New Haven Independent

Posted by: Esbe | September 30, 2008 5:31 PM

I love that map. Please keep up the good work!

Posted by: teachergal | September 30, 2008 9:31 PM

Guns and violence, one of the things i fear as a teacher. I have sometimes wondered if one day one of my students who has decided to hate me one day will decide to come in and shoot me. Maybe the one who called me a bitch for asking her to take a seat, or told me to "f.." off because i told him to do his work...should i go on. This is no joke. There is nothing for them in school or out of school except academics and standardized tests. Another thing to make disgruntled, angry students even angrier.

Some schools are becoming holding tanks for some of our emotionally, socially and academically damaged children. Their lack of respect for authority and education takes it toll on many.

The police, teachers, principals, authority of any kind has become the enemy and is disrespected constantly. They are laughing at us! There is little discipline that works and there are minimal support services available and it's getting worse. Any ideas out there in cyberspace?

JMHO

Posted by: Public School Teacher | September 30, 2008 11:39 PM

Most New Haven Public School students sense and appreciate the boundary that exists between the neighborhood turmoil that some of them experience and the schoolhouse gate. They do not want to bring that level of violence into their school. As a New Haven teacher, I do not fear my high school students. And if I did fear one or some of my students, I would let them know about it and then work with them to do something about it. Human beings do not want to just hurt other human beings. I know there are exceptions, but they are minimal compared to the vast majority of caring young people I have worked with. If you want to tell me I'm naive or impractical, it's your prerogative; but I think if we are to keep going, especially as educators, then we must have more confidence in our kids' ability to make decisions. Teachergal refers to "respect for authority" and seems to expect respect just because she is a teacher. IT DOES NOT WORK THAT WAY. Here is an idea and don't scoff, because it actually works: Respect your students, listen to your students, appreciate them for who they are. Teach them how to act right while still being themselves. It's possible, but it takes tremendous thought, concern and exertion. Most New Haven Public School students are not the white middle class students that their teachers used to be. And guess what? They can still be successful. Students do not have to be white and middle class to succeed. I might be stating the obvious to some people, but I have witnessed teacher behaviors that communicate very clear and insulting messages to our students: Change who you are kid, or you're not going to make it. Leave your identity at the door kid, or you're not going to make it. Yes, we all eventually have to somehow fit in to make it in the world, but if you are a teacher and you want "respect," think about the respect you are showing to the many INDIVIDUALS who enter your classroom each day. How can you teach a kid if you don't value who they are? How can you teach a kid if you are afraid of them? The vast majority of NHPS students are NOT DANGEROUS. They are NOT CRIMINALS. They are kids who come to school to learn. So get out from behind your lectern, and create engaging and purposeful opportunities for them to actually do it.