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I am taking a class called Education in a Pluralistic Society. For this class we have to do 3 field experiences (why he calls them that I don't know, but who am I??) So for my first one I thought to pose at least one question with hopes to turn that into a paper. (If you choose to respond to one or all questions your name will not be used) If you can think of a better question I'd be happy to hear it, it needs to relate to school in some way though.
How do you think that being gay should be addressed in schools? (ie. not at all, teach acceptance...) (Please explain your choice)
Do you think a support group for gay (lesbian, bisexual, transgender, questioning, and straight supporters) should be offered at a high school level? Should the teacher/advisor be fall in the GLBT category? (Please explain your choice)
Thanks
Danielle
"To the world you may be but one person, but to one person you may be the world!"
"Some people love you and some hate you.. those who hate don't know what they're missing and they're missing out!"
"Never underestimate your power to change yo
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IM [3:14 AM]: yeah, i found it. i'll just reply here though, but i can post it tomorrow if you want -- and i'd have responded if i saw it. i personally think tolerance needs/HAS to be taught; not forced, but at least taught/mentioned -- it's no different than teaching equality for races and gender, especially since it's freaking 2003 and people need to realise now, that yes there's gay people and they're not going anywhere. secondly:
IM [3:14 AM]: i do think some kind of group should be offered -- and again, that's offered and not forced. the option should be available if students feel they need or want it.
elaboration now that i'm posting this: the reason i say "offered" and "available" but not "forced," is because there's always going to be the sorts who don't want to know or learn or what have you (and shame on them, but it happens), who might try to argue or complain that "this stuff was shoved down my throat, blah blah." i remember being in classes and students getting annoyed because we would have black history month "shoved down our throats." and that one bad apple spoils everything, unfortunately.
but yes, it's no different than promoting gender equality, class equality, or race equality. people need to wake up. like i said, it's 2003, and guess what? people are gay! some are transgendered, some wish they were another gender, some are caught in between. the sooner it's accepted (doesn't have to be liked by everyone, but .. accepted) the smoother things will run for EVERYONE.
btw, this was initially an IM with danielle. i decided to post it here to see if maybe other opinions would come up to give her a hand.
my void does not want.
-- 2.13.61.
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IM [3:14 AM]: yeah, i found it. i'll just reply here though, but i can post it tomorrow if you want -- and i'd have responded if i saw it. i personally think tolerance needs/HAS to be taught; not forced, but at least taught/mentioned -- it's no different than teaching equality for races and gender, especially since it's freaking 2003 and people need to realise now, that yes there's gay people and they're not going anywhere. secondly:
IM [3:14 AM]: i do think some kind of group should be offered -- and again, that's offered and not forced. the option should be available if students feel they need or want it.
elaboration now that i'm posting this: the reason i say "offered" and "available" but not "forced," is because there's always going to be the sorts who don't want to know or learn or what have you (and shame on them, but it happens), who might try to argue or complain that "this stuff was shoved down my throat, blah blah." i remember being in classes and students getting annoyed because we would have black history month "shoved down our throats." and that one bad apple spoils everything, unfortunately.
but yes, it's no different than promoting gender equality, class equality, or race equality. people need to wake up. like i said, it's 2003, and guess what? people are gay! some are transgendered, some wish they were another gender, some are caught in between. the sooner it's accepted (doesn't have to be liked by everyone, but .. accepted) the smoother things will run for EVERYONE.
btw, this was initially an IM with danielle. i decided to post it here to see if maybe other opinions would come up to give her a hand.
my void does not want.
-- 2.13.61.
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IM [3:14 AM]: yeah, i found it. i'll just reply here though, but i can post it tomorrow if you want -- and i'd have responded if i saw it. i personally think tolerance needs/HAS to be taught; not forced, but at least taught/mentioned -- it's no different than teaching equality for races and gender, especially since it's freaking 2003 and people need to realise now, that yes there's gay people and they're not going anywhere. secondly:
IM [3:14 AM]: i do think some kind of group should be offered -- and again, that's offered and not forced. the option should be available if students feel they need or want it.
elaboration now that i'm posting this: the reason i say "offered" and "available" but not "forced," is because there's always going to be the sorts who don't want to know or learn or what have you (and shame on them, but it happens), who might try to argue or complain that "this stuff was shoved down my throat, blah blah." i remember being in classes and students getting annoyed because we would have black history month "shoved down our throats." and that one bad apple spoils everything, unfortunately.
but yes, it's no different than promoting gender equality, class equality, or race equality. people need to wake up. like i said, it's 2003, and guess what? people are gay! some are transgendered, some wish they were another gender, some are caught in between. the sooner it's accepted (doesn't have to be liked by everyone, but .. accepted) the smoother things will run for EVERYONE.
btw, this was initially an IM with danielle. i decided to post it here to see if maybe other opinions would come up to give her a hand.
my void does not want.
