problems with a teacher.

pski215 · #1 12-16-2008, 07:42 PM

I am currently taking a course known as Contemporary History (don't understand the name myself) and we are currently studying modern Terrorism/ Counter Terrorism and Middle Eastern affairs this all happens to be my forte. I know most of the history better than my teacher however I will not express my views on the forum or in the Classroom of my nationalism for Israel. I do look at the situation past, present and future from all perspectives although I feel the situation as an Israeli. Throughout this year I have had issue with this teacher almost ignoring me throughout class when asking questions he will briefly explain something and in some instances i will need more of an explanation, however now we are studying the Israel- Arab conflict and the history of it which he will ask ME questions etc. which I will gladfully answer from either perspective even though this teacher has said numerous things about Israel that I do not appreciate being said as some of it is not even factual. I still keep calm and finish all my papers, presentations, and exams however when a teacher being speaking about a student to another class saying how I am very biased towards Israel when I clearly have not been or I would have failed the course for sure, then I am told I have to change my views for this course etc. I feel this teacher has stepped on my rights, firstly because I have the utmost pride in my country, secondly because my family gave up so much I lost a cousin an uncle, my father was wounded and numerous other issues that I OBVIOUSLY WILL LOOK AT IT FROM AN ISRAELI PERSPECTIVE however he is telling me I cannot I really feel legal action has to be taken if he does not keep insisting on this is that too far, as I have asked him to stop because I view the whole situation as unbiased as possible.

primetime · #2 12-16-2008, 07:48 PM

I understand your frustration..But Legal Action? I'm not sure I understand what you're trying to do... Please explain further..its a little unclear.

blondboinsd · #3 12-16-2008, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pski215

I am currently taking a course known as Contemporary History (don't understand the name myself) and we are currently studying modern Terrorism/ Counter Terrorism and Middle Eastern affairs this all happens to be my forte. I know most of the history better than my teacher however I will not express my views on the forum or in the Classroom of my nationalism for Israel. I do look at the situation past, present and future from all perspectives although I feel the situation as an Israeli. Throughout this year I have had issue with this teacher almost ignoring me throughout class when asking questions he will briefly explain something and in some instances i will need more of an explanation, however now we are studying the Israel- Arab conflict and the history of it which he will ask ME questions etc. which I will gladfully answer from either perspective even though this teacher has said numerous things about Israel that I do not appreciate being said as some of it is not even factual. I still keep calm and finish all my papers, presentations, and exams however when a teacher being speaking about a student to another class saying how I am very biased towards Israel when I clearly have not been or I would have failed the course for sure, then I am told I have to change my views for this course etc. I feel this teacher has stepped on my rights, firstly because I have the utmost pride in my country, secondly because my family gave up so much I lost a cousin an uncle, my father was wounded and numerous other issues that I OBVIOUSLY WILL LOOK AT IT FROM AN ISRAELI PERSPECTIVE however he is telling me I cannot I really feel legal action has to be taken if he does not keep insisting on this is that too far, as I have asked him to stop because I view the whole situation as unbiased as possible.

Try talking to the teacher. Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Personally when I took Human Sexuality I had a teacher who pushed his homophobic views on the class with regards to Homosexuality. I simply raised my hand. Told him his religion belonged nowhere in our discussion and his views we're idiotic and groundless at best. I reminded him I would be more than happy to discuss his religion's shortcomings. He declined apologized and went on. I got an "A". It's school. Don't be afraid to step on their toes a bit, their humans just like you.

pski215 · #4 12-16-2008, 07:53 PM

I have spoken to him, he does not understand at all I explained it from every perspective possible I told him I have emotional ties with the conflict and it is hard for me to view it from another side as I have been involved in situations in Israel and I am in the IDF and will be completing my training. It is garbage that he is PUSHING other views on me and stating a student must view something from one perspective to pass the course.

B-Line · #5 12-16-2008, 07:58 PM

psk,

As a fellow Jew/Zionist, I 100% understand where you are coming from. Unfortunately, not everyone else does. There are even some Jews (Eric5273 for example) who do not understand our unwavering support for a country that:
A) Has always had a HUGE population of Jews, even when it was called Palestine and was a "territory".
B) Is also largely inhabited by survivors of the worst atrocity in the history of mankind and their decedents
C) Is bordered by and in proximity to: A huge population of Muslim countries and people who have one main thing in common, their universal hatred of a Jewish state, regardless of the Palestinian Conflict.

