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And the one telling the truth is?

Is it possible that we believe some kids more than others just because they are more convincing?  Do some students get by with more just because they are well behaved and turn in all of their assignments?  Do teachers respond differently to a student if his mother is president of the PTA, a member of the school board, or heaven forbid, the principal?

One of my former students was always in trouble.  She talked back, didn't complete assignments, and spent most of her time in the principal's office because of discipline referrals.  When she was accused of vandalizing a teacher's room, everyone assumed she was guilty.  She even had a guilty look on her face when she was questioned about it.  Her denials didn't seem sincere.  I'm not sure she received an apology when it was determined that the vandalism was the work of others.  I do know that I never even met her parents.

Listening to the whole story takes a lot of patience, and deciphering the truth is even harder.  Keeping an open mind is key to making the right decision. 

Brothers' Comic

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Posted: Thursday, March 27, 2008 11:16 AM by Betty

Comments

MysteryTeacher said:

Oh My YES!!!  If a child is less clean than another, we believe that child to be more guilty.  We are so quick to judge others.  I try to pick a child each year that has been in a lot of trouble in the past.He or she doesn't have to be in my class.  Then, I keep track of the child and say positive things to them.  It really does make a difference.

It has been known around our district that "you don't want the Native" kids.  They are bad.  At our school, no one wants the one sub-division because those kids have caused trouble every single year on the bus and at school.

These "facts" are just wrong.  I have had many NA kids who went on to college and are fantastic.  I have also had students from that sub-division that were wonderful kids.  Why do we lable kids?

# March 27, 2008 3:14 PM

Joel said:

I think it's human nature. Every group has to have a bad guy. We want it to be that way.

I think it also had to do with our experiences. Sure there are some great kids who come from the bottom of the barrel and overcome. But we have also seen plenty who fit the stereotype that we have established in our minds and fit it perfectly. So we grow tired of hoping for each one and getting disappointed.

I'm not saying that's the right thing to do, but I think that is what we do more often than we want to admit it!

# March 30, 2008 7:20 PM
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