WINGNUTS DEFEATED! Report on conference with my son's teachers.

[liberalhistorian]

Okay, as most of you already know, one of my son's teachers called me at work Tuesday wanting to have a conference with several of his teachers, the principal, the guidance counselor, and me. My son is very political, and I took him to the march in D.C. last weekend; he went a little overboard on Monday talking about it because he was so excited.

The teacher told me I "shouldn't have taken him to the march" and that I needed to teach him "respect for the president." I fired back that I couldn't do that right now since we didn't have a legitimately elected president and the current WH occupant blatantly stole the election. When his art teacher asked him why he wasn't bothered by Clinton's sex scandals and said that Clinton was a far worse prez than Dumbya, he fired right back, asking which was worse, lying about sex or lying about the reasons to go to war and causing the needless deaths of thousands of civilians and hundreds of soldiers.

So anyway, the conference was this afternoon, and I'm still laughing! It started off with the principal explaining why were were here, and that she'd decided to combine the meeting about his statements and behaviour with his 504 review (he has Asperger's Syndrome, a type of high-functioning autism, and the 504 is his IEP, educspeak for Individualized Education Plan).

His science teacher then spoke next, saying that, on Monday, he couldn't transition from the march to school and was driving everyone crazy with his campaigning and politicism. She was upset that he was going around asking all the kids which was worse, Clinton's lying about sex or Iraq, especially since no one was asking him about it. She didn't think that was at all appropriate for that age group, and she said that Chris (my son) had told them that I told him to say that. I calmly explained that I had told him to ask his art teacher that, because the art teacher was the one who asked him that question to begin with and if it was inappropriate for Chris to ask that question, then it was inappropriate for the art teacher to have started it with that question. She said the art teacher wasn't a part of the conference and wasn't there to answer any questions, so we weren't able to discuss that. She asked why I had even told him to say that, and I once again explained that I had only told him to ask his art teacher that, not any of the kids, and that, anyway, I really didn't think it was all that inappropriate to begin with. She kind of blinked at that and started to respond, but the principal, a fairly young woman, flashed her a quick look and she kept quiet.

I then very calmly turned to the teacher who had told both me and Chris that I shouldn't have taken him to the march, and told her that I didn't appreciate her saying that to him and that it was very inappropriate for her to have done so. The principal was surprised at that, she hadn't known that, and asked the teacher if that was true. When the teacher said yes, I could tell the principal was upset with her, but didn't want to say anything in front of everyone else. The teacher kind of spluttered, then said that she still didn't think it was appropriate for me to have taken him to the march. I should think of the affect on him, she said, especially at being exposed to (here it comes, you knew it would sooner or later!) "those people." Oh really, I said, and which people were "those people", because I was one of "those people" there at the march. If you mean the people trying to save the country from the madman who's taken it over, then hell yes, I'm definitely one of "those people." I then told her she was entitled to her opinion, but that she didn't have the right to decide for me what I didn't and didn't do with Chris when he wasn't in school (he hadn't missed any school at all, it was on the weekend), that it was none of her business, and that she certainly didn't have the right to tell Chris things like that. All in a very calm, reasonable manner. That shut her up and she just kind of sat back after that. I think she expected me to be all contrite and get down on my knees and beg forgiveness and promise never, ever to do such an evil thing again. Ha! I love it when people like that don't get what they want and expect!

They then said he was being "too political", that he was alienating himself by doing so because most kids his age really didn't care all that much about it (which is true, and which is a point of extreme frustration for him, making him feel isolated), and that he needed to tone it down and recognize that there were times and places for such discussions. I agreed that he needed to learn when it was and was not appropriate to bring up or discuss certain things (like during class time, for instance), and that he should never disrupt a class, and that I would certainly deal with that. I don't doubt that he went overboard at times.

