Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Safer Schools


The scenarios presented in class a while ago certainly opened my eyes to the different problems that we could potentially encounter in our own careers as future educators.  We need to keep in mind that students need a safe learning environment in order to succeed in the classroom, but in order to achieve that safety, both teachers and students need to show respect and tolerance for each other.  Often times, students feel out of place in school, which could be a result of bullying or harassment.  As teachers, we need to take note of the scenario so that we could help the student overcome their issues. Aside from that, we need to ignite an awareness in the classroom concerning different situations, because the sooner the students become aware of the issue, the less likely someone will get hurt or bullied because of it.  
As a future professional educator, I want to create a safe and respectful learning environment for my students by communicating not only with my students, but also with other faculty members and parents.  I think that communication is one of the most important tools that teachers have at their disposal because it can help them bridge different gaps.  We saw this in scenario 1, where communication plays an important role in the inclusion of an autistic student in the general education class.  The response generated in class for this scenario was eye opening because it showed how communication and collaboration could potentially solve the problem without taking drastic measures.  Aside from that, scenario 1 gives us a perfect example of the rights and responsibilities that students have in the classroom.  Students have the right to be included in the classroom, but it is also their responsibility (and their teachers’, both general education and special education) to act accordingly.  In scenario 2 and scenario 4 where harassment and bullying were occurring, we also see the importance of open communication, and how we can use this to create respect and tolerance in the classroom.  The response for this issue was great as well, because it pleas for other teachers to get involved and monitor in and out of classroom behavior closer. 
Although communication is an important aspect of creating a safer learning environment in the classroom, I believe that it is also the one that requires the most balance.  Teachers need to promote understanding in the classroom as a way to open up the floor to better communication with students, but they need to remember that they are still required by law to report something unseemly even if a student says to not say anything.  Aside from that, teachers also need to remember that most schools have counselors, and they are always there to help with situations like these.  I am certainly grateful for the RAFT activity because it made me more aware of the different stances that people can take in different situations.  

1 comment:

  1. First of all, I LOVE your phrase "ignite an awareness." I am a big supporter of leading by example and there is no better place to do that in the classroom setting.

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