Hello Beautiful People,
I had an interesting class on Tuesday.
Really, really, interesting.
And I understand that this series is supposed to be YOU, you beautiful, wonderful, amazing Write Readers, about your education situation.
But…
Well, this time I’m offering a piece of advice.
My students in my English + Film Study + Creative Writing classes, well, they write in their journals. A lot. It’s part of my educational philosophy as a teacher, that in order to get better at writing, one must do it…everyday.
So, let’s back it up to Tuesday.
I had a student, who was angry.
I had a student, who didn’t want to follow directions.
And here’s what she said, when she was made to do an assignment that “she didn’t feel like doing.”
I’m bored as hell. I hate that you made me write about John Q. It’s f*cking aggrecating. No offense but you irritate me like ALOT. I hate this school and I hate this town. It sucks! The people who run this town are f*cking retarded. They are idiots. You are all idiots!
…it goes on. And on. And on.
The profanity.
The insults.
The disrespect.
It got to the point where it was almost comical.
But here’s the point where you and I, and by you I mean all of you Write Readers, this is the point where we have a conversation about this education situation.
This situation, well, it makes me sad.
This situation, well, it makes me angry.
This situation, well, it makes me worried for the future of our country.
Never in my life, would I ever have the gall to talk to a teacher the way this child spoke to me.
Ever.
Not verbally, not via a journal, just…not. Ever.
I was raised to respect my elders, to respect my teachers. My parents raised me to understand and recognize when I was in the presence of adults that could teach me a thing or two, adults who I could learn from. My parents raised me to never expect anything. My parents raised me to work hard. My parents raised me without the notion that I am entitled.
Let me say that again, my parents raised me without the notion that I am entitled.
When I was growing up, it was OK to say that a student was wrong. A teacher didn’t damage self-esteem when they CORRECTED a student. They didn’t have to face a tribunal for CORRECTING a student. If a teacher cannot correct a student, then, really, what’s that education situation all about?
I grew up in a time when NOT everyone got a trophy. I grew up in a time when students, when teenagers, when children, didn’t expect ANYTHING without hard work. And I’m talking real hard work – blood, sweat, tears.
I grew up in a time when we worked. When youth knew what the term elbow grease meant.
This student of mine? Well, they did not grow up in a time like I did – and it makes me sad. For as much liberties and privileges and opportunities that our students have nowadays, well, they’re lacking in the basic fundamentals of what it means to be a good human being. In what it means to be a functioning member of society. In what it means to be a good Samaritan.
So, my teacher friends, this is the peal of wisdom that I’ll give to you. When you are faced with such a disrespectful and deplorable student, surpress the urge for anger and disdain. And rather educate them, fill in the gap where his or her parent has failed. For they should know about kindness. Respect. Honor. Faith. Loyalty. Elegance. Decorum.
They should know what it means to conduct themselves with poise and intellegence.
And soemtimes, that falls on the shoulders of their teacher. Sometimes, you need to go beyond the textbook curriculum, and go into the textbook of life.
Take a breath.
Teach them that it is not acceptable to talk to people that way.
Teach them the error of their ways.
And then take another breath, and talk to your colleagues. For I PROMISE you, you are not alone.
But really, as always, this isn’t about me. Or The Write Teacher(s) Team. It’s about all of you, and your questions, so, our teacher friends, tell me, tell us, tell the world, how do YOU deal with disrespectful students?
Live, Love, Learn,