My daughter overheard her teacher say Trump is a terrible President. Should I report her to the school board?

Question

She was at her locker after school (this happened Thursday on the second day of school) and she heard her teacher say Trump is a terrible parent. She also heard her talking about her family voting more libertarian this time and how she is a fan of AOC and then something about where to go to dinner that night. My daughter said she went back to get her track shoes. She looked in the classroom and her teacher was talking to who I assume is her boyfriend (she said her teacher showed pictures on a slide show on the first day last week). After that, she told the person “I love you, too” and got off her phone.

I don’t think teachers should talk badly about the president even if school is out and kids are gone because my kid overheard it. We like Trump, and I honestly don’t want her as my kid’s teacher now knowing she doesn’t like the President. We are in a very rural district and it’s a very -red- community. I don’t want my kid graded with bias.

ttnnkkrr · Accepted Answer

report for what exactly. be objective.

let me back my trolley truck up a bit. i absolutely and unequivically disopprove of the representation of personal or moral narratives by any government run institution. i dont give a rats ass if they are tge ring leader of everything i think is right. its just not tge purpose.

now back to the top. report for what? for excercising free speech? for having inappropriately having an innocent conversation with a significant other? what exact rule was broken. this is the only thing tgat will distinguish you from a right wing looney and liberal left socialist idiot (oops did i just reveal my opinion ) . you really gotta have a clear violation of specific policy, local, or federal law.

what maybe is kind of tge unheard of centered action might be to contact the instructor directly. and in tge most unaccusitory tone possible ask questions.

what are her views on schools and politics
are students allowed to take urgent calls in classromes before or after class.

follow up with what your thoughts are on these subjects. try to come to common ground.

finish the conversation with very clear short sentences about what you expect going forward. now and only now do you reveal the purpose of the call. but make it clear that there is no need to explain or apologise. that you are only trying to understand both sides and share your thoughts.

at this point if what comes next is un favorable advise what your understanding of violation of policy has occured and that you will discuss the matter further with the superintendent. do not attempt to communicate what if any repercussion if any may result or your expectation is. if tge result changes you are done but if not tgen you follow up as described.

errorgoodnameunfound · Accepted Answer

Don't take action until really needed, or it'll cause a mess. Also, you should be relieved she claimed to be more libertarian specifically as it makes her a lot more likely to be fair than either a right or left winger. Despite being also a "AOC fan" which seems a bit contradictory, I have doubts the teacher will be too biased or else it's possible she may have shown it already.

Also, I think your last paragraph mislead a lot of people here to where you had to update and clarify, but it does seem you yourself have a bit of a bias and paranoia. It's OK to feel nervous about bias against your daughter, therefore her grades, but a teacher's job is to teach/grade unbiased in the end.

I'd be much more worried about random strangers around while wearing anything even remotely political. Even rural communities are still connected by roads which thousands from anywhere travel on daily. Hell, simply having something like a Walmart or McDonalds around puts your community MUCH more on the radar than if it doesn't.

yucychan · Accepted Answer

I don't understand your argument.
You are free to support whichever presidency you want. Your child's teacher also has the right and freedom to support whichever presidency she wants.
I only see it as an issue when the teacher directly and explicitly forces her personal opinions on the students.
As of now, your kid only overheard or eavesdrop on her teacher's private and personal conversation. As long as the teacher is effective and clear in her teachings and your kid excels in class, I don't see why you have to be so nit-picky and unreasonable over it.

Brokenheartedx · Accepted Answer

Teachers can say whatever they like in their own time, she was on school property so she should keep opinions to self and keep her views until she gets in

To many teachers and college lecturers have to many opinions of their views than teach kids and prevent bullying... If they put more effort into that school would be a happier place for children

