"We are told to be understanding of the many aspects of our students lives - whether that be education based or personally. We are told not to box them in to certain evaluation techniques, and to take an interest in their lives and to be helpful when we can. We are told to be forgiving, compassionate and understanding since everyone has a life outside of school. Well then, how come we are not afforded the same respect and courtesy?"
There has been a lot of frustration, anger and a lot of talk over the past few days about how teachers and students need to be understanding, sympathetic, and fair. I think that many people will agree with me when I say that there needs to be a mutual respect between student and teacher as well as an aspect of compassion.
It has taken a lot of will power for me not to blog about my frustrations and what has happened to me over the passed few days. I will be taking the high road and will try my best to present the facts as opposed to my personal opinion and bias. I do not intend to offend people and apologize if I do. You are entitled to your opinion and I am entitled to mine. I hope that you comment, add to the discussion, or provide a different point of view. I simply want to make sure that this unfortunate sequence of events doesn't happen in your own classrooms.
As many of you know the UVIC PDP program was on observation during the past two weeks. Overall the experience was fabulous and I did add a daily blog about what had happened each day. While on observation I dedicated all of my time and resources to learning from teachers about being a teacher; I was focused on how experienced teachers conducted the class, how they created a strong respectful relationship with students, how they were an effective teacher, and many more.
So where does the frustration and anger come in? Prior to the observation period we were told that we were not supposed to get assignments during the two weeks. Four of six teachers gave us the following assignments: 7-9 blog posts about what we observed, an observation journal, an ICT post about the ICT pathway that the school had adopted, and a 6-8 page research paper.
Question: Which one of these does not relate to the observation period?
Answer: the 6-8 page research paper.
At first I was ok with this assignment because I thought that I would have the time to complete it and complete it well. As the two weeks went by, however, I was starting to think about the reality of this assignment. The observation period was so time consuming and so intellectually stimulating that the assignment that didn't pertain to the observation was put on the back burner.
Now, I'll admit that prior to entering the BEd program here at UVIC I was a procrastinator. Most of my assignments were not done until the night before - that being said, I have never asked for an extension, and I have never handed in an assignment late. The week before this research paper was due I began my research had started to put my paper together. Then my dog ran away and sent me into a whirl of emotions and created undue stress on my mind and body. In effect, I had lost two days on my assignment because of life and what had happened. To make matters worse the last three days of being at home (Thursday-Saturday) the power went out at approximately 7pm every night so I was writing my paper by candle light using an old fashioned paper and pen. Needless to say, my plan for completing my research paper had been changed and I would have really benefited from a 24 hour extension.
Because of a family emergency and situation beyond my control, I politely asked my instructor for a 24 hour extension (aka I would hand in the paper Tuesday morning instead of Monday). The instructor said "no" and did not provide an explanation. As a result I became extremely frustrated and angry. I worked extremely hard and stayed up until 4am Monday morning in order to finish this paper. I did not procrastinate and I did not start this paper with the intention of asking for an extension, nor did I want to hand in the paper late; Life happened and was out of my control.
In class, I learned that a number of students had asked for an extension and the instructor said no to them as well - at least the instructor was consistent. I thought this was completely unfair and unreasonable and out right mean. At the beginning of the class the instructor simply said, "I do not grant extensions, that's just my policy." The instructor had attempted to get class input however sabotaged herself because of the hostile environment they had created.
If there is a lesson to be learned here it is that life happens. There are some situations and circumstances that are out of our control and punishment for these circumstances shouldn't happen. As educators I think there needs to be a give and take. There needs to be sympathy and understanding and respect between students and teachers. Everything needs to be fair. Agree or disagree?
Until Next Time,
LC
