tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044032495204746287.post4062472581330747214..comments2023-11-03T06:34:42.721-07:00Comments on firstyearteacher: Michele Robertshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09269322863624799070noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8044032495204746287.post-27541068794495402232009-10-30T12:38:33.545-07:002009-10-30T12:38:33.545-07:00Hi Michele -
When I was a public school elementa...Hi Michele - <br /><br />When I was a public school elementary teacher (first and second grades) I began studying the Bible with Jehovah's Witnesses and did some independent research on the holidays. Because of what I discovered in both secular and religious literature, I made a personal decision not to celebrate any holiday which I found to have pagan roots, including Christmas.<br /><br />When I made this known to my students, I explained that we would do other special activities in place of the typical traditions, and they were delighted by that. And although some parents and a few teachers thought I was mean and perhaps a devil worshipper, most everyone else was fine with it. In fact, like you, other teachers sent me their witness students, and some even confessed that they envied me for my strong stand and not "giving in" to others' desires.<br /><br />Eventually I decided that I needed to inform my principal about what I was doing, and I was a tad scared about that conversation. However, she was wonderful! She totally approved, saying, the exhorbitant amount of classroom time spent by other teachers on the holidays takes so much time away from the more important things, like teaching reading, writing, and arithmetic. She applauded me for "doing the right thing" and said she hoped my example would rub off on some of my colleagues. <br /><br />I know how difficult it can be to stand up to others, especially your fellow teachers. Remember though, what you are doing is not wrong. In fact, if you dig into your state's educational bi-laws, you will find that there is a regulation saying that if a teacher does anything relating to any religion in their classroom, then one must give comparable teaching time to each of the world's five main religions. (Of course very few teachers or schools actually comply with this.<br /><br />Don't let others influence you in a negative way, Michele, and I hope your experience will be as good as mine. Keep up the good work.<br /><br />CindyCAThttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08307220306506478399noreply@blogger.com