If one is in a history class, you would think you would be learning about the past, correct? This is not always the case. In many history classes today, teachers believe that incorporating the past with the present is the best way to teach history. I am a student who truly accepts and supports this style of teaching.    

The facts of the present and the past really help students like myself understand history better. It is nice to understand how the government and society have changed over the years and discussing the current government helps to better interpret the past government.   

But what about when the most important current event is the presidential election? Deciding between Barack Obama or Mitt Romney, Republican or Democrat, these are the most controversial topics in the news all over the United States.

However, teachers sharing their personal views on the election is not favored by yours truly.  It may have something to do with my dislike of controversy, but I do not like to talk religion or politics outside my own home. Throughout the first few months of the school year I  heard through the grapevine and with my own ears that some teachers express their support a specific party. This greatly disappoints me and I do not like hearing it. I am supportive of anyone’s right to support a certain political party, but trying to impress it upon students, in my opinion, is unacceptable.

I am not the only one who feels this way about this topic. Many other students agree that it is not right for some teachers to share their thoughts with students. I don’t believe either party should be supported by teachers or students. Even being the firm Republican that I am, I don’t believe there should be support encouraging either party.

Students on campus, including myself, have recognized that the primary teachers who bring up politics, not surprisingly, are those who teach the social sciences.

I do not know if these teachers are trying to change student’s views on politics or if it is just natural for the topic to come up.  If they are trying to change student’s views, this problem should have been discovered and dealt with long before now. Although it is important for teachers to expose students to both Democratic and Republican views, especially with the upcoming election, their personal bias should not interfere with students forming their own views. Whether it be religious views or views on politics, these personal beliefs should be kept to oneself and stay private, not presented in a classroom atmosphere.