Teacher Question - Would This Bother You

Reason #104 why I wouldn't send my daughter to Catholic school.

I prefer she not live in a bubble and I hardly think that the teacher will be doing lesbian show and tell. I agree with you that teaching the children should be first. I can only imagine the examples the parents of the students would set.

I bet all of the parents and staff are just so perfect and set the most amazing example for the students.

Not only would I not have a problem with it, I would remove my children from a school where a really good teacher wasn't hired due to his or her sexual orientation. I don't want my children around families who are so closed-minded that they would use sexual orientation as a reason to discriminate against someone who is really great at their job. It's 2012, not 1512.

No, as long as she loves to teach and loves kids. My son has a heterosexual teacher who hates her job and could care less about the kids in her class. I would pick that lesbian any day when it comes to someone who will teach and inspire my son.

You have a chance to really make a statement here. You could find other parents who have no issue with it and advocate for the teacher. Your children can then see what a great role model you are.

Life is so ironic. One of my two best teachers ever was a gay man. Everybody "knew" it, even though he tried his best to keep it secret, and was even a married father at the time. Among my fellow students, nobody that I knew cared a bit. We all loved him, and we were all eager to do our best in his classes. Those that might have cared bought the story that he was straight – I guess they might have been concerned if he was out. But this was back in the 60's, and out was not the thing to be then.

This intelligent, kind and gentle man, who taught English literature with a passion, would have been seen as a danger by my mother, had she suspected. Meanwhile, she had married a straight man who was actively molesting her 4 daughters. We couldn't tell her, because we were sure she wouldn't have believed us. Straight men are safe, gay men are dangerous, in her view of life. Very simple.

I've puzzled over the judgements against gays for my whole life. How is it they are singled out for that one fraction of their lives that the rest of us have the right to keep private, no matter how beyond norms our sex lives might be? I've known quite a few men and women who were/are the most excellent people in every way that counts, but were/are shunned by some who couldn't accept their yearning to practice the sexuality that God gave them.

I know what the Bible says. I've studied it in considerable depth. It's an interesting historical document, and contains passages of great power, beauty and wisdom. It also contains a great deal that reflects people's pre-scientific fear, ignorance, superstition and intolerance.

If we were to live according to Old Testament rules and beliefs, millions of us today should be condemned for a variety of things, everything from divorce to plucking our eyebrows. I do not accept that as the inerrant word of an all-knowing, all-loving God. Moral truth is a gift that empowers us and frees us from fear, instead of prompting us to loathe that loving, gay or lesbian couple down the block who are raising a couple of happy kids.

You can probably guess that I'd have no problem with the simple fact that a teacher is gay.

I'm not a Catholic but yes it would bother me. Not because of the person but because of the role model she is to the kids and they would soon know one way or other and since it is a school and church that does not condone that lifestyle it would not be what they are teaching. Or I assume it's their teaching there. For that reason I would hire someone who backs up the teaching of the school/church. Why would she want to teach in a school that believes opposite in the first place?

No problem with it WHATSOEVER. Great teachers are great teachers. Period.

I would not want my daughter in a school where the general population thought a teacher was qualified or eligible for hire based on sexual orientation.

As other mamas have said below.... my beliefs and value systems are in almost direct conflict with most of the teachings of the Catholic Church - so my daughter wouldn't ever be in a Catholic School for any reason, which would render the entire point moot.

I also believe that (religious institution or not) the fact that parents are squawking about the fact that she is a lesbian, rather than her teaching credentials, would render the environment toxic and against what I am trying to teach my child - and I might make the decision to either advocate for the teacher publically or remove my child from the school based on inability to be involved with complete idiots.

I wouldn't have a problem with it as long as she didn't teach anything that contradicts the Catholic catechism. So she would have to be really careful not to talk about her personal life in the classroom.

Catholics are tolerant of sinners, by the way, but not of the sin itself. Don't expect them to promote a sinful lifestyle. http://www.catholic.com/tracts/homosexuality

Of course she can be denied employment because of her sexual orientation at a Catholic School.

Actually, we had several lesbian teachers at our Catholic school. Two of whom were former nuns.

