In the high school classroom, respect and trust travel a two-way street between teacher and student-and have everything to do with learning. Students say that if a teacher sets a steady example of fairness and respect, they respond positively whether or not they like a teacher personally.
All posts by Rudy Allison Rodriguez
But what if everyone’s doing it?
In today’s increasingly competitive marketplace, what struggling junior or senior in high school wouldn’t welcome the edge a memory pill could offer? What about university students, overworked air traffic controllers, medical students, and aspiring actors whose livelihood depend on being able to recall large quantities of information?
The scenario of Todd the good kid who takes mind altering drugs to get a leg up on a test was all too reminiscent of an episode of Saved By the Bell. Continue reading But what if everyone’s doing it?
Ignorance isn’t always bliss
“It’s almost like being transgender is being a hero to me because, you know, there are so many people that just won’t come to the realization and they don’t advance on their transition because of the pain and suffering it causes. But I just realized it’s something I had to do…”
The interview between Michael Sadowski and Matt, a transgender youth, was impactful in making me recognize how painful ignorance can be to youth navigating their sexuality and identities. Continue reading Ignorance isn’t always bliss
The Gender War in Education
“We categorize for the sake of argument, clarity, and for ease of thinking, but sometimes our categories cause problems and keep us from seeing the students before us.”
While Chapter 5 in Adolescents at School dissects the psychological as well as the gender norm differences between boy and girl students that teachers should be aware of, I was reminded of how hyper aware students are aware of these gender differences. Continue reading The Gender War in Education
Constructing Identity as Teachers
“But my teacher motioned me to put my hand down. As I lowered my head, my spirit followed. I experienced then and on many other occasions what Freire calls “banking” education…Had she allowed me to respond, the teacher could have recognized knowledge production as a shared endeavor and given me the opportunity to avoid the stings of rejection.” Continue reading Constructing Identity as Teachers