Throwing Chalk: diary of a trainee teacher

The first week back on the bike & I managed it, despite my ongoing (unnamed) physical pain issues. Great, that makes me sound like I have something really terrible wrong with me. I sort of do. But obviously, it's not terribly, it's just long-lastingly bla bla. Shut up. Cycled to college. The only excuse for the picture ----->>>>>>>>>>>>>

Well other than for later discussions that revolve around what *bad things* you have seen other students or teachers do during your own time as a student-teacher. One male - who we'll call the Plumbing Teacher - told of a time when his mentor threw a 15 year old out of the workshop - grabbed him by his throat and slung him out.

"Now, I'm not defending him but he had to do something. He did deserve it. I'm not defending him, but, it taught him a lesson." Hmmm. I won't go on. I disagreed.
Plumbing Teacher: "I believe in capital punishment in schools." He later admitted that was a mistake, but he does believe in hanging anyway, so why not bring it in in schools? It may be the discipline solution we need.

In the afternoon we had to present in a fantasy scenario where we split into little groups to represent various interest bodies within teaching: managers, teachers, students, politicians - well that sort of thing. Me and the Dance Teacher represented teachers. I couldn't help thinking that they want ultimate independance, but no paperwork, no one telling them what to do, lots of time to prepare, lessons where they decide what's right - and yet - it would be nice if someone else could prepare the lessons for them...

Lazy and irresponsible - or maybe that's just me. Power without Responsibility? I'll settle for that....

Posted by Stipey Sullivan at 01:30 Comments