To The Editor: In Portsmouth, New Hampshire a majority of the residents consider themselves extremely Liberal. This empowers our area as a strong, forward community that many our very proud of. But, a teacher's job is not to correct people's political views. Judgement or discrimination of anyone's political party in the classroom should be strictly prohibited. Public school systems educate approximately 50 million students in the United States each year. This means that students from different religions, cultures, races, and backgrounds attend. A teacher's responsibility is to teach the students facts and life skills.

As a Junior at Portsmouth High School, I have sat through many uncomfortable and upsetting classes where the teacher’s views not only upset or offended student’s, but the quality of the information we were being taught suffers. Students are taught from a young age to sit quietly, raise your hand if you have a question, and to be respectful to your peers and teachers. I have been the student in many classes where I have felt like my views were being made fun of and stereotyped. When the teacher condones or contributes to this behavior it opens up the doors for students with the same views to pitch in while the minority slumps in their seat, stares at the clock, and can’t wait to be out of the classroom where their views are being bashed.

Portsmouth High School makes it their mission to be a safe and comfortable learning environment for all of the students and staff. But, even after many attempts to put in a policy in place teachers are still allowed to say Republicans are idiots and Democrats don’t believe in God. We live in 2016 and these stereotypes should not be allowed in the classroom or at all. These stereotypes can often be found in a history or government class, the negative stereotypes said by teachers and students create an unhealthy learning environment. While opinion is sometimes valued by teachers and students, there is a level of where it becomes inappropriate, hateful, and completely unacceptable.

As a city that constantly moves forward and gets better, we need to make sure that students of all walks of earth feel welcome and heard in the classroom. To do this, we need to create policy in the public school system that makes it completely unacceptable to disrespect a political party, religion, and so on. This policy should be zero tolerance and taken seriously by all. This is not a matter of defending one side or the other, it is a matter of respect. Something I believe should be taken more seriously in America. The first step is showing the next generation of leaders, artists, and scientists, how to be good and respectful people.

Bob The BuilderJunior at PHS.