Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Splat · 10-31-2002, 09:26 AM

I'll throw in my support for reporting the incident to your parents, the principal, and/or a member of the school board (NCSE is good too).

If you're worried about the teacher taking revenge, explain this too. Discretion is appropriate in cases like these.

If nothing else, this teacher is spreading lies. If he were telling kids that pi can be rounded to 3, or that AIDS isn't caused by a virus, he'd be called on the carpet. No difference here.

RufusAtticus · 10-31-2002, 10:02 AM

Anderson,

I would also talk to your biology teacher and express your concerns that the health "teacher"--probably a coach, right?--is purposely acting to undermine biology education. A chemistry teacher in the midwest got repremanded a few years ago for trying to "correct" the education his students were getting in biology classrooms. He eventually resigned because of it.

After that, I'd have fun by challenging your health teacher to back up his claims. When class starts next raise your hand and say you have a question about a previous class. Then say you looked at your biology textbook (or something like that) and couldn't find the names of the "scientists" who have disproved evolution and in fact found losts of names of scientists that have established it as the core theory of biology. Then ask him who these people were who have disproved it.

Also consider calling him on evolution is "just" a theory by asking if HIV causes AIDS is "just" a theory. If he ends up having as much doubt in HIV as he does evolution, that is really a sign that he shouldn't be teaching health class.

joedad · 10-31-2002, 10:14 AM

Anderson,

Teachers can intimidate but not harm you. Take this dude on to whatever degree you feel comfortable, and keep us informed.

joe (another atheist uncle in his forties)

Anderson · 10-31-2002, 11:52 AM

After reading all of your suggestions I've decided to write a brief letter to the principal about it.

And yes, he is a coach. I don't understand why the gym teacher is teaching health. The man can barely spell his own name.

RufusAtticus · 10-31-2002, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Anderson:
After reading all of your suggestions I've decided to write a brief letter to the principal about it.

Good, remember to point out that Health Coach is trying to undermine the instruction of the biology teacher. (At least, I hope your school's biology teacher doesn't say that evolution is "just" a theory.) Also, if you can get your parents support for such a letter it will be more persuasive.

Quote:

And yes, he is a coach. I don't understand why the gym teacher is teaching health. The man can barely spell his own name.

Well it is pretty standard that PE teachers teach health. In fact, it is not unreasonable at all that a real Physical Education teacher teach Health. However, most PE "teachers" are coaches first and teachers sixth. (As in, they're not hired for their classroom abilities.) If you're curious about actual Health Education, look around my University's <a href="http://www.coe.uga.edu/HHP/" target="_blank">School of Heath and Human Performance</a>.(It's part of the College of Education).

~~RvFvS~~

Anderson · 10-31-2002, 01:55 PM

Alright, folks, I'm writing the letter right now so I can give it to the school office tommorow.

I have a quick question. What parts of the U.S. constitution or U.S. law enforce the seperation of church and state? I want my letter to sound intelligent and supported by whatever laws I can cite.

hezekiah jones · 10-31-2002, 02:16 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Anderson:
I have a quick question. What parts of the U.S. constitution or U.S. law enforce the seperation of church and state?

The establishment clause of the First Amendment: "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion ..."

By extension the Fourteenth Amendment "incorporates" the establishment clause to the states and local governments. Your teacher is a state actor and is bound by the restrictions of the establishment clause.

Although the phrase "separation of church and state" does not appear in the Constitution, it has been a prevailing notion in establishment clause jurisprudence since 1947: Everson v. Board of Education, 330 U.S. 1

hezekiah jones · 10-31-2002, 02:25 PM

By the way your teacher is a liar as well. No scientist, excellent or otherwise, has ever "proven [evolution] to be false."

RufusAtticus · 10-31-2002, 02:34 PM

Anderson,

Make sure that you stress the poor quality of the health teacher's instruction over separation issues. C/S separation concerns should come second in your letter to concerns about the quality of education your class is receiving. It might be helpful to use a statement similar to the following.

