By Eric Schwed ’14, and Julia Blanchard ’14, Staff Writers 

During the months leading up to the presidential election, it was seemingly impossible to avoid knowing the political views of every Newark Academy student. The halls buzzed with debate over who was the better candidate for president. As a result of the incessant political chatter, teachers were faced with a difficult decision: whether or not to enter the conversation, and voice their own political opinions, outside of the classroom context.

As educators and role models, teachers are forced to balance the benefits of engaging in political discussion with students against the risks of making students who do not share their views uncomfortable.

The benefits of engaging in political discourse are numerous.  The Newark Academy faculty is comprised of intellectually engaged individuals who are knowledgeable about important political topics.   Honest and in-depth discussions with them about politics and policy issues lead to a much deeper and intricate understanding of all sides of an argument.  Whether it is getting an in-depth explanation from a teacher about the ramifications of a candidate’s tax policy or a moderating a passionate debate over the role of government in everyday life, teachers are an invaluable source of knowledge that can and should be drawn upon in order for students to better understand the current political landscape. Teachers can be natural moderators who enhance political discussions and ensure that they do not degrade into mudslinging fights between ill-informed students. Legitimating political discussion as an educational opportunity is an important role for teachers. Mr. Vinikoor, Humanities Department Chair, said that political discussion is a way in which “students would debate and learn from each other.”

The potential problems that arise from political discussion are of course impossible to ignore. The position of a teacher is a position of authority, and disagreement with a student’s political beliefs could be seen as an attempt to pressure the student to change his or her beliefs. Some members of the student body were unequivocal. “Politics should not be discussed because I think the teacher is in a position in which the students are very impressionable, and will believe what they hear,” said Zach Gross `14, a member of Newark Academy’s Young Republicans club.

Discussing social issues with students has the potential to be deeply offensive. For example, if a teacher opposes gay marriage he or she could potentially offend a student who is gay or has a gay family member. In another case, expressing pro-choice views on abortion could offend a very pious student.

In order to effectively balance the risks and benefits of political discourse, teachers have to keep their political beliefs separate from their academic subjects.  Moreover, while it is always a risk when discussing personal beliefs that an individual may be offended, as long as a teacher is tactful and respectful it is a risk worth taking.  A clear way to achieve the right balance is for teachers not to discuss personal beliefs on any political issue that overlaps with their academic subject. For all intents and purposes, this means that Humanities teachers must tread lightly when it comes to politics. Mr. Vinikoor summed it up quite nicely, saying “Teachers, especially in the Humanities, should refrain from sharing their own political beliefs.”

Ms. Lifson, an IB Economics teacher, is a perfect example of a teacher who practices non-interference with her academic subject when it comes to politics.  She is more than willing to discuss and debate social issues outside of her classroom, but she will not state her personal views on fiscal policy because she feels it might make her unable to teach an unbiased economics class. While she did educate students inside of the classroom on the alternate fiscal plans of President Obama and Mr. Romney during the general election, she did not offer her opinion as to which plan she preferred. Physics teacher Mr. Bitler is another example. Even though he is more than willing to share his personal views on all political issues, that political discussion does not overlap with his academic subject area.

Students have benefited greatly from political discourse with teachers like Ms. Lifson and Mr. Bitler, and Newark Academy should continue to encourage appropriate political discussion between students and faculty.