I have this insanely-opinionated (REALLY LIBERALLL!!!) teacher this year in history, and he is constantly. pushing. his. agenda. It seems like during every class he feels the need to go off on lectures that have nothing to do with the material and EVERYTHING to do with his political viewpoints. It's only his 2nd year teaching history (prior to that it was .... go figure .... theatre arts). He asks for opinions on certain topics and then it's as if he feels the need to contradict anything that anyone (even the textbook) says. He's right; that's that. What would you recommend doing? (Is there anything I can do other than re-learning all of the swayed B.S. that I've already "learned"?) I understand that "this is the way college is" - but really - it's high school.

First of all, it's not always "the way college is," at least in the sense that the professors are obnoxious about pounding their views into your coursework. In my experience, though there are certainly a lot of them who are very opinionated and have no problem making an issue out of it in class, they are also the ones who tend to prefer discussion-based classes and are eager to not only give their ideas, but also hear yours and talk about them. I mean, I'm sure there are some bad ones out there, but from what I've experienced, professors in college settings tend to be above the sorts of pettiness you seem to be describing.

Speaking of which, if you really want to do something about your teacher, then take the time to read up on issues that he talks about so that you can counter him with your own well-reasoned and researched opinions. Even if he shuts you down and ignores you, at least he'll know that you aren't swallowing his indoctrination and you get the satisfaction of knowing that you enriched your own knowledge and formed your own opinion based on the available evidence.

Well that's a relief.

I appreciate it. Will do.

Regardless of how your teacher may be, and it sounds like he is quite overbearing, keep in mind that the textbooks are often wrong ("often" compared to the sense of infallibility we often apply to them) or at least biased in a significant way. Read something like Lies My Teacher Told Me if you would be truly interested in something like that.

I understand; however, it's not so much the information that he's relaying so much as HOW he is relaying it. The fact that he's wrong about most everything that he says is merely a sidenote. As for the biased textbook stuff - - - all you have to do to figure that one out is by actually reading the book itself. The sarcasm in itself tells you that.

I know what you mean...my histor teacher isout of his godforsaken mind!!!!!!! Unlike your teacher however he spends half his class talking bot old movie and his kids. He contradicts most of everthing we say ad completely disregards or mocks half the kids in our class to he point where half of our class has been induced to tears. And half the things on our tests we did not learn. Our dearest sympathies!

Yeah...

Hey dimmick, did what you said, and MAN does that man love a good argument! (Taxes/illegals was the topic... it was very entertaining - he is incredibly defensive :rolleyes: He did stop me after class and say that he enjoyed it, so - there you go...)

There you have it - I always prefer to be able to argue intelligently rather than have to just sit and listen to someone spew nonsense just because I don't have the researched facts to back me up. Keep it up.

i tell ya what .. i have a AP US history teacher who will always take the opposite views.... basically playing "the Devil's Advicate" but hey if your well informed about the topic hand his butt to him on a silver platter .. just read your book and take notes on every subtopic in the chapter ... then show him who is really right... not only will you gain respect from the teacher... it makes you look 100x smarter than half the retards in the class jk ... but just dont ignore him get informed!!!!!!!!! :rolleyes: [FONT=Times][COLOR=purple][SIZE=7]

This is not the way it is in college, usually. I wonder if this teacher has been to an AP Institute, and if his syllabus has been approved by the board.

I have taught AP US, AP Govt and AP Econ. for 9 years, and was a grader one summer for AP US. That's not to brag, but to let you know I know what I'm talking about. I am also Dept Chair.

When he starts spouting his diatribe, raise your hand, pen and notepad poised for action, and ask him, "How will this information be presented on the exam?" Be totally sincere. Ask him this every single day he starts his monologue--not more than once a day, or he'll think you are being disrepectful. Do not be sarcastic.

If he calls you on it, either in class or after, you can just say, "We have 10 weeks til exam time, and I want to make sure that I can use ever bit of information you give us. I don't want to let you down." That last part might be hard to manage with a straight face, so if you can't do it with utmost sincerity, don't include that.

If that doesn't minimize these interruptions, have your parents go to whomever is his supervisor in admin. Either an assisstant principal or his dept chair should know this is happening. In any and all circumstances, your ONE AND ONLY GOAL is to pass the test. Not insult him or his beliefs. Show no annoyance, only concern that time is running out, and these lectures are diverting you from learning what you need to know.

Do not waste any more of your --or the class's --time debating him. This is a luxury you can't afford at this point.

Good luck :)

Simply brilliant.

yeah.... we've all pretty much given up and are just learning the info on our own (the whole "if you want something done you have to do it yourself" method). Sucks, but works . . .