NWR: Teachers, please help with a very touchy subject

SummerBride10 Posted: Nov 17, 2009 07:11 PM

NWR: Teachers, please help with a very touchy subject

Thanks girls.

I'm going to talk to someone today on advice how to approach the situation!

es2189 Posted: Nov 17, 2009 07:13 PM

Re: NWR: Teachers, please help with a very touchy subject

I would say I think you should address it right away. This is something that is obviously bothering her, and now that she's said it, could be bothering other students as well.

cateydee Posted: Nov 17, 2009 07:20 PM

Re: NWR: Teachers, please help with a very touchy subject

not sure if the school admins have some sort of protocol with teaching this, but you need to be honest without going into too much detail. i know thats no help. sorry

SummerBride10 Posted: Nov 17, 2009 07:23 PM

Re: NWR: Teachers, please help with a very touchy subject

just wanted to add i'm un-tenured. this is only my second year in the district.

CristinanBen2010 Posted: Nov 17, 2009 07:27 PM

Re: NWR: Teachers, please help with a very touchy subject

I wouldnt bring it up unless the child brings it up then. Its a very touchy situation and especially kids that age might take things the wrong way and you wouldnt want that to happen. Are you close with your supervisor? Maybe you can ask what they think.

SoonToBeMrsVi Posted: Nov 17, 2009 07:32 PM

Re: NWR: Teachers, please help with a very touchy subject

I am an ESL teacher and work in a diverse school district as well. I think your best bet is to address this topic carefully and sensitively. I'm not sure what grade level your students are in but would it help to pull her aside (in a sublte manner) to discuss what she said further? Maybe you could explain how terrible you feel slavery was and how you understand how it is easy for all white people to be associated with such a terrible time in history. Then assure her that although she is right that many white people were to blame and were at fault participating in such horrible treatment of the slaves, your family most certainly was not a part of it. I think if she sees how genuine you are her feelings might change.

Hope this helps. FM if you need more advice. I'm interested to see what district you teach in as I've come across some sticky situations myself being in a diverse district.

SummerBride10 Posted: Nov 17, 2009 07:33 PM

Re: NWR: Teachers, please help with a very touchy subject

Thank you so much for the advice girls!!

SoonToBeMrsVi Posted: Nov 17, 2009 07:34 PM

Re: NWR: Teachers, please help with a very touchy subject

I'm un-tenured too. Although I think it's important to keep that in mind in choosing how to handle the situation, I do not think it's to the best benefit of the child to let it go completely. Just my opinion.

KrisD72310 Posted: Nov 17, 2009 07:48 PM

Re: NWR: Teachers, please help with a very touchy subject

Well, my first year teaching (5th grade) in my district, which is also very diverse, I had to teach this subject. I personally feel that as teachers it is our job to educate students about history. Every time we spoke of it, I really just expressed my sincere disgust over this part in history. I talked to them about ignorance and we related it back to the Holocaust as well. I always stressed that we learn from others mistakes and that this actually still occurs in other parts of the world. IMHO they need to know what's going on and what has happened in the world. There was actually that situation during this time of the couple in Nassau who were keeping women as slaves. I find that they really, really, enjoyed talking about it, as sad as it was. Just be real with them. That's my opinion.

blondie24 Posted: Nov 17, 2009 08:11 PM

Re: NWR: Teachers, please help with a very touchy subject

Posted by SoonToBeMrsVi

I am an ESL teacher and work in a diverse school district as well. I think your best bet is to address this topic carefully and sensitively. I'm not sure what grade level your students are in but would it help to pull her aside (in a sublte manner) to discuss what she said further? Maybe you could explain how terrible you feel slavery was and how you understand how it is easy for all white people to be associated with such a terrible time in history. Then assure her that although she is right that many white people were to blame and were at fault participating in such horrible treatment of the slaves, your family most certainly was not a part of it. I think if she sees how genuine you are her feelings might change.

Hope this helps. FM if you need more advice. I'm interested to see what district you teach in as I've come across some sticky situations myself being in a diverse district.

