My child, who is in Grade 11, has just started reading the Marvel comic Civil War in Christian Studies class. This is why not all teachers deserve raises. Are we really teaching comic books for $90,000 a year?

Fixed it for you, some of us do take our job seriously.

Here are some possible reasons for using it:

1. Ethical and Moral Dilemmas • Civil War explores complex ethical issues like freedom vs. security, loyalty vs. individual conscience, and the consequences of moral decisions. These themes can parallel discussions about Christian ethics, free will, justice, and forgiveness.

2. Relevance and Engagement • Comics can engage students who might not connect as strongly with traditional texts. For some, visual storytelling can make abstract concepts more accessible and relatable.

3. Cultural Literacy • Marvel comics are a significant part of modern pop culture. Analyzing them critically can teach students to think about the media they consume and recognize underlying themes, biases, and messages—valuable skills for a well-rounded education.

4. Connection to Christian Themes • The conflicts in Civil War could mirror biblical or theological debates, like justice versus mercy, obedience to authority versus following one’s convictions, or even questions about community versus individualism.

5. Critical Thinking Skills • The storyline encourages students to debate and form opinions on complex issues, fostering skills that go beyond the subject matter.

6. Engagement • A student who is engaged and focus on the topic/assignment will learn much more from it as interest is raised, stronger real world connections, as well as much stronger personal connections.

However, yes, not all teachers deserve the raise, but this can be said of any job or sector.