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The_Eyeball_Kid
Joined: 20 Jun 2007
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 Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 7:08 pm Post subject: Moron Writes Opinion Piece |
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Seen this in today's Korea Times?
| Quote: |
Taking Back Classroom
Dr. Doane (Principal): Peg, as of this morning I've moved Philip from your English class.
Miss Narwin (English teacher): Why did you do that?
Dr. Doane: Probably for the best �
Miss Narwin: Best for whom?
Dr. Doane: For you. The boy �
Miss Narwin: People will misconstrue.
Dr. Doane: We are trying to be evenhanded ...
Miss Narwin: He's a student. I'm a teacher. Hands are not meant to be even.
― From the novel ``Nothing But The Truth'' by Avi (Harper Collins Publishers 1991)
By Steve Schertzer
During a recent English lesson, which was observed by co-teachers, fellow native English teachers, my vice-principal, and members of the District Office of Education here in Busan, I began by writing three things on the blackboard.
1) I own the room.
2) I control the class.
3) I am responsible.
I then said to the students: ``I own the room. From the moment I step into the classroom until the moment I leave, this is my house. And you are expected to behave yourself while you're in my house. I control the class. I am your teacher, not your friend. If there is something you want or need, you are expected to ask me politely and with respect.
``I control the class because I own the room. I am responsible. Yes, you are responsible for your own learning. But I am responsible for everything else that happens while in this room. That way, you learn what you need to learn and nobody gets hurt. I am responsible because I control the class and I own the room.''
This was translated into Korean by my co-teacher. The students understood, and then we started the lesson. It doesn't matter what lesson is started. The students must understand who controls the learning and teaching environment. Otherwise, chaos will ensue. And chaos has no place in any of my classes.
A teacher owns the room much the same way as an actor owns the stage. There is a certain stage presence that a teacher must have. A great actor commands the stage. The spectators are riveted by his performance and, when all is said and done, people are mesmerized.
But the comparison ends there. A teacher is not an actor. Nor should he be. His students are not spectators partaking in a theatrical illusion. They are the next generation, and the responsibilities of a teacher are adjusted to suit the social reality.
In my 10 plus years of teaching English as a foreign language in four different countries, I have found maintaining classroom control to be the most challenging of all teaching duties.
This is true for children, teenagers, and adults. It demands the patience of a saint and the wisdom of Solomon, neither of which I possess in abundance. I, like that the Korean teachers in my middle school, carry a ``love-stick,'' and I have been known to use it on occasion.
While it is true that many Korean and foreign teachers lack the skills and knowledge necessary to control their classes, that is not the major problem teachers have. Although it's not given the priority I believe it should in teacher training and professional development programs, classroom management can be taught to new teachers and can be learned through experience.
The major problem with teachers today is not a lack of skill or knowledge, but a lack of responsibility and leadership. There are simply not enough teachers who want to own the room, take control of the class, and take responsibility for the class.
This is not only unfortunate, it's tragic. In my experience, young students yearn for their teachers to show leadership. They need teachers who are not afraid to show that they are responsible and in charge. Young students should not be expected to raise themselves. Nor should they be expected to teach themselves.
A teacher who exhibits responsibility, by showing that he is able to respond, (for that is what responsibility truly is), is genuinely respected by his students as not only a good teacher, but also as a good person.
Doling out copious amounts of candy to your students is one way of getting them to like you. Stamping their notebook with pictures of cartoon characters may be one way to get your students to sit down quietly, but if that's all a teacher has in his repertoire of classroom management tricks, then he is one lousy teacher.
We can do better. In fact, we have an ethical and social obligation to do much better. After all, teachers, along with parents, are responsible for turning out the next generation of literate and socially functional human beings.
Unfortunately, far too many teachers today would rather be liked by their students than be respected. They would rather leave the teaching to others and take the easy way out by way of playing games like Bingo or Hangman. Teaching was never meant to be easy. And neither is learning.
Far too many teachers today would rather make their students feel good rather than teach them how to be good. We do a grave disservice to our students by treating them as our social equals. We do a terrible injustice to our students by trying to be evenhanded. I am a teacher. He is a student. Hands are not meant to be even.
Although there is much to learn from our students, the teacher/student relationship is one of setting boundaries and following rules. It is grounded in responsibility and a deeply rooted understanding that certain lines are never to be crossed.
Teachers must always be aware of this so that their students can behave accordingly and learn appropriately. Students must be made aware of exactly what is expected of them, in terms of behavior and academics, and the teacher is responsible for ensuring that these expectations are met.