"Even a quick look at my biology textbook, reveals that Mr. Coach knows nothing about modern biology. How are we supposed to learn Health from a man who would rather preach falsehoods to us than teach us actual scientific knowledge? It really concerns me that Mr. Coach ether doesn't understand his duty as a public servant or doesn't care to educate us without bias to his sectarian beliefs."

[ October 31, 2002: Message edited by: RufusAtticus ]

Anderson · 10-31-2002, 02:40 PM

Letter typed, printed, put in an envelope, and ready to go. Thanks for the help everyone. I'll keep you updated about what happens.

10-31-2002, 02:34 PM	#19
RufusAtticus Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NCSU Posts: 5,853	Anderson, Make sure that you stress the poor quality of the health teacher's instruction over separation issues. C/S separation concerns should come second in your letter to concerns about the quality of education your class is receiving. It might be helpful to use a statement similar to the following. "Even a quick look at my biology textbook, reveals that Mr. Coach knows nothing about modern biology. How are we supposed to learn Health from a man who would rather preach falsehoods to us than teach us actual scientific knowledge? It really concerns me that Mr. Coach ether doesn't understand his duty as a public servant or doesn't care to educate us without bias to his sectarian beliefs." [ October 31, 2002: Message edited by: RufusAtticus ]</p>

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10-31-2002, 09:26 AM	#11
Splat Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Hell, PA Posts: 599	I'll throw in my support for reporting the incident to your parents, the principal, and/or a member of the school board (NCSE is good too). If you're worried about the teacher taking revenge, explain this too. Discretion is appropriate in cases like these. If nothing else, this teacher is spreading lies. If he were telling kids that pi can be rounded to 3, or that AIDS isn't caused by a virus, he'd be called on the carpet. No difference here.

10-31-2002, 10:02 AM	#12
RufusAtticus Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: NCSU Posts: 5,853	Anderson, I would also talk to your biology teacher and express your concerns that the health "teacher"--probably a coach, right?--is purposely acting to undermine biology education. A chemistry teacher in the midwest got repremanded a few years ago for trying to "correct" the education his students were getting in biology classrooms. He eventually resigned because of it. After that, I'd have fun by challenging your health teacher to back up his claims. When class starts next raise your hand and say you have a question about a previous class. Then say you looked at your biology textbook (or something like that) and couldn't find the names of the "scientists" who have disproved evolution and in fact found losts of names of scientists that have established it as the core theory of biology. Then ask him who these people were who have disproved it. Also consider calling him on evolution is "just" a theory by asking if HIV causes AIDS is "just" a theory. If he ends up having as much doubt in HIV as he does evolution, that is really a sign that he shouldn't be teaching health class.

10-31-2002, 10:14 AM	#13
joedad Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: PA USA Posts: 5,039	Anderson, Teachers can intimidate but not harm you. Take this dude on to whatever degree you feel comfortable, and keep us informed. joe (another atheist uncle in his forties)

10-31-2002, 11:52 AM	#14
Anderson Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The Boonies, New York. Posts: 44	After reading all of your suggestions I've decided to write a brief letter to the principal about it. And yes, he is a coach. I don't understand why the gym teacher is teaching health. The man can barely spell his own name.

10-31-2002, 01:55 PM	#16
Anderson Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The Boonies, New York. Posts: 44	Alright, folks, I'm writing the letter right now so I can give it to the school office tommorow. I have a quick question. What parts of the U.S. constitution or U.S. law enforce the seperation of church and state? I want my letter to sound intelligent and supported by whatever laws I can cite.

10-31-2002, 02:25 PM	#18
hezekiah jones Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: WI Posts: 4,357	By the way your teacher is a liar as well. No scientist, excellent or otherwise, has ever "proven [evolution] to be false."

10-31-2002, 02:40 PM	#20
Anderson Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The Boonies, New York. Posts: 44	Letter typed, printed, put in an envelope, and ready to go. Thanks for the help everyone. I'll keep you updated about what happens.

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