-- 2.13.61.
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smith
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On fire! |
Registered: January 1970
Messages: 1095
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#1 How should being gay be addressed in school?
If you wait until high school to "teach" 17 year olds that being gay is acceptable, you've waited about 17 years too long. The word 'gay' has been removed from elementary school level textbooks. It used to mean 'happy' but now it brings on giggles because even 7 year olds know it's something naughty.
Their textbooks have illustrations of every ethnic group, every physical handicap to the point that they are SO politically correct that they stories are boring and like a bowl of oatmeal with nothing to flavor them at all. And yet, kids still "hate" each other. A kid can read and discuss a story all week about a black kid in a wheelchair and make an A+ on the test and go right out and jeer at the same black kid or laugh at the kid in the wheelchair.
My Mama teaches 4th grade and the lines are drawn way before then. If you do anything that faintly smacks of "sissy", you hear "Faggot" or "What are you~gay?" These are 8/9 year olds.
Plus, in elementary, there are unwritten rules and one of these is not to discuss homosexuality in any form whatsoever. Aids is discussed as body fluids being transferred by dirty needles, blood from like a nosebleed and pee in public restrooms.
One of my 2 best friends in K was Jordy. I didn't even care he was black until about 3rd grade, someone mentioned it and I had to fight about it. He still is one of my best friends. Kids need to learn when they are still open to acceptance, when they are young. Waiting til high school is a waste of time. Lines have been drawn and they are impossible to step over.
Kids spend approximately 4/5 hours sitting in a desk, listening to a teacher. The rest of the school day is in activity or with friends. So, out of a 17 hour day (not counting sleep) a teenager is loose to form his own opinions and those opinions come from peers and home, videos and tv.
My answer Danielle....Homosexuality as a genetic difference, a Godgiven gift that should not have to be taught in school. If parents and churches did their jobs the schools wouldn't have to have classes called "Values" where some stranger (teacher) inflicts his/her biased values on a room full of trapped teenagers.
smith (excuse the rant)
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smith
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On fire! |
Registered: January 1970
Messages: 1095
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#2 Should a GLBT support group be offered at a high school level?
Of course and at a junior high level too. Do they think these gay kids only figure it out when they walk through the doors of the high school? It would be great if the advisor was gay but not many teachers can afford to take that stand.
The principal should stand solidly in favor of the group as well as the school board and all slurs and actions should be taken care of. All parents should be invited and polite open discussion provided. So many parents don't understand that gay is a Godgiven gift. But, we're talking about a parallel universe here.
Schools are run by the parents and as long as they teach intolerance to their kids, anyone with differences needs more than a club meeting once a week to get through the day.
But GLBT groups are a beginning and maybe, one day, if enough str8 kids see the importance, they will be in all the schools and be a working force.
I had a friend named Eric who, as we grew, I came to realize was transgender. He would have welcomed a GLBT group in our school.
smith
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robert bryce
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Really getting into it |
Registered: January 1970
Messages: 414
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darned hot topic and nicely presented,,,Can you imagine the witch hunt and firestorm that would be created over these issues,especially in grade school.Both sweet Jerry and his buddy Pat would have cows and the pope just might opt for a sex change...hehehe
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smith's answer to the first question puts it better than I could.
As to whether support groups should be offered, that is to big a step for this society. I think the groups should be allowed and even encouraged. But not sponsored. While I wish their was a group like that in every school, that seems unrealistic.
Gay teachers, we have them now. In every walk of life you will find gays. Some try to demonize the whole group as sexual predators. This is just plain wrong. I think we call that predjudice.
Good luck on your assignment.
Hugs,
Kevin
"Be excellent to each other, and, party on dudes"!
