Module 5

I am a seventh grade math teacher who teaches in a school in a rural area. As I was writing some problems on the board for them to write down for homework, I over hear one of my students a "stupid-head." I all of a sudden stopped what I was doing and turned around and said, "who ever just said that needs to apologize and stay after class. The victim needs to stay as well." As I get back to what I was doing before the bell rang for the next period, I quickly wrote up the last problem.

I told the class the first day of school that the word "stupid" was not allowed in my classroom because that word is degrading and can have some background affiliation to it. You never know if that person has a sibling who is actually mentally retarded and that word can do some damage. I feel that no one is stupid. Everyone has potential and is capable of anything. The word "stupid" can also make someone depressed and they give up on themselves because they think, "well since they think I am stupid, maybe I am. Maybe that is why I cannot get good grades. Maybe that is why I never get any math problems right." You never know what is going through someones thoughts. I feel that there is not one particular group of people this word can offend. I feel that it can offend anyone.

The bell rang to the class change. The two students hung around long enough for me to know what happened. (The offender) "I called him a "stupid-head" because he is one. When he goes to the board and works out a problem, he never seems to get it right." (The victim) "I try so hard to learn the lesson and how to work out the problems, but no matter how hard I try it just seems to not click with me. I will get a few problems right and then second guess myself and then change it and it will be wrong. I think that after he called me this it made me feel even lower because the whole class heard him call me a 'stupid-head.' My brother has down syndrome and I started thinking to myself, 'maybe I do have what he has?' 'maybe I am stupid.' It is hard going home and taking care of him and helping my parents around the house. I never have time to study because I have to help around the house."

My reply: "I think that (so and so) owes you an apology and I think that before anyone calls anyone anymore names you need to think truly what you are saying. You do not know the background of each other and that name can really hurt someone. "Stupid-head" may not seem like a big deal of a name, but if it is said to the right person, it can really make them go off the end. And (so and so, the offender), you owe me an after school detention for using that language in my classroom. You know the rules in here and you know that was very inappropriate. You guys have a great afternoon and please, no more name calling!"


Question 2
As a teacher, you will work with children from many different backgrounds. Describe a situation in which you would be uncomfortable with a child's family situation, culture, religious views or other beliefs. What will you do? What are your responsibilities as the child's teacher?

I think the most uncomfortable situation I could be put in is if the student came to me and told me about a family situation. I am not really bothered by culture, religious views or beliefs. I can tolerate pretty much anything. But if one of my students told me that her mother or father was sexually abusing her that would make me go off. I would first off really question him/her to make sure they are not striving for attention and make sure I got all of the facts straight. Then I would seek the counselor or whoever handles those situations. Maybe the school social worker. I then would make sure that the child was well taken care of because that is the worst thing that could happen in my eyes. But what amazes me is that it happens all the time. We hear it on the news, TV, and online. It is everywhere. I then do not see how I could look at the parent and with a straight face every again. I would not want to hold back what I want to say to them. I would want to look at them with disgust. But as a professional, I would make sure I handled what I had to in a professional manner.