Human Rights

Home

Chat

Blogs

Collection

Directory

Home : 2008 : April : 4

Human Rights
By New Teach

Although I am only a new and young teacher, with the little experience I have had in the classroom I do teach about stereotypes and try to include examples other than a nuclear family. When students say "That's so gay",
or use the term "fag" inappropriately, I explain to them why this is wrong. For "fag", I teach them the etymology of the word, and they are often shocked and saddened. Students almost never made the mistake of saying this around me again. I also tried to explain to them heteronomrativity, and told them they could correct me when I perpetuated this. I took this as a great learnign opportunity,

as I sit in a place of power as a white, middle class, heterosexual female.

I find it disheartening to read the last response to this question. Sometimes I wonder how people get through the teacher education program so ignorant and with no feelings of compassion.