Nativity not allowed

[Thewhitedove]

I am a teacher in a private primary school in Europe teaching 5 years olds. The model of our school is that the younger classes have 2 qualified teachers per class. This is my first year teaching this age range and I have been put in a class with a teacher (let's call her Mary), who's is very experienced. We are of equal rank and neither of us is the boss, despite her having more experience than me.

It has been delightful working with Mary: she is incredibly kind, generous, supportive and selfless. Nothing is ever too much bother and honestly, she has made it so easy for me to transition to this new class. I like her so much and really enjoy learning from her.

She not a believer at all. She knows I am, and so far there have been no issues up until now.

Last week we were planning Christmas activities for next week and another new colleage suggested a Nativity colouring activity. Mary shut it down straightaway and said that we werent allowed to do anything to with religion (according to the 'rules').

I asked how come one of the other classes had a Diwali display up, and she couldnt change the subject fast enough. I brought it up the next day, saying I couldn't believe we couldnt mention the Nativity and she said those are the rules and moved on quickly. One of the activities she wants to do is 'Santa Around the World', including a Buddhist monk who gives gifts to children!

As I was walking past another class today, I saw them doing a lesson on Hanukkah! Which is a 'religion'! I feel that my colleague has a personal agenda against the Nativity. She is incredibly closed to any mention of the birth of Jesus.

 

I feel that if I go to our bosses for clarification, they wont have a leg to stand on and will have to allow me to mention the fact that Christians celebrate Christmas because of the birth of Jesus, as other religions are being mentioned so it's not fair.

However, this is going to come across as beingopenly confrontational against my colleague Mary. She is not open to it at all and I am becoming increasingly angry about the hypocrisy. I am naturally averse to any kind of confrontation and tend to avoid it as best I can, but feel like I need to speak up (but dont want to!).

Honestly I tried to say something so many times today and lost my nerve each time. I just have no idea how to broach the topic! I shouldntcare about my colleague but we work closely together and, to be honest, I just dont know what to say!

What would you do?

[Thewhitedove]

Also I want to add that next academic year, almost 98% of the class will do religion (it's a Catholic country) and while the doctrine is wrong, they will get the Nativity then. 

[Who me]

1 hour ago, Thewhitedove said:

am naturally averse to any kind of confrontation and tend to avoid it as best I can, but feel like I need to speak up (but dont want to!).

Honestly I tried to say something so many times today and lost my nerve each time. I just have no idea how to broach the topic! I shouldntcare about my colleague but we work closely together and, to be honest, I just dont know what to say

 

As other classes are are celebrating religion and it is part of the curriculum may I suggest asking her' that as she is averse to religion to leave the classroom while you do that lesson.'

Get in early on the day for that lesson and put up the relevent pictures etcIf she tears them down ask why and be prepared to take it to the school year.

[Abrielle]

On one hand:

You have everything by your side (1. The school didn't advise against that subject. 2. School doesn't educate, it teaches, so, it is better that the kids aren't ignorant about the nativity, since there are nativity scenes everywhere. 3. It's Christmas.) The only advantage your colleague has is you giving importance to her position. You can negotiate: No Nativity, then no monk, no santa, let's just make gingerbread cookies.

 

On the other hand:

 

I work with pre-university students. I tutor Mathematics in private lessons with one student at a time. I have to be extremely careful with what i say to them, because nowadays religion is a sensitive topic. My approach is: To be a good example, to have a sense of humor, be patient, helpful, (harsh), open to listen and to give my own point of view, so they can see that it is fine to make our own minds in a world that wants us homogeneous. And then, when we all know that there is a lot of space for each individual, while conversing, i have the opportunity to tell them that i am a Christian. They get surprised, because i don't fit their prejudice of a religious person. Then they are the ones who want to understand, they are intrigued and ask questions, and a seed can be planted. I deal closely with parents too, so the way i help their kids is the best introduction to Christ i can give.

This is to say: We have plenty of opportunities to talk about Jesus. If "forcing" your colleague to introduce the theme will make a fuss and bring antipathy towards the message of Jesus, then it is better to just let it go and work in a gentle way during the year (who knows if next year she is the one who wants to make the activity?). The truth is only one, but there are many ways to be productive about sharing our Lord.

[missmuffet]

3 hours ago, Thewhitedove said:

I am a teacher in a private primary school in Europe teaching 5 years olds. The model of our school is that the younger classes have 2 qualified teachers per class. This is my first year teaching this age range and I have been put in a class with a teacher (let's call her Mary), who's is very experienced. We are of equal rank and neither of us is the boss, despite her having more experience than me.

It has been delightful working with Mary: she is incredibly kind, generous, supportive and selfless. Nothing is ever too much bother and honestly, she has made it so easy for me to transition to this new class. I like her so much and really enjoy learning from her.

She not a believer at all. She knows I am, and so far there have been no issues up until now.

Last week we were planning Christmas activities for next week and another new colleage suggested a Nativity colouring activity. Mary shut it down straightaway and said that we werent allowed to do anything to with religion (according to the 'rules').

I asked how come one of the other classes had a Diwali display up, and she couldnt change the subject fast enough. I brought it up the next day, saying I couldn't believe we couldnt mention the Nativity and she said those are the rules and moved on quickly. One of the activities she wants to do is 'Santa Around the World', including a Buddhist monk who gives gifts to children!

As I was walking past another class today, I saw them doing a lesson on Hanukkah! Which is a 'religion'! I feel that my colleague has a personal agenda against the Nativity. She is incredibly closed to any mention of the birth of Jesus.

 

I feel that if I go to our bosses for clarification, they wont have a leg to stand on and will have to allow me to mention the fact that Christians celebrate Christmas because of the birth of Jesus, as other religions are being mentioned so it's not fair.

However, this is going to come across as beingopenly confrontational against my colleague Mary. She is not open to it at all and I am becoming increasingly angry about the hypocrisy. I am naturally averse to any kind of confrontation and tend to avoid it as best I can, but feel like I need to speak up (but dont want to!).

Honestly I tried to say something so many times today and lost my nerve each time. I just have no idea how to broach the topic! I shouldntcare about my colleague but we work closely together and, to be honest, I just dont know what to say!

What would you do?

I would go higher up and ask if the Nativity scene is really against the rules. I would not take Mary's false authority. 

[Willa]

Having also worked in the public school system I found it necessary to wait until people asked me about my beliefs.  People got fired for being more evangelical.  However, people always asked me and I always gave an answer that was Christian but not denominational.  They had cameras watching us so we walked on egg shells.  That is being as wise as serpents and as innocent as doves.  Despite of that I got a lot of slander behind my back once the word got out.  God gave me the grace to love them anyhow.  I remember how much it hurts to kick against the prods, as Saul/Paul had done.

[Who me]

What happened about the nativity?

[Thewhitedove]

I went to my boss who said of course I could talk about the Nativity. I did a lesson and briefly talked about Christ's birth being the reason for Christmas. I told my colleague I was going to do it and she agreed, and left the room to do some admin while I was teaching. It all worked out fine! Thanks for the advice and prayers!

[Who me]

33 minutes ago, Thewhitedove said:

I went to my boss who said of course I could talk about the Nativity. I did a lesson and briefly talked about Christ's birth being the reason for Christmas. I told my colleague I was going to do it and she agreed, and left the room to do some admin while I was teaching. It all worked out fine! Thanks for the advice and prayers!

 

Good to know, do seek to do all the Christian festivals and to find an opportunity to discuss her adversion to Christianity.