After reading Chapter 5 from "The Ethics from Teaching", I discovered several interesting concepts. The discussion of evolution in a public school setting is a controversial topic. Is it fair for students to be exposed to evolution with a Creationist account of human origins? Is it a crime to tell the truth? Another controversial concept introduced in Chapter 5 consisted of the Iroquois Confederation. Should the school include lessons that teach the student body about the Iroquois culture? Is it fair to see this group as a different culture, or should we think of them as Americans? Basically, Strike and Soltis narrowed these ideas into two questions: 1) Do schools have a right to teach ideas that are inconsistent with peoples' religious views? and, 2) Should schools work to create a shared American culture? Or should they try to respect each culture equally? (Pg. 75). It is important to take into consideration the different backgrounds of others , including their culture or religion. However, should we as Americans respect other cultures as equal value? As Americans, I feel that we are guilty of ethnocentric ideas, which creates a superior feeling against the other cultures in this country. As educators, however, we need to place these feelings aside and treat all students, regardless of their ethnicity, as equals.
I think that it is important to point out the views of the consequentialists and the nonconsequentialists. The nonconsequentialists believe that we need to respect peoples' choices. It is important to equally respect all cultures or religions. We don't have to agree with the religion, but we should respect their right to choose. Consequentialists, however, focus more on the consequences of actions rather than respecting personal choice.
Again, as educators, it is important for us to be as nonbiased as possible. Differences in culture should not impact the treatment or outlook of the student. Our job is not to judge, but to be an effective teacher for all students, regardless of their differences.
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2 comments:
I totally agree with your statement, "Our job is not to judge, but to be an effective teacher for all students, regardless of their differences." This is very important since we teach in a country where equal opportunity and freedom of choice are key factors of our society. Freedom of religion means that their will be diversity of culture in our country, and in our schools. Therefore it is important for us as educators to be informed of and respectful towards different cultures and ethnicities, and be open to differentiating our teaching strategies in order to reach all students.
Americans may have a tendency to be ethnocentric, but we live in a country that is what it is because of the many various cultures that are able to flourish here. I am convinced that we as educators have a responsibility to foster all students learning, while encouraging students to have respect for other cultures.
So I guess my point is that I believe we (schools) should respect each culture equally. Schools working to create a shared "American culture" doesn't make sense to me because the culture of America is a blend of many different cultures from all over the world.
Very good post. Two further questions:
1) Are there cases where being an effective teacher means infringing upon a student's beliefs/cultural background?
2)Is it possible to actually respect each culture equally? Are all cultures really worthy of respect?
Okay, that's three questions.
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