I really enjoyed having the panel of students come in and talk to our class about the LGBT club on campus. The most important part of hearing them talk was hearing their own stories. I think that for many people, it is easier to think about the “hot issue” of gay rights as an overall group, but they do not think about individuals. Just like within the classroom, each of our students will be an individual. They will not only be seventh grade language arts students, or first graders or sophomores in high school. Each one of them has a personal story to talk about. Each one is learning about themselves, and other people. Therefore, it is our duty as teachers to stop the injustice that happens in our classroom. One of the students was talking about one of the best things we can do is take control over our own classroom. We cannot tell our students what to think, but if possible, we can help change HOW they think, how they interact with other people; we can teach them about respect. In my opinion, our students need to respect not only us, but also each other to have a functioning classroom. The argument that some people have used “there is no way that we can change what they do outside of class” doesn’t hold up for me. I know that things that my teacher has said have changed my life. Even if it is not every student that walks into our classroom that has a little light bulb go off in their head, we can impact students. It is our decision whether it’s for good, or for bad. I really appreciated the group of students coming in and discussing their stories with our class, and I think it is more discussions and questions that they responded to that can get us thinking about how we can better prepare ourselves for what will be walking into our classrooms, and how we can best respond. More than anything, it is our opportunity to help our students learn, about the class material, and about themselves, and hopefully provide them a space to be themselves.
I agree that it was a very helpful discussion to receive first hand account from students who were not embarrassed to share. And I also agree with you that, while we will not have an impact on every student's life, we need to treat our jobs as if we do. I have had teachers personally affect my thoughts and values outside of the classroom as well, and if we show our support, then maybe we can impact students like we were impacted in the past.
ReplyDeleteI loved that we had students representing the LGBTQ community come speak to our class. I think it helped give a human face to the individuals who have been so unfairly discriminated against in our society. I also believe it would help those who do hold prejudiced beliefs to become more tolerant of those with differing sexual orientations. As teachers, it is important to consider methods, like this one, to open students' minds to new realities.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that these students came to talk with us. It was so good to hear what they had to say about what we as teachers can do to facilitate acceptance and a safe environment. Like you said, we have to see each member as an individual, not as just part of a group. Each person deserves to be treated as a person, despite what they believe or how they act.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right that as a teacher you can have a lot of influence over your students. The teacher has to be the role model when dealing with issues of diversity. That example can either be positive or negative. I think it can be hard for a single teacher to inspire great change in their student's views on diversity (not saying it is impossible), but if the entire school adopts a positive policy on diversity, then I think that can really have a profound impact on their students.
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