I have a tremendous respect for the teachers in America, but my experience has concluded that the ones who pick Education are the ones who couldn't make it in the real world. So much for the best and the brightest...
"Although he is correct..." I applaud Alex for questioning authority - especially when they are blatantly wrong!
I applaud Alex for not wanting to be a sheep as the teacher wants him and the rest of his students to be ... "simply accepting my teachings".
But I can't applaud a child disrespecting an elder. He could have told the teacher that he was wrong, that he would take it up with his parents and principle, but not argued about it. Children will be children though, especially when they know they are right.
Now I would have argued with the teacher to the point of crying because even though I knew I was right, my parents would know I was right, the fear of an a$$ whooping for disrespecting my teacher would have started the waterworks. lol My dad, 28 years Army, can you say "strict upbringing beyond belief"!