I need some perspective here.

My granddaughter just said, "My teacher wants McCain to be President. She thinks Barrack is a bad man. She doesn't like the thought of him wanting to take the people out of the war."

Does this have a place in the classroom? I'm furious, but my granddaughter thinks I'm overreacting. Am I?

when most Americans are against it.

The war will cost us trillions and has killed hundreds of thousands of Iraqis. Not to mention the 4,000+ US troops killed and 30,000 US troops wounded. Millions of Iraqis have been displaced because of the war. There are millions is Syria alone. No wonder why Syria hates our guts.

The teacher is obviously a right wing tool. It's totally inappropriate. Was this College?

Hence my fury.

This is outrageous.

(I have 3 kids)

If she came home saying this, I, too, would probably stop in and kindly ask the teacher within what context this was said, and perhaps even explain that I am anti-war and it is a value our family imparts to our children, etc. It wouldn't have to be confrontational, but I think you and your family are well within your rights to explain your concern.

My son was in preschool during the '04 (s)election, and one of his teachers was a big Bush supporter. He told me one day that she had said she was voting for Bush and later, I asked her about the conversation -- just trying to get a feel for how it all started -- kind of like you, I wanted to know if she was trying to impart her opinion on these little impressionable kids. She said that he had started the conversation! Lol, and it was very likely true, because he went to all the rallies and protests with me -- he lived that stuff. She told me he said that Bush's war was illegal and soldiers died and he didn't like that. It was great!

I actually have no problem with teachers talking about presidential races and stuff, but, opinions like this do not really belong in a third grade discussion. My daughter is eight, and I know her teacher has discussed many aspects of this presidential election -- mostly the fact that we have a woman and an African American running and how historical that is.

Anyway, sorry to ramble, but this stuff hits home with me big time. In your case, it likely wouldn't hurt for you or your granddaughter's parents just to poke their head in and kindly ask what kind of political discussions are happening in the classroom. I told that preschool teacher that our family did not support the war. In fact, I said, "Look at that little boy -- pointing to my son -- that's why I don't support Bush and his war!" It was pretty emotional, but in a good way. She and I had an understanding, although, she still voted for Bush!

On edit, in this case, I would also mention to the teacher that you are offended that the teacher would comment on Obama being a 'bad man' -- in the sense that that is purely an opinion, and that it contradicts your granddaughter's mother's opinion. I've been talking with my kids about this race, and they usually have an opinion that they will share even with adults on the candidates -- encourage your granddaughter to speak up, too, if she feels comfortable. And assure her that it is just an opinion that this woman has.

Good luck! :hi:

My granddaughter got concerned when I got upset. She asked me if I was going to make her teacher lose her job. I said, "No, but I'm going to make her shut her mouth."

I like your approach. I think I'll try it.

:rofl:

But the kids were asking her opinion. They wanted to have the conversation, according to my granddaughter. I'm having trouble drawing the line. If she said something bad about McCain, would I be upset? I think so, but maybe not?

I used to try to feel them out -- ease into it. These days, it's pretty easy to tell, because I run into some at political events and all.

edit typo

If she's really young, I think this kind of talk from a teacher is wrong -- if it is in a setting with older kids, where opinions are being discussed amongst the kids and the teacher, I'd probably think it was okay.

Personally, if it were my first grader's teacher saying this, I, myself, would likely say something to the teacher, but that's just me. My little guy is very impressionable, and any talk of war stuff really gets to him in weird ways (he told me once that he wanted to go to war to fight against Bush's army -- we've had to really sit and talk with him about what all this means and we have to be careful how we say things. They are just so young.)

As for my teenager, she can handle it -- her History teacher will even shy away from political discussion with her because he says she'll win anyway! :)

Teachers around here are not allowed promote political candidates or parties.

:hi:

Did you get my PM's?

I asked her if it bothered her that the teacher said that. She said, "Kind of, because mommy really likes him."

I mean, its not like they were having a real give and take discussion about it. It was an adult being a bit of a bully towards kids who follow their liberal parents.

If the teacher is teaching history or government and isn't open minded to other opinions then it's a problem. But I frequently had my teachers express their political opinions and learned a great bit from it even when I didn't agree with them.

Even if she said McCain was a bad man and Obama is great, she still shouldn't be pushing her views on the students. There's no telling what else she's been saying.

now if this was HS... ok fine, lets have a discussion

I would speak to the teacher or her principal.