Barry88 · Answer

People have different opinions. That's a part of politics. I'm not sure how old your daughter is, but she needs to learn that there are people who like and support the president, and that there are people who like and support other politicians. Her teacher supports AOC, so what? She might have different political views, and your daughter got aware of that because she heard a phone call, but the simple fact that her teacher said something negative about president Trump (not even in class, but in a phone call which was supposed to be kind of private) isn't a justified reason to report her. That would be different though if she would treat persons who support Trump differently, or if she would express her own political views all the time during class, while talking negative about the president during class. But that doesn't seem to be the case. Of course, when that's the case, you can take action. But probably your daughter will tell you when that would happen. That some teachers suppressed kids freedom to like Trump doesn't mean that this teacher is just the same. That she doesn't live in your area isn't relevant either.

ulfdano · Answer

The question here is what do you really want your daughter to learn? Do you want her to learn everyone has the right to an opinion and speech? Or, do you want her to learn that people should be punished for where they express their opinion?
I believe conversation should be tailored to the environment but in this case, the environment was a woman alone in her place of work with no known audience, having a private conversation.
If fearful of your daughter being treated differently for supporting Trump, you jeopardize your daughter more by reporting. Especially if the teacher is not reprimanded, which is likely given the context of the environment. However, you also risk ruining a woman's life if she loses her job for something that happened AFTER hours.
Arguably, considering the amount of information your daughter overheard, she was eaves dropping. That is ill-mannered and should be corrected, not the teacher. Your daughter would not have heard anything from her teacher had she been responsible and initially remembered her track shoes. What your daughter heard was her own fault and even yours for not instilling better behavior. You don't want your daughter graded for bias when you are bias saying you don't want this woman as her teacher. That's harshly hypocritical. More importantly, if you can't hear criticism of something you support or believe in, you should ask yourself why that is. No one is above reproach.
She could also hear these things in public, from other students or on social media. So in reality, you're not protecting her from anything.

jakerson181 · Answer

Is he a terrible president or a terrible parent? Do you want to take another shot at your "story".

Regardless, teach your daughter not to eavesdrop on other people's private conversations. It's rude and ill mannered. Report your daughter to the school board and request she be suspended. Then, maybe she'll learn some manners.

And what does her teacher's political beliefs have to do with her ability to teach your daughter the school's curriculum? How would your daughter be graded with bias since her teacher doesn't know what your daughter's political beliefs are, just the other way around? I'm more concerned about your daughter being raised by you than I am being taught by her teacher. I hope you're just trolling but if you really think you should "report this to the school board", you've got serious issues.

Texaskid1 · Answer

Based on your description it seems like your kid was eaves dropping on the teacher's private conversations. Just because a teacher has their own private opinions does not mean they are going to try to impose their own ideas on the students.

"about where to go to dinner that night."

"After that, she told the person “I love you, too” and got off her phone."

Wow , are you really concerned with these details of the teacher's private life? Are you going to follow the teacher around also? Maybe you can find out what she had for breakfast or what color socks she is wearing and report that too.

hellionthesagereborn · Answer

It was during a private conversation so their is no issue here. Now if she does start to treat your daughter differently because of it, THEN their is an issue and you need to address it. However what is not okay is presuming that she will simply because of her beliefs (the irony is this is precisely what your concerned about yet are doing to her). You do not get to punish some one for a wrong doing never commited, that is immoral, unjust, and unamerican. If however she does wrong, then and only then should you do something about it because that is moral, just and the American thing to do.

JackSmy · Answer

OMG!!! CALL the POLICE NOW!!! Oh, wait the Dumbocrat Liberals are disbanding the POLICE, so we can be 'SAFER', Right?
And of course, you post as a COWARD, and "Anonymous"!! OH, and it is all “Here say” as you said you daughter told you this, or did you just make it up?
Ever heard of the First Amendment? FREEDOM OF SPEECH? Teachers have that right too!! Just like you, bitching that she said something you disagree with!
GROW UP! People CAN DISAGREE!! Why is it that SOOOOOO many Liberals, DUMBOCRATS just want to BULLY, and HATE on people that disagree with their bullshit?
Why should anyone listen to you, over Her? EVERYONE HAS THE RIGHT TO SAY WHAT THEY THINK, in the US!!
Because you are judging, condemning and trying to control, makes you one of those BULLIES!! You intimidate people, when they disagree with you!! Shame on you!!!

