Saturday, April 22, 2006
Teacher's biting blog stirs storm | Chicago Tribune
Teacher's biting blog stirs storm Chicago Tribune: "He labeled his students 'criminals,' saying they stole from teachers, dealt drugs in the hallways, had sex in the stairwells, flaunted their pregnant bellies and tossed books out windows. He dismissed their parents as unemployed 'project' dwellers who subsist on food stamps, refuse to support their 'baby mommas' and bad-mouth teachers because their no-show teens are flunking.
He took swipes at his colleagues, too--'union-minimum' teachers, literacy specialists who 'decorate their office door with pro-black propaganda,' and security officers whose 'loyalty is to the hood, not the school.'"
CB: God forbid this teacher talk about what he sees as he sees it. I agree that there are better forums, but it highlights a problem that most of us would prefer to ignore. I would much rather talk about politics than poorly performing schools in Chicago. This man's experience gives us all good reason to feel that way. And then there are the dopey responses like the following from a fellow teacher at the school:
""Although many of our students adopt tough facades and insist they are grown, they are still children: sensitive children who still crave guidance, encouraging words and positive reinforcement," wrote teacher Gina Miski. "Was the author present when students, having read the blog, dejectedly hung their heads with pained, angry tears stinging their eyes?""
CB: Uh, yes, there are two sides, but she sounds more like an apologist for these poorly performing students than someone who represents another side of the story. In fact, she sounds like someone who wants to use this opportunity to show people she can write. Maybe she's trying to use this as a springboard to a writing gig.
Also, he has gotten threats and such as a result of this expression. His students want their freedoms, but would prefer he not take advantage of his. They have a mess there, but I hope they look at the root problems instead of just vilifying him.
He took swipes at his colleagues, too--'union-minimum' teachers, literacy specialists who 'decorate their office door with pro-black propaganda,' and security officers whose 'loyalty is to the hood, not the school.'"
CB: God forbid this teacher talk about what he sees as he sees it. I agree that there are better forums, but it highlights a problem that most of us would prefer to ignore. I would much rather talk about politics than poorly performing schools in Chicago. This man's experience gives us all good reason to feel that way. And then there are the dopey responses like the following from a fellow teacher at the school:
""Although many of our students adopt tough facades and insist they are grown, they are still children: sensitive children who still crave guidance, encouraging words and positive reinforcement," wrote teacher Gina Miski. "Was the author present when students, having read the blog, dejectedly hung their heads with pained, angry tears stinging their eyes?""
CB: Uh, yes, there are two sides, but she sounds more like an apologist for these poorly performing students than someone who represents another side of the story. In fact, she sounds like someone who wants to use this opportunity to show people she can write. Maybe she's trying to use this as a springboard to a writing gig.
Also, he has gotten threats and such as a result of this expression. His students want their freedoms, but would prefer he not take advantage of his. They have a mess there, but I hope they look at the root problems instead of just vilifying him.
