This week's installment of FOX's Glee is called "The Spanish Teacher." Figgins (Iqbal Theba) tells Will (Matthew Morrison) that he is up for tenure, but that he should probably learn some Spanish if he wants to be considered for the position. Will is, after all, a Spanish teacher. Enrolling in a night class taught by David Martinez (singer Ricky Martin), Will realizes just how little he knows, but tries to correct that by bringing a Latino flair to glee club, as well as his normal teaching duties. In the end, remembering what passion is all about, Will opts for a transfer to the history department, leaving his old job open for David. Emma (Jayma Mays), who is already comfortable in her position, is chosen for the tenured position over Will.
While Glee has never shied away from camp, exposing Will as a fraud of a Spanish teacher crosses the line. Will says that Spanish was the only teaching position open at the time he was seeking employment, so he took the subject. And that was how many teachers settled into their jobs decades ago. However, such hiring practices have not been realistic in Ohio, or almost any other state, in quite some time. There is no way that Will would be hired to teach a foreign language without majoring in it in college and passing tests. The educational process in Ohio is pretty strict, and he could not teach a subject he knows nothing about. As such, the entire thing is completely ridiculous.
And that's not even getting into the outdated system of tenure shown in this episode.
Does McKinley not have a choir director position? It is understood that glee club is an extracurricular, but most high schools of any size have a teacher devoted just to vocal music. McKinley certainly qualifies as such. If there is a teacher already holding that position, why haven't they been seen on the show before? It would make sense, given the musical focus. And if there is not, why aren't Will and the club lobbying for a levy to pass to restore their music program to normal, basic standards? Certainly this is something that they could get people in the community behind.
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Article comments
1 - pbandjamr
What is going on with Tina she wasn't in half of the Michael episode and she was in the Spanish teacher ep. Tina is a main character but oddly shes really like a minor character.
Also I don't like how pucks Mohawk is being grown and the there like combing it over either keep it short and up like in season 1-2 or just have it long and spike it up
2 - Jerome Wetzel
You're right about Tina, but she's always kind of been like that. And I don't mind it, because I don't really care for her.
3 - Franklin
I agree with all your points, however, I actually wanted more Spanish music and/or by Spanish artists. I did think La Isla Bonita and Sexy And I Know It were good performances but I would have perfered songs by Spanish singers, anyone from Celia Cruz, Selena, Marc Anthony, hell, even Jennifer Lopez or Christina Aguelira. I appreciate that The Spanish Teacher had Gloria Estefan and Enrique Igelsas and Gipsy Kings mash up in the episode, but this episode lacked one main thing: Spanish.
4 - Franklin
Preferred**** dumb auto correct.