I then said that any further discussion of his "political activities and beliefs" was off limits from this point on, because it was really none of their business and he and I both had the right to our opinions and to act on those opinions. I could tell one of the other teachers wanted to say something more about it, and she started to, but then thought better of it. I don't think they expected me to be this firm about it, I think they thought I'd just roll over and be a yes woman and tell the kid to be a good little boy and teach him to be a nice little repuke robot and everybody's happy. The principal seemed relieved, I think she's far more liberal than some of the rest of the teachers. At least, she seems that way to me. It was hard to tell what the other teachers who'd mostly stayed silent were really thinking, but I don't think I'll have any more trouble with this, since I made myself very clear and the principal seems to back me.

We then went on to his IEP review and that was that. God, I love standing up to wingnuts and hitting them right back, lol!

[SharonAnn]

1. Applause, applause, applause!

That´s the sound of much clapping!

Good for you, he´s lucky to have you in his court.

And just maybe, the teachers will learn to keep their mouths shut about their beliefs and not try to push them down the throats of their students.

[arcane1]

2. Sweet!!

a :toast: for standing up to the wingnuts!!!

drip drip drip....


:bounce:

[frank frankly]

3. good work, great work

They have no right to say what you do on your time off. And if you can convince your son to temper his appropriate wild terror and indignation, then maybe you can tell me too! Fortunately I work at a university and make no attempt to hide that I am one of those "people trying to save the country from the madman who's taken it over."

one question: what part of the country did this occur?

[liberalhistorian]

13. I'm in Northeast Ohio, near

Cleveland. Cleveland itself is fairly liberal, but the suburbs, where I live, sure as hell aren't.

[Scott Lee]

4. You are an INSPIRATION

If the DLC had more people like you, it wouldn't be such a joke of an organization.

Congratulations on standing up to these bastards. Maybe others will be emboldened by your story.

[Devil Dog Dem]

5. That's great!

Love stories like this!

[proud patriot]

6. Thanks for the report

:hi:

[ChompySnack]

7. Awesome!

Don't back down to those nut jobs, that is what they count on. Make them think twice about trying to intimidate someone into their herd mentality.

You should feel proud.

[PapaClay]

8. Oh Hell Yeah!

:yourock:

[NYC]

9. Congratulations.

Well done.

[bookman]

10. I was a teacher

And it wouldn't surprise me if one or two of the teachers demanded the conference and the others just got dragged into it.

Administrators have a tendancy to try to achieve peace at any cost.

The art teacher was out of line.

[XanaDUer]

11. Usually I am on the side of teachers...

teaching is a hard job. This teacher, however, is beyond the pale. I thought part of the education process was learning to think for oneself and learn how to think, critical thinking, etc.

Which reminds me: when I was in grade school, many of the boys LOVED The Three Stooges. They would go around pretend-poking each other in the eyes, going 'woo-woo-woo', etc. There were times when they could not 'transition' from the Stooges into playing kickball or baseball, or whatever. Kids are like that. They get excited about stuff. They go overboard.

But, as long as they were not doing it during learning time, then, so what? There is a time and place for everything-but for any educator to force their ideological beliefs down parents' throats, and, by extension, attempt to do so to children, is scary.

Glad the pricipal seemed upset with her. She went overboard by doing that. I am sure she spoke with the teacher about appropriate and inappropriate discussions afterwards.

Is this a newbie teacher?

[liberalhistorian]

14. No, that's the scary thing,

she's been teaching for a little over thirty years, from what I understand. The art teacher is pretty young, though.

[hlthe2b]

26. Seems the teachers are ignoring those wonderful "teachable"

moments. If the classmates seemed bothered by your son talking politics, it would have been a perfect opening to discuss basic civics 101, the political process, democracy and all those concepts that don't seem to be taught much any more. Teachers should be able to put their biases aside, IMO, and find the teaching concepts that should be put forward. I wonder how Will Pitt would have handled this in his classroom, when he was still teaching...


That having been said, I applaud you on holding your own. I'm amazaed at their audacity-- especially since your child missed no school, had not misbehaved in any way... I'm curious if you might not want a debrief with the principal one-on-one.

[liberalhistorian]

32. I've thought of that,

and I just might do it. She seems fairly liberal and reasonable, and I appreciate her attention to Chris.

[mumon]

12. The principal, no doubt saw one thing those wingnuts didn't...

the potential for litigation.

