Author Topic: Teachers told to "not point a finger" (Read 899 times)

Sandman · « **Reply #30 on:** August 20, 2002, 12:41:52 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by GRUNHERZ

diddly You!!!!

Well... it is a consistent response...

easymo · « **Reply #31 on:** August 20, 2002, 01:35:19 AM »

Considering the level of stupidity he was responding to. I think grunherz was simply trying to communicate in the only manner available to him.

Kieran · « **Reply #32 on:** August 20, 2002, 07:17:36 AM »

If you guys think for one second this teacher is going to walk into his classrooms on Sept. 11 this year and point fingers at American policy as the main reason for the terrorist attacks, you're sadly mistaken. Missives like that one are one of the reasons that union will never receive a dime of my money.

We're at war. I am not pulling punches, and I won't instill some hand-wringing guilt trip on our kids, I refuse to send the message that we are doing the wrong thing, and I believe we owe it to the soldiers in the field to send them the message of total conviction in what they are doing. You however (those that support the NEA on this) can feel free to create your own second Viet Nam atmosphere and dog the war effort at every step.

Personally, as a teacher I find the NEA disgusting.

Eagler · « **Reply #33 on:** August 20, 2002, 08:42:01 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by easymo
Considering the level of stupidity he was responding to. I think grunherz was simply trying to communicate in the only manner available to him.

yep, I gotta second his response.

hawk maybe you can go take jihad johny's place, I hear they are looking for a "few good" america hating sand suckers.

lazs2 · « **Reply #34 on:** August 20, 2002, 08:51:49 AM »

kieran... I wasn't aware that not joining the NEA was an option for public school teachers. If it is.... why are so many teachers members? seriously.
lazs

Kieran · « **Reply #35 on:** August 20, 2002, 09:04:21 AM »

I don't know if it's legal or not; they keep sending me hate mail and threatening to sue me, but I don't care.

Unions have their place, and I wish we had a good one. Fact is, we don't. I think maybe most teachers fall for the scare tactics, or feel that union is better than none. Some may even share the same agenda. I will say there is a lot of pressure to join, to be sure.

midnight Target · « **Reply #36 on:** August 20, 2002, 09:40:22 AM »

THIS IS NOT A TROLL!

Kieran, I am honestly curious. What will you tell a student who raises his / her hand and asks "why were we attacked?"

Sandman · « **Reply #37 on:** August 20, 2002, 09:51:18 AM »

"It's Clinton's fault."

Kieran · « **Reply #38 on:** August 20, 2002, 09:56:09 AM »

I would honestly tell my students that Americans are not very popular in some Middle Eastern countries due to our allegience with Israel and our involvement with other countries. Honest enough, don't you think?

What bugs me about the NEA mandate is it specifically states we should avoid talking about blame, then goes on to say how our policies make others angry with us. That to me suggests we are blaming ourselves for the event, and I patently refuse to do it. I can share blame, but I will not take it all. Further, I think that telling our kids it is our fault undermines our war effort, hence my reference to the Viet Nam war.

Elfenwolf · « **Reply #39 on:** August 20, 2002, 10:01:18 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by midnight Target
THIS IS NOT A TROLL!

Kieran, I am honestly curious. What will you tell a student who raises his / her hand and asks "why were we attacked?"

MT, haven't you learned a damn thing talking to the conservatives on these bbs? The world is black and white, bud. There are no varying shades of grey, so what you do is you pretend like it's 1961 all over again and we're just getting it going in Viet Nam. Then you tell all your 5th 6th, 7th or 8th graders that they should be PROUD to go fight for their country when they turn 18. You explain how the North Vietnamese started a war with us, so that's why they must fly half way around the world to fight. You smile appreciatively as they play "army" during recess, and you even chuckle when the kids make the Asian and Hindu students play the part of the Al Queda.

We allowed our kids to decide the validity of one war, and look what a disaster that was. It's much better that the people making the decision to fight aren't the ones actually doing the fighting. Oh MT I doubt any of Kieran's students would have the guts to question Kieran's personal view of global politics. Would you question a right wing idealogue over politics when they have the power to fail you in school if you disagree??

loser · « **Reply #40 on:** August 20, 2002, 10:52:48 AM »

When sept 11th rolls around this year i will be working with some really young kids (age 4-11) at a school.

If i am asked my America was attacked, i think ill just reverse the question and ask the child what he or she thinks was the cause.

I think the response will be something like "Because some people are mean to other people."

Sometimes the most simple answer to a question is the best one.
For example while i was at work the other day a yound boy about 5 years old wandered by and i started talking to him. (kids fascinate me and i talk to them every chance i get.)

He told me that his kitten had died and he then asked me why. So i asked him why he thought his kitten died. His answer was "because he was done living." Such a simple answer but so profound at the same time.

My point is that these kids probably already know why Sept 11th happened, and us telling them about racial, cultural, religious, and social differences will only make matters worse. Instead of telling these kids what to think, ask them what they think, you may just step back and think "holy crap, it really is just that simple."

Kieran · « **Reply #41 on:** August 20, 2002, 11:17:17 AM »

Gee, Elf, I could almost see your temples pounding that time.

I'm happy with myself, thanks for the compliment (right wing idealogue). As for personal agenda, I'm not allowed to include one, including inducing a hand-wringing guilt-fest over why we are responsible for those poor Islamic freedom fighters who were forced to bravely sacrifice themselves for a just cause (destroying the Great Satan). Honestly, I think what we should do is get out our mats, point towards Mecca, and pray five times that day. Now that would be something useful and enlightening to teach those kids.

Kieran · « **Reply #42 on:** August 20, 2002, 11:22:32 AM »

Aw, dammit, I can't believe I just advocated prayer in school... wait a minute, that's an eastern religion, that's ok then... just as long as it isn't Christianity... we can call it "identifying with their culture"...

midnight Target · « **Reply #43 on:** August 20, 2002, 12:34:41 PM »

Kieran

"I would honestly tell my students that Americans are not very popular in some Middle Eastern countries due to our allegience with Israel and our involvement with other countries. Honest enough, don't you think?"

But Mr. Kieran I understand the Israel thing, but what about these "other countries"?

Kieran · « **Reply #44 on:** August 20, 2002, 12:38:30 PM »

"Take it up with your history teacher or mom and dad. Now, on to lesson 13..."

We don't have to pretend we have all the answers, you know.