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smith said:
My answer Danielle....Homosexuality as a genetic difference, a Godgiven gift that should not have to be taught in school. If parents and churches did their jobs the schools wouldn't have to have classes called "Values" where some stranger (teacher) inflicts his/her biased values on a room full of trapped teenagers.
and i couldn't agree more. i still think things should be offered in school, though. of course it should be up to the parents to teach, but the same was said of general sex ed, and there's some students (oh, me for example) whose parents ignored topics like this because they didn't know how to teach it. and oh yes, high school was too late -- but better late than never. a mind can still be changed, and taught, at 15 to 18.
now, i want to tell a story. humor me and read, please?
my daughter knows what "gay" is, and i didn't even know that she did. she came with me to college one day over this last winter semester, because she had spring break and i didn't. oh, she loved it there ... in the hour between my classes she hung out with me where i usually do, on the library observatory deck. she crushed on the boy i usually would sit with, because he got her to eat her lunch and taught her how to pack a snowball.
two jock-assholes walked by (and you'd think by $*#$*# college, this crap would be overwith) and muttered something about the "faggot, and oh look he's molesting children!" with ME sitting right there (shiloh had tackled him), and my daughter. they left and shi asks me what faggot means, and jeff stalks off to light a cigarette. i told her it's in the ranks of "nigger" and other such name-calling that has to do with things people shouldn't judge other people by. then she asks, "well, what thing like that does faggot pick on?" and i said we'd talk about it later. which did not mean i was brushing it off, i simply felt the ob. deck was not a place for this conversation. anyone who knows me knows that, but jeff didn't know, and he came back and said, "no, how about you talk to her about it now?" and then left, hurt. so i did.
here i am, trying to tell her in a way she'll understand, and in a way that would make her NOT say, "eww gross!" and i'm halfway through, and she says, "oh, you mean ... gay?" and giggles. and i asked how she knew that, and she said she wasn't sure -- picking up from TV; movies and shows i've watched, and possibly her dad (who is closet, at least closet bi-sexual, but not when it'll affect things like, oh, custody. long story). she was doing the classic gradeschool hush-giggle, like, forbidden knowledge and "oh, this is bad!" and i said, "you realise there's nothing wrong with this, right? love is love, and sometimes the heart wants what it wants, regardless of what anyone else says." i went on to explain that when my mother was young, this was even more "outlandish," and while there's still a lot of stupid people today, hopefully in ten years there'll be less.
i think she learned something that day.
the point is that yes, i agree with smith, that these things need to be taught at home. but not everyone's parents are accepting of homosexuality; my own mother likes to pretend she is, but then also pretends i've never had relationships with females, and that's just how she was brought up. for those kids whose parents will not touch it, there needs to be something. there were huge controversies once upon a time (and in some places, still are) about introducing plain ol' sex-ed in school. in junior high we baaarely touched it. now, the junior high has a whole unit on it, high school even moreso. it eventually got through.
we need these kinds of programs. people need to wake the hell up and grind the denial-grit out of their eyes. this is not going anywhere. it shouldn't be up to the school to teach and educate, but it's got to be there for kids who need to know, want to know, HAVE to know, but whose parents are ignorant of the topic, hateful, or scared to talk about it.
/ramblenovel-postfromHELL.
my void does not want.
-- 2.13.61.
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smith,
that was awesome...many have said they couldn't have answered it better. My question to you (or anyone else) now is I want to be a teacher that students feel they can come to. I may be straight but I want to make a difference to kids who don't have anywhere to turn. Would you have known that I was(am) a "safe teacher" if I had a "gay flag" or a rainbow in general on a bulletin board? OR what if I had GLBT or something to that effect posted somewhere?
"To the world you may be but one person, but to one person you may be the world!"
"Some people love you and some hate you.. those who hate don't know what they're missing and they're missing out!"
"Never underestimate your power to change yo
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Rob,
I'm not sure what you mean.
"To the world you may be but one person, but to one person you may be the world!"
"Some people love you and some hate you.. those who hate don't know what they're missing and they're missing out!"
