I have several teachers as friends and I am always amazed with the sheer number of "Clown Days" schools have.
"Clown Days" meaning days where instead of learning, the little kinder are marched off to the gym where they are entertained by clowns. Or during St. Patrick's Day where they have potato rolling contests. Or "Dunk the Teacher Day" where students raise funds by paying to have a chance to throw a ball and dunk a teacher in a dunking tank.
My friends estimate about 3 days a month are dedicated to "clown days." Multiply that by 9 months (which most students can't because they're too busy with "Pizza Days") and you are losing about a full month of education.
Of course management of the schools claims this helps the "morale" of the students and the teachers (as if they were in war or something). And that it betters the student-teacher relationship making teachers more friendly. And of course that's the problem.
Having a "friendly student-teacher relationship" is not what is in the best interest of the children.
Ever notice how you would never want to date/hang out with/marry a parent (or the child) who says "My mom is my best friend." Or "Oh, me and my daughter are BFF's."
It's the same principle. If you really want to be a good parent or teacher, the relationship is simply this;
The adult (be it a parent or teacher) is the authority, the child is the moronic youth that doesn't know anybody and should obey and respect the adult.
This shouldn't end either with the kid turning the age of 18.
Elders, in general, but especially those who are in positions of power over you, should be given some basic respect and courtesy. THis is of course unless they are corrupt (which happens frequently), but in general, if you are the 19 year old college student, you should not be throwing pies in your professor's face.
Of course, real professors and real men and women would never succumb to such a spineless act, but, eh, who needs leaders and ranks? We should just all be friends.
"unless they are corrupt (which happens frequently)"
ReplyDeleteNah, the factor is not corruptness, authority that is corrupt and venal should be respected, because it's dangerous not to. (Until you can give it a metaphorical knife between the ribs, as it were.) ( Kind of like saying "nice doggy" as you reach for the 2x4.)
Authority that's just dumb though: that's open season. Dumb + corrupt, even more so.
Case in point: Libya, Mr. Kha-daffy is nasty, venal, vicious man, he is also nutso, but he is not stupid. Trying to oust him without a serious diplomatic and military logistics prep is DUMB.
So far a whole whack of people failed to respect him and are dead.
Cheers.
Clown days? You have got to be kidding. I have three kids in school, and they have never had a clown day. This must be one of those "only in America" type of events.
ReplyDeleteI agree 100% with your parent child relationship idea. Sure it is no fun laying down the law. But you have to do it. You also finally realize your parents did the right thing, back when you were a kid.
I always thought that the key to classroom discipline was fear of the teacher.
ReplyDeleteThe thought of hanging out with any of my JR/High school instructors never occurred to me, and I'd be worried if my kids wanted to.
One exception. My son's band instructor also teaches one of his kids and has had band parties at his house.
It helps that I worked with him before he taught high school band as well.
The problem is the vast majority of teachers and the education system as a whole isn't deserving of respect. If I had as much of my time wasted as my 13 year old does, I'd be throwing things at the teacher. How most of these kids hold it together during what is basically a 13 year long waste of time that could be equaled by two years and 100.00 in late fees at the local public library would be enough to drive anyone mad.
ReplyDeletePoint is, as it was said Dumb + Corrupt isn't deserving of respect, from kids or anything else.
"Elders, in general, but especially those who are in positions of power over you, should be given some basic respect and courtesy. This is of course unless they are corrupt (which happens frequently), but in general, if you are the 19 year old college student, you should not be throwing pies in your professor's face."
ReplyDeleteSeeing as how my elders have essentially mortgaged my future in order to live and die in comfort, I am in no way inclined to respect them or even behave in such a way that might even hint at respecting them. My elders are corrupt fools who bought the pretty lies politicians sold them for decades, and I must foot the bill. Furthermore, most of the advice that older people give me is pure nonsense, for far too many have become politically correct in order to demonstrate that they are cultured and cosmopolitan. In short, the whole lot (with very few exceptions) are pretentious fools.
As to the professor, he gets what he deserves. He should behaving in a manner that commands students' respect. He should not behave as a sophomoric poser. His job is to be a professor, not a friend. His job is to be a mentor, not a buddy.
Simon Grey - "He should not behave as a sophomoric poser. His job is to be a professor, not a friend. His job is to be a mentor, not a buddy."
ReplyDeleteHow many men these days are mentors to younger people, especially younger men? I hated not having a mentor to look up to and learn from during my 20's. I think the mentor/mentee system is crucial to raising up the next generation, especially men. Between the feminization of Western Civ men and the lack of mentors, it is not surprising that we have so few leaders amongst us and even less amongst the young.