What if a teacher does NOT celebrate holidays/birthdays?

[lucybelle]

The closest I get to celebrating any holiday or birthday is by doing a bonus question that has something to do with it. Like for Valentine's Day I asked "St Valentine is the patron saint of what?" For a birthday I might say "How old is so-and-so today?"

I also might write under the date "Happy ----- Day"

[BioAngel]

Originally Posted by EdEd

Take this perhaps more extreme example - let's say a Jewish teacher decides to teach (and gets hired) in a Catholic school. That teacher would likely still be expected to participate in and organize any relevant Christmas parties for students, the reason being that classroom celebrations are not designed for nor do they come from a teacher's personal or religious perspectives.

We have a wonderful Jewish art teacher who will happily wish us a Merry Christmas and join us in the partying during the Christmas season at my Catholic school. She even attends Mass and will respectfully stand silently while we pray.

Why does she do this? Because she respects and loves her school community- even if she is a different faith.

I think that is the best way to react to this type of situation- regardless of your personal beliefs.

[EdEd]

Originally Posted by BioAngel

We have a wonderful Jewish art teacher who will happily wish us a Merry Christmas and join us in the partying during the Christmas season at my Catholic school. She even attends Mass and will respectfully stand silently while we pray.

Why does she do this? Because she respects and loves her school community- even if she is a different faith.

I think that is the best way to react to this type of situation- regardless of your personal beliefs.

Sounds like a very kind person!

[katie36]

Originally Posted by czacza

I dont celebrate Hanukkah, or Diwali, or lunar new year or a whole lot of other things my students celebrate, believe in, and enjoy as part of their family religions, culture and traditions. Personally, I love learning about and celebrating with others. If celebrations are in conflict with your personal beliefs, you will need to find a way to respect the traditions of others (perhaps having another teacher cover your class celebrations as described above) while balancing school culture and personal beliefs. Good luck to you.

I agree with this.