I have often said that schools are about indoctrination, not education.
When my kids were in school, I and they were a pain in their ass. When they instituted school uniforms, I refused to comply. When a 5th grade boy beat up my 3rd grade son, the school refused to do anything about it, so I told him to defend himself the next time. When he did, they tried to suspend him, and I threatened a lawsuit.
Crap like that just makes my blood boil. I tell my kids to try to just "play the game" as much as possible, just to avoid the full weight of The Machine from coming down on them. But I've also told them that if something truly unfair is done to them by the teachers, the school WILL have a fight on their hands.
Had a note like that come home from their school for one of my kids, there would have been some serious fireworks.
If it were me, not only would my kid not do the detention, that teacher would be apologizing to my kid in front of the entire class. Any authority that teacher has is borrowed from me. I can and will rescind it.
This is why I'm homeschooling dear daughter. I want her to learn the truth. When I'm wrong, I admit it. And she has my permission to bring my mistakes to my attention (preferably with respect). The truth is more important than conformity. Obedience has it's place, so I'm teaching her to obey , but she can ask questions after.
FrankC, we don't know that Alex didn't start out by saying "You're wrong" and then escalating if the teacher insisted he was right.
That sentence, "In the future, Alex would be better off accepting my teaching without resistance",is chilling, and implies that the teacher believes students should allow themselves to be indoctrinated without question.
Sounds like the teacher has a basic misunderstanding of the purpose of actual education.
I have often said that schools are about indoctrination, not education.
ReplyDeleteWhen my kids were in school, I and they were a pain in their ass. When they instituted school uniforms, I refused to comply. When a 5th grade boy beat up my 3rd grade son, the school refused to do anything about it, so I told him to defend himself the next time. When he did, they tried to suspend him, and I threatened a lawsuit.
Yep, conform or be gone, and learning? Well, just 'take' what we tell you, no questions... sigh
ReplyDeleteCrap like that just makes my blood boil. I tell my kids to try to just "play the game" as much as possible, just to avoid the full weight of The Machine from coming down on them. But I've also told them that if something truly unfair is done to them by the teachers, the school WILL have a fight on their hands.
ReplyDeleteHad a note like that come home from their school for one of my kids, there would have been some serious fireworks.
I'm from the government, and I'm here to help...
ReplyDeleteHardly.
RESPECT MA AUTHORITAY111111!!ELEVENTY
ReplyDeleteOh, to see the return letter!
ReplyDeleteIf it were me, not only would my kid not do the detention, that teacher would be apologizing to my kid in front of the entire class. Any authority that teacher has is borrowed from me. I can and will rescind it.
ReplyDeleteThis is why I'm homeschooling dear daughter. I want her to learn the truth. When I'm wrong, I admit it. And she has my permission to bring my mistakes to my attention (preferably with respect). The truth is more important than conformity. Obedience has it's place, so I'm teaching her to obey , but she can ask questions after.
ReplyDeletePerhaps if Alex had just said "You're wrong." instead of accusing the teacher of lying, the whole thing might have blown over.
ReplyDeleteFrankC, we don't know that Alex didn't start out by saying "You're wrong" and then escalating if the teacher insisted he was right.
ReplyDeleteThat sentence, "In the future, Alex would be better off accepting my teaching without resistance",is chilling, and implies that the teacher believes students should allow themselves to be indoctrinated without question.
Sounds like the teacher has a basic misunderstanding of the purpose of actual education.
Sounds like the teacher has a basic misunderstanding of the purpose of actual education.
ReplyDeleteSadly, I think the teacher understands perfectly the purpose of government education.