dmgstarfleet · Answer

First, I assume your name is Katen because you truly embody the term. Teachers have first Amendment rights too. She did not say that to her students; she said it in a private conversation which YOU were eavesdropping on. Secondly, what she said is objectively TRUE! Trump is an awful President; Historians already rank him as possibly the worst in History. He is a failure, fraud and a criminal. I’m just glad he is taking down the whole Republican Party with him. They are now all batshit crazy! Get lost Karen

BeenThereLovedIt · Answer

So she "heard" or "overheard".. depends on where and when the teacher said it, as freedom of speech is important. If your daughter just happened to be in accidental earshot, then there's nothing to complain about. If the teacher was using the classroom or marching up and down the halls to preach anti-trump slogans, then that's a different story.

And as a sidebar - Trump has been especially hostile to teachers and academia - they have every right to be upset with him and I wouldn't be bothered to hear that they are voicing that opinion.

DanielStark · Answer

Oh, sadly you are out of luck. I remember when I was in college I had to pretend to be a liberal or I would get lower marks. We live in 1984, you just gotta adapt to it the best you can. Progressivism is like a religion to these people, their bible is the MSM programming and they are it's acolytes. The social engineering tools that corporations have are powerful and ubiquitous. The future is bleak. Personally I have given up on the USA and plan to move to Eastern Europe sometime soon. Corporations have less power there and my descendents will be safer than they would have been in america. It's going to get worse and worse as the USA becomes weaker. Life expectancy was already falling in this country before corona, and 150,000(mostly white) kill themselves every year (mostly with drugs), up from 30,000 in 2005. I advocate a migration back to our ancestral lands as the most viable option at this time. Better now then when it gets really bad.

meetkitty123 · Answer

it isn't wrong to discuss politics in school that's where we learn it for heaven's sakes we have to learn to accept our differences this post just boggles my mind not everyone is going to agree with your daughter and she needs to learn to accept that so she can grow to be a confident productive member of society and you As her parent should be teaching her that it is okay and acceptable for people to have different opinions likes interests and cultural beliefs.

Now if the teachet was talking to her lover in a inappropriate manner in the classroom on the phone then that's what you should be concerned about not politics.

BadMedicine95 · Answer

If she expressed her feelings in what she was assuming privacy, then it shouldn't be assumed she's gonna grade on a bias. Depending on the requirements your school district has for teachers to be hired, she is probably a professional and will act as such. If your daughter expresses class is going off topic or she's being miss treated, then you should bring it up to the appropriate authorities of the school. Encourage your daughter to participate and be friendly and kind and helpful. If your daughter maintains a respectful relationship with her teacher and the class, there's no reason for the teacher to be disrespectful or play favorites. If you report something now, it will only make things worse for your daughter, and the teacher.

Friendlybro79 · Answer

What if your daughter one day gets a job and her boss has different beliefs? Should she quit? What if a friend has different outlooks should she not be friends?

I know you say you don't care what she believes in so then care that people have different beliefs and you're daughter won't be able to surround herself with just like minded people all the time. Use this as a lesson to not judge or stereotype people because they're different than you or believe different things. It's a good lesson to learn how to be around others who think differently. Challenge yourself and your kid to be stronger willed than this.

You might be teaching your kids that different beliefs than hers are bad and you should not evert entertain or tolerate it. A matter of fact when you hear anything you don't like run away

J_Fitz · Answer

Don't be THAT parent. Just tell your daughter to ignore it. She wasn't even talking to the students. Just like you are saying that the teacher shouldn't treat your daughter any different because of her beliefs, you shouldn't treat the teacher differently because you found out she has different views.

Schnoa9546 · Answer

Politics aren’t meant to be taught in schools. However in this case your daughter overheard a private conversation. Even if you did report her nothing would happen because teachers have the right to believe whatever politics they want and talk to people (outside of their work) about it.

NikolaiIvanov · Answer

I think the school board won't listen to your complaint , tyranny is legal in your country is what I suppose from this. It's great that you have your own views too sad the people who live in your country don't believe in their president and publicly defame themselves and only come out as stupid in the eyes of the world. Everyone has the right to have their own political views and some amount of respect should be given to the person in charge of the country. I hope you have a great day and stay safe.

