My daughter's teacher is getting married...

[DallasApple]

Originally Posted by Heneni

This is not a debate forum...but i guess we will talk until we get our rope cut.

A teacher is suppose to hold to the highest ethics. If a child should raise the topic of gay marriages the teacher would still have to hold to a certain code when addressing these issues.

The teacher can have an opinion about it...but a good teacher would rather draw the opinion of the others kids and around that make an interesting discussion about it. But the moment the teacher says...I THINK YOU should think....she has entered the realm of using her influence to alter the thinking of the child. Escpecially for a third-grade class. When you talk to 18 year olds and you say, I think....they have the ability to think....well I dont think like you think. And they also know they dont have to.

But for the third-grade class,she is on shaky ground. Because not only is she influencing the children with her opinion, she is sure to be treading on the parents moral ground as well. Especially because some parents probably did not think their own kids were ready for such a discussion. That might be unreasonable to you and me...but a mothers territory scorned is like challenging a wounded bull. They are third-graders after all. Some parents dont want their childs teacher to be the parent, and I agree with them.

If the little third-graders raised the question of gay marriages themselves, i would think that she could have proceeded to tell them about the law change and what a gay marriage is. She could have also used her own upcoming marriage as an example, although she would have to demonstrate tact.

I dont know how the topic was raised. And i dont really think that there are serious issues here. But if my daughter came home and told me, her teacher is getting married to her girlfriend and that when she told the teacher she thought it was weird and the teacher told her she shouldnt think its weird....ill be up in arms. Not because she told my daughter about her marriage...but because she tried to alter my childs moral code by telling her it is right. I think she would have stepped over the line then. And id be a bull in more than my astrological sign sense. Id be equally up in arms if my daughter came home and told me her teacher told her that different sex marriages are wrong and she should feel the same way. Its just messing around with moral codes, and violating her own ethical code as a teacher.

There's a fine line between an open discussion and a platform.

It often happens that children want to discuss things that are not in the cirriculum...and a teacher can adress these issues if she maintains herself emotionally detached from the topic. However, the teacher mentioned in the OP was intricately emotionally involved in the topic.

Also, it is important to consider that when children raise issues...they are probably curious and maybe even ready to hear an explanation. But when a teacher raises a topic, which is not in the cirriculum ,and the topic is not only closely related to her life, but she is emotionally involved in the topic and above all, she will be unlikely to have an emotioanlly detached conversation about it....id say...she would be on 'dangerous ground'.

Love

Dallas

[DallasApple]

My third-grade daughter came home today and told us that her teacher (a woman) announced that she is marrying her roommate (another woman). The teacher told the class that people of the same gender can love each other and that a few months ago the Court made it legal for same gender couples to get married.

I do not believe for ONE second a teacher just stood up and made this "statement" to her classroom of 3rd graders...

I do NOT beleive that is how it went...

Love

Dallas

[Watchmen]

Originally Posted by DallasApple

I do not believe for ONE second a teacher just stood up and made this "statement" to her classroom of 3rd graders...

I do NOT beleive that is how it went...

Love

Dallas

I just confirmed it with her.

[Watchmen]

FYI: The "roommate" is well known by the students. She has visited several times, usually bringing her pet parrot or assisting the class in some way. So - the students knew exactly who the teacher was talking about when she made her announcement.

[gnomon]

Originally Posted by DisneyMan

My third-grade daughter came home today and told us that her teacher (a woman) announced that she is marrying her roommate (another woman). The teacher told the class that people of the same gender can love each other and that a few months ago the Court made it legal for same gender couples to get married.

While I don't oppose gay marriage, it came as a bit of a surprise. We already knew the teacher was gay. But it was also a teaching opportunity. My daughter's reaction was "it's weird!" But we were able to discuss what we believe and what other's believe and how everyone has the freedom to make choices and we shouldn't limit other people's choices just because of what we believe.

Bravo all around.

When I was in grade school the health and welfare of our teachers seemed to be a common topic.

If the kids asked who she was marrying then bravo to the teacher for not doing something unethical....

like lying.

[needle]

This is why I chose to be a full time parent, and educate my children personally. We are very close, and they have no problem with discussing anything ordinary or out of the ordinary with me. They know very well my stand on these issues, and why I have taken these stands. For me, I detest homosexuality, drunkeness, adultry, plunder, lawlessness, abuse and any other animalistic behaviors. Children have a right to be raised by individuals who are strong enough to say no to these illicit behaviors.

[gnomon]

No wonder our society sucks.

[Watchmen]

Originally Posted by needle

They know very well my stand on these issues, and why I have taken these stands.

And my daughter knows exactly where I stand too. And now she knows other people make different choices and...guess what...they're not monsters!

In fact, this may be her favorite teacher yet (and mine too).

[codebar]

You say you are of Mormon faith. Do they believe that Homosexuality is a moral way to teach children?

[Watchmen]

Originally Posted by codebar

You say you are of Mormon faith. Do they believe that Homosexuality is a moral way to teach children?

I am an active Mormon. I follow the teachings of the Church and attend each Sunday. I have a "temple recommend" (if you know what that means). I have a calling to teach the Elders every month. I am of the Mormon faith.

Do Mormons believe Homosexuality is a moral way to teach children?

I'm afraid you'll have to rephrase your question as it doesn't make sense. "Homosexuality" isn't a "way" to "teach." Do you mean, Do Mormons believe it is moral to teach homosexuality to children? If so, your question is irrelevant. I taught my daughter the Mormon teaching that a man and a woman should be married in God's temple time for time and all eternity. I also taught her that not everyone makes the choice. Not every Mormon gets married in the temple and not every person is a Mormon - we're definately a minority. People choose to be Mormon or not. People choose to get married in the temple or not. And, yes, some people of the same gender fall in love and choose to get married. In California, this is completely legal - it is reality.

Bottom-line, I taught her LDS beliefs while teaching her tolerance. There's almost nothing worse than an LDS prude.

And, the late Gordon B. Hinckley, president/prophet of the church, emphasized loving our neighbors and accepting them. I'm sure LDS will argue that doesn't mean embracing homosexuality. I don't think that's what he meant either. But I do think he was asking use to be tolerant of those who are different than us. Homosexuals fall into that category.