Alot of folks- principal included- would lose their jobs if there was any "discipline" resulting from the "crime" of wanting Usurper-boy out of the White House.

Usurper-boy has despoiled the Oval Office far more than could be done with mere oral sex.

[liberalhistorian]

16. That's for sure!

I think the principal did a pretty decent job, and I do think she's more liberal than a lot of the other teachers. At least, that's the way it seemed to me. She seemed to genuinely care about Chris as well. When he's eating lunch alone, which seems to be often, she tries to eat with him if she gets a chance.

[XanaDUer]

24. Could you get your son into a gifted program?

His interest in politics is rare. Maybe he would be more comfortable with other kids who share esoteric passions.

There is a great chapter in Sagan's Demon-Haunted World about how America's smart kids are shortchanged and have the thrill of learning squished out of them.

Hope he does not get his enthusiasm squished.

[liberalhistorian]

34. I would very much like him to be in a

gifted program. He certainly has the test scores (he's in the 80th and 90th percentiles on almost all of the subjects, especially math, science, and social studies). The problem is, he has trouble keeping his work organized and he hates doing homework, so I really have to work with him on that. I'm hoping his grades will be good enough this year that, combined with his test scores, he'll qualify for the gifted program. When he does apply himself, he gets all A's.

[XanaDUer]

22. Bingo.

I think liberalhistorian put the fear of god into them.

[Selwynn]

57. That's exactly what I was thinking!

[Postman]

15. Good for you. I have some questions....

what age group are you talking about with your son?


They then said he was being "too political", that he was alienating himself by doing so because most kids his age really didn't care all that much about it (which is true, and which is a point of extreme frustration for him, making him feel isolated),

Is the fault of the system that,IMO, doesn't do a good enough job of exciting kids about world events, national politics and labor history?

Sounds like your kid is light-years ahead of the pack on current events, which, while great for him, a shame for the rest of the little robots.

I think the role of public school is to turn out a bunch of docile, consumerist, flag-waving robots who don't question anything the gov't does.

I always find it puzzeling that a teacher could be right-wing in their political leanings. Sort of like in the same category of a Clarence Thomas. Its like a non-sequitur....

[liberalhistorian]

20. My son is twelve and in sixth grade,

and he often feels like a fish out of water. My parents are retired teachers and they, too, always found it frustrating to encounter RW wingnut teachers. They never understood how a teacher could be a wingnut, and they still don't.

[rfranklin]

23. It's the chickens rooting for Colonel Sanders...

They're just too confused to be able to see straight.

[alcuno]

17. I'm a teacher and I say good for you.

Most of the teachers I know are terrific (and liberal) but we all know who the nuts are. Frankly, I love hearing about parents taking to task my less than professional colleagues.

[LastKnight]

18. see, knocking dittoheads down is fun!

i take on 3-5 at a time... they go quietly... lol it really is quite easy seeing as lies isnt a good defense against truth and facts.

:thumbsup: for slamming winguts and dittoheads

-LK

[9215]

19. ROFLMAOFFF!!!

"thoooooose peeeeeeople", ohhhhhhhhh aaaaaaaah. Then she pointed her finger and made that sound from Invasions of the Body Snatchers just in time for Halloween.

I tell you my friend. You are absolutely doing the best thing a human being can do fighting this. The ripple effect of you standing up for your kid, your kid getting a jump start on reality......there are just tooo many good things to list. This single situation could get that school on the right (or Left) track if the zealots are exposed.

WOW!

Plus I was laughing so hard when I read your post after reading the earlier one, my sides are aching. :bounce: :bounce:


Here is to you and your son. :toast:

Damn I would love to have seen it. Did you get a recording????

[Woodstock]

21. that must be the only Republican artist in the country

I have yet to meet a Republican artist (and I have met a LOT of artists.)

[Jawja]

28. Good for you!

I'm outraged that they made a big deal out of this anyway.

What is happening to our country? I am so sick and tired of the "you can't criticize our great and wonderful President" meme.

I admire you for standing up for free speech and free ideas.

[liberalhistorian]

31. I know, that really surprises

me as well!

