Ian
>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.
Perhaps, but does this absolve a teacher from behaving responsibly? It
seems to me that he didn't cover all the bases. In his shoes, I would
have consulted parents beforehand, or at least let them know what I was
asking their children to do.
>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.
This may be true, but the "rightly or wrongly" concerns me (ie the
possibility that the teacher might not be able to cope with the
fallout).
>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.
Indeed, but Diana's daughter is lucky that her mother is tuned in to
her. What if another child got upset and didn't have such a
relationship with his/her parents?
>Real education does tend to involve some degree of pushing at
>developmental
>and personal boundaries.
Again, perhaps, but in a way which is more sensitive, I imagine, than
what Diana described.
>
>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!
As my mother used to say, "Life without argument is like beef without
mustard."
Sue
Sue Vogel, BA., MSc., C.Psychol.,
1 to 1 Counselling Service
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