Student Goes off at Teacher for Lack of Commitment in Teaching - Duncanville, Texas

[AsahinaKimi]

[mike_c]

1. stop me before I disrupt again....

Yep. I used to be that kid.

[Buzz Clik]

3. Ever look back and realize it wasn't just you?

That some of your teachers were actually horrible and probably hated their job?

[mike_c]

6. sure, but there's no context for this video at all....

What I see is a young man having a temper tantrum and a classroom teacher maintaining her cool, calmly insisting that he leave the room rather than disrupt the class. The kid makes lots of accusations about her not being effective, but never once appears to examine, or even acknowledge, his own role and responsibility for learning.

I wasn't kidding about being that kid. I lashed out similarly in high school, then dropped out.

[Buzz Clik]

7. Agreed.

You ever get back in school? College or whatever?

[mike_c]

8. yes....

Never finished high school, but I took the GED exam while in my early twenties. Later went to a junior college, then university and graduate school. I have my BS in biology and doctorate in entomology, and am a professor of zoology for the California State University. So it's not necessarily true that dropping out of high school is a one way ticket to poor prospects!

[Buzz Clik]

10. Outstanding!

Did you finish school on the west coast? I know a few entomologists ... mostly midwesterners.

[mike_c]

12. no-- undergrad at George Mason University and grad school at University of Georgia...

...back in the 80s and early 90's. My grad advisers were Wayne Berisford, a forest entomologist, and Dick Wiegert, a theoretical ecologist, both at UGA. I got a pretty late start in academic science, so I'm only a few years from retirement now. It has been a long, very cool ride.

[Buzz Clik]

15. Geez.

Quite a jump from high school dropout to a BS at George Mason.

You ever work on the LTER site at UGa? Or do work at Savannah River?

[mike_c]

16. only tangentially....

I did my dissertation work mostly on Ft. Benning (the forest reservation, not the military parts) and down in Tifton, the field work anyway. Lots of my grad cohort worked either at Savannah River or at Coweta Hydrologic lab, so I spent time helping out with projects at both places.

[Jim__]

11. He says twice that all she does is hand out packets for them to read.

If that's the truth, then she is not teaching, and he is right to call her on it.

[mike_c]

14. otherwise known as "home work?"

I mean, what do we really know about this except that the young man is angry? I teach university classes in life science, and I can assure you that my colleagues and I distribute lots of packets of material for students to read. Research shows that active learning pedagogies are much more effective than passive lecturing methods, and a common active learning approach involves students reading content on their own and then discussing that material or using it to solve problems creatively in social settings in class.

Might that just as easily be what is going on here? Why jump to alternative conclusions? Simply because the young man is angry and acting out? In fact, active learning pedagogies often challenge students far more than passive methods, and can create considerable discomfort. Add adolescence, and a whopping helping of testosterone, and you sometimes get a scenario like the one in this vid. Why assume that the teacher-- who appears to be responding as trained-- is at fault here? There is exactly ZERO contextual information supplied in this video to support that view. None at all, other than the young man's disruptive acting out. If his complaints are legitimate, might they not be better served by serious consultation rather than with a temper tantrum?

It's a pretty good bet that if the teacher is distributing packets of materials to read, those materials are part of the curriculum chosen by the local school officials and administrators, not the teacher.

[Quixote1818]

19. Why do you think he is angry?

Last edited Fri May 10, 2013, 02:39 PM - Edit history (1)

Anger comes from being hurt and fear. He is hurt because he is struggling and she is not getting out of her seat to help him so he fears not doing well and like he is stupid for not just getting it. There is context as one of the other kids in the class said all he did was ask a question and she told him to "Stop Bitching". Clearly at the beginning of the video the kid points out she was mean to him. Just because he is a kid doesn't mean he isn't allowed to get angry when hurt and he makes some very eloquent, well reasoned, from the heart arguments. He also makes them in a very respectful way rather than just name calling. He is making his case.

I also seriously doubt that is homework as packets for regular assignments are common and even if it is, why isn't he allowed to ask questions about it? This is why so many kids are afraid to ask questions. They get jumped on for doing so.