Barfyman362 · Answer

I think it would be counterproductive if you did. I’m a Trump supporter myself, but as long as the teacher isn’t pushing her politics on your child or using it as grading criteria then it may just be a little annoying. It also is good to have your child exposed to differing viewpoints early especially if they are able to maintain a positive teacher-student relationship. I will say, I was conservative throughout school, and always had liberal teachers. When I had to write papers that were political in nature, I always stick to my beliefs and my teachers respected that. Now I will say, when I got to college, I had some professors that I had to bullshit and act more liberal in my discussions and writing. She may have to do that in the future but that’s okay! It encourages critical thinking!

Lliam · Answer

People are entitled to their opinions. Your daughter happened to eavesdrop on a private conversation. Did the teacher ever express those views in the classroom or to any of her students? Did the teacher intimidate your daughter in any way for wearing a Trump shirt?
If the teacher didn't do any of those things, then you would be behaving like a Karen for reporting her and trying to cause her harm.

Don-_-Don · Answer

You shouldn't report her for overhearing a private conversation.

However, if it's your daughter being mistreatded over her beliefs, when I would say that may be worth reporting about, but you need clear evidence, don't report because that's what you simply assume to be the case.

Tamera952 · Answer

Are you kidding me? Sounds like you'd be a 'karen' if you took the time to go complain. Let it go. ...(dont you have better thing to worry about?)
Besides, the teacher is right -- Trump is a despicable person, a terrible parent, and a piece-of-shit grifter-con-man masquerading as a legitimate president.

1truekhaleesi · Answer

Oh my god you are such a Karen. hahahahahahaaha when she treats your daughter differently, you can worry. Its not like she gave an indepth presentation on why Trump is a dumbass. She overheard her outside of the classroom. I would say you should try teaching your daughter to respect others opinions but I know she learned this from you

2Lips · Answer

I’m sorry I thought this was America. If you want to report people who don’t support your leader then you’ll probably feel better by moving to North Korea.

Hawner · Answer

Sri, you want your kid raise with only one version of the story, the one that suits you, instead of a more plural vision of the world? That teacher is no killer, no raper, she is not disrespecting the kids... She is telling things as she sees them because she has the right to it and not be judged by people of the contrary opinion.
You don't want your kid taught by her? That is fine, just change the school to one that only teaches what you want. Leave the teacher alone.

SystemOfTheMachine · Answer

Uh oh, someone was caught using their first amendment right on their cell phone after work. Looks like it is time to turn her in, she needs to be re-educated.

Good thing your child caught her. We really should be teaching our youth to keep their ears and eyes open for non-believers. People let their guard down around children and we need to catch all these unpatriotic infidels and point them out to the secret police.

Miristheiss · Answer

I didn't quite catch the details.

If this teacher was just in a private conversation with someone, perhaps another teacher then that is their prerogative.

If they are in front of a class, trying to pass on their own private political beliefs onto students then they should be reported. Teachers are not to do that.

Imcmullan · Answer

That's like saying your daughter should be suspended for wearing a trump shirt. Differences of opinions teaches tolerance. Just bc u don't agree with her political beliefs doesn't mean she can't be a good teacher. Relax.. act like its 2020 n get over yourself.

Mishan97 · Answer

Your daughter was eavesdropping on her private conversation. She’s not talking about her personal views in the classroom or during her lessons or trying to influence her students views. It makes no sense to report her the teacher did nothing wrong. Last time I checked we don’t live in a dictatorship and it’s not a crime to talk bad about or criticize our leadership.

Surely · Answer

She has the right to her own opinions, just like you do.
Until she writes a question like that on your daughter's test and marks it wrong if she doesn't answer correctly, to the teacher's thoughts, there isn't much to do.
If she would bring Trump up in class, your daughter could ask her to explain her opinion with current facts.

