Breaking My Silence

While I do not think that the teachers really meant to come off as "racist," or "ignorant," I'm glad our discussion turned to the point it did because it reminded me that we really need to be open to what we say. I was admittedly taciturn during our intense and open discussion in class on Tuesday, and it was mostly because there were many comments I was soaking up and thinking about. I kept thinking about a theme has been brought up multiple times in previous classes, the idea that we must always be on high alert to our actions and the language we use, because it could have implications on the people we interact and the students in our classroom that we did not intend. For instance, the classroom management panel used certain language during the panel that made us have that discussion we did, instead of what the panels primary intentions were, discussing their classroom management strategies.

          Let me continue with a story. While I was observing classes at Mt. Pleasant High School, the students in one particular class were taking a survey that required them to answer the question, "What is the climate and culture of your school?" The students displayed quizzical looks while reading the question and a classroom discussion over the culture and climate of Mt. Pleasant ensued. I remember one students comment mostly because it related to my Alma Mater, Classical High School, "Our Hallways are always loud and fun, with students being able to talk to each other and joke around. The students at Classical are probably better-behaved, walking in single file and not talking." His fellow classmates laughed and agreed. I was immediately taken aback by the lack of truth to this comment. I had just previously walked through the halls of Mt. Pleasant and quickly had flashbacks back to my high school days at Classical, as the Hallways there were always very boisterous. 

The conversation we had in class made me think about that comment. We owe it to our students to not prejudge them, and treat them insufficiently because of their background. Even the little comments, like the ones we heard from the classroom management panel, could have huge implications on our actions towards our students, or worse, on our student’s ideas of themselves. The longer the words "those students" are attached to having a lesser ability due to a certain background persist, the more students involved in that group will believe that they are indeed unable to achieve to their capabilities. We are stunting the growth of our students when we talk like that, which is exactly the opposite of the role we have as teachers. 

For me, as I continue on my teaching journey, I will be more aware of my words, as well as other people’s words, when it comes to speaking about students and their abilities. Every time I am prepared to make a comment related to education and students, I want to think how that comment will affect the audience’s perceptions of myself, my students, and also the school and community I am teaching in.  We must work extremely hard not develop preconceived notions based on other people’s ideas, but instead form your own views based on research and evidence.