The Problem With "Liberal" Teachers

I've heard it many times and the more I read in independent and alternative news, the more I read about teachers being labeled as too "liberal."

Right as the war in Iraq began, an elementary school teacher spoke to a class about alternatives to war. A student asked if she was for or against protests and she stated that she favored all alternatives to war, until it was truly the last resort. So, a student tattled on her and not long after, she was let go by the school.

Just recently, a college professor made comparisons between George W. Bush and Adolf Hitler. Toward the end of his speech, he noted that all he was trying to do was provoke thought and just because he said what he did, didn't make him right. He was just attempting to get the students to open their minds and look at things in a different light. A student ratted on him and the teacher has been suspended from teaching until the investigation comes to a close.

These are only two of the many stories I've read relating to teachers being too "liberal." I have no problem with people speaking up and expressing their displeasure of a certain teacher, but to let a professor go because of one student's complaint? That is what I don't understand.

In the first scenario, the teacher was not preaching. She was not playing anti-war music and saying that she was 100% against the war. All she stated was that there are alternatives (which there are) and that she only wanted war as a last resort. Isn't that what President Bush initially stated? The option of war would only be used as a last resort? Yeah, that wasn't true, but it is what he said. So, why in the world should she be let go for those statements? If a coach lets the players know all the options they have on offense, should he then be fired? What is wrong with letting all the options be known, as opposed to just the one?

In the other case, the teacher stated what his intentions were with the lecture- he was just trying to get the students to open their minds and think. Ever taken a philosophy course? This is what philosophy professors are famous for, telling off-the-wall stories to provoke thought from their students. They're not trying to preach, just get the students to think a little differently and see things from different perspectives. What's the harm in that? The same is true in Critical Thinking/Reasoning courses. Just look at the title of the course. The professor wants the students to think critically. So, what's the harm in getting them to attempt to think critically?

Some people will go as far to say that the education system is being taken over by the far-left end of the spectrum, politically speaking. What do these people want? For there not to be any questioning? Critical thinking? Logical reasoning for arguments? For everyone to be yes-people?

While it is true that there are more liberally-minded teachers than conservative ones. Why do you suppose this is? How much money does the average teacher make in a year? Many have to get a second job in the summer just to keep afloat. So, money and materialism are not motivators for the typical professor. Typical motivation is to make a difference in a person's life and to lead them down the right path. Who do you suppose would be more inclined to taking a job like that? Someone who thinks liberally or conservatively? More liberals than conservatives, that's for certain. So, I've got a solution. We pay the teachers more. This would motivate people from both sides of the spectrum to take on teaching. There would also be a great deal more competition for jobs all across the country, so more times than not, we'd get the best possible teacher to fit a spot.

Now, many college students are turning away from potentially teaching, because they feel the money involved would not be enough to provide them with a financially stable life, especially if they were to get married and bring children into this world. So, we are losing out on many potentially great teachers due to the lack of money involved. Pay them more money and we'll get more out of it. The students will benefit from this as well, because with better teachers, we'll see improvement in grades, even in the areas of math and science (where we've been struggling). When will politicians finally step up and do this? I haven't the slightest idea, but unfortunately, I'm not seeing it anytime in the near future.