Re: "Coming out..."

[Daniel Kronemann <kron4155@uidaho.edu>]

Don:

Wow.  You took that bad.

> Hello?  Did you actually read what I wrote?  There weren't a lot of big
> words, so it should have been obvious that I was replying to a prior
> message dealing exclusively with whether or not teachers should "come
> out" in school.

So if teachers can't come out, doesn't that send the message that
students shouldn't either?  And that they aren't safe?  Having been in
that situation, thats how I would take it.  This policy wouldn't just
affect teachers, but everyone.  Things we do have that affect.  Things
usually don't just affect the intended target but also have side-effects.

> Where on earth do you get off lecturing me on how compassionate I should
> be to my students, and what my stand on "pluralism and diversity" should
> be?

A former student, like many that you have now, that demands to be included
in any stand you have on pluralism and diversity.  However, if I was
lecturing, there would have been a test afterwards.

> I am a Social Studies teacher, not a psychoanalyst or a group
> sensitivity trainer.

Nor is anyone expecting you to be.  There isn't much academia in allowing
people to be honest.  No training required.

> If you want to get your oar in the water, get a teaching credential
> and join the fun.  Until then, don't presume to tell me how and what
> to teach in my classroom.

Just because I don't have a teaching degree doesn't mean I can't know
anything and therefore have no right to express my opinions.  An "If you
don't like it then do it yourself" attitude doesn't solve anything.
Maybe if you were open to more ideas you would find even better things use
to teach than what you've already go.  Just because you're a teacher
doesn't free you from learning more.