DD's High School teacher is a nut

[Southernmiss]

Do the teachers in your local high school teach all grades? Here the senior teachers or just that SENIOR teachers, Freshman teachers teach freshman classes and so on. The only class that may cross over (besides choir, art, band and sports) is a math class and even those are rare. History, English, Science are all divided by year. DD's senior AP Government teacher refused to teach any students that were not Seniors. And that's what he taught.

And you don't know if he is "recruiting".

Many teachers in our high school teach students of all grades. DD is a sophomore, but she is taking English AP 3-usually a junior year course. So she comes in contact with students of other grades, especially on the AP level. I was surprised that she was offered English 3, but the counselor did.

She is just now in Geometry-so she is behind on her maths. It's just the way her schedules have worked out thus far that she was not able to schedule maths in 9th grade or 1st semester this year. Since she'll have English 3 out of the way next year, that should free her up to do some math catch up.

 

[robinb]

Do the teachers in your local high school teach all grades? Here the senior teachers or just that SENIOR teachers, Freshman teachers teach freshman classes and so on. The only class that may cross over (besides choir, art, band and sports) is a math class and even those are rare. History, English, Science are all divided by year. DD's senior AP Government teacher refused to teach any students that were not Seniors. And that's what he taught.

And you don't know if he is "recruiting".

In our school district teachers can and do teach across high school grades.

 

[cabanafrau]

Do the teachers in your local high school teach all grades? Here the senior teachers or just that SENIOR teachers, Freshman teachers teach freshman classes and so on. The only class that may cross over (besides choir, art, band and sports) is a math class and even those are rare. History, English, Science are all divided by year. DD's senior AP Government teacher refused to teach any students that were not Seniors. And that's what he taught.

And you don't know if he is "recruiting".

Do teachers not have the ability to shape minds and world views?

During the span of time my daughters were in HS two different departments specifically reassigned teachers to different courses in the department to freshen things up and stimulate change because the departments had consistent faculty for over seven years.

 

[robinb]

So in your mind, everyone that has a different opinion of what happened to JFK, the moon landing, 9/11, the death of Elvis and Tupac, etc. etc. etc. are all insane? Seriously?

Well ... now that you mention it ...

My concern about conspiracy theorists sharing their crazy opinions with their students in high schools is that a high school is a place for FACTS.

 

[sam_gordon]

Personally I would try to get some kind of documentation with video, etc., or at least others that have heard this teacher say so, and not only go to the principal and the superintendant and any other higher ups, but also the local news station. Even if you do not have video, etc., go to higher ups and they can ask the teacher themselves. This is not about voicing opposing opinions. How to handle the shootings is an opinion, but saying it didn't happen by a teacher should not be tolerated. I frankly am a little shocked that some want to just let it be or let their kid handle it. This is extremely disturbing and should not be allowed to just be, or handled by just your child. It is dangerous. I honestly cannot believe that a teacher is saying this and not only that but also talking about other conspiracy theories to his students, it's crazy and should not be tolerated in any way whatsoever.

Why do people think the news is a solution? I think it's funny that people say "I don't trust the news" until it suits them, then "go to the news!"

 

[Hikergirl]

If that's the case, the head of the department already knows and has been protecting him. You need to escalate this over the head of the department if you don't want it swept under the rug.

Or they, other parents, and students just don't feel it is the big deal some here seem to think it is.

 

[robinb]

Or they, other parents, and students just don't feel it is the big deal some here seem to think it is.

The OP said that she thought that administration already knew that he was an open 911 conspiracist, Holocaust denier and now a crisis actor conspiracist. So someone thought it was a big enough deal to report it in the past.

 

[mjkacmom]

Do the teachers in your local high school teach all grades? Here the senior teachers or just that SENIOR teachers, Freshman teachers teach freshman classes and so on. The only class that may cross over (besides choir, art, band and sports) is a math class and even those are rare. History, English, Science are all divided by year. DD's senior AP Government teacher refused to teach any students that were not Seniors. And that's what he taught.

And you don't know if he is "recruiting".

There is a big mixing of grades. I have freshmen in algebra 2 and Spanish 3, and they are taking AP statistics next year, dd21 took that as a senior. The AP classes have a range of ages, plus electives like culinary or photography.

 

[Hikergirl]

The OP said that she thought that administration already knew that he was an open 911 conspiracist, Holocaust denier and now a crisis actor conspiracist. So someone thought it was a big enough deal to report it in the past.

And he is still teaching so like I said maybe the majority just don't think it is a big deal. Maybe they look at other things about him and don't judge his teaching abilities solely on this one thing.

 

[robinb]

And he is still teaching so like I said maybe the majority just don't think it is a big deal. Maybe they look at other things about him and don't judge his teaching abilities solely on this one thing.

Or ... the head of the department is protecting him. We have gone full circle!

ETA: This has nothing to do with "the majority". Students and parents do not make the choice to keep a teacher on the payroll. The administration does. If he's a great teacher, then great! Let him teach. But he also has to know that he needs to keep is crazy conspiracy theories to himself.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

Or they, other parents, and students just don't feel it is the big deal some here seem to think it is.

