Idaho Science Teacher Investigated for Saying ‘Vagina’
Have we really come to the point where biology teachers can’t openly discuss human biology in the classroom?
David Edwards of The Raw Story reports.
Idaho teacher investigated for saying ‘vagina’ during biology lesson
A high school science teacher in Idaho is under investigation by the state’s professional standards commission because he reportedly used the word “vagina” during a biology lesson.
Tim McDaniel, who teaches 10th grade science at Dietrich School, told the Twin Falls Times-News that four parents were upset when they learned that his lesson included the word “vagina” and information about the biology behind female orgasm.
“I teach straight out of the textbook, I don’t include anything that the textbook doesn’t mention,” McDaniel remarked. “But I give every student the option not attend this class when I teach on the reproductive system if they don’t feel comfortable with the material.”
McDaniel said that he had never before received a complaint in the 18 years that he had taught science class at Dietrich School.
According to students who have set up a Facebook page to “SAVE THE SCIENCE TEACHER!!” certain parents may have had a political agenda in going after McDaniel. Sixty-six percent of church goers in Lincoln County, where Dietrich is located, are affiliated with the Mormon LDS Church, according to 2002 Glenmary Research Center data.
“[T]here are a couple people in the community that are trying to get Mr. McDaniel fired for teaching the reproductive system, climate change, and several other science subjects,” students wrote. “All these subjects were taught from the book and in good taste. He cares for each of his students and goes the extra mile to help them all. Now is the time for us to help by supporting him!”
Idaho teacher investigated for saying ‘vagina’ during biology lesson (The Raw Story)
Comments
Why is the headline that it’s all about the word vagina when it then says that he was also talking to a class of teenagers about female orgasm? I’m sure he has said penis, too.
I recall high school biology. I’m not convinced that discussing orgasm with minors is as clearly appropriate as the teacher is insisting it is. If someone complained to mom and dad it’s probably because he or she was made uncomfortable enough to complain to mom and dad.
Oh, and probably more importantly… we are talking about minors. It’s not the same situation as in a college classroom where the wishes of parents simply aren’t important. Parents still have the legal responsibility and authority over what their children are exposed to and what they do. And they get any information about what may happen in class second-hand.
My biology teacher showed us a couple of films I never told my parents about until I was far older and suddenly realized how outrageous it was. One was a doomsday end-of-the-world fright-film. The other was a film that took past life revelation through hypnosis seriously and presented it as if it was science. One of my friends, afterward, insisted that past lives and reincarnation were real *because the people in the film wore lab coats.* It was “science” because it was presented in “science” class. Period.
We like to act like the concerned parents are obvious nut-cases or religious loons. Maybe they’re just realists.