This article appeared in last week's issue of The Sheaf...the University of Saskatchewan's Newspaper. Unbelievable. It has caused quite the to-do in the education building!!! (It's on the last page of the link).
And here is my response:
To the Editors of The Sheaf and Mr. Datla,
I am writing in response to Mr. Datla’s editorial about teachers.
First of all, I am assuming that Mr. Datla’s main intent was to get a rise out of people by grossly exaggerating some stereotypes about teachers. The reason I assume this is because I have to believe that someone who is pursuing higher education and is hired by The Sheaf is intelligent enough to examine his claims and know that they are unfounded and ridiculous.
For example—I do not believe that Mr. Datla truly believes that kids are morons—he used to be one himself. And if he does believe that, will he believe that to be true when he has children of his own? He implies that only the students in advanced classes are worth teaching and will ever amount to anything. It ignores the countless stories of great men and women who started out, as Mr. Datla would call them, morons.
If I have misinterpreted Mr. Datla’s intent and he truly does believe what he said, then nothing I say will change his mind. If he does believe what he says, he is admitting to believing that people from a low socioeconomic status are a waste of time and that teachers are completely devoid of ambition, talent, and zeal. If Mr. Datla truly believes his claims to be true, then all parents (and all future parents) should thank their lucky stars that Mr. Datla will NEVER teach their children.
Regardless of Mr. Datla’s intent, I am disappointed that The Sheaf would print something so blatantly marginal and discriminatory toward a group of people who devote their lives to the education and well-being of children (who, I might add, will grow up to be teachers and engineers and welders and doctors….and journalists).
Sincerely,
Gina ______
13 comments:
Wow, good for you Gina. I am otherwise rendered speechless.
I know, hey? It took me a week to find words to say about it. Now imagine yourself reading that in the college of education!!!
Dude, your response was awesome. Especially the "...or journalists". Eat that Mr Datla. What a punk. I mean, without my Grade 6 teacher, I probably wouldn't have gotten my history degree, and who knows what I'd be doing instead?
yay gina! THAT guy is the moron
good thoughts Gina... but the real problem is that there are probably many in your college that are there for the wrong reasons and are people that do not belong in a classroom educating children. you, of course, are not one of those... but look around you and try to figure out how many of them are there only because they have no idea what else to do with their life... it seems like education is the fall-back plan. i dont know what to do so i'll go teach kids... get my summer off... slack job... blahblahblah
i dont believe that - but i wouldn't be surprised if there's many that do....
just stirrin' the pot
You pot stirrer, you!
I've actually encountered VERY FEW people who are in the college as a fall back plan. You'd have no idea how motivated and amazing the majority of people in the college are! I'd say people who are there as a fallback make up a very small minority in the college.
I think the problem is society's tendency to focus on the bad teachers and assume future teachers will be the same. I don't know how many times I have heard, "Just wait till you've been in the classroom for 10 years!" That's ridiculous...by saying things like that we're setting our future teachers up for failure by having them prepare for the worst!
That article was disgusting. my mother is a teacher and has been for 25 years. no one I know works harder than she does, no matter what time of year. Over Christmas, she's busy making final exams and midterms. Over summer, she's busy creating her entire lesson plan for 6 high school English classes for the entire school year, plus her special education students. How utterly disappointing that professionals who dedicate their lives to teaching and guiding the youth are so grossly unappreciated by jerks like this. In my opinion, this person hardly deserves to walk the halls of such a phenomenal school like the U of S.
Sorry, Gina, you don't know me but I came across your blog through Leah's. Good blog, though.
Leah:
All Gina did was embarass herself.
If you're congratulating her for that, then good job.
lynniec:
First of all, go fuck yourself. Secondly, you must be pretty dim-witted if a sixth grade teacher is responsible for charting your life. Thirdly, getting a history degree is hardly a stellar accomplishment. Fourthly, I know what you'd be doing: hoboing (I know it's not a word.)
linoleum: It looks like your university education has taught you to think critically. Congratulations you stupid fuck.
kevin: You're a smart guy.
Megan: 1.Oh, so the repuation of all teachers hinges on your mother's hard-work? Yeah, nice analysis bone head.
2.Teachers don't make midterms over X-mas silly. Finals are right in January. Also, your mom has an 1 spare everyday, she can make finals during then. Plus, if she's taught before, and if she's semi-intelligent, it should not be a labor to construct an exam; she's done it BEFORE! Plus, perhaps your mom is a procrastinator. Or maybe she's just slow. That's a possiblility. She's just slow, and that's why she takes so long to do things.
3. I write an article about teaching, so I therefore do not deserve to be at the U of S? You're an idiot.
I am writing in response to Mr. Datla’s editorial about teachers.
(YOU CAN WRITE? GOOD FOR YOU!)
1.I ACUTUALLY HAD QUITE A FEW FACTUAL STATEMENTS ABOUT BOTH THE PROSPECTS OF BEING HIRED IN THE CITY, SALARY, AND THE RURAL OPTIONS.
2.INSTEAD OF ACTING LIKE A ONE-YEAR OLD, PERHAPS YOU CAN EXPLAIN WHICH CLAIMS ARE RIDICULOUS SPECIFICALLY, INSTEAD OF WHINING.