"Never underestimate your power to change yo
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robert bryce
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Really getting into it |
Registered: January 1970
Messages: 414
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please stop and think about it,trying to start a glbt support group in elementery school.WWW3 would seem like a walk in the park compared to the firestorm that would be generated..Imagine sex-ed being mandated by the government for elementary school kids along with the teaching of sexual preference tolorence to 6 to 9 year old kids.There would be war....rob
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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I don't mean "You, regrettably", I mean "Right, regrettably".
In the UK we had that firestorm, and "Section 28" was introduced (see other parts of the site).
Despite awesome justification, it will be seen as the sexualisation of children.
As a gay man I wish you could create such a group. As a father I think I would campaign against you for trying to create it.
So that leaves us no further forward. Perhaps a decent truism is that the teachers have a duty to educate against prejudice, but children should not leanr more than they need earlier than they need to.
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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robert bryce
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Really getting into it |
Registered: January 1970
Messages: 414
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I sure as hell dont want to get on a soap box,But I do think that there has to be a better seperation between church and state...I could be wrong,but it seems the church is running this country or running the leaders...Heck,lets get Blair over here and send Bush and asscroft to the UK,things just might get interesting--Better yet,lets send jolly Jerry and delightful pat over to the UK,I hear those heathens could use a bit of old time religion
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robert bryce
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Really getting into it |
Registered: January 1970
Messages: 414
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hatred and misunderstanding is taught from the home, studies show,any close observation of little league or small kids sports games with parents in attendance will confirm...What really sad is that many churches encourage parents in this to some small extent....r
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robert bryce
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Really getting into it |
Registered: January 1970
Messages: 414
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please explain the reference to awsome justification for enacting sec.28 where was this justification...Why would a father,gifted with a precious son,want to fault God for his son being gay??.......r
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smith
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On fire! |
Registered: January 1970
Messages: 1095
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to create GLBT support groups in elementary school :-/ That would be ridiculous. You didn't read what I wrote. I said that the misunderstanding, the intolerance begins there and that's where the problems should be dealt with......not by the schools as much as by the families. If you wait until high school, the damage has been done. Wearing a rainbow ribbon is like waving a red flag in front of a bull to a 16 year old.
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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one need not confine this to sexual prejudice, though this is the topic at hand.
Regrettably again, it is thre majority, the great majority of churches who take God's name in vain and encourage such prejudice, too. Odd (as a side issue) how an entity which makes zero mistakes and thus created all races etc, is seen has having made a grave error by creating (eg) Black peoples by so many churches.
Prejudice is learnt at home yes, but not exclusively. In part itis learnt by experience, and is hard to unlearn. The point you make abouyt thinking hard prior to seeking to create a juvenile GLBT element is highly valid since the prejudices will come out like a torrent and bias many unpolluted kids agains the very thing that is being "helped"
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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Wrong way round. There was awesome justification for the teaching of tolerance and about different orientations. But I am tired and probably didn't type too clearly
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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Nor the fact the the British state and the anglican church (which Blair is not a member of, being RC) are inseparable. Our church is state appointed.
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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robert bryce
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Really getting into it |
Registered: January 1970
Messages: 414
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and you would make a very good teacher.Kids pick up on trust The one message that really needs to be delivered.Kids can sense when a teacher cares.Its really the small things that matter,a smile here a kind encouraging word there a pat on the back for an assignment well done-providing a fun atmosphere in the classroom.This is the fuel that will make our kids prosper.I caution against using a rainbow flag or other sign,as this may focus on only one thing..Happy kids are what is needed,kids learning how to have good fun and just be kids. Think good thoughts,do good things love good people....r
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robert bryce
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Really getting into it |
Registered: January 1970
Messages: 414
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i read every word of what you wrote and agree with all my heart with what was said ....r
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smith
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On fire! |
Registered: January 1970
Messages: 1095
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It's great that you want to make difference........you will just by being kind. Kids are very distrustful of teachers because, even though they may truly want to help, they are a direct line to the office and to parents. If I confided in you that I was thinking of killing myself or running away, you would tell someone. Kids know that. The only way you could "help" would be to tell someone.
