I know you have teachers who will let you goof around in class and not follow directions. I assure you, I am not that teacher.Even if nothing else did, I could tell that last point struck home.
I know you have teachers who don't mark you tardy when you come in late to class. I assure you, I am not that teacher.
I know you have teachers who will let you listen to music on your phones as a way to keep you from disrupting class. I assure you, I am not that teacher.
I know you have teachers who do not follow through with the penalties they prescribe for misbehavior. I assure you, I am not that teacher.
Most of you need this class to graduate next June. I know you have teachers that would give you a courtesy D-, even if you didn't earn it, just so you can graduate. I assure you, I am not that teacher.
And to underscore the overall theme, I assigned my first Saturday School today--to a student who thought he/she'd get away with using his/her phone in class, an act which I've stated many times has a penalty of Saturday School.
What bugs me as a teacher is the other teachers who do allow students to do that. That makes my job as a teacher harder and I look like the bad guy. I am not saying every teacher needs to be a drill instructor; however every teacher should follow through with consequences for their students for their misbehavior and lack of work.
ReplyDeleteEven though I retired from teaching, a few years ago, I still enjoy your blog, partly for your sensible political views, but mostly for your (also sensible) reflections about your teaching style. Thank you!
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