Picture this - I have just come off a glorious Christmas break with very little interest in going back to class. So I walk in to my first class on my first day back (late I might add) and get settled as my Professor is making a little introduction of himself. The usual items are addressed; name, where he grew up, interests and/or hobbies. Yadda yadda... Then he drops a bomb. I may have been in a rage induced black out because I cannot really remember exactly what he said but here goes from my memory "I am a left wing supporter. If you share this political view we will get along. If you do not, I will challenge you on your beliefs and where you base your importance."
I shouldn't have used quotation marks, because that was definitely not a word for word quote. But pretty darn close. This is my Educational Administration Prof who will be teaching us about the laws within education. I get that you have your views and you are entitled to your expression, but is this really an appropriate setting? He continued to make digs at my man Brad Wall and how the current government could learn a thing or two from previous leaders. Are you freakin kidding me? This province is finally prosperous!!
Again, I am going to take a step back. My purpose here is not to stir up a political debate among teachers but to ask the necessity of his comments. As teachers we are told to stay neutral in the classroom and give our students every opportunity to forge their own ideologies. Hypocritical much, Mr Professor? There is a time and place for politics, and I feel he was way out of line. He is in a very powerful position as most young adults are still developing their personal political ideologies.
If he wants to talk about politics, I will not be backing down this semester. His feble attempt to indoctrinate the future teachers is pathetic and extremely unethical - and this is who I will be learning the law from?
What are your thoughts? Is this type of behaviour or conversation acceptable or not?