A rainbow sticker on your car or on your gradebook would catch interest, good and bad. No one would approach you about the sticker but you might just find someone staying after class to talk aobut their paper. Kids never say what they mean. Yes is no and fine is awful. By 16, the walls are pretty high but always being fair, calm and friendly is a good sign to kids that a teacher is trustable. Not for big stuff, but maybe to make them feel acceptable, even for a little while.
smith
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robert bryce
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Really getting into it |
Registered: January 1970
Messages: 414
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Personally I think that schools place too much importance on rough sports which desensitise kids to each other.If only schools would spend the same amount of money on the arts and crafts..I have heard of stories where kids were beaten because they took art in school....r
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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I like the "Same amount of money" part. Sport has its place as do less physically intense elements. I'd like to have been taught instead of being given it to do. And been taught art.
But each was simply a lesson to fill up time.
Mind you I adored the contact sports. YTou can;t touch the kid you fancy during an art lesson. I suspect, however, that is one of the reasons for some kids to get picked on. the "extra touchy" ones, at least
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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smith
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On fire! |
Registered: January 1970
Messages: 1095
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Oh yeah........At my school, art and creative drawing are "fag" classes. I took every art class they had to offer but balanced it with track and tennis so no one messed with me. No matter what sport, that letter jacket screams hetero macho jock. And yeah, they do mess with shy kids who take art :'-(
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robert bryce
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Really getting into it |
Registered: January 1970
Messages: 414
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Thanks a bunch smith right now Im laughing my ass of about artsy classes being faggy classes.You would have to know my brother the phobe..He took lots of drafting and art classes and majored in arkytecture.(spelling)..Im just gonna have to call him and rag on his ass..thanks and HUGS..r
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saben
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On fire! |
Registered: May 2003
Messages: 1537
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In elementary school you're with a teacher 5 days a week, for most of a year, in high school, you are with your teachers a lot, sometimes having them for 4 years. I can't say that I considered any of my teachers strangers, and I have quite a few I consider good friends. If a teacher can't at least make the students have some kind of relationship as some kind of a friend, then they really aren't doing their job. I've heard that a lot of teachers in America don't give a damn about their students, nor having their students learn, and to me that is so sad...
Look at this tree. I cannot make it blossom when it suits me nor make it bear fruit before its time [...] No matter what you do, that seed will grow to be a peach tree. You may wish for an apple or an orange, but you will get a peach.
Master Oogway
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saben
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On fire! |
Registered: May 2003
Messages: 1537
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Not sure where to start with this, but really support groups are well and good and should be offered anywhere there are kids that need help. Whether this is primary school, secondary school or University level shouldn't matter- if kids feel they need help, they should get it.
Education on all issues surrounding sex, relationships, discrimination, ethics (including sexual preference) should be provided as a suplement to what is learnt in the home. Parents sometimes can't teach everything, whether because they lack the knowledge themselves, they are too uncomfortable or whatever reason. School can teach with a lot more facts and figures than the home can and sometimes these facts can shock a person into change.
I also think Harry Potter should be gay, or at least 1/10 of the characters in that series, anyway. I know it would cause all hell to break loose at the moment, but hopefully in a few years kids will be able to grow up knowing that there are other people that like the same gender, too. Homosexuality should never be an ALTERNATE sexuality, until a person becomes sexually active there should be no default sexuality, kids should be taught this.
Look at this tree. I cannot make it blossom when it suits me nor make it bear fruit before its time [...] No matter what you do, that seed will grow to be a peach tree. You may wish for an apple or an orange, but you will get a peach.
Master Oogway
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I've had teachers throughout my school "career" that have cared and others that down right didn't give a shit about anything. I want to be a good teacher, one that students will remember for a long time. I do give a shit that's why I'm in debt up to my eyeballs and I'm going into a profession that I know doesn't pay all that well. But that's not what's important to me it's making a difference.
I really want to find a way to create an acceptance among children for ALL people whether that be race, ability, religion, sexual orientaton or whatever, it doesn't matter....Acceptance. understanding, and compassion are the keys to making the world go round as far as I'm concerned. If I can incorperate that into the curriculum I think that will be the first step. I know it has been mentioned that it needs to start at home and I agree but some children don't have the luxury of accepting parents so they aren't going to learn it there. It's a viscious cycle and it has to get broken somewhere by someone.
Danielle
"To the world you may be but one person, but to one person you may be the world!"
"Some people love you and some hate you.. those who hate don't know what they're missing and they're missing out!"
"Never underestimate your power to change yo
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timmy
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Has no life at all |
Location: UK, in Devon
Registered: February 2003
Messages: 13796
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The schools I went to are probably very little diferent from the schools worldwide. They were singel gender schools.
