One more question to answer

After the January 10 meeting, we can see that there is one overriding question raised by those who support policy 321 that we have neglected to answer: 

Question: Are you saying that teachers should get to use their classrooms as bully pulpits, to ram their ideas down kids’ throats without restraint?

Answer: No. We are not saying that, nor implying that, nor thinking or imagining or concealing that. We believe and have always said that our classrooms are for ALL the kids. A teacher is a teacher for ALL the kids. All the time. If a teacher says or implies something that alienates kids unfairly, that teacher needs to learn to do better.

But there’s a lot in that word “unfairly.” We know times when kids have taken umbrage at teachers out of misunderstanding, out of ignorance, out of grievance. Kids are not always reliable about what their teachers have said. Kids’ feelings are easily wounded and even fair, good teachers can rub a kid the wrong way.

Furthermore, teachers can make mistakes. They will make mistakes. They are human beings.

So the best way to prevent distracting kids from learning is to train teachers in fairness and balance. Demonstrate to new teachers how to handle difficult topics. Ask experienced teachers to mentor new teachers in handling controversial topics. Role play. Discuss actual events and brainstorm how to handle such matters in the future.

Do the work to prepare your faculty to handle issues as they arise.

We take issue with 321 (among other reasons) because it takes a punitive, accusatory approach. It doesn’t prevent problems, but it sure does offer to punish teachers who get things wrong. It also encourages teachers to go overboard with self-censorship, gagging good discussions and teachable moments.

It’s like using a sledgehammer to slap a mosquito or extract a splinter.  Wrong tool, too much force, not enough focus.

Less hammer, more classroom discussion and learning: