I am a Social Studies teacher and I talk politics all the time. It would be a shame not to and I would miss many teaching opportunities.

The trick is to present both sides, and not try to steer the conversation to one side or another. For example, if a student mentions something they saw or read from an obviously liberal source, I ask them to visit a conservative source and tell me how the viewpoints differ on that specific issue.

The very last thing I do is then ask them what they feel about it...and if anyone in the class would like to respectfully disagree. Inevitably the class will ask what I think, and I take the opportunity to tell them that the issues being discussed are of the highest importance and I have the views I do because oh look pop quiz on chapter 12! :D

Many, and I mean MANY, of my colleagues are extreme liberals. I also have a couple of colleagues who are VERY conservative. Being in the breakroom can get very interesting, lol. There have been times where students peek in because the heated debates can be heard in the hallway. My experience is that the profession of education is indeed controlled by liberals, and to truly get ahead you have to "play the game" and avoid discussing issues that get uncomfortable because even middle of the road people like me are labeled as horrible people if we disagree with the liberal view of things.

In college, I learned to agree with the professors and I would get an A...any student who didn't subscribe to the doctrine was given horrible assignments for their field work and student teaching. I have kept my head clean, and in the 3 years I have been teaching I have been given one of the most sought after teaching assignments, and have been appointed to mentor new teachers because "I treat people fair." One of the teachers I am assigned to mentor curses like a sailor and stated that all men and the Catholic church are the worst things in the world. God help me...

Offer to have a priest perform an exorcism just in case that's what's ailing her. :D