Ethics

I felt like the majority of this chapter was common sense. I think that it is extremely important for us to realize that many of the assignments, especially the use of journaling and free writing, are set up in awhile that students will/should/could express themselves and things about their lives. As English teachers, we are essentially setting ourselves up in way in which are assignments may be seen as "therapy" and therefore there may be times when we, the teachers, need to call on extra help from those around us. Like Christenbury discusses on page 276, we have an obligation to our students and their to report anything we might deem necessary. We cannot focus on our teacher-student relationship that might be a jeopardy by doing this, we must focus on protecting our students. It is just another reminder to what an huge job teaching can be?! I do not believe in being friends with students, but I like how Christenbury says that being kind and supportive is important. I have experienced too many classrooms where this is not the case. You cannot go around acting like your students and joining in their activities and what not, but you can be an adult supporter of their ideas, activities, etc. There is a fine line that hopefully we will all be successful at finding and eventually will help us in becoming successful, amazing teachers!!!