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jaderedux
Joined: 10 Jan 2003
Location: Lurking outside Seoul
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 Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2003 4:23 pm Post subject: Too soft for this sometimes |
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Man, I just witnessed the most severe dressing down of a student. Surprisingly enough it was without the usual beating that normally accompanies this sort of berating. Sometimes I have to leave the teacher's room. On more than one ocassion I have had to leave because I was afraid I would cry. It's rough seeing 13 to 15 year old boys reduced to tears...kneeling on the floor announcing their shortcomings to everyone in the teacher's room. This is NOT an exageration!
One boy got caught eating cookies in class. He first was beaten then all day between classes he had to come to the teachers room and hold a cookie in his mouth kneeling on the floor with his arms in the air.
I know there are so many different cultural differences and I am trying very hard not to be judgemental but I can't help but wonder if this "50's" style of teaching is going to cause the school system to implode.
The 7th curriculum (sp?) encourages teachers to take a more facilitative role in the classrom and less of the "GOD" role. However, many teacher are resisting any changes that would change their status. It is no wonder students prefer academy. They are usually staffed by part-timers who can spend more time with them. The faciliities are more modern. They don't have to wear uniforms. They can ask questions freely. The classes are markedly smaller.
Anyone who shows in individuality in this school is ridiculed, berated, and tormented until the conform. It is not a pretty site. BEING DIFFERENT IS NOT ACCEPTABLE IN MIDDLE SCHOOL.
One of my co-teachers recounted a very popular "saying" :
| Quote: |
| The nail that stands the highest is hit the hardest. |
Honestly it makes me shudder. I see imagination, creativity, non-conformity COMPLETELY squashed.
It seems to me that this country cannot keep educating their children this way. As they have more and more exposure to Western culture and ideology I think you will see a major rift between student and teacher.
More established teachers do not want to give up the "power". There are alot of women in this profession and I wonder sometimes if this so called power is the only time they are truely in control of anything. The younger teachers, and I have seen a few and have even interviewed some, are at best ignored, often ridiculed and at worst driven out if they suggest trying new ways.
I love these students. I love so much about this country but everyday it gets harder to watch what I percieve as mental and sometimes even physical abuse.
A small note for C.O.2..... Honestly I don't want to hear your smug comments...(if only a polite request would stop them  ) I am a good teacher and I have no problems with my students. So please save your "I'm so much better and I understand more than you" for someone else.
So kids what do you think. Am I just a softie or does anyone else see this as a real problem?
Thanks for listening to my "brain salad" as it were.
Jade |
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Zyzyfer
Joined: 29 Jan 2003
Location: who, what, where, when, why, how?
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| Posted: Tue Mar 11, 2003 5:06 pm Post subject: |
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Well, I will say this. I know what you're talking about, but at my school at least, it's not so bad. I've seen some mildly abusive stuff happen before(the floor-kneeling thing) but nothing too terrible. I do see a bit of verbal abuse, though...I try to keep the personal commentary on students to myself and attack their actions if they misbehave. And I try to show kids here some respect...
Hopefully such actions will be noted. I do think change from this is in the air. I even had one teacher announce to me yesterday the "parents might call if you're not a good teacher" line... |
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PootyTang
Joined: 16 Jan 2003
Location: Valley of the sun
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| Posted: Thu Mar 13, 2003 11:11 pm Post subject: |
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Wow,
I never taught kids, at least not in a classroom setting (did a few privates, yeah I know I know, illegal...right.) so I cannot relate, I had no idea the kids are beaten that bad...I've heard of them.... but I never knew it was as bad as that.
Violence, such a nasty business. |
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