What is your school's policy on teacher's expressing socio-political beliefs during class?

[Anonymous]

Are teachers at your school permitted to express socio-political beliefs passively (say, a banner on the wall behind them) or actively during class? I'm not referring to their personal social media accounts. I'm not looking to start a debate on the merits of any particular issue. Looking for specific policies in place at your particular independent school. Thank you kindly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are teachers at your school permitted to express socio-political beliefs passively (say, a banner on the wall behind them) or actively during class? I'm not referring to their personal social media accounts. I'm not looking to start a debate on the merits of any particular issue. Looking for specific policies in place at your particular independent school. Thank you kindly.

OP here. I'm referring to teaching during distance learning.

[Anonymous]

Not permitted

[Anonymous]

Political beliefs -no.

They want to ensure everyone knows there are a range of political beliefs.

[Anonymous]

Yes. Depending on the course, encouraged. However, they need to not be anti-school mission and values. (Ie bullying, hate speech, etc)

[Anonymous]

I think there is a policy against sharing personal political beliefs at our private.

[Anonymous]

The teachers at our Catholic school never advocate for a party or candidate but definitely discuss elections and parties and platforms in Civics class. Social issues are of course discussed in accordance with the catechism of the Catholic Church.

[Anonymous]

Landon is not supposed to but they have and it needs to stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Are teachers at your school permitted to express socio-political beliefs passively (say, a banner on the wall behind them) or actively during class? I'm not referring to their personal social media accounts. I'm not looking to start a debate on the merits of any particular issue. Looking for specific policies in place at your particular independent school. Thank you kindly.

Explicitly not asked to share political views.

[Anonymous]

Our school emailed communication guidelines Thursday and said teachers can encourage discussion and correct false information, but they may not share personal political beliefs.

[Anonymous]

Definitely allowed at my kids' schools!!

[Anonymous]

With DL, you're bringing up an interesting set of issues that I wonder if most schools have adequately addressed. If someone is teaching from their home, especially if they share the space with others, there could be art work, t-shirts, souvenirs, other members of the household wearing t-shirts walking through the area, etc. clearly visible during a DL . Is that the sort of thing that you're asking about? Things that are not being actively or even intentionally expressed -- but that are clearly both visible and meaningful?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:With DL, you're bringing up an interesting set of issues that I wonder if most schools have adequately addressed. If someone is teaching from their home, especially if they share the space with others, there could be art work, t-shirts, souvenirs, other members of the household wearing t-shirts walking through the area, etc. clearly visible during a DL . Is that the sort of thing that you're asking about? Things that are not being actively or even intentionally expressed -- but that are clearly both visible and meaningful?

Yes, that is sort of what I'm talking about. I know it can't be helped when people move about in the background, or people have things displayed on a shelf - that's not what I'm talking about. I don't expect teachers to redecorate their homes. More specifically, I'm talking about the prominent and intentional display of a banner/flag that promotes a hot button issue. It's not something small in the background, but clearly meant to be seen as it covers the entire wall behind the teacher. While the teacher is not actively speaking about the issue, his/her views are being expressed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Our school emailed communication guidelines Thursday and said teachers can encourage discussion and correct false information, but they may not share personal political beliefs.

Interesting. Who decides what is "false"? Is there a resource provided?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:With DL, you're bringing up an interesting set of issues that I wonder if most schools have adequately addressed. If someone is teaching from their home, especially if they share the space with others, there could be art work, t-shirts, souvenirs, other members of the household wearing t-shirts walking through the area, etc. clearly visible during a DL . Is that the sort of thing that you're asking about? Things that are not being actively or even intentionally expressed -- but that are clearly both visible and meaningful?

Yes, that is sort of what I'm talking about. I know it can't be helped when people move about in the background, or people have things displayed on a shelf - that's not what I'm talking about. I don't expect teachers to redecorate their homes. More specifically, I'm talking about the prominent and intentional display of a banner/flag that promotes a hot button issue. It's not something small in the background, but clearly meant to be seen as it covers the entire wall behind the teacher. While the teacher is not actively speaking about the issue, his/her views are being expressed.

Independent school teacher here. This sort of thing really annoys me, and I see a ton of it. Please take action. The teacher is likely young and immature or old and immature and simply needs to be read into appropriate pedagogy--that as influential figures we have the power to greatly shape young minds, and political beliefs are best left to the home or to those parents invite into these conversations directly. As far as I know, I have never been invited to inculcate my personal political beliefs into the broad spectrum of students I teach.