Korean Job Discussion Forums

[sadguy]

and a student asked you if you've smoked before, and you have, what would you say?

[Tundra_Creature]

Tell them the truth. You used to and now you don't and you don't encourage it.

[sadguy]

actually, i would encourage it if they were older.

[Steelrails]

That that question is not appropriate for them to ask or for us to discuss in our student-teacher relationship, and that they should obey the law.

Which in truth it is. That's a discussion for them to have with their parents. They should not seek such answers from their teachers. A teacher is there to present academic material, not to encourage them to think a certain way or to encourage certain behavior beyond that laid out by the school board and the curriculum. Even then I'm wary about too much moral education in the schools- The behavior to be encouraged is that which enables a successful learning environment. It's not my job to turn children into progressive humanists or religious faithful or psychedelic minds.

Would you feel comfortable if your school's teacher encouraged your children to attend religious services or to vote a certain way? Certainly not. A teacher should not encourage that type of behavior, not because it may or may not be wrong, but because it is not our place.

[WadRUG'naDoo]

It is an appropriate question and I would handle it by answering truthfully (yes). Then I would have the student grab hold of my hand as we fly to Smoking Past before I was a smoker up until my first cigarette. Then we would fly off to Smoking Present where we'd see me coughing up a storm in the morning while reaching for my first cigarette of the day. Finally, we'd end scene at Smoking Future where all my friends and relatives are crying at my funeral.

[OculisOrbis]

Is the OP talking about tobacco?

[jvalmer]

Exactly when did a teacher smoking become such a big issue in North America? I finished school in the 90's and it wasn't an issue seeing my teachers smoking around town.

[sadguy]

sorry, i meant smoke pot.

[OculisOrbis]

Then I would lie.

[tigershark]

Just say "No, I have never smoked pot."

and when they say "Come on Sir, I know you smoked pot."

you say "Okay, then why did you ask me?"

repeat.

Remember it's an illegal drug and you could get in trouble if they go home and tell their parents that you are some sort of hippie drug promoting teacher.

[loubird]

I was a teacher in New York, and I was repeatedly asked this question by my middle school students. The answer was always "no"-- it never crossed my mind to say anything different. It's a private subject and not one to be discussed with students.

[SinclairLondon]

I told them many of my friends did but I didn't as I played sports and was regulary tested.