Last October Lincoln Brown, a white social studies teacher, was suspended from his job for
"using verbally abusive language to or in front of students." Brown teaches in a Chicago school classroom full of African American students. His suspension came two weeks after he was observed using the "N" word in a his classroom. The incidents deemed a "teachable moment" by Brown was seen in different light by his principal.
Brown took a note being passed from one student to another and discovered the "N" word written within a rap lyric. He decided to discuss the negative impact that comes from using the "N" word and how the word is used in movies, music and books. In an attempt to curb the use of the word, he talked to his students about how using the word only fans the problem into a raging fire. He asked his students how they would feel if he was to use the word. He used the whole word in class and he made sure that he didn't address it to or at anyone.
Brown's principal, who is African American, was in his class when he used the word. At the time there seemed to be no issue, it wasn't until two weeks later that any concern was brought to Brown's attention at which point he was told of his suspension. Lincoln Brown is now suing the Principal, the Chicago Public Schools CEO and the Chicago Board of Education for violating his First and Fifth Amendment rights. Brown was quoted saying “it’s so sad - if we can’t discuss these issues, we'll never be able to resolve them."
I think that the use of the "N" word is cruel, negligent and should not be used in any context. I believe that Brown's intentions were based out of his desire to change things for the better. Should he have actually used the word in his class, probably not, but I can understand his reasons for doing so.
Race is such a controversial issue. It is something that may get overlooked and disregarded by educators because they are afraid of the consequences. In my own classroom I would like to think that I could address issues and concerns that my students are having.
So I am a Middle Level Math and Science major at Edinboro University. Upon graduation I will be certified to teach from 4th grade up to 8th grade.
I have heard a lot of good that will come from this program. Most of it coming from the school and my instructors. It prepares teachers to relate directly to the age group they will be instructing. With instruction that is geared to the very important time in life their students will be living through. Aside from creating educators that know their students and love them, I have heard a lot of talk about the negatives of a mid level degree.
As hard as it is to get a job in the education field, is a more specific level of qualification such a good idea? The fact that most teachers once hired are there for life, and that many schools are cutting jobs rather than creating new ones is the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) making it harder for new teachers to find jobs?
I am not overly concerned because I know that I am called to be a teacher and in that I know I will get a job! But I think it is an important discussion to have! What do you think?
I have finally entered the 21st century! I now have a Twitter account so look out world!
I never gave Twitter much of a chance. I considered it to be a sounding board for mindless comments or posts about nothing important. After the discussion in my SEDU 183 class, about Twitter and other social media being implemented into education, I am now more apt to consider the potential of social media. I am willing to look deeper into the possibilities that social media can provide.
Being able to be connected to students, faculty, administration, and parents give an educator advantages that were not available just a few years ago. The fact that updates on homework, meetings and upcoming events are just a few click away can be a valuable asset.
I am not going to tell you that I will be tweeting all day long nor will I assume that I will have many followers. But I am confident that I will explore the possibilities/tools at my fingertips.
My name is Lee Alexander but everyone calls me Lee Bob. I am a Middle Level Math and Science Major at Edinboro University. I am 28 years old and I have been married to my beautiful wife Sara since September of 2007. We live in an old farmhouse that we are in the process of remodeling.
I worked as a contractor with my Dad for seven years before deciding to go back to college. I wanted to become a teacher because I love working with youth! I have been the Youth Director at my church for almost seven years now and I have found that I have a passion for teaching.
Once I knew I wanted to teach I had to decide what I wanted to teach. My Mom is a second grade teacher, so I knew I didn't want to teach the little kids! My favorite age group from working with the youth at my church was the seventh and eighth graders. Once I narrowed down the age group to middle level I had to decide on the content that I wanted to teach. Science was an obvious choice for me and when I found out that I could choose two I threw Math in there as well.
I would love to work at Northwestern Middle School teaching seventh or eighth grade Science. That would be my first choice. I will however take the first job I can get! I am excited to mold young minds and I can't wait to get out there and teach!
This blog will hopefully give me an opportunity to learn more about the blogging world and expand my abilities to teach and reach students. It will also be a sounding board for my thoughts and concerns about topics related to education.
