Communication and relationships. These two factors are extremely necessary in running an effective classroom. Teachers need to communicate their thoughts with the class, parents, and other adults in the classroom. If the teacher does not have good communication or her students do not understand her there is going to be a massive separation between students and teachers. They also need to form relationships with these the students so bonds and trust can be formed. Teachers need to put forth the extra effort so students feel comfortable in the classroom.
These factors are extremely necessary when a class is dealing with sexuality, STD’s, and foster care. All of these contributing factors can make a class go from responsible to chaos in a matter of seconds. Therefore it is the job of the teacher to prepare her students before chaos multiples. The most important idea the teacher needs to have is all students are unique, and that their uniqueness does not give her right to downgrade a student. A teacher may have different beliefs than the student, but the teacher still needs to show the upmost respect for the student. This is especially necessary when dealing with students who are Gay, Lesbian, or transgender. The teacher needs to support and love each child she encounters.
One concept that was debated in our class was how to teach students about sex. In school I was taught that sex could lead to unplanned pregnancies, STD’s and relationship loss with friends. I was a public school child who was lucky enough to have my religion to fall back on. I was able to reason that sex was a gift and should wait. However, most of the people I went to high school with engaged in sex. As teachers how are we going to stop kids from having sex? The answer is we are not; they are still going to do it. I believe we need to teach students the good, bad, and ugly about sex. Some students need to hear what can happen if they have sex, but others need to hear that it is a sacred gift from God. I thought as a third grade teacher I was not going to need to deal with teaching this, but I now know I am going to need to be prepared for all types of questions that students may ask. It all goes back to communication and relationships. If a teacher has good communication with her students she is going to know how to vocalize the topic of sex. If she also has a relationship with her students she is also going to know which students will handle the topic and which students she will need to work with on a more one-on-one basis.
ED460 Personal and Social Well Being is a course taken by college students in education during their student teaching semester. Topics covered include: poverty, child abuse, bullying, drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, counselors' role in school, adolescents and choices, and the use of technology.
Something you could teach your children at the elementary level is about the goodness of life. Show them the wonder of children. My mom used to have this book about "Where Do Babies Come From," or something like that. Now, you probably wouldn't show that in class, but it's the same concept. A lot of the problem with negative attitudes of sex is not understanding its purpose, and it becomes abused. You could lead a student away from abortion later on in life by actually showing them that a child is growing within them.
ReplyDeleteShowing students how to treat others with respect could also instill the necessary concept of human dignity that becomes the basis for desiring to love a girlfriend or boyfriend in the right way later on. Helping them to be virtuous and sacrifice for others in little ways in the classroom can help them see the goodness in trying to do what is best for another person, rather than selfishly feed our own emotions. Those are just little ways I thought might help guide a child at the elementary level so that, by the time they get to me in high school, they will know what I am talking about :). Just an idea.
I could really relate to the comment you made about not thinking you would have to deal with some issues in an elementary class, but knowing now that nothing is out of the question. I feel that in today's society, there is nothing out of the question as far as what may enter the classroom, and although some things may surprise us when they arise, we should be prepared, by knowing that nothing is out of the question to be brought up in a classroom.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, some children are forced to grow up way to quickly and learn about things they should not have to. They may have exposure to sex, drugs, or just life conditions way too early. We need to be prepared to deal with this in order to help the student through whatever they are facing.
I completely agree with your statement about loving the whole child, no matter if they are gay, lesbian or transgender. Some people may not agree with their choices or lifestyles, but our job isn't to judge that. Our jobs, as teachers, is to care for these children and teach to their whole being. Teaching methods can change because one student needs a more visual explanation than a student who can read the directions and immediately start. Teaching styles should never change because of someone's sexuality.
ReplyDeleteI really liked your coments about communication and relationships. What keeps coming to mind for me is how education is a people business. I believe that The First Days of School discussed this. I think that this is important to keep in mind. Not only that we are in a people business and how we communicate determines our success, but also that communication is a skill. For this reason we must be constantly working on our ability to effectively communicate with students, parents, administrators and our fellow teachers. Some of this will come naturally but part of it will develop only if we work at it.
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