DD's High School teacher is a nut

[mrsv98]

**UPDATE PG 10 #188**

and irresponsible, would you report him?

We knew going in that he was a 9/11 conspiracy theorist but today he was talking about how the Parkland shooting was a hoax, didn't really happen and is a cover-up.

Come on, you are telling a room full of high school students that their fears and emotions are not valid because it is all a conspiracy? And what if, heaven forbid, something does happen and the kids don't respond because they think it is a hoax?

The last few years I have let DD handle teacher interactions so she can advocate for herself and she is comfortable doing so but this seems different to me.

Thoughts?

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

I think that is disconcerting (and awful for someone to think that... ugh). You might want to raise your concern to the principal. If anything it could be a safety concern if he’s not taking drills or procedures seriously.

 

[mjkacmom]

I’d let my dd handle it, I only intervene in HS if my child couldn’t solve the problem.

 

[jaybirdsmommy]

I would definitely report that. It's one thing to think it personally but completely irresponsible to share it with high school students.

 

[JaxDad]

and irresponsible, would you report him?

We knew going in that he was a 9/11 conspiracy theorist but today he was talking about how the Parkland shooting was a hoax, didn't really happen and is a cover-up.

Come on, you are telling a room full of high school students that their fears and emotions are not valid because it is all a conspiracy? And what if, heaven forbid, something does happen and the kids don't respond because they think it is a hoax?

The last few years I have let DD handle teacher interactions so she can advocate for herself and she is comfortable doing so but this seems different to me.

Thoughts?

Can your daughter get video or a corroborating student witness? Otherwise, it will likely be he said, she said...

 

[Poohforyou]

and irresponsible, would you report him?

We knew going in that he was a 9/11 conspiracy theorist but today he was talking about how the Parkland shooting was a hoax, didn't really happen and is a cover-up.

Come on, you are telling a room full of high school students that their fears and emotions are not valid because it is all a conspiracy? And what if, heaven forbid, something does happen and the kids don't respond because they think it is a hoax?

The last few years I have let DD handle teacher interactions so she can advocate for herself and she is comfortable doing so but this seems different to me.

Thoughts?

I personally wouldn't be putting up with nonsense like that. I don’t have an issue with differing opinions but do with nut jobs.

I'd talk with my teen on how they feel this should be handled but let them know this teacher cannot be allowed to continue teaching false information. I'd allow my teen the opportunity to confront the teacher, go to admin etc but if they weren't comfortable I'd do it myself.

Remember, your tax dollars are paying his salary.

 

[Hikergirl]

HS teacher? No I wouldn't report it. I expect my children to be able to think for themselves by that age.
My kids have come home with stories about some crazy teachers they have had who have no problem sharing their craziness with the class. We use it as a way to discuss the topic, and usually have a good laugh about it.

 

[CarolAnn856]

As a teacher and parent who always, always encourages her kids to handle things on their own, I would contact the principal out of concern that he would not take safety precautions seriously. I would also keep an open dialog with my child about how there are nuts out there, even in education. Learning how to deal with them is a learning opportunity.

 

[cabanafrau]

I'd push my kid to come up with a way to address it, with the teacher and with admin. Do I think either of mine would have been able to handle hearing that type of nonsense and formulating their own thoughts, yes. What about the students unable to summon the ability to do critical analysis beyond what a teacher says? That's the concerning piece of the puzzle.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I’m with the ones who stay out of it once they’re in high school. They need to learn everyone is entitled to their own opinion. If you disagree move on. My son would probably come home, tell me about it and we would laugh it off. Just like we did when one of his teachers brought up his opinion on global warming.

 

[gotomu212]

Although I am almost always in the stay out of it camp, this would be a bridge too far for me. Someone denying that a mass shooting at a high school occurred is unstable.

As a high school teacher how is he equipped to handle a similar situation if he thinks school shootings are some government hoax?

 

[Hannahinwonderland]

I’m with the ones who stay out of it once they’re in high school. They need to learn everyone is entitled to their own opinion. If you disagree move on. My son would probably come home, tell me about it and we would laugh it off. Just like we did when one of his teachers brought up his opinion on global warming.

