"The reason for showing the speech on a CD should be for educational purposes ONLY. It is our understanding that President Obama's speech focuses on the importance of education, staying in school, working hard and taking responsibility. A teacher should not present his/her own political views in the classroom to include this speech given by President Obama."
I agree with the instructions, but take a very sincere disagreement with the format, y'all know me I'm not very quiet about something I don't adhere too. I feel like as Americans we don't "adhere" to the things that we all share as rights of being Americans. I also believe that we are too quick to look for other motives or issues when we want to dismiss something we don't particularly care for. (myself included if we're talking about t.u. football, arabian horses, or chickens...yuck) For example, listening to anything from a President of the United States we didn't vote for.(and no I didn't) But, that is the very essence of the problem I'm having with students not being given a greater opportunity to view this address. I even responded to our administration and here is the response I sent.
My response:
I feel that it is a sad choice for us as a district to not allow better access of viewing the President's speech. I can understand if it's because of technology issues not to view it live, but for a district like ours that is so focused on empowering kids, I believe we are missing out on a great opportunity. Maybe I'm wrong and having teachers go and get a copy to show their kids is the only option, but if it's not the only option then we are not serving the best interest of our students. We know, as educators, that by providing this option many of our students will not view the address, and those are probably the ones who would have been inspired most by such an event. Now we also know that if a parent makes a request for their student not to view the speech, then that is perfectly within their rights as a parent. (and we should be thankful to live in a country that allows those choices.) However, I believe we should find a more effective way of ensuring that our students view this address.
For the record, I'm not proactive for this because of any political affiliation but I will give you my view on our kids experiencing the President's speech. (My view that has been shaped by having family roots that trace back to the Alamo, and as a student growing up in this great district, and having witnessed firsthand the many changes and challenges it goes through and will continue to go through long after we're gone. ) First off, I'm a Texan and that comes with lots of responsibility to my family, community, and state. Secondly I'm an American (I know this sounds different than most views but it's mine) and as an American we are obligated to certain responsibilities one of which is being led by an elected official i.e. President Obama. Now, I didn't vote for the man and I have different beliefs on a lot of subjects, but I do respect the office. Our President is the leader of the greatest nation in the world, and that also bares lots of responsibility, but when he takes the time to address the children of this nation. As per his position he should have the respect of that request. I agree that as educators we should not lower ourselves in to the trivial party debates but instead emphasize the message and how the contents relate to our students. As United States citizens and educator's it is our duty to lead by example, and what example are we setting by not presenting a better way to comply with his request? Please reconsider the format that has been outlined and find a better way to have his message heard by our students.
Respectfully,
LB
Many of you would think the guideline of picking up a copy and showing it is fair procedure. However, I know our school life...and as a teacher if I have to go to the ordeal of ordering a copy and coordinating it's delivery then the chances of me showing it to my students greatly diminishes. Ultimately we struggle with kids that don't feel like they have any control over their education. They easily take the path to doing as little as possible, and scrapping by or dropping out. Is that the kind of future we want running our country? If the President's message were made available to a broader range of students that would increase the opportunity of making a difference in a kid's life, then that is worth all the effort.
I fully believe in the office of President of the United States. We know how advantageous FDR's fireside chats were to the "Greatest Generation", and how it helped generate the effort that led to winning WWII. If President Obama's speech generated a 1/10 of that inspiration, I would call it a success. However, the fact is that he is our President, and regardless of political affiliation if he as president wants to address the children of our nation then we should find a way to enable that. If the child's parent or the child themselves do not wish to view it, then that is their choice to make and accommodations should be made. In the meantime, find a way to meet this request in such a way that a majority of the students have access to the contents. Give them a glimpse into the responsibilities of being an American Citizen.
On a side note practice setting the example for a few other American procedures ( honoring moments of silence, observing federal holidays, standing for the national anthem, and taking your hat off for the Pledge of Allegiance). Keep those in mind when we're out and about exercising our American rights and freedoms. Enjoy the Labor Day weekend and be safe in your endeavors.
PS the part in my email referencing me being a Texan first....well I am, and I am damn thankful for it!!
Adios,
LB
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