As a teacher I would have handled that completely differently. I would have acknowledged his concerns and treated him on an adult to adult level for one. That's how you defuse an angry kid not ignoring them. Ignoring them makes them angry which is exactly what was happening. She was helping to escalate things.

[Jim__]

22. He is very explicit in what he says.

He says something like, "Since I've been here all you do is hand out packets." And, "Like yesterday when you said, 'this is my paycheck.'"

So, yes, as I said above, if he's telling the truth, then he's right.

[Plucketeer]

20. So you'd guess little Johnny isn't weighting his assessment to cover his own deficiencies?

Knowing of nothing but this rant, you can convict the teacher??? My wife teaches 12th grade Civics and world history. Some of her comrades teach with Hollywood epics and a few - like her - spend hours working up lessons and reference materials to teach the truth - dry as it might be - about how our government is SUPPOSED to work. She's not allowed to show an inkling of partisan opinion or aims. And we live in a blood red part of a blue state, so imagine how the kiddies come already slanted.

In spite of what you might think, not all the little darlings come in, sit down, and concentrate on the topic at hand. She's got FORTY kids in two of her daily classes. This is a school built in the 20s with spacious classrooms and at that, with 40 desks, it's REALLY tight in there.
Since there's no way in hell she could rap a kid on the back of the head for being disruptive, rude or disrespectful, she's forced to STOP her "teaching", (maintaining her cool as this teacher does) write a kid a referral and send him to the office, then document the incident in a log and call the office to check that the kid did indeed go there. Next day, she's supposed to be sunny and sweetsie when this kid grudgingly returns to see how he can be an ass again. And there's repetitive times things like this happen in every class - every day.

[Jim__]

23. I didn't "convict" the teacher of anything.

I said if he's telling the truth he's right to complain.

If teachers are forced to teach dry, boring lessons, then we should all join him in complaining. Dry, boring lessons will prevent kids from learning, turn them off from school, and turn them off to the natural curiosity that motivates learning. That is not an acceptable way to teach.

I didn't say anything about little the darlings.

[Plucketeer]

61. I agree with you

But at 18, students should be beyond having to have everything candied up to make them pay attention. Not everyone's blessed with a vaudvillian persona to keep kids minds off of texting and i-pods. My wife frets about the number of flunkies she has each year. But how much of it is HER inability to convey the material? She also has A students. If she's not capable at her job, how do those A students do so well???
Clearly - if the teacher in this video is simply handing out "packets", she gets an F. I'd wanna know the WHOLE story before I thought about a summation.

[Dustlawyer]

79. I wish I had done that a couple of times! I had an advanced algebra class where there would be a

problem solved on the chalk board when we arrived. Our assignment was there as well and we were supposed to use the problem on the board to help us complete the assignment. She rarely ever addressed the class and once told me that I was wearing out my shoes coming to her desk to ask a question. She told me I was an advanced student and so I should be able to sit quietly and do my work. I struggled with math but no other subject all through H.S., in part b/c I did not learn Algebra I. My Geometry teacher was my tennis coach. He told dirty jokes to the class and let us all cheat off of the smart kid during tests. Teaching is a job to some and a profession to others! Thankfully, I had a lot of great teachers. In fact, I am typing this from my home which I bought off the hardest teacher I ever had. I did not like her at the time, but appreciated the skills I have learned from her ever since.

[joeglow3]

2. Good for him

What is the lazy ass teacher doing in the video? Looks like she is just talking on a phone.

[Buzz Clik]

4. That's the remote activator for the kid's genital cuff.

[Schema Thing]

67. you win

[mike_c]

9. more than likely she is trying to follow the established procedure...

...for dealing with an angry and disruptive student. Remaining calm, insisting in a normal tone of voice that he leave the class rather than disrupt it, and calling for assistance if necessary. That is how good teachers are trained to respond to students acting out anger.

[Quixote1818]

17. A bit of context

This was posted by someone in the class:

Just so you know, before he started "disrespecting" the teacher he raised his hand and told her he didn't understand something. The teacher then went on to say, "stop bitching."

[sulphurdunn]

47. Please post that segment.

[Plucketeer]

18. Yup!

Teachers don't gab on the phone during class. Hell, my high school teacher wife has a DAILY battle to keep her students off of THEIR phones, so their dumb little butts might absorb some of what she tries to present to them. She has a cellphone - it's locked away all doy. She also has a wired phone that only dials other school numbers.