I agree, however, if a similar issue arises in the future, I would definitely document this and show your AP, as well as maybe guidance... and see if maybe if this is just an issue this year or she gave problems to other teachers as well... you need to document everything!!! HTH :)

MrsH37 Posted: Nov 17, 2009 09:34 PM

Re: NWR: Teachers, please help with a very touchy subject

I would speak to the student privately. I don't think there is a need to address it with the whole class again unless someone else brings it up. Just because you don't have tenure doesn't limit you with the conversations you have with your students on subject matter. So relax and try not to stress. It will all be fine.

Ivansgirl Posted: Nov 17, 2009 09:49 PM

Re: NWR: Teachers, please help with a very touchy subject

I would speak to the student individually. Correct the student and warn him/her about making assumptions like that based on the color of someone's skin. That was part of the issue way back then. I wouldn't address it in front of the class because it would make a bigger deal out of it and I feel you handled yourself well with it today.

I Love Paolo Posted: Nov 17, 2009 10:11 PM

Re: NWR: Teachers, please help with a very touchy subject

Posted by Ivansgirl

I would speak to the student individually. Correct the student and warn him/her about making assumptions like that based on the color of someone's skin. That was part of the issue way back then. I wouldn't address it in front of the class because it would make a bigger deal out of it and I feel you handled yourself well with it today.

I completely agree with this. Your job is to educate and that is what you would be doing, by telling him/her that assumptions should not be made based on the color of someone's skin. You could actually make a discussion out of it and give some other examples of history where people were judged based on religion/color, etc . It can work into a very interesting/educational topic that the students can learn from. I do not think you have to generally state your feelings on it, e.g telling them your opinion's/apologies about slavery, holocaust, etc. Good luck.

ShellyNY Posted: Nov 17, 2009 10:11 PM

Re: NWR: Teachers, please help with a very touchy subject

As a former social studies teacher, if it is brought up, maybe you can address it in a way by reminding students that we are a country made up of immigrants, not everyone in America has ancestors that came to America that far back and that there are many African Americans that immigrated AFTER slavery.
If possible, maybe speak with a senior teacher about this. It is a touchy topic, however, if it was brought up once, chances are it will be brought up again so you might as be prepared. :)

kristensteve Posted: Nov 17, 2009 10:49 PM

Re: NWR: Teachers, please help with a very touchy subject

I am also a special education teacher- when in doubt I always go to my principal. I always figure that if he knows about the situation, no matter what happens if I went to him first, nothing can ever come back to me. If he gives you advice on what to do and you take it, anything neg that can come of it will be on him (or her) not you.

From an educational perspective, I would pull her aside and tell discuss with her the actual history of slavery and that not everyone owned slaves and differnt areas of the world had different situations.

JAAMS Posted: Nov 17, 2009 10:51 PM

Re: NWR: Teachers, please help with a very touchy subject

Is there anyone in administration that you could ask for direction?

I feel like this is VERY touchy ground, and since you said you're untenured, I feel like either way you handle it could come back to haunt you, unless you KNOW you have admin support to back you up.

Bride825 Posted: Nov 17, 2009 11:01 PM

Re: NWR: Teachers, please help with a very touchy subject

Posted by JAAMS

Is there anyone in administration that you could ask for direction?

I feel like this is VERY touchy ground, and since you said you're untenured, I feel like either way you handle it could come back to haunt you, unless you KNOW you have admin support to back you up.

ita....good luck colleen

KrisD72310 Posted: Nov 18, 2009 05:26 AM

Re: NWR: Teachers, please help with a very touchy subject

Do you have a mentor you can go to as well?

miamimerger Posted: Nov 18, 2009 07:02 AM

Re: NWR: Teachers, please help with a very touchy subject

Colleen, you already deleted your post, but from what I gather, it's some sort of diversity topic. Just letting you know I'm the Director of Student Activities at a college and my emphasis is in diversity programming. If you need any help with even doing a program or approaching a topic, feel free to FM me!