I recently got in touch with one of my old teachers via the net. I liked him and respected him a lot. He remembered me. I guess that is always the way.
We got to talking about the school and his and my time there. He was a little unusual since he married a pupil's mother! The conversation turned to the "less usual teachers". He said that each year he was there a master's behaviour with the boys was cause for the incidents to be hushed up and the master to be quietly dismissed. One was dismissed "just ahead of the police". Woudl one be in danger by confidigh to "such a nice man who gets on so well with the boys"? I think so. Would any education be biased? I think so.
When I was 7, and newly there, I remember another 7 year old saying that he had given evidence in court about a man who "Wanted to bite my willy and balls". They were less sexually aware days. Neither he nor I had any idea that he was being given a blow job! Trust me, we'd all have tried if we'd known it was fun! There was no such huge awareness of any form of sexuality in those days, let alone homosexuality. Or certainly not at 7 years old.
If we were not so precociously aware, today (A thing which we cannot undo), then I wonder if we would also see such prejudice.
Those days in the UK homosexual acts were illegal. By the age of 11 we sniggered, but did not really care. We had a healthy curiosity (yes, the str8 kids too) about each other's bodies. We discussed sex, and always girls (yup, I thought I was str8 then). We had no idea how we would turn out (Saben's point, I think). But, if we had been told about other orientations, all we would have done is sniggered.
We were the first year to have "Sex Ed". One kid asked "Please sir, what does 'bugger' mean?", and got an ambiguous answer. Another kid was so disgusted with the whole thing that he told his parents how revolting they were to have done it at all.
Were these innocent times better? This was just before "the long haired youth of today" fights with parents over hair length, where a short back and sides was the only manly haircut.
Even so, I think we were far less prejudiced as kids than today's generation. Today's seem to need to be taught.
And then islands of difference: At my son's (recent) school, gay kids were justkids who are gay. Another sometime member here was outed at school and found it a positive expereince. A lad at his school came out this term to his friends and was imediately accepted. And then back at my own school. We had one openly gay boy. He was accepted totally, too.
Author of Queer Me! Halfway Between Flying and Crying - the true story of life for a gay boy in the Swinging Sixties in a British all male Public School
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marc
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Needs to get a life! |
Registered: March 2003
Messages: 4729
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Putting a rainbow flag in your classroom might be an admirable idea, in reality, it more than likely would result in action being taken against you.
BUT!.... If you put a rainbow flag, or perhaps a PFLAG emblem on your car, students would pick up on it and as the car is your own personal property, no one could object.
There are also student organizations which promote tollerance to any boy or girl who feels they need such support. The "gay straight alliance" for one is very supportive and has a large following.
The down side to this is that a student must ask for one to be started.
This, has two effects....
One) is that is protects the school administration and in particular the groups advisor against any allogations of "recruitment"....
Secondly) is that a student must put himself into the limelight so to speak. He/she has to have the fortitude to withstand the plight of starting such a group.
I have seen it happen first hand and once the group is actually formed, it can be very helpful to the entire student body.
Life is great for me... Most of the time... But then I meet people online... Very few are real friends... Many say they are but know nothing of what it means... Some say they are, but are so shallow...
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you would make an excellent teacher danielle. in the short time i've known you, i know this to be true. you're very compassionate, and i don't doubt that you'll be one of those teaches that students will never forget.
as far as the GLBT acceptance, i think subtlety is the best route. patience is always a pain, but i think you should wait until you've been at/in whatever school system you wind up teaching in, for a while. give yourself a year, maybe even two -- and in that time, keep yourself in tune with the students, with the ongoings there. maybe after awhile the small things like a sticker, or a tiny banner someplace in the classroom/homeroom (whatever you're teaching in) would be okay.
i agree, though, that by leaving signs like that sets you up for the risk of coming under fire yourself. society still bristles concerning gay faculty members in schools (at least, they do in my city, i don't know about yours).
eventually, you'll develop the reputation of tolerance and acceptance on this matter, and the word WILL spread among the students that need it, and then further beyond that. does that make sense?
i admire you for doing this, i hope you know that. there are people in life who are meant to be filthy rich and have the high-paying jobs, but not everyone can. it's not a matter of what's fair and what's not, but teaching is NOT for everyone, and you can always tell the teachers who are there and can't stand it, or are teaching because they had to fall back on it (IE: english majors who couldn't publish, people who majored in something obscure and now need to pay off college debts, et. al). we need more people like you in the school systems. i feel you on it, i'm kind of in the same boat with my profession -- the medical field ... GOD. THAT needs tons more compassion and understanding, and i've decided it's time to give back what the few brazen who gave a damn, gave to me over the past three years.
we'll change the world, you and me. 
my void does not want.