[joeglow3]

24. I agree....if this was a good teacher

From the looks of it, this was/is a shit teacher that people are defending because...well, because there is no such thing as a bad teacher, just like there is no such thing as a good police officer on DU.

Sometimes I cannot believe the stereotypes so many Democrats adhere to. We are better than that.

[Quixote1818]

32. Very well put

I am a big supporter of teachers but I also know there are some bad ones out there. I have seen them many times. There are also a lot more good cops than bad ones. Your observation is exactly what I was thinking. Thank you for pointing it out. Always question authority even teachers when warranted.

[sulphurdunn]

48. From that video clip

you may infer whatever you wish. I don't think anyone should let you get away with making an unflattering association to Democrats. How did you come up with that?

[DeSwiss]

63. Not likely.

[L0oniX]

5. What? They didn't call in the swat team?

[KansDem]

13. They were issued packets...nt

[sulphurdunn]

49. No, the kid was white.

Didn't you notice?

[Triana]

21. He's quite the narcissist

Had anyone gone off on a teacher like that in my school, they'd have been expelled or suspended and parents notified. Full stop. If Mr. Hollywood has issues with his work, the class, the teacher, or the school, that is not an effective or even acceptable way to handle it. He could talk to the teacher privately after class. He could talk to his parents. He could talk to the school's principal or administration or even the school board, or all of the aforementioned.

All he did here was put on a performance to garner attention for himself. Maybe he doesn't get enough at home or something. Or maybe he's just an attention whore. He's certainly narcissistic.

I'm not saying his teacher is perfect. I'm saying that if there are truly issues, then there are more appropriate and effective ways to address them -- but the main thing is that boy clearly just wanted attention. I'm sure his friends gave him plenty of Kudos for telling that teacher off.

Oi.

PeeEss: If that was my kid, I'd give him a "packet" too. Right upside his long-haired, blond, empty head. Little pissant.

[Quixote1818]

25. He looks more hurt and scared to me

But I guess it's Ok to let another kid slip through the cracks and threaten kids with violence by hitting them upside the head.

[Triana]

28. Who hurt him? Scared of what?

I don't see anyone attacking or threatening him in any way or hurting him in any way. If he thinks the 'bad' teacher is hurting him because she's a bad teacher, then as I said - other ways to deal with that. He wanted attention. He undoubtedly got it. And probably the kind he got didn't fix "the problem", whatever he deems it to be. So the stunt probably failed. And it was a stunt.

Now, if something happened before this - the teacher insulted him or berated him in class, maybe I could see him smarting off and stomping out. But I don't have that information.

[Quixote1818]

34. The context of the video is that he raised his hand to ask a question

and was told to "Stop bitching". How would you react to that? According to the Dallas Morning News’ Education Blog, the Duncanville school district is not taking any additional disciplinary action against the student beyond meeting with the teacher and student. Which tells me he had some legitimate points. http://www.ibtimes.com/student-calls-out-teacher-duncanville-texas-student-rants-teacher-bad-teaching-video-1248861#

[Triana]

38. What happened before he raised his hand to ask a question?

Was he complaining? Was there a prior exchange between himself and the teacher?

If so, that may be why he got such a response.

If not, then "stop bitching" is an inappropriate response to a student asking a question. Actually, it's an inappropriate response anyway. Because NO teacher should use the term "bitching" in a classroom or around their students.

The school needs to deal with this teacher and her language, at the very least.

[joeglow3]

26. Bullshit

We had a young girl here have three boys attack and try to sexually assault her. The school took hours to notify the parents. When the father went down to talk to the principal, he was given excuses and told the police were not called. He was pissed, yelled and stormed out. Of course, the school then got on the phone and called the police then.....on HIM.

Your method of handling it is bullshit and will accomplish nothing. The way he handled it has now been seen around the world and the school is forced to address it instead of shoving it to the bottom of the pile.

And how many teachers in your school told students to "Stop Bitching" when they asked a question?

[Triana]

30. Who attacked and assaulted this kid?

The teacher? Are you equating a teacher saying: "stop bitching" to sexual assault? REALLY?

