Comments on: Wordless (Wordfull) Wednesday: A teacher’s letter http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/ A Blog about life, technology, sport and just about everything else. Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:42:17 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.3 by: Simon http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2196 Sat, 11 Nov 2006 00:16:03 +0000 http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2196 I think this could have been an important learning experience for all involved - the teacher not least! - but the opportunity seems to have been lost, basically because both the teacher and the pupil became fixated with defending their positions to the exclusion of everything else, such as the feelings of others and not least the truth. The pupil had the excuse of youth and inexperience, but a better, wiser teacher would surely not have dug himself into such a hole. I think this could have been an important learning experience for all involved - the teacher not least! - but the opportunity seems to have been lost, basically because both the teacher and the pupil became fixated with defending their positions to the exclusion of everything else, such as the feelings of others and not least the truth. The pupil had the excuse of youth and inexperience, but a better, wiser teacher would surely not have dug himself into such a hole.

]]> by: kailani http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2132 Fri, 10 Nov 2006 06:14:18 +0000 http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2132 I would definitely side with the student being that the bottom line is he's correct. However, I think he could have been a little more tactful in his opposing views. I would definitely side with the student being that the bottom line is he’s correct. However, I think he could have been a little more tactful in his opposing views.

]]> by: Lee http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2082 Thu, 09 Nov 2006 06:37:08 +0000 http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2082 And here we have what is wrong with our youth! Actually standing up for what they believe in when they know they're right instead of just accepting whatever lies being told to them. 1. If I were the parent I would demand to know what kind of school they are running that they can't get a simple thing like that right. I would demand the teacher apologise. Do they not have books in the classroom where one could read facts to confirm or deny such an argument? 2. As Principal I would apologise to the parents with a foot note confirming that the child knows not to disrupt class generally. 3. Honest mistake that could have been fixed there and then if a simple dictionary had been checked. You can not blindly accept lies. And here we have what is wrong with our youth! Actually standing up for what they believe in when they know they’re right instead of just accepting whatever lies being told to them.

1. If I were the parent I would demand to know what kind of school they are running that they can’t get a simple thing like that right. I would demand the teacher apologise. Do they not have books in the classroom where one could read facts to confirm or deny such an argument?

2. As Principal I would apologise to the parents with a foot note confirming that the child knows not to disrupt class generally.

3. Honest mistake that could have been fixed there and then if a simple dictionary had been checked. You can not blindly accept lies.

]]> by: kdubs http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2070 Thu, 09 Nov 2006 02:35:37 +0000 http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2070 That is awful! That is awful!

]]> by: Tense Teacher http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2061 Thu, 09 Nov 2006 01:50:30 +0000 http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2061 Aw, hell no. That teacher needs to be pimp slapped. Any teacher who can't admit when he or she is wrong, even and especially in front of children who often learn from not only what a teacher says, but also from the example of what he or she does, needs to find another job. Take it from a teacher who screws up at least once a day and readily admits it. I'm sure if the teacher had handled it correctly, the student would not have resorted to acting disrespectfully. Aw, hell no. That teacher needs to be pimp slapped.

Any teacher who can’t admit when he or she is wrong, even and especially in front of children who often learn from not only what a teacher says, but also from the example of what he or she does, needs to find another job. Take it from a teacher who screws up at least once a day and readily admits it.

I’m sure if the teacher had handled it correctly, the student would not have resorted to acting disrespectfully.

]]> by: Lynn http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2051 Wed, 08 Nov 2006 22:11:56 +0000 http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2051 I would probably approach the teacher first and then the principal if I felt the teacher could not see the error of his ways. I think both student and teacher were wrong. The student was correct in pointing out an error, the teacher was wrong to immediately dismiss him. The student should have stopped at that point and waited until after class instead of being rude and encouraging other students to do so. The teacher should have checked his facts right away to either correct the student or in this case recognize and admit his own error. As the principal, I do not believe there is a side to take as both parties behaved badly. I do believe there should be consequences for showing disrespect to a teacher. However, I think the teacher would also be meeting with me to discuss how to better handle such situtations in the future. The child had the correct information but both he and the teacher were wrong about how they handled it. Students should be encouraged to defend the truth in a healthy way. Teachers should be the ones teaching it. Thanks for sharing and stopping by. I would probably approach the teacher first and then the principal if I felt the teacher could not see the error of his ways. I think both student and teacher were wrong. The student was correct in pointing out an error, the teacher was wrong to immediately dismiss him. The student should have stopped at that point and waited until after class instead of being rude and encouraging other students to do so. The teacher should have checked his facts right away to either correct the student or in this case recognize and admit his own error.
As the principal, I do not believe there is a side to take as both parties behaved badly. I do believe there should be consequences for showing disrespect to a teacher. However, I think the teacher would also be meeting with me to discuss how to better handle such situtations in the future. The child had the correct information but both he and the teacher were wrong about how they handled it. Students should be encouraged to defend the truth in a healthy way. Teachers should be the ones teaching it. Thanks for sharing and stopping by.

