Quote:
Originally posted by AGDee
The reality of the situation is, the best teachers in the universe can't help kids learn if they are hungry or malnutritioned, ill with no access to health care, don't have parental support, are living in crime infested neighborhoods where they can't sleep because of the gun fire outside and don't have heat, electricity or water in their living quarters. When teachers spend most of their time just keeping order in the classroom and worrying about whether they'll be shot or stabbed at work that day, children aren't going to learn much.
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I agree with you 100%. Unfortunately, my educating professor doesn't buy it. When she asked if we had any concerns about student teaching/teaching in general, I mentioned being physically attacked (a lot of those middle/high school kids are
way bigger than me!) and dealing with kids who just don't prioritize learning very highly because of their home situation (i.e. no parental encouragement, poverty, etc.). She looked at me like I had three heads and said in amazement, "Oh, you don't have to worry about that." Like it doesn't happen??? Riiiiiiiiight. My dad is an elementary school counselor and he has been assaulted by students on numerous occasions. When I subbed at that same school, I encountered children whose parents didn't give a rat's a$$ about education and taught their children to do the same. Some of those kids couldn't get their homework done because they had to go home and take care of little brothers and sisters, and sometimes their parents. That's reality.
I also detest NCLB and standards and all that bull hockey, but that's a whole other post.