To me, this is one of those inevitable chapters that you know that you're going to come across eventually, and I thought when I started reading this that I wouldn't read anything that I didn't already know. After all, isn't it supposed to be obvious that your students have a right to privacy or that you have to step in and call out inappropriate behavior in the classroom?
I think that Christenbury went a lot deeper with her explanations than I thought she would, and it really helped to change my perspective of things. I like that she talked about being friends with your students, because I can relate to that. I had a couple of teachers in high school that also ran some organization or another in the school, and they made quick friends with the students in their classes that were also involved in whatever organization they were in. Although they tried to say that it didn't have an impact over how they treated those students over how they treated other students, you could tell that there was an obvious difference. It's easier to befriend students the more you are with them, but there's still that separation that needs to be there to protect both the student and you/your job.
I really have enjoyed reading the debate between Stan and Michael. They both make a lot of interesting points. I'm still leaning towards Katie's comment, though, when she mentions the fact that it's possible to be a thought-provoking and inspiring teacher without breaking the rules...maybe just bending the rules will do the trick? Another great chapter...and I'll end my post here.
3 comments:
Speaking of being friends with your students one of my professors at MSU encourages student teachers to dress like professionals so that students can distinguish between themselves and the student teacher. He encourages the guys to were a shirt and tie and for ladies to wear proper business attire. If a student teacher is 21 or 22 he/she may only be a few years older than the students they are teaching so he/she must do everything they can to distinguish his/her self.
Christenbury touches on the same thing in the chapter. It would be hard, since blue jeans and a t-shirt are pretty comfy. I think jeans an a polo or button-up wil do when you're new.
~Stan
I wonder if it's possible to be friends with your students without crossing boundaries, in high school i had teachers that called themselves our friends and were still completely appropriate and we recognized their authority...I think you just have to find a balance.
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