what are our values, as teachers?

I am in the social action group.  I conducted research based on the idea of incorporating social justice into the curriculum.  One idea that came up over the course of my research was one's approach to "teaching values."  On the surface, this is a general idea, which can be defined in all kinds of ways.  I have frequently heard the idea that teachers should be apolitical.  We should be objective and value-neutral.  I think this is impossible.  And I am not alone.  At some point in most of the articles that I have read, each author mentioned that teaching is not an objective, value neutral activity. 

We are told to avoid "difficult" and "uncomfortable" topics like racism or oppression so as not to make our students uncomfortable or offend their parents.  But this is not value-neutral.  Whenever we make a discussion about what content to cover in class and what to leave out, we are making decisions that convey values.  As Kraft (one of the authors of my articles) explains, "choosing to avoid serious discussions about social issues is a value judgment that perpetuates injustice, racism, sexism, classism, and inequality."  We cannot remain silent on these issues unless we want to perpetuate these problems.

Furthermore, encouraging your students to take action and teaching them about examples of social activists who have effected change is no more biased than pretending that the world is fair and equal.  Doing nothing is not value-free or objective; it is irresponsible. Regardless of what we say or do, or don't say or don't do, we are role models.  I, for one, would like to be a role model that suggests that the world should and can be changed for the better.  I would like to be a role model that shows that fighting racism, sexism, classism, and homophobia are moral imperatives in our society.