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Post by Yaezakura on Apr 19, 2010 9:11:56 GMT -5
I kind of want to say you should take the job just so you can go behind the parents' backs and give their children a real education. They need one, and they aren't going to get it from anyone willing to obey what the parents want.
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Post by insanedesigner on Apr 19, 2010 18:13:27 GMT -5
Well, if you don't take the job, the family will be just as happy finding a good GodJesus lovin' person to teach them, so what's the difference? Plus, who doesn't like making moolah?
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Post by The_L on Apr 25, 2010 6:49:04 GMT -5
OK, this is my first time looking back at this thread since I posted it. Time for a badly-needed update. a comfortable collar is still a collar (And don't I know it!) Any books pertaining to your religion, for example, could come across as "witchcraft", or what have you, if discovered, or perhaps the fact you wear pants (assuming that you do, of course) could set them off for some reason. (I'm Wiccan. My religion practically IS witchcraft.) the experience would be less than useless. (School boards like conservative Christian teachers. There's the underlying assumption that if you taught from a Christian curriculum, you won't be involved in any scandals.) sounds like you might get nice perks, but it wouldn't be good for your sanity in the end. (Hiding my faith from my father isn't really all that good for my sanity NOW.) I kind of want to say you should take the job just so you can go behind the parents' backs and give their children a real education. (I was very sorely tempted.) Well, if you don't take the job, the family will be just as happy finding a good GodJesus lovin' person to teach them (True that.) Since I've been asked, the kids are early elementary--Kindergarten, 2nd, and 3rd. In other words, the worst I would have had to do on the job is have them read the Genesis creation story. That and, you know, hide 80% of my music and 100% of my religious reading material from the rest of the family, because I listen to a lot of metal and Pagan music, and, well, the whole "not a Christian" thing. I didn't apply for the job. My mother didn't ask me why, but I could tell she thought I was throwing away a good thing. (Apparently, I need to give her the "I am not a Christian" speech again, because it didn't quite take the first time.)
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Post by MaybeNever on Apr 25, 2010 12:56:23 GMT -5
Much as it pains me to say it, taking the job and then subversively teaching them the "wrong" material (i.e. the truth) sounds pretty unethical. I would imagine complaints of that sort might be a problem, although progressive institutions might not have an issue with all the facts laid out. Still.
Maybe, if it's practical and you're still chewing on this, you could sit down with the parents and talk to them. Maybe they're going with the A Beka curriculum because they just don't know any better. Maybe there are Christian curricula that give the unscientific stuff their walking papers without losing the religious essence. Maybe they're surprisingly tolerant. Lots of ifs (or "maybes", rather), but everything may not actually be the way it appears.
Or I could be way off base. Either way, it hardly seems unreasonable to want to get to know your employers a little bit. In the worst case, you just say that you're not interested or whatever and walk away.
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Post by Thejebusfire on Apr 25, 2010 23:19:44 GMT -5
I kind of want to say you should take the job just so you can go behind the parents' backs and give their children a real education. They need one, and they aren't going to get it from anyone willing to obey what the parents want. Yeah, but if the parents find out they might fire her.
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Post by The_L on Apr 27, 2010 12:59:24 GMT -5
One of the reasons my mother was for me taking the job is because "you were educated under A Beka, so you're familiar with it, so you can teach it better than someone who's not familiar with the system." Apparently, she's come to the conclusion that just because I like the reading textbooks and the inclusion of a course in basic manners, that I endorse every aspect of the curriculum.
I don't. But she kept bringing up A Beka as if it were a point in favor of the job, when I kept repeating, over and over, that it really wasn't the asset she seemed to think it was.
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Post by Whore of Spamylon on Apr 28, 2010 20:07:20 GMT -5
Let your conscious be your guide. There are several ways one could do to make money while sacrificing their conscious (like being a Republican strategist or televangelist), so, naturally, maintaining one's dignity is going to inevitably hit one in the pocketbook in life. It is just something you will have to get use to if you wish to not have regrets.
Though, I come from a family that reluctantly accepts my open agnosticism and doesn't threaten to cut me off because of it, so I honestly can't say how I would react in your situation.
Or, look at it this way. You can look at this as an opportunity to secretly show these kids the light. If the parents find out, the worst they could be is fire you, and that couldn't be any worst than not taking the job in the first place.
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Post by The_L on Apr 29, 2010 5:52:32 GMT -5
If the parents find out, the worst they could be is fire you, and that couldn't be any worst than not taking the job in the first place. You forget that the most important thing a teacher can have, next to a certificate and a clean police record, is a good reputation.Lying to people about what you're teaching their kids is just as unethical as teaching the kids from a lying curriculum, and has much more serious ramifications for one's future career.
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Post by rookie on Apr 30, 2010 9:46:14 GMT -5
Could you teach the kids a version of the truth that sort of compromises? Like "A lot of people believe that ..."? You know, do it in a way like Norse mythology is covered. And then dodge any questions that follow. "Well, what I believe isn't important. What's important is what you believe, young'en." "Is it true? Well, a lot of people believe it is."
I have taken a job that I hated for the money before. I worked there for a couple years before I had to leave. I saved up a shit ton of money and furthered what I thought was my career path. But I hated the job. The stresses of the working conditions took a heavy toll on my family life and personal sanity. But the money was good. The title was right. And the position and money did help. But it was a bad two years for me and everyone who knew me.
Point is, nobody can answer these questions for you. I can tell you what I did and what I wish I did, as can anyone else. But you have to do what you think is right at the time for you. Speaking for just myself, I'm here to help you in any way I can.
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Post by FMG on May 2, 2010 6:39:16 GMT -5
My suggestion is "don't do it". Seriously if you have to sell out your principles and teach a lie then its not teaching. That book isn't "science". Its something horrible masquerading as science. Selling out is for musicians, not for teachers.
Do you really want those kids educations in your hands? All those kids have to do is utter the wrong words and its out on your ass.
If you really want to make a point go to the interview and read through the books they give cackling like a lunatic and then point out EXACTLY where the books are wrong and what it means for their children. Bonus points if you take "real science text books" to show them.
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Post by The_L on May 2, 2010 16:20:12 GMT -5
OK, I've decided against doing this, and my mom has dropped the subject. So I guess, itt, we post why we wouldn't teach with A Beka. Or something.
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Post by FMG on May 3, 2010 7:22:49 GMT -5
I ran into creationists twice in medical school. I felt sad, they were from Kansas. When I was in BSc Genetics I learnt about paleontology. One of the finest institutes of paleontology is in Kansas. The school boards there killed nearly 7 years of their children's education.
The first time they challenged me to morality. I pointed out that the bible doesn't mean self discipline, it means abstinence. Discipline is gained from being able to drink but you yourself knowing your limit. These things are learnt by experience. I spent many a day hungover and throwing up because of booze. They bet me that they could live a day like me and a I could live a day like them. I stayed in and played chess with my friend online.
They went out to my favourite bar and ran into a man called LSD Jesus, because he looks like Jesus and Makes Acid. What ensued was a phone call at 3 in the morning to save one of them from "satan". Apparently Satan was sat in his room and stuff. I have no idea...
The second time they wanted to pray for my broken arm. My flat mate said that we were in the same profession as faith healers, only our stuff works.
Seriously no science education turns people into dumbasses.
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