]]> by: Margie http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2050 Wed, 08 Nov 2006 22:08:53 +0000 http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2050 My Nephew had a simular problem and note sent home but in regards to the hour/minute hand on the clock. I actually had to "check myself" to see if I was the dummy in the situation. Turns out the textbook was as wrong as the teacher. -Margie (Stopping by via Dr. John's mini-marathon today.) My Nephew had a simular problem and note sent home but in regards to the hour/minute hand on the clock. I actually had to “check myself” to see if I was the dummy in the situation.

Turns out the textbook was as wrong as the teacher.

-Margie
(Stopping by via Dr. John’s mini-marathon today.)

]]> by: Domestic Goddess http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2049 Wed, 08 Nov 2006 22:06:51 +0000 http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2049 I would be furious. I would be in that teacher's face and the principals office so fast!! I would be furious. I would be in that teacher’s face and the principals office so fast!!

]]> by: seb http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2044 Wed, 08 Nov 2006 19:31:18 +0000 http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2044 Wow, I'm glad to hear the kid stood up for what was right! It's the teacher who should get punished for being so pig-headed!!!! Wow, I’m glad to hear the kid stood up for what was right! It’s the teacher who should get punished for being so pig-headed!!!!

]]> by: O Mama Mia http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2043 Wed, 08 Nov 2006 19:27:22 +0000 http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2043 I wouldn't be worldess either. That's just sad. They were both wrong, IMHO. Teacher for not allowig student to disporve him & student for going about it rudely. Here's an interesting read for ya on the subject of teachers: http://reliableanswers.com/hs/six_lessons.asp I wouldn’t be worldess either. That’s just sad. They were both wrong, IMHO. Teacher for not allowig student to disporve him & student for going about it rudely. Here’s an interesting read for ya on the subject of teachers: http://reliableanswers.com/hs/six_lessons.asp

]]> by: christieo http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2042 Wed, 08 Nov 2006 19:24:59 +0000 http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2042 you're exactly right. a child should be able to challenge ideas, it's not only stimulating but healthy. however, it's not right to be rude either, but from the letter, i am quite sure that the teacher did nothing to diffuse the situation in an adult manner and instead slumped to the level of a child in handling it. i have had these teachers too in my life, and i was too intimidated to stand up to them or question their actions. for that reason, i applaud this student! you’re exactly right. a child should be able to challenge ideas, it’s not only stimulating but healthy. however, it’s not right to be rude either, but from the letter, i am quite sure that the teacher did nothing to diffuse the situation in an adult manner and instead slumped to the level of a child in handling it. i have had these teachers too in my life, and i was too intimidated to stand up to them or question their actions. for that reason, i applaud this student!

]]> by: Jan Miraglio http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2041 Wed, 08 Nov 2006 19:12:22 +0000 http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2041 My youngest son is 16 and has a PDD (pervasive developemental disability) with a gifted IQ. I have gotten notes and phone calls from teachers over the years where my son was disruptive for the same sorts of reasons as the child in your posted letter. I sited with my son. Nine times out of ten the child was right, and I have had heated arguments with teachers and priciples. Now when kid and I got home, well I gave him "detention" of my own. No excuse for rudeness, but I'd never NOT defend him. Dr. John says hi. My youngest son is 16 and has a PDD (pervasive developemental disability) with a gifted IQ. I have gotten notes and phone calls from teachers over the years where my son was disruptive for the same sorts of reasons as the child in your posted letter. I sited with my son. Nine times out of ten the child was right, and I have had heated arguments with teachers and priciples. Now when kid and I got home, well I gave him “detention” of my own. No excuse for rudeness, but I’d never NOT defend him.

Dr. John says hi.

]]> by: guppyman http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2040 Wed, 08 Nov 2006 19:08:02 +0000 http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2040 Offering such rebuttals as "you're lying to the class"... How many times did the teacher insist she was right before the student got to that point? Please.... If you are going to teach... please please please have a little bit more information than the students! Offering such rebuttals as “you’re lying to the class”…

How many times did the teacher insist she was right before the student got to that point? Please…. If you are going to teach… please please please have a little bit more information than the students!

]]> by: Christine http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2039 Wed, 08 Nov 2006 18:49:41 +0000 http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2039 Good for the student! As a mother, if I were the principal I'd be appalled at having a teacher who was not only teaching like that, but treating her students like that. I feel for teachers, they are very underpaid for the job they do in educating our children, but she should take pride in her job and accept the fact she was wrong and thank the student for pointing out her mistake! Happy WW! Good for the student! As a mother, if I were the principal I’d be appalled at having a teacher who was not only teaching like that, but treating her students like that. I feel for teachers, they are very underpaid for the job they do in educating our children, but she should take pride in her job and accept the fact she was wrong and thank the student for pointing out her mistake!

Happy WW!

]]> by: Chana http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2030 Wed, 08 Nov 2006 17:08:07 +0000 http://thefoologs.com/who-was-right-and-who-was-wrong/#comment-2030 i believe, strongly, that the child was in the right..as an adult we wouldn't have kept our mouths close, children have the right to stand up and defend their beliefs just as much...just my opinion..dr. JOhn sent me here.. i believe, strongly, that the child was in the right..as an adult we wouldn’t have kept our mouths close, children have the right to stand up and defend their beliefs just as much…just my opinion..dr. JOhn sent me here..

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