As a middle school Language Arts teacher, I chose my location of my teaching position carefully.  My first job was in a county that routinely banned the teaching of any book that may offend in any way.  However, I found my lessons ineffective and uninspired there.  I chose to come to Wythe County after this, because in my interview it was explained that they do not believe in banning reading material.  They have supported me in choosing material that provokes emotion from the reader (This is not always positive emotion, but neither is life.)  I feel that for a state government to dictate what is best for children they have never met is not only insulting to the educator and student, but also a dangerously unsound practice.