Generally, every semester I teach two classes at Modesto Junior College and two classes at Folsom Lake College. However, for the first time, due to state budget cuts (for when givernment cuts budgets, education is always the first to go), the Los Rios Community College School District has lost many classes and Folsom could only offer me one class. That has made me very nervaous, as I just bought a house and need money for a honeymoon. However, recently there has been a change.
A full-time staff member is having open-heart surgery, so he will not be able to teach his classes this semester. Therefore, his class is being divied out to adjunct substitutes. So they are still, essentially, his classes, but they will be taught by other teachers. I was offered one of these classes and jumped at it for the hours and money. However, as he had already planned for the semester, he had already developed a syllabus and has is books for the purchase at the book store. So I must use his syllabus and texts.
Here is where my concern lies: one of his texts is a book he wrote about the gay rights debate. Now, as everyone who knows me at all knows, I have very strong opinions about gay rights. Go figure, but I feel tht since they are humans and Americans, they should get the same rights as humans and Americans. Wild, isn't it! But my concern lies in bringing this topic in the classroom. Absolutely, I believe that college is a place for differing opinions and providing students an oportunity to discuss and learn others sides to consider, but this is a really (especially now) sensitive subject, and I don't want to create an environment in the classroom where any students feel uncomfortable. What if I have gay students? What if I have fundamentalist Christian students? What if I have obnoxious frat boys who think the word "fag" is funny? I've certainly had students in the past who believe that all Muslims are terrorists and have said so in front of the entire class. What might a horrible person say about gay rights in this class? My other concern regards my ability to teach without bias. The book, I've been told, details bother sides of the debate, but how do I discuss both sides without judgement? How do I pretend to respect a student who discriminates? When my student called all Muslims terrorists, I called him a racist in front of the whole class (I know, I know, it's not technically racism). I am just really nervous about it. Maybe it will be great and we'll have interesting discussions and I'm making a big deal out of nothing. I will keep you updated as the semester proceeds.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Yes, Jenny, I know you have definite opinions on gay rights. But I also know you are a fair and just teacher, giving your students benefit of the doubt when necessary. I think you need to focus on the fact that you are teaching anothers class and while it may not be what you would teach, you have to respect his rights as a teacher and teach the class his way. Focus on the fact you have the class and bills have to be paid, and just enjoy the time in the classroom. I would think that at some point if you felt the absolute need, you could state your side as a gay rights activist and still teach without bias. A teacher should be able to teach without bias just in the fact that they are a teacher and need to present all sides. A teacher teaches the facts and gives the students their right to make their own informed decisions. You will do fine Jenny. Your abilities as a teacher far outweigh your imaginable what ifs.
Post a Comment