-- 2.13.61.
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because what i meant to say here:
i agree, though, that by leaving signs like that sets you up for the risk of coming under fire yourself. society still bristles concerning gay faculty members in schools (at least, they do in my city, i don't know about yours).
is that they're going to ASSUME you're gay -- whether you are or aren't won't matter the second they see that rainbow, not that it SHOULD matter, but you know what i mean.
my void does not want.
-- 2.13.61.
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marc
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Needs to get a life! |
Registered: March 2003
Messages: 4729
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There is the teacher that sits at the front of the class and tells the students what they need to know. Nothing more than that, with no more feeling or conviction than it takes to keep his/her job.
This person in my lerned opinion is not by any means a teacher.
Then secondly there is the teacher that allows the students to teach themselves. Albeit within the boundries of the particular course structure, but with specific tendencies to allow the train of thought to run little tangents when the obvious need arrises. By "obvious need" I mean when an off-topic question is asked and is well presented with real concern the class "teaching mode" shifts for a time to the question.
By instilling into the students the confidence to ask "the hard questions" the teacher provides the student with an invaluable resource: in effect learning to think as an individual.
Once a student (read person here) can "think for him/her self" they begin to gain the self confidence, self awareness to be able to be more of an individual, not just one of the pack.
I hope this made sense... As the concepts were very truncated.
Life is great for me... Most of the time... But then I meet people online... Very few are real friends... Many say they are but know nothing of what it means... Some say they are, but are so shallow...
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robert bryce
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Really getting into it |
Registered: January 1970
Messages: 414
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Teachers have many bosses from school board to admin to principle to parent.I think it is unfair to blame just teachers.The mix of kids in a school sometimes adds to the problem.In many urban schools,confiscated weapons are removed by the ton in a years time.Suburban schools are almost to that point.The teachers did not make that mess,the kids did ...parents play their part in the mess,a big part...I would like to hear a few positive comments for our teachers,they do a hell of a good job with so little support......rob
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robert bryce
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Really getting into it |
Registered: January 1970
Messages: 414
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single gender schools,should we return to this system??.....might just be a good topic here.....rob
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marc
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Needs to get a life! |
Registered: March 2003
Messages: 4729
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Well, as far as the weapons in schools, the kids didn't make it virtually illegal to dicipline a child. Wether it be in school or at home the child can run amok all the time knowing there is nothing anyone can do.
The courts seem to refuse to keep kids in line and they fully take advantage of that fact.
If a teacher is ill suited for the venue he/she chooses to teach in and feels stiffled because of the ambiant environment then they are free to relocate to an area of school district more suited to their personal needs.
Parents do little to maintain sight of how the child is faring in class or out for that matter.
As far as the quality of education in the USA.... Well it leaves much to be desired. Overall scores in Math, Science, Geography, History and English overall fall short.
For a great many years communities across the nation have placed "budget" above the quality of their school systems on their lists of priorities.
Life is great for me... Most of the time... But then I meet people online... Very few are real friends... Many say they are but know nothing of what it means... Some say they are, but are so shallow...
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saben
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On fire! |
Registered: May 2003
Messages: 1537
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I was in the limelight already but I never started such a group just due to slackness, I feel a little ashamed, actually.
Look at this tree. I cannot make it blossom when it suits me nor make it bear fruit before its time [...] No matter what you do, that seed will grow to be a peach tree. You may wish for an apple or an orange, but you will get a peach.
Master Oogway
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saben
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On fire! |
Registered: May 2003
Messages: 1537
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No Message Body
Look at this tree. I cannot make it blossom when it suits me nor make it bear fruit before its time [...] No matter what you do, that seed will grow to be a peach tree. You may wish for an apple or an orange, but you will get a peach.
Master Oogway
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