Although some Christians are harshly critical of the loaded term “POLITICAL CORRECTNESS,” it often works in favor of majority groups. Could you imagine an American politician being elected president if they promoted a different faith…or a lack of religious affiliation?
I teach in a small, conservative, largely homogeneous community. A decade ago, students would have been loathed to express views critical of Christianity. They’d of been even more reluctant to claim a different faith, and even less willing to proclaim no faith at all!
In my classroom, that’s changing. I’ve noticed a new willingness among young people to express minority viewpoints. I’ve noticed a recent boldness among students, both Christian and non-Christian, to be critical of America’s dominant religious tradition.
I don’t teach in a bubble. The Pew Research Center just published a fascinating report on America’s rapidly changing religious landscape. The implications for classrooms of the near future are profound.
I’ve seen these changes at work, and they frighten many. Whether America’s changing religious landscape will have a positive or negative impact on our society is a matter of intense debate. But successful educators of the future will recognize that these changes ARE occurring! You may wish for the students you had 10 years ago, but they aren’t coming back. Accept that these changes are happening. Embrace present and future students. Connect with them…bond with them! It’s not only humane, but it’s rational.
If you’d like to learn more about connecting with students, check out my book “You’ve Gotta Connect”
You can also listen to me talk about connecting with students on the following podcasts:
Inspiration 4 Teachers with Kelly Long #16 http:
Inspiration 4 Teachers with Kelly Long #16 http://bit.ly/1dGyaE7
Talks With Teachers with Brian Sztabnik #66 http://bit.ly/1DwrNMu
Inspiring Educators with Sung Lee #34 http://bit.ly/1yaBkpe
Cult of Pedagogy with Jennifer Gonzalez #09 http://bit.ly/1sFSbBl
AJEd Episode with Adam Jones #07 http://bit.ly/1vNXBpZ
The Middle Way Society UK with Barry Daniel #54 http://bit.ly/1AQbmW
Principal Center Radio with Justin Baeder http://bit.ly/1yXcN89
All Sides on NPR’s WOSU 89.7 with Ann Fisher http://bit.ly/1wO2GDX
Middle School Matters #297 http://bit.ly/1uO0dUh
Please visit my website https://jamesalansturtevant.com/ and follow me on Twitter @jamessturtevant