Comments on: Teachers Are Fighting http://intrepidteacher.edublogs.org/2008/05/18/53/ A space to (1) reflect on my teaching, (2) share new ideas, sites, and Web 2.0 tools with current staff, and (3) network with other 21st century teachers Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:55:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Ken Allan http://intrepidteacher.edublogs.org/2008/05/18/53/#comment-195 Ken Allan Thu, 22 May 2008 09:43:05 +0000 http://intrepidteacher.edublogs.org/2008/05/18/53/#comment-195 Kia Ora Jabiz. You say “it feels hypocritical to teach students to use the tools that we ourselves (as teachers) are afraid to use”. I feel the same way you do. My understanding is that this has been happening for a long time in many western societies. It is becoming part of the postmodern culture, a facet of present day culture that denies people to think for themselves, or even, as in the case of teachers, to have a life of their own. This seems trite until one thinks of what is expected of teachers – and this comes not just from society but also from teachers. I’ve often heard it said that the expectations that society has of teachers are tending towards a 24/7 commitment, which in itself suggests a denial that teachers have a right to a life of their own. Strange though it may seem, it is often thought that teachers should also be seen to be behaving responsibly 24/7- that their vocation (for that’s how many see it) is such that teachers must transcend humanness. I don’t believe that it should have to transcend humanness. But there are societal things that tend to contribute to this attitude, owned by many, that teachers should be ‘above’ certain behaviour that society accepts from people in other occupations as being perfectly ‘human’. It especially relates to behaviour that is or tends to be thought of as criminal, or that can be associated as being related to criminal behaviour – and not without good reason. This has been the case for a very long time. It is to do with an idealisation in the minds of those who view teachers as having ‘position’ in society. Hard though it may be to accept, it is similar in many ways to the expectations one might have of a mountaineer. Mountaineers are supposed to be agile in the use of their limbs to perform their vocation. But when the mountaineer makes a mistake, the result can sometimes be fatal. Ka kite from Middle-earth Kia Ora Jabiz.

You say “it feels hypocritical to teach students to use the tools that we ourselves (as teachers) are afraid to use”. I feel the same way you do.

My understanding is that this has been happening for a long time in many western societies. It is becoming part of the postmodern culture, a facet of present day culture that denies people to think for themselves, or even, as in the case of teachers, to have a life of their own. This seems trite until one thinks of what is expected of teachers – and this comes not just from society but also from teachers.

I’ve often heard it said that the expectations that society has of teachers are tending towards a 24/7 commitment, which in itself suggests a denial that teachers have a right to a life of their own. Strange though it may seem, it is often thought that teachers should also be seen to be behaving responsibly 24/7- that their vocation (for that’s how many see it) is such that teachers must transcend humanness. I don’t believe that it should have to transcend humanness.

But there are societal things that tend to contribute to this attitude, owned by many, that teachers should be ‘above’ certain behaviour that society accepts from people in other occupations as being perfectly ‘human’. It especially relates to behaviour that is or tends to be thought of as criminal, or that can be associated as being related to criminal behaviour – and not without good reason.

This has been the case for a very long time. It is to do with an idealisation in the minds of those who view teachers as having ‘position’ in society. Hard though it may be to accept, it is similar in many ways to the expectations one might have of a mountaineer. Mountaineers are supposed to be agile in the use of their limbs to perform their vocation. But when the mountaineer makes a mistake, the result can sometimes be fatal.

Ka kite
from Middle-earth

]]> By: Jenny Luca http://intrepidteacher.edublogs.org/2008/05/18/53/#comment-193 Jenny Luca Sun, 18 May 2008 06:09:58 +0000 http://intrepidteacher.edublogs.org/2008/05/18/53/#comment-193 Hi Jabiz, Being a teacher is a difficult profession for many reasons. Our need to maintain a professional demeanor in both our public and private life is one of the many challenges we face. I'd like to be anonymous, but I live in close proximity to my workplace and often see my students and their families in my 'down' time. Writing a blog also puts me out there -my school is supportive of my blogging and encourage our parent community to read it. My public face is always on and I am very conscious of this. I don't resent it, I just think it comes with the territory. I wish you well as you continue to blog- I admire the fact that you are exploring new avenues without a formal classroom. I hope that you find your way back to one - your passion is evident and students always benefit from teachers with passion. Hi Jabiz,
Being a teacher is a difficult profession for many reasons. Our need to maintain a professional demeanor in both our public and private life is one of the many challenges we face. I’d like to be anonymous, but I live in close proximity to my workplace and often see my students and their families in my ‘down’ time. Writing a blog also puts me out there -my school is supportive of my blogging and encourage our parent community to read it. My public face is always on and I am very conscious of this. I don’t resent it, I just think it comes with the territory. I wish you well as you continue to blog- I admire the fact that you are exploring new avenues without a formal classroom. I hope that you find your way back to one - your passion is evident and students always benefit from teachers with passion.

]]>