[roguevalley]

45. Good for you both.

I love asperger kids. Had some and they go straight to the point.
They are fearless about saying what they want and can be the butt
of a lot of crap. This teacher was treading on thin ice here, first
amendment wise and the principal was smart to shut it off.

[TrogL]

93. I was an Asperger kid

"a lot of crap" is putting it mildly.

[Selwynn]

58. LOL Art teacher <> Artist :D

[Scott Lee]

75. Oh there are plenty of rethuglican artists

Its just that they only are in one category - "Bullshit Artist"

[alphafemale]

25. Really good to hear it!

:toast:

[benddem]

27. Good Job

Thanks for standing up and not taking this from the teachers. They were totally out of line. Hope the kid wasn't traumatized by the whole thing.:yourock:

[Darth_Kitten]

29. Bravo!!!!

:thumbsup: :)

[bloom]

30. YEA!!!

A very good report.


I'm glad you made them think.

It's is nice to hear how the message of the March is getting out.



:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[wryter2000]

33. Hooray for you and Chris

You taught him an important lesson in standing up for what he believes and not knuckling under to "majority" opnion.

[Zomby Woof]

35. you are my hero

Gawd, I am glad I left behind the public education racket. They teach kids how to conform and obey, and not to think.

Thanks for the full report, liberalhistorian! :hi:

[liberalhistorian]

44. Thanks, ZW!

I didn't know you were in public education! You poor thing, how'd a free spirit like you manage to survive, lol!

[LeahMira]

36. I'm so glad...

... that everything went well for you. :toast:

[calimary]

37. Dahlink, I myself am one of "THOSE PEOPLE," who attended

a NUMBER of anti-war marches this past year. And AS one of "those people," I salute you! I praise you! I delight in you! Shoot, if we had people like you repping us in Congress and the Senate, we wouldn't have to be haranguing our reps demanding that they show some spine!

YOWZA to you, liberalhistorian!!!! KUDOS KUDOS KUDOS! You have A LOT to be proud of, not only in your boy, but in yourself.

Congratulations! GREAT WORK!!! Who knows, maybe you've planted a few seeds. At least you may have muzzled a rethug mind-control asshole that's masquerading as a teacher.

EXCELLENT!!! Party balloons!!! Chocolate and champagne and sushi to you!!!

[liberalhistorian]

41. Ooooohhh, party balloons

and chocolate and champagne, be still my heart (I've never tried sushi)! Isn't it great to be one of "those people", lol!

[Bronco69]

38. A standing ovation

to you and your son!!

[DancingBear]

39. Congrats LH!

Somehow I knew that you and the "one post wonder" would come out ahead in all this.

Nicely done.

[liberalhistorian]

40. LOL!

That was, indeed, pretty funny how he referred to himself when he met DUers on Saturday, the "one post wonder." I didn't know he was going to do that.

[Iris]

42. Wonder what that teacher would say if you had taken your son to a rally

supporting having the 10 Commandments in a courthouse?

[liberalhistorian]

46. EXACTLY!

And what about all those repukes criticising Clinton, where was their "my president right or wrong, criticism of the president is unpatriotic" then? I thought about bringing that up, then I thought better of it.

[Iris]

54. well, sounds like you did a good job without dragging that in!

Funny how it seems so obvious to us but not the professional educator.

[Booberdawg]

43. ROTFLOL! And the crowd ROARS!!!

You GO girl!!! :thumbsup:

[Greyskye]

47. Most excellent!!!

Kudo's to you and your son! Thanks for letting us know how it all went down!

:party: :toast: :loveya: :grouphug: :yourock:
:toast: :loveya: :grouphug: :yourock: :party:
:loveya: :grouphug: :yourock: :party: :toast:
:grouphug: :yourock: :party: :toast: :loveya:
:yourock: :party: :toast: :loveya: :grouphug:

[maveric]

48. Congrats!! I'm damn proud to be one of "those people"!

I cant beleive that she actually said that to you. What do these narrow minded morans think,that only good people/americans are bu$h adorers?

Liberalhistorian you are now one of my heroes.

