Dear Dan, May I chime in here for a moment, please?
Your first point about there being two sides to the story, I hold that there is NEVER an excuse to assault someone. We do not know if ³May I please have your iPod? I¹ll return it at the end of class.) is an argument. The teacher was enforcing the rules of the school district. The assault happened AFTER class. I would assume that the rest of the class went on, so how do you figure there was an escalating argument. I agree with your parents statement. They are their child¹s first teacher and set the pace for how they behave and prepare them for school. There¹s no excuse for children coming to school never having seen a letter, not knowing which color is which, where they live their phone numbers and at least a couple of numbers , but that¹s what we see. Children do spend more time at home that at school and most of that is in front of a TV set or video game. This school years there 186 lost instructional hours of which 75 hours is for redundant teacher training. We¹re at school they¹re out running the streets or watching TV. Parents themselves have dissolved ³in loco parentis² and tied everyone¹s hands as to how to deal with recalcitrant children. We have all the responsibility with out any of the privileges of parenthood. They can come and tell me MY job, but I cannot respond in kind. As for No Child Left Behind, if all kids are to achieve at the same academic levels, they must be exposed to the same bells and whistles their higher-achieving counterparts have enjoyed for years; however no one wants to fund that reality so we are stuck trying to achieve the same results with nothing against those who have everything. For the most part teachers DO care and to suggest otherwise is incorrect. Take a couple of hours and go down to Family Court at 12th & Chestnut St. just to see what we have been up against for the last 25 or so years. It¹s a very deep problem. Thanks, Wilma On 3/15/07 2:59 PM, "Dan Myers" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > Dear Karen, > > Since you are quoting me several times, let me explain further without getting > tired of this thread. > > In any argument, there are at least 2 sides of a story. Even if the stories > basically match, there will usually be a disagreement (why it's turned into an > argument and then usually violent) that caused such an intervention. > > Considering where the event took place, one only can assume the argument > started there (and why a student would be violent toward a teacher or > principal and not their own parents). From what I gathered about the story > displayed in the media and the one here on this list serv, the 2 sides come > from the child and the teacher, not the parents. Although I do agree that the > upbringing is strongly to blame. > > Since you so conveniently left out my first sentence-- which stated "I > personally blame the parents for this.", I assume that you are also > responsible. I am to blame too, I am not involved in my community more, nor am > I a school teacher, and I have no children to even speak of! > > However, the teachers should be more responsible (forget blame for now). They > teach our children-- not only math and science and art, but also they mold > personalities by the way they teach and how they speak to the kids. Children > spend most of their lives in school, not at home. I know teachers aren't > glorified baby-sitters, but I disagree that teachers don't "raise" the > children. How can you not? Are you not teaching them anything? Teachers need > to recognize when students are not behaving in a way that lets other kids > learn. They should also recognize when students are in an argument and to not > let it control the child or themselves. The "leave no child behind" was a good > thing our politicians did! > > Personally, when asked who is my "hero" growing up, I would have told you one > of my teachers (his name is Mr. McDonnell) because he believed in me even > though I wasn't a grade "A" student. He took the time to understand each of > his students and it was a truly a joy to go to his class. Teachers need to be > set as role models, not baby-sitters, not punching bags, and certainly not > completely accountable for a child's' actions. (but certainly somewhat > responsible) > > I'm sorry you don't agree with me, Karen, and I do not want to get violent > with you (considering the tone of your voice implies that you do). Hope we can > all still get along, > > Dan Myers > > > > > On 3/14/07, KAREN ALLEN <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >>> >On 3/14/07, Wilma de Soto <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >>>> >> >>>> >> I knew someone would intimate that subliminally teachers are to blame >>>> >>for what is happening to them. >> >> >>> >From: "Dan Myers" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >>> >Subject: Re: [UC] RE: West Philly High re recent violence there >>> >Date: Wed, 14 Mar 2007 12:56:18 -0400 >>> > >>> >Yes, it is everyone's duty to make sure violence is handled with caution >>> >and eliminated. However, upbringing, the teachers behavior, and the childs' >>> >behavior are ALL to blame. There are many steps in >>> >controlling these types of situations. Obviously, someone stepped in >>> >doodoo. >>> > >>> >Dan Myers >>> > >> >> I love the way that it's now presumed that the teachers' behavior was a >> contributing factor in the out-of-control kids behaving as they do. And I >> love the way it's implied that it's the teachers who "stepped in doodoo". >> Let's shift the blame from permissive, non-responsive or AWOL parents to >> teachers whose job is to teach, not to raise these kids. That's why things >> are as bad as they are now: The Blame Game. >> >> Karen Allen >> >> >> ---- >> You are receiving this because you are subscribed to the >> list named "UnivCity." To unsubscribe or for archive information, see >> <http://www.purple.com/list.html>. > >
