By: Ella Mahan
Teachers discussing politics in the classroom at high schools in Manhattan Beach has recently become an issue due to the controversy it creates. Teachers should keep their political opinions to themselves to avoid possible conflicts and issues from arising. In other words, if a student’s personal opinion is influenced by a teacher’s, they will lack the skills to develop their own opinions in the future when they can vote.
Over the years, there have been complaints to the school board and principal Dr. Dale at Mira Costa High School, concerning teachers sharing and discussing their political opinions with their students. Whether or not teachers should engage in political discussions with their students at Mira Costa High School has become a big debate all over the country recently, according to LA Times.
Given that teachers and staff are in a position of authority and influence, there is a high possibility that their personal stance can sway the student’s own opinion. Some parents believe that these impressions from teachers can change their children’s beliefs, or make them feel judged for what they believe, according to Mira Costa parent Kim Sussman. It is a very important life skill for students to form their own political views, and to do this, they need their own space. High School students today will be the future generation, and with politics changing drastically over the years, it is important for our generation to create their own opinions.
In a recent survey discussing political views being voiced in classroom environments, created by a student at Mira Costa, 15 different students at Mira Costa High School anonymously answered 3 questions regarding their opinions on politics in the classroom. The results showed that 8 people believed that teachers should be allowed to share their personal political opinions in class, while the other 6 believed that they should save their opinions for out of the classroom.
Although sharing political ideas with their classes can be harmful, being open to other opinions and exposed to other ideas is an important life skill. This could provide their students with a different perspective and help them in the long run. When Costa students were asked why teachers should be able to share personal opinions, sophomore Noelle Shrader said freedom of speech allows teachers to state their beliefs. According to Sophomore Juliet Delino, teacher’s political opinions could prove to be helpful to the class by providing a new perspective.
According to sophomore Claire McGory, teachers sharing their political opinions is harmful, and reasoned this exposure to other opinions could influence students when they should have the freedom to form their own opinions. In addition, students could judge the teachers for their political opinions and it could cause controversy and violence.
Sophomore Addison Lee stood in the middle of the argument, stating everyone is allowed to share their own opinion as long as they don’t force it upon others.
To resolve this issue, there should be a protocol for teachers that wish to share their political opinions with their classes in order to reduce the amount of complaints and conflicts. If teachers wish to talk about politics with fellow teachers or with their students, then they should be able to do so without fear of punishment. Students should be able to freely express their own opinions also, however, if some people are opposed to the rule, there should be slight adjustments, such as conversing over politics is restricted at all times besides during breaks.
Teachers should not be entitled to sharing their political stances with their classes due to the controversy it creates, considering the students should have their own space to form their own opinions.
Leave a Reply