Please tell me "Is any of this true"? - Page 2

motordavid · #11 02-17-2011, 10:25 AM

I'm from a tad after Quicksilver's time, (graduated HS in '65), but I agree with him: it was 'different' then, as in yes we were also idiots and pranksters, and juvie deliquent wrecks trying to get away with all we could. But, only the foolish or self-destructive then, would talk back to, or swear at, or dis an adult to their face, especially a teacher.

I understand that things have changed, (lol!), and we are in the time of kids calling Social Services if they get a mean look from Mom,
but the 'lid is off' the lack of civility jar, imo.

I only taught briefly, as a TA in grad school, trying to get Freshman Comp kids to write a readable paragraph, and then for one un-fun year teaching 'English' in the ol'Southwestern HS, back in the Motor.

Not suggesting that every teacher is 'right' or great or...and, the teach in the story might have been more diplomatic and discrete.
But it seems to me this is a generally uncourteous world we are in, and current kids are simply a reflection of our current 'us': good/bad/different,
but they are a product of what we are, as contemporaries, and it does not seem like the 'environment' is improving any.
GL, mD

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rayxi · #12 02-17-2011, 12:48 PM

I think she has done what most of her colleagues wish they had the guts to do. Perhaps her language and wording was a bit too strong for public consumption but then, it was never intended for public consumption.

An interesting quote in the article from one of her former students:
"It's a teacher's job, however, to give students the motivation to learn"

I think this type of attitude is indicative of one of the problems. Parents send their kids to school hoping that the school system will fix their kids and that they don't have any responsibilities in educating them. Baloney. The motivation to learn, or lack of, comes from the home. The attitude and respect towards teachers and others in general also comes from the home. You can't count on the school system to fix that.

Weasel · #13 02-17-2011, 02:18 PM

I have yet to see the "crime" in her expressing herself on a public forum/blog, especially to the point of losing her job over it...

For my very first years of school, the teachers had whipping permission to keep my narrow white ass in line if I acted up... and I benefited from that for sure as I went from a smart ass to being on the honor roll pretty quick. But long gone are the days of physical discipline and personal responsibility I'm afraid, and it really shows in cases like this.

X5rolls · #14 02-17-2011, 06:40 PM

I also don't understand why the teacher is in trouble here. She didn't name any student. Also, what about the students that are there to actually learn something, shouldn't there be more of a focus from the school system helping teachers and telling parents that their kids are causing disruption etc? The teacher isn't the problem.

Quicksilver · #15 02-17-2011, 06:54 PM

Here's the Good Morning America video

Blogging Teacher's Job on the Line

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