BTW my HS senior is a political liberal freethinker and has been chastise more than once for expressing his opinion. Even during a political debate in a political science class he was told to hold his tongue for expressing anti-bu$h administration views. His teacher told him that "nobody wants to hear that anti-american stuff". Its a damn debate! If everyone has the same views and opinions then its NOT a debate.

I told him that next time he is stifled like that to tell his teacher to arrainge a conference with me.

BRING IT ON BABY!!!!

[liberalhistorian]

50. His POLITICAL SCIENCE teacher

actually said that to him? YIKES, now that is, indeed, frightening. A poli sci teacher should be the very last teacher you'd expect that shit from!

[maveric]

59. This is San Diego and you'd be surprised how many teachers are..

the freeper type. A lot of them are brainwashed ex navy or marine as this jewel is.
BTW he also brings up the Clinton blowjob incident saying that it disgraced the nation.
God, I hope I get a conference with him!!

[nostamj]

49. BRAVO from one of 'those people'

i loved Chris' intensity on 10/25 (even if he was a little too interested in the contents of my shoulder bag... ;-)

you're a great mom and chris is lucky to have you.

nost

[liberalhistorian]

64. LOL!

I didn't know about his interest in the contents of your shoulderbag, that sounds like him! Sorry about that.

[nostamj]

66. damn

i replied to your post and....

no reply!

anyway, no big deal about the bag. sorry i didn't offer him a cookie!
was saving them to pass out to the group, and... the group dissolved!

a great day. sorry about this bump. but, EMPOWERING, no?

[shoopnyc123]

51. Bravo!!!

Yes...as the colombians say in South America, "it's the drop that wears the stone"...

[zbdent]

52. This is impossible to believe - a Repuke leaning arts teacher?

If she was at the conference, she should have been reminded that she would have eliminated herself from any touch of the career that she is in.

Remind her that she is exactly what her party is trying to get rid of, and, by the way, why is she getting a paycheck? If she supports W, she is anti-public school, anti-federal funded arts, and anti-union, which she is pretty much a member of. She should be informed that she has every right to quit, unless she is being kept there as a prime example of an oxymoron.

(BTW, I'm in Richfield).

[ElsewheresDaughter]

53. liberalhistorian i've been waiting to hear...kick ass! now i will go back

and read your post :thumbsup:

[ElsewheresDaughter]

55. Painseville, Ohio ...LOL...........how apropos

a very nice telling and you do DU proud :grouphug:

[Selwynn]

56. I can't believe you had to have a conference over that -- WELL DONE!

I'm very happy to hear of victories like this. I think its pretty outlandish how the school behaved, and honestly I'm not sure I could have been a rational as you seem to have been.

Great news, refreshing story!

[Code_Name_D]

60. Revenge is sweet.

I didn't enjoy it. But my mother was exactly in the same boat as you were some time ago. Only not about politics, but about my education.

The history teacher was also a right wing freek at the time. And seemed to have a mind to "whip me into shape" by faling me from her class. Extra home work. Extra attentiont to my grammer, spelling, and hand writing. She also knew I was in a learning disable catigory, as my other teacher had numeruse discusions with her about my grades in her class. (But this teacher also had the same discusion with the same teacher, with a lot of other students. Basicly, she was simplay a bad teacher.)

The only way to resalve this is through a parent/teacher confrence. And my spechal edd teacher had to sit in with with same freek on many a sesion, and watch this teacher con her way into the hearts and minds of the parents.

Well. My case was spechal. Not becose me me. But becase my mother was the Specual Education director of 501. Between the two of them, they had about a dozen degrees in ecucation. The history teacher only had an assoseates in American history.

The two ganged up on her, and throughly humilated this clown. The counsler actualy fell out of her chair laufing. I know becase my teacher made it a point to share the exprince with the whole class.

She wasn't quite the problem after that. And it was all that was needed to start a performance review for the teacher. (Which she servived. Hubbys on the school board you know.)

[Feanorcurufinwe]

61. Yippee! we've gotta relish even these small victories!

Good Job!

[Lydia Leftcoast]

62. And standing up to them is the only thing that works

:-)

[Guaranteed]

67. That's right.

Dean 2004!

