In Working, by Studs Terkel, I read two stories about teachers, Rose Hoffman and Pat Zimmerman. Hoffman was a public school teacher and Zimmerman was an alternative school teacher. Both articles discuss the relationships between teachers and students, and what type of relationship each teacher prefers with their students.
It is very clear to readers that Hoffman likes to keep her relationships with students strictly about school and school work. She says, "I don't want to know what's happened in the family, if there's divorce, a broken home" (484). She believes that what is happening in a students home is none of her business and she would rather not hear about it. She also says, "Even a child deserves a certain type of privacy in their personal life" (484). Hoffman believes it is not her business, nor her place, to pry into the lives of her children. She also mentions that growing up she came from a broken home. Having this background, and knowing she turned out just fine, she believes her students will turn out fine too.
On the other hand, in Zimmerman's classroom, it's a little bit different than just ignoring students personal lives. He says, "We only get to know the families if they want to know us. If a kid doesn't want us to get involved, we trust that that's the best thing for him, that somehow he needs us all to himself, not to share with his family" (491). Zimmerman places trust in his children and allows them work their own problems out. If they don't want his help, he is hands off and lets them deal with it on their own. However, if one of his children ever did need help with a family situation, Zimmerman makes it clear that he would be there for them.
Alternatively, we hear a different point of view from Andrew Rubin in a podcast from www.slate.com/working, "How Does A Principal Work?". In this podcast, Rubin discusses all of the duties he has to deal with on a daily basis. One of the major points he brings up is the relationship with students. He says he likes to, "break the stereotype" when it comes to a principal and student relationship. Most students give principals a negative persona. They always are on their best behavior in front of the principal in fear that breathing the wrong way may get them into trouble. Well, Rubin likes to break down this wall with his students. He works hard to get to know the students. He is available to listen to their problems, and wants to work with them to help them get through tough times. He does obscure things, wears chicken suits, to help build this relationship. He wants to know his students more than just on a "business" level.
A few things to think about:
Do you think it is better for teachers to get involved in their students lives or keep the relationship strictly about academics?
Can "breaking the [relationship] stereotype" better improve a student's performance in the classroom, or like Hoffman says, does home life really have nothing to do with learning?
Until next time...
Camille
Nicely done, Camille.
ReplyDeleteYou might have had the opportunity to give us a wrap-up paragraph at the end where you make the comparisons explicit, but this is a good effort.
Grade: 1/1
DW
Camille,
ReplyDeleteThese three educators are obviously all very different but I think my least favorite might actually be Zimmerman.
Hoffman might terrify me and I definitely don't agree with her teaching methods but I really thrive off of organization and set goals which doesn't seem to be Zimmerman's speciality.
Camille,
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to teachers, I want mine to be like Pat Zimmerman. He is as involved as his students want him to be, and I feel as if this is very important. I feel like Rubin is too in your face, and Hoffman is too impersonal.
Camille,
ReplyDeleteI think that the best case scenario would be if teachers could stick completely to the academics and let parents deal with the rest. Unfortunately this is not possible for kids whose parents aren't around to help them grow up personally. For this situation, teachers like Rubin can bridge the gap and give students a more complete childhood.
Camile,
ReplyDeleteTo answer your question first question on teacher involvement, I think that is truly based on what kind of student the teacher is dealing with. Although some kids may feel better if they have a good relationship with their teacher, some kids are better off being stuck on a professional basis. It would make them work harder and less likely to slack off in my opinion.
Okay, your last question really had me thinking. It made me wonder if home life is really what it all comes down to in the learning process. I know a rough home life can cause setbacks in learning, but I've come to know plenty of people who have over came obstacles and were successful in school. Makes you wonder, what teacher's philosophy on teaching is right?