Response to One of the Questions Asked to Us about Task 3, after reading (pg. ix-7) in Kozol’s- “Savage Inequalities”.

Chayse Adams

ENG: 100-20

10-24-2010

Response to One of the Questions Asked to Us about Task 3, after reading (pg. ix-7) in Kozol’s- “Savage Inequalities”.

            A teacher’s role in a classroom is to teach the students, not only just from the curriculum they are required to teach from, but also as the particular students in each class needs. In my opinion, if a teacher only reads from a book and does nothing else to help their students in a way they feel they can contribute to their education and life, they are simply there to make a paycheck. Every class, every individual student in those classes, learn best in different ways and at different paces. A teacher should be someone who is devoted to help their children learn however their individual circumstances may vary. If a teacher is not willing to bend to help their children succeed, why are they teachers.

In my experiences as a student, I have thankfully had the privilege of having most of my teachers possessing qualities that are powered by the motivation of helping their students succeed, however, on a few occasions I have had teachers that frankly, just don’t give a hoot! At those particular times I liked those kinds of teachers who did not go the extra mile, and if we completed our busy work we were done for the day, and those who were pushovers and the ones we considered an easy class, an easy A. I have come to realize that those teachers weren’t doing us students any favors by doing that, it was more than likely for their personal gain that they would not have to do any extra work simply because they were just plane lazy. As we proceeded to the next level and had a teacher who did care, he or she would find that we did not know the necessary information and I cannot begin to imagine how frustrating that must have been for those teachers who did take their job, or role as our educator, seriously and to heart.

I believe there is no such thing as a bad student, only bad teachers. If it’s not the teachers fault in a classroom that their students do not have the motivation to learn and succeed, then it comes back to their parents who are their teachers in installing the importance of education, motivation, and the work ethic needed to become a successful student, employee, and a productive member of our society. The role of a student is only to take in the knowledge that our teachers, whoever and wherever they may be, are willing to give to us.