And no -- no teacher in any school I attended was allowed to curse. And to say "stop bitching" is cursing. Any teacher using that language would have been reprimanded in some way, no doubt. They could say that a student should "stop complaining".

Sorry but I don't see how this situation relates to an ignored sexual assault. Hardly comparable.

[joeglow3]

39. No. I am saying to choose the channel that will cause change

I have learned that schools, just like many other places, like to sweep problems under the rug. If this kid did what you claimed he should, NOTHING would have changed. Because of the avenue he took, those other students stand a good chance of getting a great teacher.

[Triana]

42. Yea I get your point.

I just think he should have tried all the other avenues first, and then if he didn't get improvement -- he'd be more justified in telling off the teacher and leaving. He could say (and have record of) having tried to address it "more appropriately" first and have more justification to raise a little hell after not getting any result through formal channels.

It's true that schools like many other places (military, etc). like to sweep problems under the rug. Agreed there.

I'm having trouble with a teacher telling a student to: "stop bitching". That's just inappropriate. Period. "Stop complaining" is OK if the student is a whiner. But teachers are now allowed to curse to/at students?

[sulphurdunn]

50. Amen.

[tularetom]

27. The long haired hippie freak came off better IMO

I don't know the context of this confrontation, don't know what led up to it, but the kid was not yelling or name calling, he was not disrespectful, and he showed a lot of concern for his own education and his future.

The teacher on the other hand appeared to be very passive, caring mostly that someone in the class had stepped out of line and disrupted the atmosphere of her classroom by daring to voice an opinion.

I've been out of HS for well over 50 years but I can vividly remember the unmotivated teachers I had to deal with. And I can still remember the one teacher who gave a shit about what I might be learning and that she took the extra time to ensure that I was in fact learning it.

There is no question in my mind that every teacher, even the ones who are just going through the motions like this one appears to be, is severely underpaid. But they should be encouraging debate and a sharing of ideas, not reducing education to filling in a bunch of pre printed handouts.

[sulphurdunn]

51. Excuse me,

but what in this video, other than the rant by the student, led you to believe that the teacher was "just going through the motions?"

[Jim__]

29. An interview with the student, Jeff Bliss

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="

?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

We still don't know the teacher's side. But, once again, if this student is telling the truth, he's right to complain.

[Triana]

33. "could have expressed his concerns in a more appropriate way"

That was what the school said. And I have to agree.

Sure some teachers are boring and don't engage students. That's been the case ever since teachers have existed. I had some of those kind when I went to school. But complaining until he's thrown out of the class, then going off on the teacher in class and dropping out was not then and isn't now the way to deal w/ it.

If he had tried talking with the teacher or principal or school administration or district or school board, sent them letters or met with them and tried to remedy the situation other ways first, and then nothing happened or changed, I *maybe* could see his reaction of openly complaining and telling the teacher off and leaving.

Maybe he tried all that and it did no good. It's not made clear whether he did or not. I hope he gets what he wants out of this. I guess he is.

[joeglow3]

41. He did not drop out because of this.

He dropped out before, realized the value of his education and came back. Helps explain why he was even more pissed at the lazy as shit teacher. He now understood the value and was pissed that this lady was paid to provide it to him and she was cheating him.

[sulphurdunn]

52. He was extremely rude, discourteous

and insubordinate. If he'd pulled an attention getting stunt like that in my class. I'd of thrown his sorry ass out too. In fact, I would have called an administrator and a resource officer to remove him. This isn't about the teacher. The only actor on that stage was the student.

[AsahinaKimi]

36. Nice find and follow up..

I think we will be hearing more and more about this situation.

[rurallib]

31. Just seeing it is Texas makes me wonder if she is "teaching to the test"

I base that on stories over the years of Texas education including some lawsuits by students that felt they were shortchanged on education in Texas.

If so, I could imagine why he was so frustrated. And why she would be so concerned about her paycheck which is probably based on those same test scores.

[Triana]

35. Probably so. If that's the case, the kid has a huge behemoth of an enemy on his hands

(actually, we all do). I wish him luck.

[reflection]

37. Although the backstory is murky, I feel bad for the teacher.

Now that this video has gone viral, she's being scrutinized by everyone.

