Today, as my family and I sat and ate dinner at a public restaurant here in town, we overheard a conversation by the people in front of us. Now, know that I am not one to judge anyone based on their opinions but sometimes people are just so ignorant that you cannot bear but to say something to them.
An older woman (you could tell based on her vocabulary and how she spoke) was having a meal with a younger man and they were discussing education in today’s era. She was apparently an English teacher for ninth and tenth grade, some of the toughest grades for kids trying to adjust to high school. This woman tells the man, “If you want to pass a note to another teacher, write it in cursive because kids cannot read cursive.” This really gave me a chuckle simply because I am 20 years old. I can read cursive and so can my 14 year old sister can read cursive. Then she goes on to say, “This is what I have to say to my stupid students”, which brought not only mine but my entire family’s eyes to look like we were deer in headlights. Going on into the conversation, they began to discuss how education has been “dumbed down” and how students feel as if they only have to put their name and a date on a paper and they think it is sufficient.
Personally, I was appalled by these statements. I was so shocked and so hurt by this that I knew I had to come home and write about it. To be a teacher, you have to be able to be patient and kind. Some students may not learn as quick as others. Some may need extra help, and that should be okay. As far as calling your students stupid, how dare you?! You are the one who is supposed to be teaching them! How can you call someone stupid that is learning under you? I have had so many teachers throughout my life that have done so much for me, that have taught me to be kind and genuine and to always give 100% in everything I do. I have asked some of these teachers for their opinion on this situation. Mrs. Kristie Anders says “It’s almost like stereotyping kids that have been taught under a different set of guidelines and standards.” (Grade 1-3) Candace Cole says, “There will be students who lack in one or more areas, but that does not mean they are stupid. It just means that they haven’t been taught those things yet or haven’t had the opportunity to grow in these areas.”
Students need time to grow, to learn, and as a teacher, you teach them so they can grow and learn these amazing things. Please do not call your students stupid, or feel as though they cannot go anywhere with their education. Some may be trying, some may not, but that does not mean that they are stupid!
