cc licensed flickr photo shared by Davide Restivo
Just thinking…
Is it wrong for a student to use an iPod to listen to music because it makes them feel more comfortable in class? (While I listen to music to help me focus when I am working in my office?)
Is it wrong for a student to go to the washroom without asking to leave the class? (While I would expect to be able to walk out of a session when I felt the time was appropriate to go to the washroom?)
Is it wrong to not take marks off of a student who does not have an assignment in on time? (While sometimes we as professionals are late with deadlines yet never lose any money off of our cheques?)
Is it wrong for a student to bring a cellphone to school? (While I have one or two in my pocket?)
I used to be against all of these things and thought that anyone who allowed students to go against these rules was “soft”. I also use to think that just having these rules made it easier for teachers. I was wrong on both counts.
We always talk about the “Golden Rule” with our students, yet many schools have policies that show we expect students to live by certain rules that we as adults would hate having to follow ourselves. What is actually much easier for myself as a principal is having conversations about expectations with our students, rather than trying to justify these rules.
When we treat our students like people, it is amazing how they rise to it. Will they be perfect? Absolutely not. But neither will you or I.
Is it not more important to teach our students to be respectful rather than teach them how to follow rules they will never have as an adult?