NarutoUzumaki007 · Answer

I would normally say yes. I am a trump supporter as well

but since your daughter "overheard" it , that means it wasn't the intention of the teacher to teach that to your kid

she wasn't actively teaching your child or brainwashing her against trump or anything like that. She has the right to believe whatever she wants so it's okay if she thinks trump is a terrible president as long as she is professional in her teaching and treats your kid equally as others

acooke-13 · Answer

A school board won't listen to that complain, because it's stupid. If your daughter doesn't want to be treated differently she probably shouldn't wear a T-shirt that could be controversial, just like I wouldn't wear a Boris Johnson T-shirt around. Keep the shirt for in the house.

ShortCircuit · Answer

If the teacher was on break, she has every right to talk on the phone about hating Trump or loving her boyfriend or whatever. I understand and share your concern about teachers indoctrinating kids, but I just don't see a problem as long as the teacher wasn't lecturing to the class about her political views.

Also... what kind of "libertarian" likes AOC? I'm revoking her libertarian card.

JustJasmine01 · Answer

Karen, please you sound very ignorant. Everyone is entitled to voice their own opinion. First of all, what she said was not intended for your daughter to hear she just happened to hear it. Second, if you would have heard a teacher saying she didn't like Obama or something you would not be on here asking this question, besides she was stating the facts, Trump is an idiot.

Anonymous · Answer

Whether you like Trump or not is up for debate, but a teacher who promotes AOC should be fired. Anyone teaching nullifies their credentials at the suggestion of AOC, if you support her policies and plans its obvious your critical thinking is compromised and shouldn't be allowed to teach. That being said if this were after hours, you can't really do much, but keep your eyes out especially if they do something during class. I personally like Trump, but polite debate is welcome and should be encouraged. Most of my teachers were liberals and they called me a bigot in elementary and high school. I grew up in rural Wisconsin. Most of the newer teachers are liberal, but only the older ones called me a bigot. There is much worst being taught to your children than just political complaints.

Whatthefluff · Answer

The teacher is not actively attempting to sway any students' political beliefs. She was on her phone, alone, having a private conversation. She did not tell your daughter anything about Trump or politics; your daughter chose to report details of someone's private conversation.

thepirate18 · Answer

That's her personal opinion. If at all there is a debate then tell your child to participate in it and prove that Trump is right. Every person has their own opinion. So let's not judge. If your child changes her liking towards Trump then that can happen only if she gets to know the worst things of him.

NamerOfStars · Answer

A lack of bias is a condition that doesn't occur in humans. The teacher has the same right to criticize the president as anyone else does. Sooner or later, your children are going to be exposed to ideas that you disapprove of- would you rather they had no practice at examining ideas and deciding for themselves whether to accept or reject them?

Astarlessnightsky · Answer

if your daughter was "evesdropping" its not the teacher who is to blame. In a private conversation people can say whatever they want.

AcidT0y · Answer

If it wasn't in school hours then who fucking cares. Teach your kid not to eavesdrop, it's rude. Sounds like she spied on a whole conversation if she heard all that.

"I'm worried about my daughter's freedom to like the president."
You're talking about trying to get someone fired for not having the same opinion as you. Get the fuck out of here talking about freedom 🤣🤣🤣

Absolute fucking clown

Anonymous · Answer

WTF is with people these days wanting to report anything and everything. It's your teachers opinion, nothing you can do other than to tell your daughter to ignore her teacher. It was a privet conversation, it's not like she forcing your daughter into believing Trump is a terrible president. Would you report the teacher had daughter over heard them say Obama was a terrible president?

Anonymous · Answer

You want to censor what someone says at work off hours, in a private conversation? You're insane. No wonder so many people are up in arms about free speech and censorship. It's because of people like you who push it to the extremes of reasonablness. Then there's all this push back against it, when there needn't be. Common sense should prevail but it's gone out the window now.

Don't pretend that this isn't about your beliefs clashing with hers.

Anonymous · Answer

Report her for what? Using her right to have an opinion? Like it or not, you share the world with other people who are going to have different opinions than your own. You'd be doing your child a disservice to teach her to only surround herself with people who agree with her. You can't grow like that. Can't improve if you're always told there's only one way and you're always perfect. Would you have even thought of removing your kid from school if the teacher said they didn't like president Obama?