No one talked about it. In fact, I doubt most parents even KNEW about it, since they were outstanding long term teachers. I knew about because I worked there and got close to them.

In all likelihood our principal DID know about, but she ( Sr Mary Ellen) also had a, um, roommate.

The Catholic church IS still teaching homosexuality is an afront of God and a horrible sin. Sigh.

It is one of MANY Catholic teachings that alienate us Western Catholics.

So to answer your question, no, of course I would not have a problem with it. As a parent of children in a Catholic school, as a Catholic, as a woman, as a mother, as an employee.....

:(

That's why I'm not catholic.

Playing Devils Advocate here....

I have no problem with it at all, however.....I try to look at both sides of an issue. If I were a person that was devoutly Catholic and believed in it's tenets, even to go so far as to send my child to a Catholic school to be sure they were taught under those tenets, I would find having a lesbian teacher to be counterproductive to what I was trying to accomplish.

Just like if I sent my kid to piano lessons only to find out the teacher knows how to play piano, but has no affection for the piano and prefers the guitar. How can they instill a love and passion for piano in my child if they don't have that themselves.

This is a tricky question.

Me, personally, I'd have no problem with this, if the teacher was qualified and had good classroom management skills. (I have friends who are lesbians with babies and I'd never discriminate against anyone based on who they love and make a family with.)

Here's the other very real piece: a Catholic school might have its own hiring policies. And the very religious families might have objections. They are choosing to send their child to a Catholic school because it is a reflection of their values. In a very conservative community, this might pose a problem. Here in Portland, people might not bat an eye. But then again, a vocal few might, as they are paying through the nose for this private school.

Wish I had a more certain answer for you. Freedom of religion probably extends to how that religion chooses to do their hiring.

BTW-- NPR had a very interesting show on Talk of the Nation regarding Teachers, Facebook, their public lives and deep discussion of 'how much' teachers need to be modeling ideal behavior and above reproach. Very differing opinions regarding 'role model' and 'civil liberties'!

I am Catholic and our kids go to Catholic School. I would not have a problem with it, but Catholic schools are strict. Our school let a teacher go because she did not get married in a Catholic Church. Their reason--and it was in her contract--was that if you do not get married in a Catholic Church, then you cannot receive communion. Our kids go to Mass once a week and she teaches religion. Why would she want to teach there?

In response to another response: No Catholic may receive Communion if they are living in a marriage which is not valid according to Church law. If you were married outside the Catholic Church, you can have your marriage convalidated (blessed) by a priest.

No, I would not be against it.

#1... it is not my place to judge

#2... her being lesbian does nothing to change the fact that she is a good teacher. Her personal life is just that... HER personal life.

The school should be very careful dancing around this because if the teacher gets wind that she is not hired due to her sexual preference, then a lawsuit could be forthcoming. You know how sue happy people are these days. A lawyer would love to get hands on this one.

I would not be ok with that. If it were a public school, then it doesn't matter, but since it's a private catholic school, she needs to be living the rules of the catholic church. I am actually against gay marriage 100%, but that's for another thread and another time.

No I would not have a problem with this. Not in the least bit.

Unfortunately, I do think that she is not going to get the job...a mysterious person with more experience/better resume will get it...but that's not the reason this other person gets the job. The other person gets the job by default!

Nope, I am more concerned about the heart of the person. Some christians are as evil as they come and use religion as a cover up.

I look at the heart of person and let GOD judge the rest. When it comes to my children I will inspect the fruit though.....

I would have no problem with it whatsoever. I see two women that love each other. What's wrong with having a teacher with a loving family?

Does the Catholic religion teach not to judge others? Love and Tolerance?

No. We are all gods children imo!

I would not have a problem with it. On a personal level, that is. I am surprised, though, that the school would allow it. And that would be well within their right- it is a Catholic school and it is against the religion. I am Catholic, and I can see both points. It wouldn't bother me at all but it would shock me that it didn't bother the school. Perhaps they have something of a don't ask don't tell deal, where she agrees not to bring up her personal life or something? Still, weird.

