Aggression

So I need to get this off my mind.  What is the big draw for kids to watch fights?  I talked about this with the hubby recently.  He does not know either.  We both agree on one thing:  the location of the fights has changed since we were in school.  Sure, there were s few fights in the school building, during the school day. But more often than not, they took place off school grounds.  If you wanted to avoid seeing one, it was easy.  And trust me, many of us wanted to avoid seeing one.  I know that in my crowd, we were either at work or at home doing homework, or holed up in our bedrooms listening to music.  Hubby's crowd were doing about the same.

Nowadays, I am aware of quite a change.  I can't think it is just geographical.  Sure, I grew up in Morris County (which I see as a kinder, gentler locale) but hubby grew up in aggressive, unfriendly Bergen County (his opinion, so don't harp on me).  I can't tell you the disappointment I felt when I saw some of my students excited to head towards the spot there was scheduled to be a fight.  Or when students I see as polite and mild-mannered are drooling for all the dirty details of a fight they missed.

Perhaps it is partially because some of my friends were the ones in constant fear of being beat up.  Perhaps it is that I value learning more than fighting.  But it is largely due to the fact that my educational philosophy and thoughts on the role of the school runs counter to that of those who like to start and/or view fights.

So here it goes... My educational philosophy...

My philosophy is informed by my politics.  I cannot discuss my politics here, but I will discuss why I run my classroom the way I do.

When I taught middle and elementary, I never presented the "Classroom Rules" to my students.  We crafted them together.  They had a stake in what happened or did not happen and respected the guidelines more.

At the high school level, I must abide by the school's handbook rules, and I do.  I also know that my students must do that.  However, I believe in allowing my students a certain level of autonomy.  I cannot be the totalitarian teacher who dictates what the students can and cannot do.  Students have free will and, as such, will do as they want, whether it is in front of you or behind your back.  I do, however, believe that creating an environment based on mutual respect and trust helps to foster a greater desire to learn what I have to offer.  People are more willing to listen to you if you listen to them.  Dictating when they can speak, go to the bathroom, get up for a tissue, or ask you a question just comes across to me as more of a power play.  The students are not my minions, they are younger individuals who may or may not know how much they can still learn.  And I do my best to create an environment where they want to and are able to learn and grow.

I respect the fact that we all have bad days in which we may not be open to work as hard, listen as intently, or be up for anything.  However, I put in more effort when I am more "up" and know that most of my students will do the same.  We do not like each other equally, but I give all of them an equal amount of respect and time and hope they notice my example.

I guess that's why it hurts and angers me when those disappointments come - seeing the students fight, watching them rush to the scene, hearing them lament the fact that they missed it.  Those times remind me I am one of a very small minority doing this the way I do.  I might appear to be too lax in some teachers' eyes.  But those are the one who just could never get why I do things as I do.  They are the ones who make fun of the way I live.  I don't care if my colleagues don't get it.  I just wish my students did.