How can we possibly expect teachers to "know the cultures" of the students they teach. Last spring, at a class in the Lehman Center I spoke to students who were born in: Russia, Bulgaria, Vietnam, Laos, Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mexico, Guatemala, El Salvador, Philippines - and those are only the ones that I know for sure! Not to mention the "cultures" of native born students!
Minneapolis public school teachers are already under extraordinary pressures given the language limitations, unstable housing and/or home situations, lack of (American) social skills that many of these students are already grappling with. It always amazes me how we keep piling more responsibility and blame on the teachers. If only the teachers would . . . I happen to think that the accountability for a student's success or failure belongs to the parents. Teachers are far, far more likely to be the critical factor in the success of a student, not the cause for failure. Jim Bernstein Fulton ----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of WizardMarks Sent: Tuesday, September 23, 2003 10:56 AM To: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: Re: [Mpls] Re: [Mpls] Thoughts on Titilayo Bediako's column [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote: >www.startribune.com/stories/1519/4105372.html > >[From Bediako's column] By writing about her hardships, Maynard also exposed >the need for teachers to know the cultures of the students they teach. > WM: This is the most important sentence in Titi's essay. This is where school teachers and school districts fall down on the job. WizardMarks, Central >________________________________ > >Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy >Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] >Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls > REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls REMINDERS: 1. Think a member has violated the rules? Email the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
