Contrary to the findings of previous studies in the field (Bayraktar Balkir, 2021; Hess, 2004; Yoshihara, 2013), most of the participants tend to share their opinion about controversial matters with their groups. However, the way they decide to do so tends to differ considerably. Again, the participants represented the two ends of the spectrum: some of them prefer to tell their opinion about anything (B, É, L) and some of them prefer not to share their opinion, and they only share their views if they are asked (G, Zs). Three teachers, Bella, Édua, and Lehel admitted that for them it is difficult to hide their opinion and they really need to control themselves in order not to overshare.

 

Others tend to share their opinion because they believe that if they expect their students to share, they should also reveal what they think about given controversial issues:

 

Nevertheless, they tend to react differently if the issue is important for them. For example, in such cases, Lehel tends not to share his opinion: “I know that I’m biased, that’s why I want to give them the floor, but it’s hard…” (T/FG-HS1-L-12). Klaudia, on the other hand, feels that it is more authentic on her part to share her opinion about matters close to her heart than not to: “I’m trying to set an example for them… if they know that some issues are important for me, it would not be credible from me not to tell them why it’s important” (T/FG-HS2-K-11). In the other group, both Édua and Alma expressed similar views and posited that the students already know the teacher’s opinion about certain matters if they follow them on social media and they are already “an open book” (T/FG-HS1-A-12). Alma and Lehel both told the group that they tend to share their opinion with their students with the aim of educating them. As an example, they told the group that they need to share their views on stereotypes and racism, because some of their students have a fixed mindset which is rather difficult to change, and they need to understand that there are different viewpoints and perspectives.