Comments on: Have a high schooler? Here’s a few helpful hints for parental units

By: Christa Allan

Christa Allan — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 21:17:23 +0000

Actually, what I said has little, if anything, to do with MY like or dislikes related to what students wear. In fact, I don’t agree with some dress code stipulations, but that doesn’t relieve me from the responsiblity of upholding them.

And you’re right, you can choose to work for a corporation that doesn’t enforce a dress code. And you’re also right that students can’t always choose their schools. But the fact is…they’re there. They know the rules. Why shouldn’t students be held responsible for choosing to not follow them? Isn’t that a reflection of maturity; the willingness to accept the consequences for one’s actions?

As for students having no power, I disagree. Complaining isn’t the answer.Read CIVIL DISOBEDIENCE by Thoreau.

By: Brendan

Brendan — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 05:17:18 +0000

Just going to comment that Enigma3 was entirely correct. You’re saying if a teacher doesn’t like the way a student dresses, then the student should just accept it and change. The only reason it works that way is because students have no power in school systems at all. If a student wants to dress in a way that you’re not used to, you shouldn’t be putting them down and taking them out of class. You bring up workplaces with suits as an example, but if I don’t want to wear a suit, I can get a job that doesn’t require one. Students generally have no choice about their school.

You should consider that these rebellious acts are because students are stuck in a system that they have no control over, and every time they complain, they get condescending responses about how they should just accept it and it’s for their own good.

By: shelley

shelley — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 02:16:29 +0000

Dear Will,

Walk a few miles (or an entire school year, for that matter) in our shoes and then judge us. Anyone who knows Christa (or a teacher like her) knows that she’s one of the most decidated, caring, generous teachers around; she wants only the best for her students. I’ve yet to meet a student who isn’t better because they were lucky enough to have her as a teacher.

My hope is that when my 4 year old daughter is old enough to be in high school that she has teachers as insightful, observant, and rigorous as Christa.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:29:06 +0000

Also there is a direct correlation to going to events like open house and student success. Again, fact and research..not opinion.

I promise, last word.
Seriously.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 20:27:22 +0000

Methinks these negative commenters are in their teens. As a teacher, this is the kindest, smartest thing I’ve read, not to mention a public service. Spend 10 minutes in the shoes of a teacher. We have to be the main disciplinarian, mentor, nurse, and counselor in kids’ lives. Oh, that that reality didn’t exist. I’d love to just teach!

Read the statistics and do some research. Though we say all the time, “kids today…” It is actually true for this generation–they have never been more negative (as evidenced here), more pampered, more indulged, less disciplined, and more challenged via the culture, their peers, the media, and their own upbringing.

Mrs. Allan, come to my state–they like humor. ; )
And for the record, this broad’s a heck of a teacher AND mom.