3.ACTUALLY, MY ARTICLE WAS AN OPINION PIECE, AND IF YOU'RE LITERATE, YOU'LL REALIZE THAT I NEVER ANY ILLUSIONS ABOUT IT.
4.SIGH. I SAID ALL KIDS WERE MORONS, AND THAT'S A RELATIVE VANTAGE. AGAIN, LEARN HOW TO READ.
ACTUALLY, THAT'S KIND OF FRIGHTENING, YOU'LL BE TEACHING STUDENTS HOW TO READ, YET CAN'T YOURSELF. HA!
5. IN CASE YOU DIDN'T NOTICE, YOUR ENTIRE INANE RAMBLING, WAS...WAIT FOR IT....AN OPINION! WHICH MEANS, OUR POV ISN'T ANY MORE VALID THAN THE SOMEONE ELSE, JUST BECAUSE THEY DISAGREE. THERE'S NO IRON RULE THAT STATES TEACHERS ARE X,Y,Z SUPER-FANTASTIC. THEY ARE SUBJECT TO CRITICISM, AND IF YOU CAN'T UNDERSTAND THAT, MAYBE YOU SHOULD SHUT THE HELL UP.
A O TAOS!
I think Mr. Dalta might just be a wee bit oversensitive. And immature. At least your response, Gina, was calm and polite.
Okay so everyone has to stop fighting about this. There will always be complete disagreements on every profession a person chooses no matter what.
Instead of marginalizing professions and assuming you think you know everything about them, stop for a minute and put your self in teacher’s shoes. People DO NOT understand the work it actually takes to be a teacher and the challenges we face on a daily basis. No this is not for everyone and that’s a great thing.
Some one had pointed out that they didn't have much respect for their own teachers as a child, and frankly nor did I. I was the bad kid, the kid that barely passed, that got in fist fights with teachers. But it was because of a special teacher in my life who saw something special about me, who helped me turn my life around. I had been ignored by all other teachers, labeled and pushed aside because no one saw potential. I became a teacher to show all the old moth ball hags of teachers that teaching is not purely teaching, it is continuously engaging and encouraging students to see the true talents they hold.
And I will say to state my ground, that I was accepted into 3 other colleges and programs at the university. So I did not enter the program because I didn't have any other option, or it seemed to be easy. I picked Education for a personal path I felt I was meant for.
Now if you continue to argue that people are in it for the wrong reason that is egotistical and purely close minded and YOUR opinion, not fact. YES I have met a only a couple people in education who are there for the wrong reason and I will not be caught around them because that simple fact makes me very angry that people would take advantage of the system to better their own lives and not the lives of others.
So yes you are right, some don't have the right intentions and shouldn't be in the program. But honestly the people I find myself surrounded by on a daily basis in the school put their heart and soul into what they believe and the difference they want to accomplish.
I believe it is a new generation of teachers who are being opened up to the real challenges and changes that need to be made in education to move further. Our education system is yes...far from perfect, but you must believe me when I say, there are many people like myself who are DEDICATED AND DETERMINED to make that difference not only in the system, but in students lives.
People say to me: ANYONE can be a teacher.
I say: yes you’re right...because everyone has something to offer our youth in one way shape or form. And it is also us as adults who learn and grow from them as well. Taking what we have learned in our lives and helping prepare students for theirs is one of the most amazing gifts I could ever ask for.
Anyone can teach, but it takes a great person to make a great difference that can make or break a child's life.
I am playing both sides here when I say: Education needs to become stricter in their applications and experience should be an asset.
BUT the people who I have had the pleasure to work with are devoted to making those changes and.... here's the kicker....
teaching YOUR CHILDREN to the best of their abilities to ensure that every student gets the care and attention needed to recognize their talents, feed their passion and push them forward in life.
Stop knocking teachers assuming you know everything because I assure you the only agreeable argument you had was yes the money and the job placement challenges.
I will go where they need me.
I am NOT in it for the money
And yes...my life is going to be very challenging from here on in because of these facts. But the easy road or the road to more and more money is not always the right thing. You're not helping anyone but yourself if you choose that path. That’s not for me, maybe that YOU.
Because yes we will get paid SHIT ALL to teach YOUR children and guide them through life.
DO NOT RAISE A PERSONAL OPINION ON OTHERS CHOICES IN LIFE. IT COULD LEAD TO HEARING AN OPINION FROM SOMEONE LIKE ME WHO THINKS YOU MADE THE RIGHT CHOICE DECIDING AGAINST TEACHING.
YOU WOULD MAKE A HORRIBLE TEACHER and your views and attitude would neither be appreciated nor respected in or out of the classroom.
So please go make your money, build that beautiful house you have always wanted and get that trophy wife. But when you have your children and it's time for school, just remember:
There are people who want to help and guide your children to realize they can do anything with their lives. Don't assume you know us as teachers because we really....really want to, and will be a part of your child’s life.
Give us the respect we deserve for getting paid so little but not giving a rats ass cause there is no where else in the world we would rather be than educating your children.
Sincerely
KM
I know I am out of date on this thing but I read the article and I HAD to comment!
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