The_Sal · Answer

I would report her but schools and universities are under democratic control so the teacher will not be punished.
If she bashed Joe biden she would probably be fired.
"orange man bad" is just a stupid trend and people are just mad a masculine manly man is in office.

Pighttussy · Answer

Yes. You should report her. Political opinions have no place in an academic decorum. Children should be taught to choose for themselves and think beyond what is presented as mere facts. The teacher outright dictating her opinion on a politucal topic is unacceptable. Not to mention this could also lead to discrimination and partiality if the teacher finds out your or your daughter has a different opinion.

joeblow123 · Answer

If we were dealing with old school Blue Dog Democrats I would say that reporting her is going overboard but today we are dealing with communists and because of that I say report her. They will interpret kindness for weakness. That is something we Trump supporters need to keep in mind.

Anonymous · Answer

I honestly don’t understand your way of thinking. If you have the right to have an opinion, why shouldn’t she? She said it privately, assuming no ones around. It wasn’t like she tried to force her ideals into others.

It feels like you are hurt because someone had a different opinion than you, and it really doesn’t make sense. Everyone is allowed to have their own opinions about certain things/people.

And to be quite frank, I am not the biggest fan of Trump, either.

OfDeath · Answer

You are worried about other people expressing political opinions near your kids but you dress your children in political propaganda. That is absolutely disgraceful. You should allow your children the freedom to make their own political choices and don't indoctrinate them.

Twalli · Answer

So a teacher shouldn't say anything you don't like? She didn't say it during school, she didn't say it to a student, and she didn't say it with the intention of any student hearing her. Unless there is some evidence your daughter is being treated differently because of her political views you're being very bigoted.

BeMuse · Answer

Who cares? She has freedom of speech and is entitled to her own opinion. It’s not the 1950s and this isn’t the Soviet Union. You reporting your teacher for having an opinion isn’t going to get her dragged off to the gulag...

Anonymous · Answer

Karen, anyone can say things like that in their spare time.  #teacherslivesmatter

jon28805 · Answer

It would be one thing if the teacher was speaking to her class and she said that she didn't like Trump. But, there were no students in her room and your daughter just happened to overhear a private conversation. I don't think the teacher did anything wrong. It seems like you're upset that the teacher doesn't like Trump. As Trump himself said... "it is what it is".

codyccc · Answer

No she was expressing her opinion in private conversations

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

The teacher has a right to say she doesn't like Trump and criticize Trump as she see fit.

You would have a legitimate argument if the teacher during class was trying to impose her political beliefs on your kid which she wasn't doing.

Junior42 · Answer

You're a fucking moron for thinking you should report that teacher or maybe just have a talk with her and say hey that made my daughter feel uncomfortable next time could you watch what you're saying infront of the kids that's all

skeetskeetskeet · Answer

Im not taking sides on id he is or isn't i just think you really need to get a fucking clue what the world is like... your going to hear shit you dont agree with... probably quite often... and nobody gives a fuck about all the bullshit snitching you do so just stop

NorthwestRider · Answer

We found the stupid ass Karen who hates freedom of speech. What a stupid idiot you are, you know that people are allow to say things about your Daddy Trump right?

sejla · Answer

Probably not appropriate to say it at work but to be honest President Trump makes my brain hurt. Counting the days until early voting. She didn’t say it while there were any students in the room so I see no point in addressing it to her superiors.

coffeewithcream · Answer

You seem to be the biased one.  The United States is a democracy, which means it contains a variety of opinion. It sounds like you are intolerant.

Konabeana · Answer

It is none of your business to report her if your daughter overheard her teacher saying this. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. This is none sense.

worldscolide · Answer

it was a private conversation.. That having been said if she were to talk about it in front of class id report it. its not the teachers job to teach politics nor is it their job to teach an ideology of any kind, left or right.

BlueEyedBirdWatcher · Answer

If you really want to sure, it was a private conversation so nothing will happen but you will at least learn a little bit about the society you live in.

BriBriSmith · Answer

I thought free speech was what America was all about 😂. Part of free speech is being entitled to and expressing your own opinion, thoughts and ideas

My daughter overheard her teacher say Trump is a terrible President. Should I report her to the school board?

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