Job Discussion Forums

guatetaliana · Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 6:26 pm Post subject:

There's truth to the fact that this is the way these kids are, it's how they're raised. Teachers aren't meant to be respected by the wealthy kids. Honestly, nobody is. The other day, I saw a four-year-old (wearing his uniform from the institute I recently abandoned) walk into the little store near our home and berate the owner because they didn't have the candy he wanted.

jetgirly, I am like you. I came to Mexico trying to be open-minded about the attitudes toward education in the private sector, but my previous experience has made this difficult. I was trained to teach in the Chicago Public Schools. The kids came from a variety of socio-economic and ethnic backgrounds. Many were from neighborhoods/families active in gangs, others from families straight off a 70s TV show. A few were homeless, others arrived to school in Hummers. But no matter what, there were particular expectations: being disrespectful or disruptive in class earns consequences, and the only way to achieve good grades is to commit to the work and the requirements in class.

It's hard for us to adjust to a new mindset. While some, like Prof. Gringo, can settle more easily into the money-making, Deal With the Status Quo mindset that one needs to survive teaching in private schools in Mexico, others of us struggle because of prior experience or whatever else it may be, and need to vent! In my case, I learned my lesson and certainly won't return to the private school situation in Mexico.

Start crossing the days off your calendar!! Smile

MO39 · Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 6:43 pm Post subject:

dixie · Joined: 23 Apr 2006 Posts: 644 Location: D.F

If a student deserves a grade that is considered below passing, I give it. Why? Because at least the students, and the parents see it. If they complain, and I end up having to change it, at least they all get to see what they earned.

I think it�s ridiculous that kids can pass "just because", but I do realize I am not going to single-handedly change the system. That said, I also refuse to thoroughly participate in it.

I let the kids know why they failed, and how in the future they can avoid the same situation. This semester it worked out great as the students are now not only working (mostly Smile

), but they are also finally, coming to me for help!

Same reason why I don�t like to pretend to teach. That�s not why I am a teacher. It certainly can make for frustrating times here, but such is life.

Sh*t happens.

Prof.Gringo · Posted: Fri May 02, 2008 8:39 pm Post subject:

guatetaliana · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 12:54 am Post subject:

wildchild · Joined: 14 Nov 2005 Posts: 519 Location: Puebla 2009 - 2010

MODS, please create don't-offer-solutions forum. Laughing

please note, ladies, I just vented and offered a solution at the same time. Twisted Evil

leslie · Joined: 08 Feb 2003 Posts: 235

mapache · Joined: 12 Oct 2006 Posts: 202 Location: Villahermosa

On the other hand, I have two students from middle class / lower middle class families who are the nicest young men I've ever taught. One is 12 and the other 13 and they are always very polite and helpful and thank me for the lesson and for help with their homework and tests. They love and respect their family and are not "too cool" to show it. Young American teenagers could learn some manners from these two muchachos.

Jetgirly · Joined: 17 Jul 2004 Posts: 741

I'm guessing Prof. Gringo doesn't have kids! Is there anyone out there who would say that they would be satisfied knowing that the teacher of their own children was "in survival mode", just getting through each day, and not thinking (and- yes- worrying) about school when they went home? And imagine that your kid worked his butt off to get a 90%, only to find out that students who failed later had their marks raised (either by the teacher or administration)... how would you feel? I'm sorry, but I think Mexican students deserve more. Yes, they're stuck in a crappy system and yes, many of them were probably not taught about being respectul as they were growing up... obviously I can't come in and change the entire country in twelve hours each week. However, the educational system at the school I am placed at, and the attitudes and beliefs of the students I am currently teaching, will never change if I don't at least attempt to shake things up. I hope that I've given them- at the very least- a glimpse of what school COULD be like, and maybe someday WILL be like. A place that is fundamentally different than a daycare center. A place where mutually respectful relationships are fostered. A place where learning is the top priority, and behavior that disrupts learning is not acceptable. It's just very, very, very frustrating to know that I am not supported by administration (despite their promises) and the students and my colleagues honestly believe that all you have to do to get 100% is whine enough. WHAT IS THE POINT?

And contrary to the impression I may have given off, I'm not some English nazi. We do all sorts of different things, from watching TV shows to reading short stories to playing games. Right now I have the students working on inquiry projects where they selected what they wanted to learn about, then created proposals outlining how they are going to find more information, present their findings to the class, and incorporate reading and writing (as it is specifically a Reading and Writing class). The proposals have all been approved and the students have three otherwise homeworkless weeks to work on their projects. But if a kid wants to put his head down on the desk, not watch the TV show, doodle on the worksheet and then not hand in the worksheet, it's insulting to me and the other students when his failing grade is later bumped up to a pass.

MELEE · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 3:17 pm Post subject:

I don't think I would ever take a job in one of these colegios. But if I did, I'd probably take a stance similar to dixies. I'd also feel like it I could make an impression on at least one student in the group, I would have done a good job. I think I'm in a unique position, a foriegner, but who has had a chance to live fairly intimately with some of Mexico's poorest people. I would hope that I could give Mexico's rich kids a better understanding of what the world and their country is like. But as I said I don't think I'd ever take on the job because I know it would be extrodinarily frustrating, and that I would not be satisfied to just play their game and cash my pay check.

hlamb · Joined: 09 Dec 2003 Posts: 431 Location: Canada

I worked at a language school that had a lot of prepa students. It was a tough time for me, because it didn't seem to matter what I did, they didn't want to be there. They came late, never did their homework, goofed off in class, spoke Spanish, told jokes, etc. They were polite enough to me, but just wouldn't do anything. For a while I did nothing with them because I was so depressed about the situation. I'd write letters to family during class and they were quite happy. But I couldn't keep it up because I felt guilty-I knew I wasn't doing my job. So I just taught to the few that wanted to be there and ignored the rest, as long as they were relatively quiet. Everyone passed but at least I knew that someone was benefitting and that I was earning my money.

It is a sad situation, but take heart. There are better schools out there.

Samantha · Joined: 25 Oct 2003 Posts: 2038 Location: Mexican Riviera

Good post, but I am pondering your last sentence and wondering what you mean by a "better schools out there". In my personal experience, I haven't seen a school step in and boot a student for bad behavior, while I have seen some pretty rotten antics. A student equals income, and that's why this problem seems to exist. It begins before "Prepa". It's alive and well in Primary school.