It would be great if the school showed some progressive choices, but that doesn't seem likely to me! The school would be doing nothing wrong if they weren't comfortable with her as a teacher, but it would fine with me.

Hi T.-

Nope! I would have no problem with it at all...

I imagine your diocese might...but perhaps not. Dioceses vary WILDLY here in the US.

Best luck!
michele/cat

No.

I truly believe each person was born with their own trials to go through on this earth. We will each have to answer to God in the end and it is not our place to judge another person.

They may have had being a lesbian as their main trial, who am I to add to their trial. I am a pretty free thinking person though. At least one of my college roommates were gay guys so I am pretty accepting.

You DO realize that Catholic schools can hire ANYONE to teach, right?
No degree, low degree, etc.
Seems like this woman's sexual orientation should be the least of anyone's problems.
I'm quite sure our public elementary schools contain lesbians, and I'm quite sure that the elementary school kids are unaware of it.

I'm sorry, I know there are Catholic homosexuals and churches that welcome them. How can you be "against" something that IS? Glad they're not "against" brunettes or blondes!

No, but I'm not Catholic. I try to live my life with tolerance and acceptance and that is just not the Catholic way!

I wouldn't have a problem with it in a public school, but in a Christian school where the teachers are role models for godly behavior I would have a problem with it.

I dont think people should have a problem with it.
I love Ellen and I'm not gay and she doesnt talk about sex.
I doubt the school teacher will either.
The kids wont be prejudiced unless the parents are.

I think it makes a mockery of the Catholic Religion.

Personally? Absolutlely not. I'd be all for it! But this is THE CHURCH. An institution that rejects homosexuality. If hired and if parents make an issue of it, I will be interested in how they will defend their hiring of this teacher. There are legal anti-discrimination requirements for all employers, even for the church so maybe that is the answer here. Keep us posted!

I wouldn't care. It doesn't matter at all. And the teacher's sexual orientation would not come up in her job interview at our school -- because it's a public school.

But as soon as you typed "Our kids go to a Catholic school," you knew how this would all turn out. The teacher can be the greatest in the world, but they will find some reason to hire another candidate. If the school is unaware that she is a lesbian, and she gets the job, it will take very little for her to lose it -- one complaint from just one parent or one word from another teacher. Sad.

It wouldn't bother me, but it would also not bother me if the school chose not to hire her due to their religious guidelines. In which I am sure they expect all teachers to uphold, it is their right to do set moral standards that aline with the school's beliefs for employees as a private/religious institution.

Really? Not at all. I want my kids to have the BEST education they can get, regardless of what their personal lives outside of the school are (minus anything that would affect how they are with my kids, i.e. drug use).

My third grade teacher was a gay male. By far, hands down, the BEST teacher I have ever had.

absolutley not, if shes a great teacher what does her personal life have anything to do with how she teaches the kids, i mean really its no1s business.. but i will say i can almost guarantee u she wont get the job if its a catholic school and they know about her personal life.. it is against their beliefs

Wow, Im Catholic. But Im not the judge. I can even admit that Im judgmental. And not to keen on the whole gay thing. but it is not MY business what other people do, that is between them and God. I was married in a Catholic church, pregnant and had been living with my husband before marriage. Took Communion every week. I did not burn up in flames. wow. 20yrs later still married. The Catholics have really changed their way of thinking. I believe God made us all and he didnt make mistakes.

I am a 55 year old Catholic with a 5 year old entering Catholic school in the fall. I would have NO issue with this situation. None at all!!

Talk about hypocrisy!! The Catholic church covers up sexual predators and costs us, the members of the church, huges amounts of money in settlement payments/hush money, and yet there are those that would question a couple who has formed a real family!!

I can't believe we are still having this conversation!! Haven't we grown past these old ignorant beliefs? Homosexuals have no more control over who they love than I have control over my eye color! I never CHOSE to be a heterosexual, and until someone tells me that they truly chose their gender preference, I will defend gays & lesbians to the end.

No, it would not bother me. A person's sexual orientation has nothing to do with how they do their job.

Just as the color of their skin, their hair, etc does.

If this woman is a good teacher then she'll succeed on her merits and on the good education of the children in her class.

