Comment from Begin Again

Excellent

When I was a student (many moons ago), we would never have dreamt of openly confronting the teacher if we disagreed. Today, we live in a far more vocal world, and the students believe in standing up for themselves (which at times might be the wrong choice)... It shows in all our protests, school walkouts, and disruptions in school. On the other hand, teachers (certainly not all) have become far too lax or, at times, almost juvenile. The teacher-student relationship has gotten too much like your friend at times. When I was home-schooling my great-grandchildren during Covid...I couldn't believe the antics and the language at times. Guess I am just getting old.

Smiles, Carol

 Comment Written 20-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 22-Jul-2021

Carol: This happened back in 1975, but you are so right. I've had kids say things to me over the last 10 years that I didn't even know about at their age. It's a crazy world in which we live. I still don't tolerate it. Jan

Comment from royowen

Excellent

It's funny, quite often we don't realise what democracy can do to people particularly the young who grow up thinking it's a licence to do as they please, totalitarian countries try to fight for that privilege, and get mown down. It comes with responsibility, and that shouldn't need to be enforced in school, as you're emphasising here Jan, well done, beautifully written, my friend. Blessings Roy

 Comment Written 18-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 30-Jul-2021

Thanks so much, Roy. jan

reply by royowen on 30-Jul-2021

Welcome

Comment from barbara.wilkey

Excellent

Oh so true, sometimes it's the teacher who causes the behavior. It's way some teachers always have behavior issues and others do not. I like the way you handled it. But you're a pro.

 Comment Written 18-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 01-Aug-2021

Thanks so much, barbara. As you know, it's a mixed bag when you don't really want to punish the kids but you have to so they don't feel entitled. jan

Comment from Sandra Stoner-Mitchell

Excellent

I forgot to say, that picture was perfect! lol. Now, even though I can sympathise with the students, and would have to admit to a little hidden grin, your punishment was right and proper. I also think that the way Mr. Maury behaved was more of a disgrace. He was put there to teach not treat students like babies. Perhaps he couldn't help them because he too didn't understand it. But he should be setting an example, and that wasn't a good one. Well done, I thought you handled it well. I hope we can eaves-drop into your chat with Mr. Maury?? :)) Sandra xxx

 Comment Written 18-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 01-Aug-2021

No, Sandra, I'm not going to post my chat with Mr. Maury - but the bottom line was that he could not teach the work - I told him if he couldn't teach it, all he had to say was that he hadn't had enough time to prepare because when we don't use it we lose it - the kids would have bought into that. I may have also told him to never call any of my students babies again just before walking out his door. jan

Comment from Judy Lawless

Excellent

Ah, question answered. Now I understand why the students were upset with Mr. Maury, and they had the right to be, but not the maturity to know the proper way to handle it. You did a great job of getting that through to them. Well done.

 Comment Written 18-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 01-Aug-2021

thanks, Judy - jan

Comment from Wendy G

Excellent

I think the teacher rubbed them all up the wrong way and set himself up for what he got. Teens need to be respected not belittled. If he couldn't help them perhaps he could have asked one of the top students to explain it for the weaker ones. There's always other ways, the goal being to bring out the best, not the worst, in kids.
An interesting and thought provoking piece. Well done.

 Comment Written 18-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 01-Aug-2021

thanks so much - jan

Comment from blondie560

Excellent

You would totally have been one of my favorite teachers, though math was my least favorite subject! You seem to be very fair and your students respect you. Your co-worker was out of line, but I'm sure he wasn't happy he had to do an extra class. My daughter has a co-worker that is that way.

 Comment Written 17-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 01-Aug-2021

Doing extra classes is never anyone's favorite thing to do, but we have to remember that someone does it for us so we need to do it for them - jan

Comment from Elizabeth Emerald

Excellent

Ingenious. You are a gifted teacher indeed. Point taken re the note. Funny, I used this same artwork last week for my piece about turning the room upside down. Well done.

 Comment Written 17-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 01-Aug-2021

Thanks so much, Elizabeth - some of the artwork would go with so many things - jan

Comment from Elizabeth Emerald

Excellent

Ingenious. You are a gifted teacher indeed. Point taken re the note. Funny, I used this same artwork last week for my piece about turning the room upside down. Well done.

 Comment Written 17-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 01-Aug-2021

This showed up twice-jan

reply by Elizabeth Emerald on 01-Aug-2021

Happens sometimes--you got 10 stars from me!

Comment from Narvik

Excellent

Well, I would say you handled that just right. You acknowledged that Mr. Maury was no angel, but that rules needed to be followed nonetheless. It seems you really connected with your students in handling those situations.

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 Comment Written 17-Jul-2021

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reply by the author on 17-Jul-2021

Thanks, Justin. It helped that I already had a relationship with these kids. jan