Having said all that, you can make a disciplinary action against the teacher. Note and date incidents where his view on politics are being unfairly forced on you.

But also realize, when you go to school, often times you are taught things that may be in conflict with your own personal beliefs. Could you imagine being Native American and having to learn US History and expansionism from the colonial point of view?

If you have ever been on a debate team, they will often make you debate a side you don't agree with. It's not about your beliefs, it's about an approved curriculum.

I would take your punches, get your grades, then right an OP ED piece for your school paper.

You also have the right to drop the class.

sbriscoe · #6 12-19-2008, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by B-Line

psk,

As a fellow Jew/Zionist, I 100% understand where you are coming from. Unfortunately, not everyone else does. There are even some Jews (Eric5273 for example) who do not understand our unwavering support for a country that:
A) Has always had a HUGE population of Jews, even when it was called Palestine and was a "territory".
B) Is also largely inhabited by survivors of the worst atrocity in the history of mankind and their decedents
C) Is bordered by and in proximity to: A huge population of Muslim countries and people who have one main thing in common, their universal hatred of a Jewish state, regardless of the Palestinian Conflict.

Having said all that, you can make a disciplinary action against the teacher. Note and date incidents where his view on politics are being unfairly forced on you.

But also realize, when you go to school, often times you are taught things that may be in conflict with your own personal beliefs. Could you imagine being Native American and having to learn US History and expansionism from the colonial point of view?

If you have ever been on a debate team, they will often make you debate a side you don't agree with. It's not about your beliefs, it's about an approved curriculum.

I would take your punches, get your grades, then right an OP ED piece for your school paper.

You also have the right to drop the class.

I think I would take this as solid advice; teachers are like everyone else. Good ones and bad ones. The good ones will take into account a student's background; I believe much of what is learned is depended on past experiences. However, if you get a bad one (lots out there) you are subject to their opinions and teaching style. Having served in Israel in late 73 & 74 as a young soldier I can relate (in a small way) to what you feel. When someone tells me Israel is to blame for some conflict in the Middle East I get pretty heated pretty quick. Most have “not a clue” as to what is going on over there and debate is based on opinion or what has been spoon feed by the media; not personal experience. I question “contemporary history”; studying current events and calling it history would raise a red flag. Sounds to me like the teacher is spouting personal opinion; not historic fact. I think it best to take the grade and react after; especially if the grade given seems biased and undeserved. Colleges are there to make money and a teacher that gets a bad review by students will not last long, especially if they are there to teach just one or two classes. Do other students in the class have similair objections?

pski215 · #7 12-16-2008, 08:03 PM

i used the native american point of view during one of his speeches about how the arab populous felt they were neglected because in the war of independence in 1948 and aswell as the 1956 war israel took land however they were provoked and in war land is taken yet he was saying it was wrong for israel to take land ( BY THE WAY HE DID A TOUR IN IRAQ) I said but your ancestors took land from the native americans and they didnt even attack you, his response was those were different times my response to that was so was 1948 and 1956 in which he replied they used modern thoughts (MADE NO SENSE TO ME WHAT SO EVER!

primetime · #8 12-16-2008, 08:04 PM

Like B-Line said, get the grades and move on...If you're talking about pressing charges because he "offended" you. You have no chance, in the classroom or the courtroom...

Even though it boils your blood...And I can imagine it does...Be smart about this. Get thru the class, get the grades and be done with the class and the teacher...

pski215 · #9 12-16-2008, 08:17 PM

i was thinking more along the lines of just threatening a suit on my civil liberties because he is telling me to believe in something i do not and maybe HE will stop being so one sided

primetime · #10 12-16-2008, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pski215

i was thinking more along the lines of just threatening a suit on my civil liberties because he is telling me to believe in something i do not and maybe HE will stop being so one sided

I'm telling you man...Do be foolish on this one. If you threaten a suit, he will more then likely not give you any breaks at all. You already know a lawsuit isn't in the deck of cards. And he'll know it too. Don't pull the lawsuit thing because it can't happen. And then how will you look? Don't give him any more reasons to make things even worse.. Just bite your tongue, get thru the class, and get the grade. Move on. Don't get hung up on stupid people. Because you will run into more of them in your life.. Trust me.