[xxqqqzme]

63. sounds like U did it!

congrats. It does feel good 2 stand up 2 wingnuts. I am so glad U let us know what happened.

[Kanary]

65. Another one of "Those People" , here

Hurrah for you and your son!

Then, Bah,Humbug to the locked minds of that so-called "school".

Sounds like you have done a wonderful job of parenting your son...you both deserve lots of credit.

Now, if I just still had my T-shirt from my dirtyhippiepinkocommiebum days... "I'm one of the people my parents warned me against".... I'd send it to you son. Wouldn't that freak 'em out, to see him wearing something like that? ^_^

Thanks for the report!

Kanary

[Yupster]

68. Principal relieved

I bet the principal was very happy with the meeting too.

You offered to help curb his politicizing to appropriate times, and she got away without any lawyers or threats of lawsuits. Seems like you all did well.

[WillyT]

69. As A Former Teacher (8th Grade) May I Loudly Say... BRAVO !!!

:bounce::toast::bounce:

YOU were right, THEY were wrong... ON SOoooo MANY LEVELS!!!

Way ta kick butt LH, thank you from "one of those people".

:kick::kick::kick:

[Oilwellian]

70. Good for you....

It was such a pleasure meeting you and your son at the rally and I was so tickled to see a kid his age have such passion and concern for our country. He was an inspiration to me and you should be very proud.

[AngryWhiteLiberal]

71. Well, it's pretty apparent that you DON'T LIVE in Texas...

They would have just considered you and your son "enemy combatants". Bravo, on standing firm!

JB

[MrPrax]

72. What the hell kinda teachers are these?

They should be encouraging of an interest in civics...good grief.

I DO very much imagine that crap like this went on the in the Soviet Union...party officials coming around to explain 'How the Leader is great and we all need to pitch together, comrade'?
Noted in a file somewhere that follows you forever...
sickos...fire them!

[leftofthedial]

73. rockin, "lh"

you have a lucky kid.

[devinsgram]

74. Hip Hip Hooray for you,

Whenever I feel down I just need to come here and I feel better. Reading a story like this gives me hope for tomorrow.

[RetroLounge]

76. Thanks for posting this! You Rock!

Here's to you and your son!

:toast:

May your speech always be free!

[Room101]

77. Great post and Great job !!!

liberalhistorian, you have made us proud. :toast:

"civil disobedience. . . is not our problem. Our problem is civil obedience. Our problem is that numbers of people all over the world have obeyed the dictates of the leaders of their government and have gone to war,and millions have been killed because of this obedience. . . Our problem is that people are obedient all over the world in the face of poverty and starvation and stupidity, and war, and cruelty. Our problem is that people are obedient while the jails are full of petty thieves, and all the while the grand thieves are running the country. That's our problem."- Howard Zinn

[otohara]

78. They Should Have Known, Being Teachers and All

that you as his mother would have serious issues with Bush, or you wouldn't have gone to the protest in the first place. Good for you and good for your son. Bravo!:thumbsup: :yourock:

[jonnyblitz]

79. good for you! :)

I will pass this info on to my sister whom I told who is concerned about all this who hasnt had a chance to get on DU . Also the pics are on their way I swear... :hi:

[9215]

80. This is how the world will change.

It is beyond words. I re-read your topic and all your son is doing is what we are suppose to want all of our kids doing: asking questions!

He is being knocked down by the State for being inquisitive.

How the hell do people who are suppose to be educating children become so blind to what it is all about????

[fujiyama]

81. Good for you...

for standing your ground!

I remember when I was in 6th grade. That was the year of the '92 election and I remember a "political discussion" of sorts.

It was funny because at that age most of us were simply parroting our parents' beliefs (but my parents didn't discuss politics much then).

Yet, unlike your son (who seems to have a great passion and interest in the world around him) I simply sat back and absorbed what my peers were saying. Even at that age, I'd say I was relatively liberal and honestly thought Clinton seemed kinda cool. Still I'd say I was a pushover and oddly enough voted for Perot in a mock election (Perot of all people!?) because my friend was. That, and I wanted to be "different" from most of the people who were voting either republican or democratic. Fortunately my school was not an indication of the way my state actually voted, because unlike my school, the state went for Clinton... I remember sitting at home watching election returns and I was happy that Bush didn't win (even at that age I coukdn't stand the Bush family!)...