Setting realistic expectations in a time-limited fashion is a good way to proceed in letting students know what their responsibilities are vis-a-vis their teacher.
It is often said that teaching is a thankless job. But it doesn't have to be seen that way. For those of us who know that we teachers teach not for today, but for tomorrow and everyday thereafter, teaching is seen as helping as many young people as possible realize their true potential.
Those of us who accept the responsibility for what being an educator entails, also accept the frustrations and pitfalls that too often accompany our endeavors. Those of us unafraid to assume a leadership position in the classroom know that with a little faith and trust in our students comes the reward of a job well done. We know there are no shortcuts and that our hard work will, in the end, yield high dividends.
For those teachers courageous enough to own the room, take control, and be responsible, great things await them. For those teachers brave enough to expect only the best from their students and hold them to it, the rewards are boundless.
For those teachers bold enough to rightfully demand that their classroom be a sacred place of growth and learning, the benefits are real. This begins with brave and responsible teachers because the next generation depends on it.
The writer teaches English at a public middle school in Busan through the EPIK program. He can be reached at [email protected]. |
Three words were constantly in my mind during and after I read this piece: What. A. C**t.
He clearly has issues. Who - in this day and age - WHO would boast of beating schoolchildren? My GOD, what a nasty, maladjusted piece of work he seems.
(Also, his head looks like a swollen stomach poking out the top of a cheap shirt - see byline photo on link) |
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Carlyles Ghost
Joined: 04 Jul 2007
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| Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 7:13 pm Post subject: |
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| Well I will respectfully disagree. I thought it was one of the better pieces I have read about a problem with which most of us have experience. Can you point out exactly where in the article that he "boast[s] of beating schoolchildren"? |
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mehamrick
Joined: 28 Aug 2006
Location: South Korea
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| Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 7:17 pm Post subject: Re: Moron Writes Opinion Piece |
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| The_Eyeball_Kid wrote: |
Seen this in today's Korea Times?
| Quote: |
Taking Back Classroom
Dr. Doane (Principal): Peg, as of this morning I've moved Philip from your English class.
Miss Narwin (English teacher): Why did you do that?
Dr. Doane: Probably for the best �
Miss Narwin: Best for whom?
Dr. Doane: For you. The boy �
Miss Narwin: People will misconstrue.
Dr. Doane: We are trying to be evenhanded ...
Miss Narwin: He's a student. I'm a teacher. Hands are not meant to be even.
― From the novel ``Nothing But The Truth'' by Avi (Harper Collins Publishers 1991)
By Steve Schertzer
During a recent English lesson, which was observed by co-teachers, fellow native English teachers, my vice-principal, and members of the District Office of Education here in Busan, I began by writing three things on the blackboard.
1) I own the room.
2) I control the class.
3) I am responsible.
I then said to the students: ``I own the room. From the moment I step into the classroom until the moment I leave, this is my house. And you are expected to behave yourself while you're in my house. I control the class. I am your teacher, not your friend. If there is something you want or need, you are expected to ask me politely and with respect.
``I control the class because I own the room. I am responsible. Yes, you are responsible for your own learning. But I am responsible for everything else that happens while in this room. That way, you learn what you need to learn and nobody gets hurt. I am responsible because I control the class and I own the room.''
This was translated into Korean by my co-teacher. The students understood, and then we started the lesson. It doesn't matter what lesson is started. The students must understand who controls the learning and teaching environment. Otherwise, chaos will ensue. And chaos has no place in any of my classes.
A teacher owns the room much the same way as an actor owns the stage. There is a certain stage presence that a teacher must have. A great actor commands the stage. The spectators are riveted by his performance and, when all is said and done, people are mesmerized.
But the comparison ends there. A teacher is not an actor. Nor should he be. His students are not spectators partaking in a theatrical illusion. They are the next generation, and the responsibilities of a teacher are adjusted to suit the social reality.
In my 10 plus years of teaching English as a foreign language in four different countries, I have found maintaining classroom control to be the most challenging of all teaching duties.
This is true for children, teenagers, and adults. It demands the patience of a saint and the wisdom of Solomon, neither of which I possess in abundance. I, like that the Korean teachers in my middle school, carry a ``love-stick,'' and I have been known to use it on occasion.
While it is true that many Korean and foreign teachers lack the skills and knowledge necessary to control their classes, that is not the major problem teachers have. Although it's not given the priority I believe it should in teacher training and professional development programs, classroom management can be taught to new teachers and can be learned through experience.
