Newsgroups: bit.listserv.christia
Date:         Fri, 18 Dec 1992 17:03:50 EST
Comments:     Converted from PROFS to RFC822 format by PUMP V2.2X
From:         Brenda Curry-White <BSCURR01@ULKYVM.LOUISVILLE.EDU>
Subject:      Teachers, their influence, and pleas for other topics

All of this talk about whether gay teachers unduly influence the kids they
teach has caused me to think back about my own teachers.  In doing so, I
am beginning to realize that the discussion might be missing the mark, because
it assumes that kids are really going to care and pay attention to adult
sexual orientation.  Some kids might, but I'm not sure all do.

In thinking back to my own teachers, some in public schools and some in
private schools, I can't even remember the marital status of most of them.
The ones who made the greatest impression on me, and who I tried to imitate
as role models did so for other reasons entirely.  One taught me to believe
in myself and helped me win a speech competition.  Another was an excellent
math teacher.  Another taught dance as an extra-curricular activity and took
us to a fair.  Likewise, the teachers that I disliked and distrusted lost
my respect for reasons having nothing to do with sexual orientation.  One
forced a religious debate, and when I followed my mother's instructions not
to participate (this was a Christian school) I was sent to the office without
a note, and because I wasn't given a note I was not allowed to call my
grandmother.  I panicked and ran away from school, all of the two miles
(in a So. Californian urban area) home.  I had to break into my house to call
my grandmother, and I was so upset!  Another teacher turned her back on a
fight that was started by about 4 girls against 1 small one.  She ignored
me as I begged her to intervene.  An English teacher (who was also a
minister) earned the nickname "Stormin' Norman" because he would get
frustrated with his students and blow up at them in front of the whole class
and call them names.

Perhaps I was a strange child, but I don't think my teachers' sex orientation
was ever very important to me.  What was important was this:  Good teachers
were the ones with whom I felt justly treated, who took an interest in me
as a person, who tried to push me to excel in whatever endeavor I undertook,
and who treated me with respect.  Even in Christian schools, where Christian
values were taught, the values that my parents instilled always took precedence
if there was any discrepancy (and there was - see above; I never returned to
that school, and neither did my younger brother).

I know that the topic is important to some people.  But I just re-read the
Parent's Handbook for Sarah's daycare provider.  It specifically states that
they will not discriminate in the employment of daycare workers on the basis
".. of race, religion, sex, color, national origin, disability or sexual
orientation" and that doesn't bother me one bit.  I am paying my daycare to
feed Sarah, play with her, see that her diaper is changed, make sure her
clothes are clean, etc.  So far as I can tell, I'm getting what I pay for.
When she gets older, they will take her on field trips and do learning
activities.  And I am sure that those things are what is important and what
she will remember.

I was hoping that with Christmas so near, we could move on to something else.
There are so many more edifying things to talk about, particularly during
this season set aside to remember Christ's birth.  As with so many other
controversial issues, when it comes to the legitimacy of homosexuality as
a lifestyle, no one is ever going to convince the other side (perhaps we all
keep shouting just because we would like to, but it ain't gonna happen :^).
I hope to see less of the homosexuality/civil rights/Rush Limbaugh posts
in the coming week and more from listmembers about what was suggested earlier:
Christmas traditions, etc.  I also hope someone takes the time to take my
earlier request for advice about Bible Dictionaries seriously.  I have to
buy my brother's Christmas present soon.

Brenda
Comments: Gated by NETNEWS@AUVM.AMERICAN.EDU