Common Dilemma - Education System

[DisneyFan06]

Read the following dilemma.

I have started my first year of teaching 3rd grade at Kids R Precious Elementary School, a Title 1 school; the student population is predominantly African American. My particular class has 14 black students and 2 white students. I've been told, "If you can teach here, you can teach ANYWHERE!" I work with another new teacher who is gay. He is not open about it with the kids, but his stereotypical mannerisms give the students the impression that he is. My students are now approaching me and wanting to know if this teacher is gay. They have also started being vicious with the word “gay” now. Everyone is calling everyone else "gay" as an insult. As much as I try to stop it, it just seems to keep getting worse. I tell the students that this is hurtful, inappropriate, discriminatory, and not for children to discuss in school. I've tried just about everything I can think of. Do you have any ideas on what I should do?

What advice would you give to this teacher? Is this an issue that could affect the purposes of schools? Or, should the teacher just ignore the problem, as it is likely to pass anyway?

I was wondering as to what others thought of this? I really dont know what advice I would give to the teacher, but I do not think the teacher should just ignore the problem. The problem has been created and it needs a soluation. In my opinion, the purpose of school is to foster in children the ability to learn and grow into respectful citizens. Based on that one definition alone, I do think it is an issue that can affect the purpose of schools. Everyone has his or her own opinion reguarding the issue. Obviouslly, this is an opinion; therefore, if we can try to keep negative comments out the door - that would be greatly appreciated.

 

[golfgal]

I would basically say that Mr. Smith is a teacher at our school and we do not call people names and move on. Minimize the situation, don't react because that will just make it worse with this age group.

 

[JoyG]

In response to the questions, I would tell the students that asking about a teacher's personal life is not appropriate for school.

As for the namecalling between students, I'd have to address that with character education lessons...that would have to be an ongoing thing b/c if this is going on at the beginning of the year you can bet it will manifest itself in other ways throughout the year and will likely get worse. I don't think the "gay" namecalling is something you'd be able to ignore.

 

[*Fantasia*]

I would basically say that Mr. Smith is a teacher at our school and we do not call people names and move on. Minimize the situation, don't react because that will just make it worse with this age group.

Good advice.. and if I was the teacher, I would tell them straight out that we do not tolerate any type of rude behavior in the class and in school. And whoever says that word again in bad way, then the student will get written up, simple as that.

The students are given some rules to follow, if broken, then the matter has to be handled in order to let them know that we take these things seriously and it is part of the rules given out.