Response to Noguera’s essay “Joaquín’s Dilemma”

Stereotypes are acquired and they imply students to behave accordingly to meet existed expectations that have been established culturally and psychologically within a group. The stereotype, or “hidden rule” called by Noguera, makes me recall the Pygmalion Effect in classroom.

“The Pygmalion Effect, or Rosenthal effect, is the phenomenon whereby higher expectations [from teachers] lead to an increase in performance [of student(s)]” (Wikipedia, “Pygmalion Effect”). In my perspective, not only teachers’ expectations could change students’ attitude; peers’ opinions will positively or negatively influence students as well. The book “An Ethic of Excellence” written by R. Berger records a boy bringing former passive and careless manner to Mr. Berger’s class, a community where active learning atmosphere has been well established. In Critique Session, students show great degree of respect to the new comer by firstly clarifying some confusing problems they have about the work and allow enough time for the author (the boy) to explain, and then start praising before moving on to offering suggestions. This boy has never expected that his peers and teacher would take his crappy work so seriously. At the end of the semester, the boy turns in improved homework and changes a lot in good way. Mr. Berger’s philosophy is that once students thought they are capable of excellence, they are never quite the same, and that teacher should firmly deliver a voice that every student receive equal treatment and much attention. The key point here is how students perceive themselves.

Problems facing teachers are to eradicate rooted opinions, such as being excellent academically is being traitorous. Everyone is eager to be successful, and to be extraordinary among peers doesn’t necessarily mean cutting off ethnic link with community; rather, making something amazing could successfully reverse negative stereotype towards certain group. Most adolescents from this group should learn from the model, instead of avoiding behaving like a model. Why do teachers have responsibility to advocate this value? It is because that classroom should be a place where illogical thoughts and sounds should be questioned, not being stressed.