The Teaching Atmosphere

As a government school teacher — 8th grade American History — for some 3O years in urban schools, I have seen the following:

1. An excellent academic 7th grade teacher, with fine character, told that "her expectations for students were too high." She returned to her native North Dakota to receive awards.

2. IEP (Individual Education Program) sheets for special ed students had to have the classroom teacher’s conference for placing and evaluation. Counselors would bring lengthy behavior forms to be filled in by several teachers and counselors. Most offensive were such questions as, "Is Johnny honest?" How would we know in a week or so of teaching?

3. A 9th grade American History teacher, seated at his desk, allowing his students to stand on desks and jeering “Heil Hitler” and creating bedlam during the pledge to the flag.

4. Team teaching in a library setting for 7th grade "House" groups that was completely undisciplined.

5. Refusal of a junior high to fly the American flag during the Viet Nam War years — a teacher union grievance quoting state law had to be initiated.

6. Academic non-union teachers shunned in their positions for their allegiance to excellence and character views.

7. Teachers who failed to receive administrative support when a disruptive student had as many as 4O referrals for being disruptive to the class.

8. An 8th grade counselor who approved of Dungeons and Dragons in Jr. High, and was rewarded by an appointment as a lead counselor in elementary schools.

9. A drug presentation to a junior high class that presented all the items for drug use, but warned that a teacher could not say, "No, don't use harmful drugs." It was left up to the youngster to decide.

10. In a Jr. High co-ed physical education class, when a sex ed class was in session, ditto sheets were presented complete with street sex slang so that all would be aware. Also a co-ed Jr High class where sex parts were labeled but no moral instruction was allowed.

11. Students wandering the halls on a daily basis, yelling in classes, wearing Hitler garments and yelling "Heil Hitler" into teachers rooms and marking swastikas in all the books.

12. Teachers presented new students in their classes who had been dismissed from state prisons, who had criminal records, of which the teacher had no knowledge as it might affect how the teacher would feel about this dangerous individual.

13. Teachers ignored when they found students smoking in the restrooms. When the student would be brought to the administration offices by the teacher, the administrator would say to the teacher, "Are you sure?" "Do you have the cigarette?" The student would dispose of it before coming in, and would listen to the teacher being questioned by the administration.

14. Grades changed over the summer to promote a student over the parent and teacher’s wishes, and without the knowledge of the teacher.

15. The elimination of much history, especially 8th grade American History where Patrick Henry, Benjamin Franklin, and other American statesmen were not mentioned.

16. Planned Parenthood gave regular "lessons" to captive students on sex matters during the health class periods. Pro-life folks were never offered equal time.

17. Whole language, team teaching, and counselors who were buddies to the students and asked that the students tell them, not their parents or teachers their concerns. Much of a Jr. High students time was spent in tattling sessions behind closed doors with the "counselor" — causing much mischief concerning parents, teachers, students.

18. With the dumbed down process used in 7th grade, 8th graders were really about 5th grade level in decision making and academics. As the years progressed, such became very clear. The question became, "What is happening to each new class when they come from 7th to 8th grade?"

19. Many parents were more immature than their wayward children as conferences brought parents that used foul language; defended, in all cases, their disruptive child; many appeared to support the drug culture. However, many super parents who sent their children to be educated were angry, rightfully, when the chaos-places were not preparing their children in ways civil and academic.

20. Good, academic teachers in the restructuring — from real schools to training places for the youth of the left — were loaded with uncontrollable druggies without administrative help to remedy the situation. The purpose was to drive out the teachers academically superior, to be replaced by the counselor/facilitator types. Unions would not protect the quality teachers, only those who were politically correct in their allegiance to the democrat party. Most teachers — about 95% — are of the left when schools should be neutral in presenting information.

This inside view from the government school might cause one to pause about these sites where there is so much amiss. You decide.

The human body can endure great hardship, error, chaos; but should a student or teacher have to when there is so much to learn, do and repair in our Republic? No.

Gene Malone is a retired American History teacher, opposing the national takeover of the local schools and children of parents wishing to be learned and free, under God.

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