I watch this video and have conflicting feelings.

I think that the kid really cares enough about this to speak his mind without fear or favor.

I also watch it and think he comes off as an asshole, telling an adult how to do their job when he's never done it himself.

But seeing how the story is unfolding, it seems to me that the young man is being lionized and the teacher marginalized. It's chic to pick on teachers where I live and I hear it all the time. And that makes me sad. Teachers do so much paperwork and "teaching to the test" that some of them probably are reduced to paper pushers.

I just wish he would have handled it better. But then again, he's still very young.

[Triana]

40. Very well-said. I totally agree with your take on it.

He did come off as an asshole, telling an adult how to do their job. That is what caused me to use the term "narcissistic".

Yes he's young. I give him that. And he certainly has every right to expect and ask for a decent education. But yea he could have handled it better.

I too am concerned for teachers everywhere. It seems chic to pick on them everywhere right now. The wingnuts and profit-mongers want to demonize them so that they can get rid of their unions and privatize the public schools. And I hate the damn 'teach to the test' crap. I'm sure the teachers do as well.

[sulphurdunn]

53. He's 18 years old.

He is as accountable for his actions as any another adult. The way he behaved on that video deserved a swift kick in his sorry ass.

[Ishoutandscream2]

43. Wheee! Happy national teacher's week!!

Our local media in the Metroplex is treating this kid as a hero. And I've heard he will be on the Today Show?

My God...

[sulphurdunn]

54. He may become

a culture warrior and educational reform contributor for FOX News, after he gets a haircut and a suit, of course.

[wxgeek7]

44. Good for him!

This is how change, happens!

And he did it as respectfully as he could, given the circumstances (e.g. disrespected, frustrated, ignored, angry, etc.).

Maybe he'll go on to becoming a teacher himself.

[sulphurdunn]

55. As respectfully as he could?

The disrespect was all from him, including the rudeness and insubordination. Are you suggesting that this obviously disturbed student is some kind of education revolutionary? P-l-e-a-s-e!

[wxgeek7]

81. What?!

How do you KNOW the disrespect "was all from him", and that he's "obviously" disturbed????

By this post, and others, you make alot of assumptions, and come off as a hypocrite, and very judgemental. Not very good traits to have.

Good luck.

[sulphurdunn]

82. I have chosen

to defend my profession from people who come off as credulous fools and hypocrites like you. If you were appalled by my previous assumptions you'll positively stroke out over this one: Camera rolls, student enters stage left, stops in the frame, delivers his sermon, plays with his hair and exits stage right, video goes viral, new celebrity makes the evening news. Did even the possibility that the whole thing might be staged ever enter your mind, or were you just too overcome by the dramatic narrative?

[erpowers]

45. Could Have Been Done in A Better Way

Even if his complaints are accurate, he could handled this in a better way. He could have privately talked to the teacher. If that did not work he could have talked to the school principal. If that did not work he could have talked to his parents and asked them to talk to the school officials. Finally, if that did not work he could have attempted to go to the school board.

[Neoma]

46. Not his fault for someone else recording him and putting it on YouTube.

He didn't punch, curse, slam or do rude gestures. If a small rant like that that is considered inappropriate, I'm simply in awe at how much people expect them to be smiling zombies.

[sulphurdunn]

57. The student was rude, discourteous

and insubordinate to a female teacher. The little prick is 18 years old. That makes him an adult and an asshole. While we're at it. What makes you so certain this whole little tragicomedy wasn't staged? The kid's a great actor. He definitely has a future as a televangelist. Hallelujah!

[Neoma]

58. I'd be rude and discourteous if I had to slog through a shitty education.

But hey, thank the universe I didn't have that bullshit to begin with and was able to speak my mind wherever I pleased to whomever deserved it.

[sulphurdunn]

59. What evidence do you have

other than the testimonial of this guy that he has to "slog through a shitty education?" And what "bullshit to begin with" are you talking about in relation to that sorry video? It sounds like you are projecting yourself into the scene. Which is fine for fiction, but not for fact, and you simply don't know the facts anymore than I do.

