Education’s climate of intimidation

It’s no secret that more than a few education schools in this country are staffed with highly radical thinkers. That would be OK if these Ed School people were open to other points of view, but that often isn’t the case.

Far too many Ed School types take a dim view of anyone who disagrees with them. Worse, in the case of their students, disagreements can lead to outright intimidation and very serious, career ending threats.

Washington Post education reporter Jay Mathews just posted a very interesting case in point article about one teacher candidate who found out how stiff necked Ed School folk can be.

One really fascinating thing about the Mathews article is that the school involved is the lofty, highly regarded Stanford. You’d think if any school would maintain an open mind, this school would be one of them.

The Mathews story is a real eye-opener as well as a tribute to the blogging teacher candidate who refused to be intimidated by people with a very dubious agenda. The tale provides interesting insight into one education establishment’s culture of intimidation.

Sadly, that culture of intimidation doesn’t end at the edge of the campus, and it isn’t limited to Stanford. So, it’s no wonder that teachers reacting to the recent Peggy Petrilli lawsuit over wrongful dismissal and racial discrimination are doing so anonymously. While Petrilli lost her suit (appeal is contemplated), the trial exposed questionable practices such as inflated teacher and staff evaluations and dubious support from the top for principals at Fayette County Schools.

Still, teachers are afraid to speak out. After all, they have been taught that doing so brings certain reprisals. It’s a lesson well taught to educators – and classes begin even before teachers graduate from education school.