Chapter 6, and rule number 6, is extraordinary. That idea has been my motto this school year in order to survive. I have found myself so frustrated with certain students’ behaviors that I want to correct them every single time they say something inappropriate, instead of picking and choosing my battles. When I refrain, I feel resentful towards them. I realize from reading this chapter that I need to remind myself that I am a teacher, not a parent of 162 children. I am not physically or mentally able to project my personal value set in the discipline of my classes. I must remember that position and attention are central to my students, and they do not intentionally mean to offend me with most of their actions. They are surviving in a competitive environment. I must focus on finding my central self rather than the calculating, judgmental, angry, resentful self. I can’t judge rude children without considering the whole person=who knows what is going on in their life or how they were raised.
My response:
"I am not their parent." I say that phrase over and over in my head when there are the moments that I must ignore. Inappropriate language is what gets me every time. How do students not know that there are times where they cannot talk about certain things (like bodily functions)? Well, they probably see their parents doing it at home and do not know where to draw the line...or they are boys and think it's really funny. Either way, you are right in saying that you cant be a parent to your students. So many times, parents think that teachers are the ones to instill moral character into their child's life. Is that our job? No. But we are called to teach 21st century skills which include being able to make it in this world.
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