[Neoma]

60. I'm not assuming that he's acting for one.

He's 17 and he dropped out and homeschooled, then went back to school to what looks like an unproductive environment. If all true that is. I don't go around saying, "nah, he's an asshole" when something like this happens. So if you're just saying all of it isn't true and stuffing in insults about him as much as you can, I honestly don't want to speak to you at all.

[sulphurdunn]

62. Very well,

but he's still a little asshole. Goodnight.

[Quixote1818]

66. I see great potential in him and you see an "ass hole".

As liberals we are supposed to believe in people, even those who have fallen. Not call kids who are struggling through school and scared for their future "ass holes". The kids is obviously, bright, quick thinking and seems to understand what good teaching really is because he is exactly right that good teachers inspire their kids and get them excited about learning. He did not lower himself to attack the teacher on a personal level or name call, he stuck to the issue he felt strongly about. Teachers need to respect the kids first and if so the kids will follow them anywhere, even the troubled kids. Could he have handled it better? Maybe but if this were a college class and an adult student did this they would applauded as sticking up for what they believe in from their heart. Because he is in High School people seem to think he isn't allowed to speak his mind EVEN when he is in the right. We know the teacher was flat out disrespectful to him before the video started. When he raised his hand and asked for help she told him to "Quit bitching". Yeah, that's professional. She did have a lot to learn from that kid and I hope she does learn from him because he has a good mind and great potential.

[AsahinaKimi]

69. This!!

great reply

[Mr_Jefferson_24]

70. Jeff Bliss did in that classroom....

...what you have done here, namely, to say what needed saying.

Thank you for that.

[sulphurdunn]

71. I beg to disagree.

The young man was showing off, disrupting the class, being rude, discourteous and insubordinate. None of that is spontaneous behavior in reaction to anything that may or may not have happened in that class. He brought it with him. The very idea that this guy was acting out as a reaction to a thwarted thirst for knowledge is an assumption, unsupported by any evidence and untenable. Colleges, unlike K12 public schools, aren't required to put up with behaviors like his. Had he pulled such a stunt during a college lecture, he'd have been shown the door and informed not to return. Public school teachers are easy targets these days, especially from corporatists, whose agenda is the privatization of the entire system. Their tactic is to blame teachers for the pathologies students bring with them, denying any correlation between social injustice and educational outcomes. Teachers don't need to take a beating from liberals too by assuming that some spoiled brat is a hero for "speaking his mind" or that he is the real teacher in the classroom. By the way, nothing is stopping this gentleman from returning to the home school environment from which he came should that meet his educational needs better than the public school.

[wxgeek7]

80. Here here!

[erpowers]

64. Not Asking Him To Be Smiling Zombie

I am not asking him to be a smiling zombie. There was a far better way for him to handle this situation. First, he did not have to call the teacher out during class. Second, once the teacher kicked him out of class he could have quietly left the classroom. After leaving the classroom he could have gone to the school principal and discussed his complaints about the teacher with the principal. If that failed he could have proceeded to take other actions.

[Neoma]

65. But does that invalidate his opinion?

To me it's nitpicking to essentially say "well, he could have changed or said things in a different way." He got the message out in a bigger way than intended and now there's a discussion on it. Attacking his personality and choices isn't all that relavent to me.

[sulphurdunn]

56. I've been a high school

teacher for 23 years. I've seen kids like this. Usually, they have emotional issues unrelated to the school, for which a particular disliked teacher becomes a scapegoat.

[Skyerb]

68. It's about time!

It about time the students take a stand for their future.

[sulphurdunn]

72. Why is that?

Taking a stand against what exactly: Better education funding perhaps? Smaller class sizes? Less standardized testing? Attempts to reestablish de facto segregation through corporate privatization? Perhaps, it's a reaction to the strategic deprofessionalization of teaching to lower cost and make them more appealing to charter vandals? What was this young man standing up for again? It sounded to me like he didn't want to do his class assignment. Hey, but who knows. That video clip reveals absolutely nothing except that the student has very bad manners. Everything else is inference based upon assumption.

[Carnage251]

77. I think that it is apparent that you nothing better to do than judge the student

Stop being such a judgmental prick.

*Also mods I got the word prick from the same user's post.

