Your teacher told you WHAT?!?!?!?

Activists in the classroom?

Many Christian parents hold concerns about what their kids might hear in the classroom, especially in public schools. Can teachers bring in their own political views? What if a teacher shares something that goes against our family’s faith? And what can we do if we feel a line has been crossed?

In recent years, it can look—especially from news headlines, social media posts, and even statements by teachers’ unions—that teachers are free to share their own political and social values with students. We’ve all seen stories about pride flags displayed in classrooms, teachers posting about “teaching activism,” or unions encouraging staff to speak out on causes like racial justice or gender identity. To many parents, it feels like the classroom is being used to promote personal beliefs. But here’s the important part: the law does not automatically give teachers that right. Courts have consistently ruled that when teachers are on the job, their classroom speech is treated as the school’s speech, not their own. That means schools—not individual teachers—set the boundaries.

The truth is, teachers in public schools do not have unlimited free speech when they are on the job. Several court cases have set the boundaries, and knowing about them can help us, as parents, understand when to ask questions or raise concerns.

What the Courts have said

Many people, including parents and teachers themselves, tend to think that teachers have more freedom to share their personal beliefs in the classroom than what the law actually allows. In truth, when the government is acting as an employer, it has broad authority and even a responsibility to limit educators’ speech both on and off the job.

Here are four important court cases that give us a clearer picture:

• Garcetti v. Ceballos (2006)
  The Supreme Court said that when public employees speak as part of their job, they do not have the same rights as speech by a private citizen. For teachers, that means what they say in class is under the school’s control, or can be regulated by the school board.

• Mayer v. Monroe County (2007)
  A teacher tried to share her personal political opinions during a lesson. The court ruled that schools can stop this because classroom time is meant for the approved curriculum, not for personal agendas.

• Johnson v. Poway (2011)
  A math teacher put up large religious banners in his classroom. The court said the school could require their removal, because what teachers display or say in class is considered part of their official duties.

  • Why this matters today: The same principle applies to other political or social symbols. Schools may choose to prohibit or remove displays like pride flags, Black Lives Matter banners, or even foreign flags tied to political causes. The law allows schools to make that call because classroom speech and displays are treated as the school’s voice, not the teacher’s.

• Weingarten v. Board of Education (1973)
  This case involved Randi Weingarten, a teacher and later union leader, who challenged restrictions on teacher speech related to union activity. The court recognized that teachers, as citizens, do have First Amendment rights when speaking out on public matters (like labor conditions or school policy) outside their classroom duties. But when they are teaching, their speech is tied to the school, not their personal views.

   

In other words, teachers cannot freely promote their personal beliefs—political, religious, or otherwise—while teaching. The school has the right to keep lessons on track, and parents have the expectation that their children will not be politically, religiously or otherwise indoctrinated in the classroom.

What parents can do

So what are the best steps to take when your child comes home with a troubling account of what was discussed or taught at school?

• Ask Questions
  You always have the right to ask what is being taught and how it lines up with the school’s curriculum. A respectful email or phone call, first to the teacher, and possibly then to the principal is a good place to start. Children are not always good conduits of information, so it’s best to ask questions and get your facts straight before reacting emotionally to what you hear from your student.

• Raise Concerns
  If you feel a teacher is stepping outside of the curriculum or presenting something that undermines your family’s values, you can file a formal complaint with the school. Districts have set procedures for this, which should be available online. Alternately, you can get the information by calling the district office.

• Request an Investigation
  If the issue is serious—such as discrimination, harassment, or repeated disregard for policy—you can ask the school to investigate. In some cases, the school is required by law to do so.

• Follow the Chain of Command
  If the concern isn’t addressed at the classroom or principal level, you can go to the school board or even state officials.

Safeguarding your children’s hearts and minds

As Christian parents, we know that Scripture calls us to guard our children’s hearts and minds (Proverbs 4:23). Public schools are tasked with teaching academics, not shaping our kids’ faith or politics. The courts have said that teachers must stick to the curriculum. That means if something doesn’t feel right, you are within your rights to ask questions and expect answers.

There are many conscientious, well-intended teachers who are doing a tough job with care and intention. As parents, we want to honor and acknowledge dedicated educators who pour into our students.

Nonetheless parents still have the right—and responsibility—to speak up when they see problems. By staying informed and engaged, we can partner with schools while also protecting our children’s hearts and minds in line with our Christian faith.