:)

not a single one, sexuality has nothing to do with the ability to teach. NO teacher straight or otherwise is suppose to bring their sex life to the class room. She has no reason to explain her life to anyone, and if kids ask questions you just tell them the truth.

no, i wouldn't have a problem with it. in fact, it enhances kids' education to learn about people different from them, and it will be a support for those kids who come from gay families or who may be gay themselves.

Nope, I have no problem with it at all. But I hope my children will always be able to avoid Catholic School. My grandmother, a devout Catholic who attended Mass DAILY, was very adverse to Catholic school, and it's carried over through the generations.

I HIGHLY doubt she will incorporate her sexual orientation into her teaching so I really dont see why this would or should be an issue for anyone. Being gay isnt like being a drug user - its not like she is a hazzard to these kids and you cant catch 'gay' like some stupid ppl think LOL
It wouldnt bother me in the least - it is 2012 right? I think ppl need to get over stuff like this

Wow, that is a tough question! My daughter goes to a private Lutheran School and I am not sure how I would feel about that. I do believe that homosexuality is a sin because it says so in the Bible. But I believe that every one is a sinner so it is hard for me to say that any one sin is worse than any other. If a female teacher lived with her boyfriend and they were not married that would be a sin too but she would probably still be allowed to teach. Divorce is also a sin but is someone who is divorced allowed to be a teacher at a private school? It's hard to say where to draw the line.....

A catholic school will not hire her. If she is truely "out" it goes completely against the catholic faith. The diocese which is the deciding factor in all hiring within the schools will not allow it. and they will not be forced to as it is a church based school they are not bound by public school hiring rules.

guess I didn't answer your question lol. I would not have a problem with it as I have a couple I am friends with who are lesbian and 2 sets of gay friends.

No, I would have no problem with my child's teacher being gay.
That said, if she's hired she will face a great deal of adversity in this particular environment. Yes, legally we are not supposed to discriminate but it's a basic human truth that we do. If I were the interviewer I would need to see exceptional social skills from her to consider her a viable job candidate.

No it wouldn't bother me. She could have lied and said she was straight and no one would know the difference. She is not there to teach them about being gay. A lot of gay people are better individuals than people. I hope your friend gets the job but I would be surprised if she does.

Nope...I wouldn't have a problem with this at all. I would assume that she would have no business discussing anything about her sexual orientation straight, gay, Bi whatever with kids.

Frankly, I find the Catholic schools to be narrow-minded and judgemental.

I'm Catholic. I would not have a problem with it.

*** I have never heard that if you do not get married in the Catholic Church you cannot recieve communion. I do not think thats true. If so thats super old school. Back in the day you were not supposed to recieve communion with sins in your heart, which is what it used to be confession on saturday, mass on sunday. So maybe thats where that is coming from. Pretty much most Catholics I know recieve communion freely without going to confession every week.

I wouldn't but I think there are varying degrees of "Catholic-ness" and that some parents might feel differently from me because of what the Church has to say (or doesn't have to say) about same sex relationships.

Of course these might also be people who choose to use birth control, or not attend Mass, or ignore anything else we are supposed to do and agree with. I am what is snidely referred to as a "Cafeteria Catholic"--although I think quite a few Church leaders and a WHOLE BUNCH of parishoners are as well--and I just try to live and let live, As long as the person in question was a good teacher and genuinely liked kids, I wouldn't care at all.

Now that the nuns don't typically teach, Catholic schools hire a lot of non-Catholics to teach. I'd have no problem with it. I'd actually welcome it. Diversity is a good thing, and being exposed to diversity in a positive setting will help our kiddos in the future.

No, it would not bother me. If she is a great teacher that is what matters. Don't be judgemental.

Well the school cannot refuse to hire her based on that issues and no I would not have an issue with it...but I would request that she keep her personal life at home.

I have no conflict of beliefs here so, no issues but I can understand those that may have a conflict - however is it not illegal for her to be not hired/considered for those simple truths? I am not sure if it is or not, but I also do not understand her motives knowing the potential opposition she will be facing. So, I guess everyone's motives are the question to me.