I agree that everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but this truly isn't an opinion....this is like a geography teacher teaching the flat earth theory. It's very harmful to be spreading completely fake junk like that. Some high schoolers who aren't critical thinkers are going to start believing it, plus I agree, it doesn't sound like he would take safety seriously.

I personally would urge OP's daughter to report her own concerns, but if she isn't willing to handle it herself I would consider reporting it.

 

[gotomu212]

I’m with the ones who stay out of it once they’re in high school. They need to learn everyone is entitled to their own opinion. If you disagree move on. My son would probably come home, tell me about it and we would laugh it off. Just like we did when one of his teachers brought up his opinion on global warming.

I would agree except this is someone teaching kids so they aren’t entitled to share their opinions completely openly and freely. There’s a line where an adult interacting with minors cannot talk about any and all of their opinions. A person is certainly entitled to racist opinions but sharing them in a classroom would be completely unacceptable.

Learning that everyone is entitled to their opinion and learning that you shouldn’t share your opinion in certain settings is also an extremely valuable lesson for kids.

(Also just as an aside you can’t disguise a fact as an opinion- you might have an opinion that the grass is purple but that is objectively wrong so in this case I wouldn’t be crazy about the idea of saying that this was an okay “opinion” as this is someone mistating facts.)

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I would agree except this is someone teaching kids so they aren’t entitled to share their opinions completely openly and freely. There’s a line where an adult interacting with minors cannot talk about any and all of their opinions. A person is certainly entitled to racist opinions but sharing them in a classroom would be completely unacceptable.

Learning that everyone is entitled to their opinion and learning that you shouldn’t share your opinion in certain settings is also an extremely valuable lesson for kids.

(Also just as an aside you can’t disguise a fact as an opinion- you might have an opinion that the grass is purple but that is objectively wrong so in this case I wouldn’t be crazy about the idea of saying that this was an okay “opinion” as this is someone mistating facts.)

I wouldn't fault any other student or parent for reporting it. If my child felt they wanted to report it I would fully support them. I wouldn't do it for him though. Knowing my son he would just roll his eyes and move on.

 

[sam_gordon]

What age is your DD? I think it's different if they're a freshman vs. senior. Also, are you sure he didn't state that just to see if anyone would challenge him?

 

[robinb]

Your DD is obviously upset about this or she wouldn't have shared it with you. I would definitely have one of you report this. If your DD feels that she is comfortable doing it that's fine. If she's not comfortable, then I would do it myself. I would be cautious about how she (or you) reports this. I wouldn't confront the teacher directly and I wouldn't go to the department head. I would go right to the principal. I would be afraid that there would be some kind of retaliation against your DD should the teacher find out that it was her and I think the principal would be more discreet.

 

[mom2rtk]

Just curious @mrsv98 what does this nutjob teach?

 

[mrsv98]

Thanks for all the responses. DD is a Senior and as I stated, I have had her deal with any issues for a couple of years and while I may offer advice if asked, I stay out of it. This, however, feels different because it is such a raw topic and potentially dangerous. I asked DD for some specific statements and she and I and DH will talk about it and see where to go from here. On one hand, it might be more effective coming from the student who has heard it multiple times, on the other, it might carry more weight from a parent. Hmmm...

 

[mrsv98]

Just curious @mrsv98 what does this nutjob teach?

He is a math teacher and DD is in his dual enrollment College Algebra class.

 

[Hikergirl]

Thanks for all the responses. DD is a Senior and as I stated, I have had her deal with any issues for a couple of years and while I may offer advice if asked, I stay out of it. This, however, feels different because it is such a raw topic and potentially dangerous. I asked DD for some specific statements and she and I and DH will talk about it and see where to go from here. On one hand, it might be more effective coming from the student who has heard it multiple times, on the other, it might carry more weight from a parent. Hmmm...

It feels different for you? Is she upset or did she just mention it and you are the one upset?