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Post Info TOPIC: never mind.
Renee


Kenneth Cole

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RE: never mind.
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cakeeater wrote:




 It is sad that kids grow up in an ignorant environment and say ignorant things, but it is even more sad when a teacher forces their own opinions (even if they are right) onto students rather than encouraging them to explore their opinions and other points of views.  ...You could have said, "Really? Does anyone in the class have a differing opinion?" or something to that effect.


Just my 2 cents. I am a teacher as well and have lots of experience in leading discussions on most controversial topics, including racism, terrorism, war, you name it. Granted, my students are college kids and somewhat better educated than Halleybird's students, but they too, sometimes, make most ignorant and inappropriate statements in the classroom. "Does anyone in the class have a differing opinion?" is a standard question I ask, yes, but not in these situations, when it is clear to me that the students' opinions are based on a sad lack of information. Which it is my role, as a teacher, to rectify. I do not push for free discussion at whatever cost (though great discussion always happens, and it is important, constitutionally and educationally). My primary concern is teaching the students how to think, showing there are always at least two sides to every story, and that you have to explore facts before leaping to far-reaching conclusions. People  sometimes forget that the role of the teacher is not to entertain the students first of all, but to teach - supply information, show ways in which it can be interpreted, encourage discussion, and ensure that everyone is treated with respect. A good teacher is not equal to the students, though s/he may be close in age; s/he thinks better, knows more - and thus helps the students grow and learn. And sometimes that involves showing the student how he/she is wrong. Halleybird, you were clearly not out of line. It is too bad that you did not have more time with these students, but I am sure you will do a great job in you permanent classroom. So put your smile on, Halleybird, and don't be protective!



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halleybird


Hermes

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ahhh, I was hoping this post would be dead by now, but I guess I should respond since people have taken up my cause. Thank you to those of you who did say something. I didn't want anyone to get in an argument over this, which is why I deleted my post. I do want to say to lorelei and sunshinegirl that I appreciated your comments and I did not find them offensive in the least. I think that intelligent debate without personal attacks is healthy.


Also, I should point out that my original post did not ask for any opinions on my behavior or professionalism, only on the kid's words. I have been teaching for 4 years, and while I do make mistakes, I will ask if I want criticism.


I do want to say one more thing, coming from a teacher's point of view: especially at a high school level, I am as much a teacher of social skills and behavior as I am a teacher of literature. That means different things depending on where and who you teach. Trust me when I say the kids at my school are largely very rich, very spoiled and very self-centered. They have mostly gone to school with other kids like themselves. Many of their parents are wealthy but have very little education. These kids do not have any trouble forming or voicing opinions. What they do struggle with is what is acceptable in the world outside their own. By reacting strongly, I am mimicking the kind of shocked and angry response they would receive in a normal environment.


This kid is popular and rich, and has a lot of self-confidence -- trust me, he isn't going to suffer any after-effects of me raising my voice at him. Although, hopefully, the next time a statement like that pops into his mind, he will remember that it made someone shocked and angry, and he won't say it again. Or maybe not. But either way, I don't have to look at myself in the mirror and think that as a person, I let something like this go.


cakeeater wrote:


It is clear that I offended some people, and for that I want to apologize -- I could have worded things better.  I didn't have a problem with halleybird letting the student know he was wrong in what he said, I just disagreed with the way she handled it.  It was not my intention to attack her personally, but reading my post now, I can see that it can come across that way, and not as constructive criticism. So Halleybird, I am sorry if you felt I was attacking you, and I also apologize for misreading your post about calling the student racist.-- Edited by cakeeater at 00:36, 2005-08-18




I understand, and while I do believe you were coming from the right place, I think it was very poorly worded.. I think you may have misunderstood my actions, as well - perhaps that is just semantics. Either way, we can just let it go.


 


So that's all I am going to say on the subject. Let's go back to talking about clothes, please!



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