But, anyways, my political stances at that age were relatively shallow, and I certainly had no passion in it (like most kids at that age) unlike your son which has got himself into it. I'm glad you didn't try to steer it toward your political beliefs and made it clear that your political stances were none of teachers' business.

I would also encourage him to study history and literature, because I think being well read in history will give the fundamentals of modern politics. He sounds like a special kid. I would wish him the best of luck and academic success!

[Philostopher]

82. Was wondering how this came out for you.

I'm so glad to hear it didn't go badly! I was a lot like your son at that age, though I don't know if I'm beyond 'borderline Asperger's' or not. I definitely have a one-track mind, and often don't care (or don't realize it) if my opinions seem extreme or alienate people who disagree with me. When I was his age it was during the first Carter election, and I was almost fanatical about social issues. My dad was very a single-minded Democrat, and was still running on the half-tank of anger he had left from Watergate, so he encouraged me to be interested and to inform myself.

I had an Ohio history teacher in junior high who was, as my father resolutely referred to them, 'a stinkin' Republican.' Now, I will grant the guy this -- he taught the basic subject matter fairly, covering everything that was in the book, not just the stuff that proved his points. It's just that when it came to general classroom discussion about civics, which was part of the class, he'd actually argue with twelve-year-olds about politics -- and make fun of those of us who were Democrats as if we were adults who disagreed with him. I think he's more responsible than anybody other than my dad for making me the 'tenacious D' I wound up.

If Chris qualifies for the gifted and talented program in Ohio, it will probably be good -- I was in it, and I remember it opening up a lot of areas of thought and giving me access to ideas most people wouldn't have cared about at that age. Good luck to him -- and you.

[Catherine Vincent]

83. Alright!

That's great. Glad you told them to mind their own damn business.

[kimchi]

84. Great job!

I'm glad you stood firm!

[tom_paine]

85. Hooray for liberalhistorian! You are one tough mama, my dear!

Every small victory...every time one of us stands up to those Busheviks...is a moment of happiness and hope.

You made my day, and make me wish that I had come down to the march and met you in person!

:toast: :bounce: :toast:

[slinkerwink]

86. woohoo!

That's excellent!!!

:bounce:

[BurtWorm]

87. You and your son are heroes!

I'm very impressed by your courage to stand up to witch hunters. Hurray for you!

:toast:

[LWolf]

88. Well done.

All's well that ends well. You can be sure that your principal had things to say to the teachers involved once you were gone.

I said something out of line one time, and felt incredibly guilty afterwards. It just popped out...I didn't think about it. We usually think carefully about what we say to other people's kids!

We were doing a unit on "People Who Make A (positive) Difference;" state curriculum. The kids were reading biographies and reporting on how that person made a positive difference. They had to get approval from me before they started. One child asked if he could report on President Bush, and I replied something like, "If I ever see him do anything positive, we'll add him to the list." Out of line, and I know it. I knew as soon as it escaped my lips. I've forgiven myself; as a human being, I'm going to screw up now and then. But still...as teachers, if we take the trust we're placed with seriously, we won't use our position like that.

[AndyTiedye]

89. We Aspies Have A Very Low Tolerance...

...for Bullshit.

Good for you! Good for your son!

[Loonman]

90. Sorry, Will Pitt, liberalhistorian is my new DU Hero

:toast:

[liberalhistorian]

95. LOL!

Thanks for the vote of confidence! But Will is still MY DU hero. Now, if only I could get him to pay any attention to me (I know, I know, take a number behind five thousand other DU women)! SIGH.

[Mari333]

91. Yay MOM!!

Good for you! I sure dont miss those days when my kids were in school and I had to go in and stand up for my kids rights..boy, that was so much work..! yay...your son sounds wonderful and what a great mom you are...

[Mairead]

92. Well done! Brava!

[belle]

94. Good for you!!

It sounds like you handled them exactly right. In a way that would work on any bullies, not just wingnuts. Damn! That's a great story.