Chapter 8 of The Ethics of Teaching presents 2 cases that I'm going to touch on. The teacher student relationship can be controversial. I think we all have heard about Mary Kay Laterno and her student/boyfriend/baby daddy:). While that case is at a way different level than the ones that I encountered in the book. It still raises the question of teacher boundaries. They exist but where do they end?
Let me recap the cases for those of you haven’t gotten to Chapter 8 yet (sorry if I ruin it for you guys).
Whose Rights: Students' or Parents'? pg 133
In this case Lydia Simpson a young health educator and feminist (according to the book, not me:)) wants to empower her students especially the girls. A student in her class thinks that she is pregnant and decides to go to Lydia for guidance rather than her parents (whom would be very upset at the possibility of becoming grandparents). So what is Lydia suppose to do? Does she give her personal opinion on this, does she respect the wishes of the girl and not tell her parents, does she interject what the student's parents might want? Essentially the student has rights and so do her parents. Should Lydia take the student to a clinic or give her advice on the options? My answer is uhhh NO. Does this incident concern Lydia, would it be considered over involvement in a student's life? Probably, especially if she doesn't get other people involved like the girl's parents and maybe a guidance counselor. I just don't think this teacher should be the one making such a life altering decision with this student without getting others involved. However I assume that teachers come across similar situations regularly and answer differently. I still don’t have an answer to the title: Students’ or Parents’?
Teacher or Friend? pg 138
Ron Nelson is a young football coach at a high school. He keeps close relationships with the players on his team. He advises them on everything from school stuff to girl stuff. He has an especially close relationship with a select group of students known as the "inner circle". The relationship with these students extends outside of school. He invites them over to his house and they watch football together. Rumors are circulating that inappropriate behavior is taking place at his house like underage drinking and the like. The principal is asked to reprimand Mr. Nelson for hosting such events. Is this unprofessional? Is it okay since it is taking place outside of school and not during school hours? Is this not a proper teacher student(s) relationship? My answer, probably not a good idea. I suppose that there is always a line that one should never cross. Has Mr. Nelson crossed the line and if so should the principal stop the behavior now before it gets out of hand? I personally don't see why a grown man wants to hang out with teenagers and he obviously doesn't see anything wrong with it. The reason for the rumors is that his parties are exclusive, he doesn't invite the whole team just certain players. Maybe that's why one would question his motives. I'm under the impression that its not a good idea to have any sort of relationship outside of school with students (unless that student is your child).
There should be some sort of guide book/workers manual/employee handbook to what is deemed appropriate teacher student relationship especially for those who seem to not have any idea about what is considered "normal". For all those who know what is appropriate and not, there will always be one person who does not and that is when the relationships between students and teachers are again questioned.
I have a lot of unanswered questions on this one so I don't think it’s much of an analysis.
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Dipti, this post is sure to get one thinking. As for the science teacher, I think it would not be wise to give that student advice on what to do about being pregnant since there are more qualified people to help her like a guidance counselor. Plus as much as the girl doesn't want her parents to know about it, the teacher should not put herself in such a vulnerable position by giving the student advice on something this serious. She should refer this student immediately to a guidance counselor.
As for the coach, I do not agree at all with this "inner circle". I do agree with keeping good relationships with the players because I have in my coaching experience. But inviting them to your house on the weekends to watch football is a whole different matter. The students will see you more as a buddy than an authority figure. You can't be buddies with the students because they will lose respect for you in your position.
Furthermore, the coach is displaying a clear-cut case of favoritism. I know we all have our favorites, but if he is only inviting a certain group of students and not the whole team then word will get around that he is doing this and those who aren't invited will resent the coach. Also not to mention dissension will develop within the team and you don't want that. So the coach needs to be reprimanded for this ASAP because he is not there to be buddies with the players. He is there to be an authority figure/mentor.
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