In my first blog concerning President Obama’s speech to our nation’s children scheduled to air on Tuesday, I touched primarily on the reaction from our parents over the upcoming speech and the decision made by our school system as a result. While some of the anger expressed by parents was purely political in nature, in fairness to parents, some of it was undoubtedly fueled by the Department of Education’s suggested lesson plans for teachers to use as follow-up activities after the speech. Before I even discuss the initial lesson plans that were suggested, can we address the obvious? Isn’t the Department of Education a non-political entity? Their very involvement in this issue muddied the waters, as far as I am concerned. Did the DOE suggest lesson plans after Reagan or Bush’s speeches? Why this time?
At this point, what seemed like an important message to our students becomes something suspicious and tainted. Especially in light of the originally suggested activities. For example, in grades K-6, it was encouraged to have students “write letters to themselves about what they can do to help the president. These would be collected and redistributed at an appropriate later date by the teacher to make students accountable to their goals.” Furthermore, it was suggested that teachers “build background knowledge about the president of the United States by reading books about presidents and Barack Obama”. Whoa!!!!! Suddenly a speech about doing well in school and staying in school takes on a whole new meaning! Are we concerned about our children, or are we influencing children to support Obama and his future policies? And should our children by writing letters about how to help their president or how to help their country? This seems like dangerous territory to me, as I’m sure it did to parents.
To the Department of Education’s credit, they did realize their mistake and amended the suggested lesson plans to something more palatable, but by then, the damage was done. As a result, many districts like mine are probably being told not to show this speech. And unfortunately, if the message is powerful, which is very likely knowing President Obama’s style and eloquence, our students will be the losers. A sad ending to what I think was meant as an innocent and relevant appeal!
Teacher-World's Blog
Department of Education, Obama, Obama's speech to students, parents, teachers
What a hailstorm has erupted over the announcement of President Obama’s speech to school students nationwide on Tuesday! As a teacher, I must admit that my first reaction to the news was annoyance that after countless interruptions to my schedule hampering my ability to teach what I have planned to teach, now it was the president telling me that I had to put my educational plans aside to make way for his. And I am reticent to allow something to be viewed by my students that I have not had the opportunity to either preview or have a solid understanding of its content before I show it. I had concerns that the message might by political in nature, and not only would I be unwilling to participate in that, but I knew there would be concerned parents if this was the case. Then I heard a synopsis of Obama’s speech; to encourage students to work hard and stay in school. Since our superintendent left it up to individual teachers whether to show the speech or not and it airs during our lunch time anyway, I thought I would tape it, giving me the opportunity to determine my comfort level with the message expressed, and show it at a convenient time if I so chose. But that plan was thwarted when we received another email from our principal, this time saying that we were not to show the speech at all.
So what happened in a matter of one day to precipitate such a turn around? I believe parent reaction was largely responsible for this new decision, as I know that countless phone calls were received at the board office regarding this upcoming speech. And upon what was their reaction based? Some of it was probably purely political; a gut response to a president that they neither elected nor support. Some of it was probably fear over the possibility that the president might use this as an opportunity to mix politics with a pro-education message and their children would be caught in the crossfire. I think some parents worried about the follow-up activities teachers might use to reinforce President Obama’s speech.
I find it interesting that both George Bush and Ronald Reagan gave speeches to school children without the anger and accusations that surround Obama’s speech. It makes me wonder if this attitude is born out of the frustration and distrust of government which has seeped into our society, especially due to this terrible economy. Whatever the cause, we will not be watching the president’s speech on Tuesday, and apparently I will not be able to show it later even if I wanted to.
I am interested, as I am sure many of you are, in knowing how other school systems have handled this delicate situation. Leave a comment, and let us know what’s happening in your school on Tuesday and how you feel about it.
Teacher-World's Blog
Obama, Obama's speech to students, parents, teachers