Money

[Lynne]

I just need to get this off my chest. I'm mad!!! I hooked up with a teacher from Texas who was looking for some second grade penpals. She informed me that she taught at a school that the students we very well off. Parents drove them to school in Hummers and they went on very expensive vacations. Well, I teach in a VERY urban school district. My students are in need of everything and I always say especially love. I LOVE where I teach and wouldn't go anywhere else. Well, when I informed this teacher about my school and the students, she e-mailed me back and wanted to know if our students would be able to communicate with each other because of their different lifestyles. This really offended me. How can I get over my anger!!!!! Thanks for listening. Lynne

 

[TexTeacher]

Yeah, because it would be horrible for those kids to experience someone with lives different than theirs.

I am sorry she was rude to you! Hopefully, the penpal experience will be good for your kids.

 

[psc]

That would make me mad as well.

I think you should nicely state that while your students are not spoiled, they are quite capable of communicating with people that are unlike themselves. I don't know if your school is like the urban one I teach at, but we are VERY diverse...and that is great for the kids. Kids are so egocentric to begin with. Part of going to school is the learning that occurs from social interaction with people that are unlike you. This teacher is doing a disservice to her students if she does not introduce them to the world beyond Hummers and expensive trips.

 

[speeder1]

I hear comments in the same tone often. I teach special education and a few other teachers think all we do all day is color. When I talk about doing a certain activity, the certain ones always have that look, (like why are you doing that, they wont get it) and it annoys me.

This teacher doesn't realize that it would be a good experience to let her students know that not everybody is a fortunate as they are.

But you know what they say about Texas, "Everything is bigger and better". In this case it is egos and attitudes.

 

[DJ/SC]

Sorry for changing the subject...

but, Speeder1, I have been admiring your photo; I think it's ADORABLE! Is that a ferret or a mongoose? Is he/she yours? What a CUTE face! Just had to mention it...

 

[Lynne]

Lynne Again

I forgot to mention that I told her that 95% of my children were African American. I did response to her today. I had to hold my tongue, I just replied: Your right, were are not compatible. If any one would like to be penpals to "poor students" who by the way are very bright!!!!!!! Let me know. Thanks for the comments. It helps when other teachers know where you are coming from!!!!

 

[SB]

pen pals

She is just ignorant. People like that are the ones who need to be immersed into some diversity. You did the right thing. I teach second grade also and love to show my kids how "different and unique" the world is. Shame on her!

 

[M.]

Re

I'm sorry that she said that to you! Would it help to look at it in a different light? Remember, with e-mail, you can't hear the person's voice or see their body language, so it's hard to know what the person meant. What if she asked that because she was worried your kids would be jealous? Or if she wanted to know if you were okay with that...letting you know what her school/students were like? Just remember, you really don't really know how she meant it! She might not have meant to offend you, it just came out that way.

 

[Lynne]

reply

Do children have things in common that they can write about? Does it matter if their rich or poor? Do they play football, basketball, cheerleading? Go to church? draw, read, have brothers and sisters? Like animals? This is just a small list of what children can have in common! Yes, she did offend me by stating that our child might not have anything to write about because MY children were poor. She was willing to proceed with the writing until I told her that my children came to school with dirty clothes, and a lot of problems in their home life. Fathers in prison, we all know what I'm talking about. She didn't want to have anything to do with poor students.

 

[DJ/SC]

Lynne, Any Reply?

I'm so sorry that you and your students were "treated" that way. It's hard to believe that a teacher could be that insensitive to children and to a "fellow teacher." I wonder what she does when she encounters underprivileged people in her life? Discrimination takes on many ugly forms!!!
When you replied, did she say anything? Or, have you heard from her at all?
I'm sure you and your babies will find a loving group to exchange letters with you all... You sound like a wonderful teacher!

 

[Lynne]

Me Again!

I replied to her and said " We are not compatible" and left if at that . She then e-mail me back and said she was "sorry", but needed to ask. She hopes that we find someone compatible to write with. Which we have! Thanks for the wonderful comment. I try to be a good teacher, you know how it is somedays! I want to pull my hair out by 3:45. But when I see them the next morning, MOST of my students put a smile on my face!

 

[speeder1]

It is a ferret. His name is Spazz and I have an albanio named snoopy.