[sulphurdunn]

78. Excuse me?

Apparently it's OK to be a "judgement prick" toward the teacher and even public schools. The whole show was staged. Camera rolls, student starts ranting, walks into scene, delivers his speech, plays with his hair, makes a grand exit, goes YouTube and gets on the evening news. What was your argument? Oh yea, that I have nothing better to do that judge the student. Well, that's a judgement, not an argument. Do you know the difference?

[AsahinaKimi]

84. and you know this how?

Link?

[sulphurdunn]

85. That's been my point

throughout this whole thread. I don't know, and neither does anyone else. One supposition is as good as another when you don't know. It's just a matter of what you want to believe and whose side you choose. What got me rolling on this was the immediate assumption of many that the kid must have had a legitimate point because he made a scene in the classroom e.g. he must be speaking truth, the teacher must be lousy and public education is letting him down. There was no reason to draw such a conclusion anymore than there was for me to go after the student, and that was and remains the point. Lacking any reason to do otherwise, I chose to defend my profession and the teacher, which was a rational position for me to take under the circumstances. I remain at a loss to comprehend any rational reason to have sided with the student since no evidence for or rebuttal against his allegations was presented. Jumping to conclusions is usually a bad idea, continuing to defend them in the face of contrary and erroneously arrived at conclusions is worse. No one on this thread knew or knows anything about what led up that video being taken. No one had any basis for casting aspersions on that school or that teacher based on anything from that video, and that's why I went after the kid. Maybe I could have gone about it differently, but I didn't, and what really burns my butt is the condescending affirmation that he had valid point but "might have presented it differently."

[hrmjustin]

75. Welcome to DU my friend!

[baldguy]

73. .

[polynomial]

74. Go for it Jeff!!!

Everybody on this thread is missing a very deep and interesting point. Number one from what I understand this video was what can be called an impromptu presentation with passion animation in gestures which shows the local slang, median or outlier common sense. Not known this was to be tapped, however, likely that was bullshit.

When I was at that age was not able to wear long hair plus even think about wearing red exercise shoes. Whatever he was smoking was good. One wonders if this was school, or a sanitarium of some sort. Surprise, though seriously I would like to take Jeff’s side in the debate of passion in dedicated education.

What screams here is the “MEDIA” hello yes the media tracked down Jeff and interviewed him. Did you get that ladies and Gentlemen of America? The media tracked down Jeff. We are all waiting for a comment video by the teacher before the Media prosecution is over. The predator media obviously leaves American fairness out of the equation.

Like, we still are handed packets of data here, in this data stream one sided, and now Jeff is still getting punked by the media.

What is begging the question here is where is the response from the teacher; let’s do an interview with her. Maybe we would get some real insight to the time space continuum of education.

[AsahinaKimi]

76. I some how have a feeling the Teacher will not speak out..

to do so, she would have to defer it to the Principle, (or local board of Education) the person or persons running the school. Its funny, in Major League Baseball, all the players are trained what to say, and what not to say in front of the media. In this case, its handled like a public relations gig, so the spokes person would be the one who already knows what to say to the media, to make sure the school is not looked on in a bad light.

I don't think teachers are "trained" to deal with media.. or know that what they say can and has been in the past, taken out of context. For example, like Fox News Likes to do. How many times have we seen, where Fox news takes a taped segment and cuts it up to show their slant on it?

People have to be careful these days, and have to be media savvy. What they say can and will be used against them, in the media circus we have today, especially if the media wants the story to prove, what they the media, wants proven.

[Iggo]

83. Kids.

[KansDem]

86. I have to side with the student...

Too often I've seen "teachers" take on a teaching strategy like the one suggested here. I've been on the receiving end of a lackluster "Read chapter XX and answer the odd-numbered questions at the end." Really thoughtful teaching! Quite engaging!

I've been in classrooms where it was painfully obvious the "teacher" had only read the chapter the night before and was now teaching the material "as an expert." It was obvious they didn't know the subject, other than what they had read.

Too often, "teachers" become complacent about their profession and are only satisfied in breathing the classroom oxygen and getting their paychecks. And this translates into boring classes with no attempt to challenge the students' minds; no thrill of discovery; no outlet for creativity.

If I were this student, I would have gladly left the classroom, with or without the "teacher's" request.

[daggahead]

87. When you're paid shit ...

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