how to do so allows them to grow as a person and prepare them for the real world. Teachers have to open a safe space for students to voice their opinions without feeling vulnerable or intimidated. A conversation of those sorts needs to be opened up with questions instead of statements. This, as well, should not be forced upon a student. Their right to an opinion should also cover their right to keeping said opinion secret.

I’ve always been a very argumentative person, which is no surprise seeing how I’m an editorial writer, but even I understand boundaries and levels of appropriateness. A teacher’s first duty to their students is to be a teacher; this comes with both giving your students a place to figure themselves and their ideas out and letting them do it on their own without any outside influence.

#september #teacher #opinion #debate #students #neutral #difference #respect