In March 2003, English Instructor Elizabeth Ito expressed her opposition to the Iraqi War during a ten minute talk in an English class. She was criticized by school administration and her contract was not renewed. In November 2008, fifth grade teacher Diatha Harris received a letter of reprimand from her principal after a highly publicized classroom discussion in which she referred to the war in Iraq as “senseless". Such examples should be reminders that the classroom is not an open forum for teachers to express or impose personal views and that controversial topics must be addressed with objectivity and balance.

When to Speak and When to Remain Non-Aligned

Political discussions should be a part of certain classes on all levels of academic instruction. Certainly these classes include History, Political Science, Philosophy, and similar humanities studies. It is the mark of a good teacher, however, to act as an impartial arbiter, able to steer both sides of the debate without taking sides. Students appreciate absolute impartiality and rely on instructor objectivity when they are graded.

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