Thanatos Gerroux
When you think of teachers, what do you think of? Usually people attach this god-like respect to teachers (these are parents – students will come around to it someday, but they certainly don’t feel this now). One of the complaints concerning teachers is their lack of salary. I’m not going to attack or defend their salary – it’s personal, let’s keep it that way. However, there is something here that needs to be addressed. Do teachers have too many advantages?
I’m going to say they do, but that’s just for the sake of argument and the fact that we don’t need another manuscript that “heroises” (yes, I do believe I made that word up- good for me!) teachers. I would prefer to depict teachers, this time, as antagonists rather than protagonists, but this is just for kicks, and to see how it turns out. In other words, teachers, don’t get defensive with what’s in this thing. I am creating it just to see how many “absurd” arguments I can come up with for the sake of debate.
Let’s see what we can come up with. To begin with, teachers seem to be late for class rather often. This is an interesting complaint. If you consider that teachers are paid to be in class on time, and students aren’t, then you have a good point. Students are assigned detentions if they’re late too often*, but teachers never are. Granted, teachers do have other things to do. They have to turn in items for recording purposes. They have other organizations to keep up with. The least they can do, though, is stay until the bell rings, get the class quiet, and assign something. It beats the heck out of homework (but that’s another story
There are other things that can be said for teachers. They get absolute power over their students. Their power is unquestionable (and if you do question them, my friends, get ready for a lecture). They , through the wonderful working of government, can force you to listen to them talk. Teachers are members of jobs just like everyone else. They are human beings, just like you. Remember this. They have no more right to judge you then you have the right to judge them (I know, hypocritical). We are all humans here, and none of us are exhaulted above the others. If you value your education, then listen to them with open ears. If you don’t, just shut up and let them do their thing. They really can’t force you to listen to them. They can do things to you (detentions, sentences, et al) that will make you want to listen, but all in all, the choice is yours.
The Morality Question
A few words about Elementary Teachers forcing morality in classrooms. I have recently learned that it is stated in the “Magical Book of Rules” (also known as the curriculum) that teachers should force morality in classrooms. I’m not arguing that (since I can easily be denied by a simple action of looking through the book). However, I will argue that it is not right to teach morality in classrooms.
In this wonderful country, we live under the concepts that you can do almost everything you want to do, as long as it does not “infringe” on anyone else. I think that that may be the case here. Elementary teachers spend so much time teaching you how to act. Shouldn’t you be the one to dictate that? As long as you’re not making things overly difficult for them (you should make things a little difficult - they do need a challenge) you should be able to act however you please. What difference does it make if I insult someone. I’m sorry, is it outlawed now to say things that do not please other people? That’s rather funny, if you really think about it.
In Elementary School, we learn that we have to be nice to people. Then when we reach Eighth Grade, we learn that we can say anything we please. Then the Social Studies instructor has to go through the process of teaching the students that the boundary to your rights in America is limited when you reach the boundaries of the school. Does this sound right? It sounds rather ludicrous to me!
So, for decency’s sake, let the parents teach their own children their own morals (or, better yet, let the children teach themselves their own morals). Go back to your textbooks!