The major problem with teachers today is not a lack of skill or knowledge, but a lack of responsibility and leadership. There are simply not enough teachers who want to own the room, take control of the class, and take responsibility for the class.
This is not only unfortunate, it's tragic. In my experience, young students yearn for their teachers to show leadership. They need teachers who are not afraid to show that they are responsible and in charge. Young students should not be expected to raise themselves. Nor should they be expected to teach themselves.
A teacher who exhibits responsibility, by showing that he is able to respond, (for that is what responsibility truly is), is genuinely respected by his students as not only a good teacher, but also as a good person.
Doling out copious amounts of candy to your students is one way of getting them to like you. Stamping their notebook with pictures of cartoon characters may be one way to get your students to sit down quietly, but if that's all a teacher has in his repertoire of classroom management tricks, then he is one lousy teacher.
We can do better. In fact, we have an ethical and social obligation to do much better. After all, teachers, along with parents, are responsible for turning out the next generation of literate and socially functional human beings.
Unfortunately, far too many teachers today would rather be liked by their students than be respected. They would rather leave the teaching to others and take the easy way out by way of playing games like Bingo or Hangman. Teaching was never meant to be easy. And neither is learning.
Far too many teachers today would rather make their students feel good rather than teach them how to be good. We do a grave disservice to our students by treating them as our social equals. We do a terrible injustice to our students by trying to be evenhanded. I am a teacher. He is a student. Hands are not meant to be even.
Although there is much to learn from our students, the teacher/student relationship is one of setting boundaries and following rules. It is grounded in responsibility and a deeply rooted understanding that certain lines are never to be crossed.
Teachers must always be aware of this so that their students can behave accordingly and learn appropriately. Students must be made aware of exactly what is expected of them, in terms of behavior and academics, and the teacher is responsible for ensuring that these expectations are met.
Setting realistic expectations in a time-limited fashion is a good way to proceed in letting students know what their responsibilities are vis-a-vis their teacher.
It is often said that teaching is a thankless job. But it doesn't have to be seen that way. For those of us who know that we teachers teach not for today, but for tomorrow and everyday thereafter, teaching is seen as helping as many young people as possible realize their true potential.
Those of us who accept the responsibility for what being an educator entails, also accept the frustrations and pitfalls that too often accompany our endeavors. Those of us unafraid to assume a leadership position in the classroom know that with a little faith and trust in our students comes the reward of a job well done. We know there are no shortcuts and that our hard work will, in the end, yield high dividends.
For those teachers courageous enough to own the room, take control, and be responsible, great things await them. For those teachers brave enough to expect only the best from their students and hold them to it, the rewards are boundless.
For those teachers bold enough to rightfully demand that their classroom be a sacred place of growth and learning, the benefits are real. This begins with brave and responsible teachers because the next generation depends on it.
The writer teaches English at a public middle school in Busan through the EPIK program. He can be reached at [email protected]. |
Three words were constantly in my mind during and after I read this piece: What. A. C**t.
He clearly has issues. Who - in this day and age - WHO would boast of beating schoolchildren? My GOD, what a nasty, maladjusted piece of work he seems.
(Also, his head looks like a swollen stomach poking out the top of a cheap shirt - see byline photo on link) |
Agreed, how do you openly admit in a newspaper that you beat your students. Nothing like saying I just committed assault and battery on a minor child. |
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Troll_Bait
Joined: 04 Jan 2006
Location: [T]eaching experience doesn't matter much. -Lee Young-chan (pictured)
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Rapacious Mr. Batstove
Joined: 26 Jan 2007
Location: Central Areola
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| Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 7:23 pm Post subject: |
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Schertzer is a self-righteous lolly-gagger with a 'holier-than-thou' mentality, not to mention a heinous, control-freak, extreme-disciplinarian and general fascist.
I would feel that he was truly holier-than-thou if the year was 1939 and we we both teachers in a central Berlin military academy for adolescent boys.
This article isn't event worth critiquing. |
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funinthesun
Joined: 16 Jul 2007
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| Posted: Thu Nov 01, 2007 7:30 pm Post subject: |
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the piece is nothing but hubris and waffle.
it reads like a fluffed up human resourses management text, but ten times worse. drooling out adnausiam buzz words like responsibility, courage, leadership...blah blah blah without giving an iota of information to any teachers regarding concrete ideas for the classroom does nothing but waste the readers time, and elevate the writer to a position of lord holier than thou...
what shnozzleshite |
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