High School Health teacher says vaccines cause autism

[Anonymous]

My child's MCPS high school 10th grade health teacher has told her class that vaccines are ineffective, and can cause autism. (She has also told her class about her infant daughter born last year.)

My first thought is to report this to the principal, but I don't want to stifle her free speech. (I am not certain if the topic came up as part of the course, or whether it was incidental. But my daughter did say she lost points on a test by arguing with her.)

Any suggestions on how to handle this?

[Anonymous]

I would report it to the principal. Science does have a place in schools

[Anonymous]

It's not an issue of free speech. Please report.

[Anonymous]

Wow. As a health teacher, I'm surprised she is of that opinion, and that she voiced it aloud to students. Free speech - maybe we can say whatever we want, but it doesn't mean we should.

[Anonymous]

She's proven herself unqualified to teach the course and should not be in charge of any sort of science material. If a history teacher said WWII never happened would you worry about their "free speech"?

Report her please for the love of all humanity.

[Anonymous]

This is not free speech! She is teaching this as a HEALTH teacher to malleable adolescents! You absolutely should report her. I would not just report her but request a meeting with the principal and push for a follow up discussion with the students with corrections of her statements. If I got nowhere with that I would aim higher. This is not a small, unimportant thing.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Yes I will report the teacher, though there are excuses I could make. (1) I only heard her secondhand (what my daughter said happened in class) (2) My daughter is still in the class and already says the teacher doesn't like her because of her arguing about vaccines (3) its part of life that you are going to hear people say this crap, and I had a good conversation with mu daughter about this (4) its doubtful that anyone will choose not to vaccinate their kids in the future because of what their 10th grade health teacher said.

But yes I will insist that the principal give her a warning.

[Anonymous]

I would report it to the principal and, if that got nowhere, would report it up the chain.

[Anonymous]

Report it as that is opinion. Kids have reactions and they are not 100% safe, but she is leaving out genetics, birth injuries or even it is a reaction to the vaccine like a high fever, so the vaccine didn't cause it but the fever could.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child's MCPS high school 10th grade health teacher has told her class that vaccines are ineffective, and can cause autism. (She has also told her class about her infant daughter born last year.)

My first thought is to report this to the principal, but I don't want to stifle her free speech. (I am not certain if the topic came up as part of the course, or whether it was incidental. But my daughter did say she lost points on a test by arguing with her.)

Any suggestions on how to handle this?

Report it to the principal. Your daughter's grade has been affected by her teacher's belief in things that are scientifically disproved. She should not be teaching science of any kind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Yes I will report the teacher, though there are excuses I could make. (1) I only heard her secondhand (what my daughter said happened in class) (2) My daughter is still in the class and already says the teacher doesn't like her because of her arguing about vaccines (3) its part of life that you are going to hear people say this crap, and I had a good conversation with mu daughter about this (4) its doubtful that anyone will choose not to vaccinate their kids in the future because of what their 10th grade health teacher said.

But yes I will insist that the principal give her a warning.

So if her math teacher told her 2+2 =3 , would that just be difference of opinion?
Don’t be ridiculous.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Yes I will report the teacher, though there are excuses I could make. (1) I only heard her secondhand (what my daughter said happened in class) (2) My daughter is still in the class and already says the teacher doesn't like her because of her arguing about vaccines (3) its part of life that you are going to hear people say this crap, and I had a good conversation with mu daughter about this (4) its doubtful that anyone will choose not to vaccinate their kids in the future because of what their 10th grade health teacher said.

But yes I will insist that the principal give her a warning.

Then frame it to the principal that way: "My DD was in Ms. Jones's health class last week, and came home saying that she heard something there that I find disturbing, coming from a person in this position. I want you to know about this, but please also be aware that my DD is afraid that my speaking out will affect her grade in this class. We need to make sure that doesn't happen."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Yes I will report the teacher, though there are excuses I could make. (1) I only heard her secondhand (what my daughter said happened in class) (2) My daughter is still in the class and already says the teacher doesn't like her because of her arguing about vaccines (3) its part of life that you are going to hear people say this crap, and I had a good conversation with mu daughter about this (4) its doubtful that anyone will choose not to vaccinate their kids in the future because of what their 10th grade health teacher said.

But yes I will insist that the principal give her a warning.

Then frame it to the principal that way: "My DD was in Ms. Jones's health class last week, and came home saying that she heard something there that I find disturbing, coming from a person in this position. I want you to know about this, but please also be aware that my DD is afraid that my speaking out will affect her grade in this class. We need to make sure that doesn't happen."

I think I would frame it as: "what is the curriculum around this topic? If vaccines are not covered in the curriculum, then the teacher can share it on her own time on facebook. If vaccines are covered in the curriculum then the teacher needs to stay within the curriculum framework (which is likely the public health framework which says GET YOUR VACCINES)."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child's MCPS high school 10th grade health teacher has told her class that vaccines are ineffective, and can cause autism. (She has also told her class about her infant daughter born last year.)

My first thought is to report this to the principal, but I don't want to stifle her free speech. (I am not certain if the topic came up as part of the course, or whether it was incidental. But my daughter did say she lost points on a test by arguing with her.)

Any suggestions on how to handle this?

FREE SPEECH?

You have got to be kidding me. She's a wacko - please bring it up to the principal.

[Anonymous]

Can you email the teacher? Also, please name the school.