We are really doomed as a society if even in SCHOOL we are getting conspiracy theories and that people don't think it's a big deal or let it go. It's bad enough we get fed it through social media, our 24 hour opinion and conspiracy fed infotainment bias news stations and radio stations, and we all are just dumbing down as a species and society. I have people I know even talking bad about "academia" as if it is a bad word. Imagine brainwashing people not to trust academics and schools. People like LaPierre and other special interests, and now in our schools also, and it's not a big deal? Holy cow. It IS A BIG DEAL

 

[Mackenzie Click-Mickelson]

We are really doomed as a society if even in SCHOOL we are getting conspiracy theories and that people don't think it's a big deal or let it go. It's bad enough we get fed it through social media, our 24 hour opinion and conspiracy fed infotainment bias news stations and radio stations, and we all are just dumbing down as a species and society. I have people I know even talking bad about "academia" as if it is a bad word. Imagine brainwashing people not to trust academics and schools. People like LaPierre and other special interests, and now in our schools also, and it's not a big deal? Holy cow. It IS A BIG DEAL

You brought up LaPierre multiple times in the gun thread too and multiple times here. Are you trying to feed more fodder by mentioning the name over and over again? To tell you the truth I hadn't even given one thought to the ramblings of him until you brought up his name repeatedly.

 

[Hikergirl]

Or ... the head of the department is protecting him. We have gone full circle!

ETA: This has nothing to do with "the majority". Students and parents do not make the choice to keep a teacher on the payroll. The administration does. If he's a great teacher, then great! Let him teach. But he also has to know that he needs to keep is crazy conspiracy theories to himself.

LOL, yes we have.
I think we just disagree on the last part, As a parent of HS students and as a tax payer, I'm not bothered by the thought that his students are hearing his conspiracy theories. I'm sure I'm not the only person that feels that way, maybe even some in the administration even do too.

 

[CarolAnn856]

So in your mind, everyone that has a different opinion of what happened to JFK, the moon landing, 9/11, the death of Elvis and Tupac, etc. etc. etc. are all insane? Seriously?

Well yeah, as do most people. It takes a certain mental instability to claim that JFK wasn't killed, that the moon landing was faked, or, in the case of the teacher in the OP, that the Parkland massacre didn't happen.

 

[Hikergirl]

We are really doomed as a society if even in SCHOOL we are getting conspiracy theories and that people don't think it's a big deal or let it go. It's bad enough we get fed it through social media, our 24 hour opinion and conspiracy fed infotainment bias news stations and radio stations, and we all are just dumbing down as a species and society. I have people I know even talking bad about "academia" as if it is a bad word. Imagine brainwashing people not to trust academics and schools. People like LaPierre and other special interests, and now in our schools also, and it's not a big deal? Holy cow. It IS A BIG DEAL

Maybe it is just a big deal for parents who want to shield their kids from nonsensical thoughts and from hearing anything they don't agree with.
As long as he's teaching math there I have no problem with him speaking his opinions to a class of 17 and 18 year olds.
My kids aren't so impressionable at that age to actually believe it.
I guess I'm more worried about a society where kids that are age are still too impressionable to be exposed to crazy thoughts and opinions and their parents who feel they need to be sheltered from them. How about use it as an opportunity for them to engage people who see the world differently and learn what makes them that way, instead of using it as an opportunity to teach them to run and report what they don't like.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

Why do people think the news is a solution? I think it's funny that people say "I don't trust the news" until it suits them, then "go to the news!"

My local station does not give out bias false information. We need to hold our news stations particular those 24 hour entertainment ones or one that I won't go into and name here but am dying to, and I'm sure isn't allowed on this board anyway, to a HIGHER STANDARD. That does not mean we don't have or need real news and real info. It is very very important, and that includes real info taught in our schools.

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

Maybe it is just a big deal for parents who want to shield their kids from nonsensical thoughts and from hearing anything they don't agree with.
As long as he's teaching math there I have no problem with him speaking his opinions to a class of 17 and 18 year olds.
My kids aren't so impressionable at that age to actually believe it.
I guess I'm more worried about a society where kids that are age are still too impressionable to be exposed to crazy thoughts and opinions and their parents who feel they need to be sheltered from them.

Our whole society is quoting and speaking conspiracy theories as fact right now. I see people I know doing it, we all do, even our P, birther etc, now you know why we need real news and real facts in our schools. We can't do this as a society, we will be doomed, especially if it's done in schools. You cannot have your teachers who are suppose to be teaching you facts, teaching you conspiracy theories in school where you are suppose to be learning facts. To sit there and just excuse it is insanity. And this teacher seems to be even more than just that, imbalanced.

 

[msjprincess]

In our school district teachers can and do teach across high school grades.

Same here. My daughter's 9th grade Global teacher also teaches Sociology and Criminal Justice, which is only open to 11th and 12th graders.

 

[Hikergirl]

Our whole society is quoting and speaking conspiracy theories as fact right now. I see people I know doing it, we all do, even our P does it. We can't do this as a society, we will be doomed, especially if it's done in schools. You cannot have your teachers who are suppose to be teaching you facts, teaching you conspiracy theories in school where you are suppose to be learning facts. To sit there and just excuse it is insanity.

Conspiracy theories have been around forever, they are nothing new.
And yes I would rather my kids be be able to engage in a conversation with someone and learn what makes them tick instead of run and tell somebody because they don't know how to handle the thoughts of a person like that.

You know I remember you from the other thread, it is rather ironic you are here talking about conspiracies

 

[fauna74]

My daughter is a junior and if she had a teacher who was denying Parkland had happened, denying the slaughter of innocent children in their school I would certainly hope that she wouldn't just "roll her eyes at the crazy teacher". I have confidence that she and her peers would do what they could to report the teacher, protest and have that teacher removed.
Under normal circumstances I would stay out of it, but this particular situation strikes me as a real danger to my kid and her fellow students. How prepared to act in case of an active shooter would a school massacre denier be? I think at this point NONE of us can say "that would never happen at my school".
When I was in high school I had a teacher that would regularly burst into tears and run out of the classroom. That's a "crazy" teacher to roll your eyes at.