Diana,
I came to this thread a bit late. I'm not surprised your feeling mad. The
actions re taking pupils details and retaining them personally is VERY
unprofessional. School records are kept under lock-and-key, but what about
these?
As a word of defence though: from our perspective the teacher's actions in
setting the essay might seem irresponsible or dangerous (perhaps even
abusive), but that is unlikely to be the teacher's perspective.
A good teacher (especially in the arts) might try to stimulate creativity
and insight by tapping in to genuine emotion (sound familiar?). But their
aim is not to heal but to stimulate. If the teacher values their own
professional training they may well feel (rightly or wrongly) that they can
cope adequately with the results from their developmental standpoint.
Inspired teachers do sometimes take risks. Be gentle with them!
In a strange way, the fact that your daughter felt uncomfortable (is
confused a better word?) with the topic is almost a validation of the essay.
Real education does tend to involve some degree of pushing at developmental
and personal boundaries.
I think very few of you are going to agree with me on this!
I'm starting to think my real role in life is as an agent-provocateur!
Ian.
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> www.caretotalk.co.uk
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