Reflection on Our First Student-Run Assembly
I guess it’s only fair that I blog the questions that I assigned you:
1) What do you think about the incident with Luis and Chris?
I was torn about what to do with Luis and Chris. On the one hand, Luis and Chris seriously crossed the line in bringing and using toys that looked like real weapons. The law specifically states that students should be expelled for this. In Colorado, where Columbine happened, they would have been expelled immediately, no questions asked. On the other hand, as a teacher, I have invested a lot of energy in helping them and I see the potential in them. I also know that they would have a hard time surviving at their home schools. I really wished there was a way to keep them, and at the same time have them suffer consequences that were on the same level as expulsion. I couldn’t think of anything. So what I really wanted was for their biggest supporters, the students, to come up with the terms and conditions for their return to school. And if these terms and conditions were agreed upon by the teachers, administrators, and parents, only then would they not be expelled. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the chance to try this plan out.
2) What do you think about the decision that was made about Luis and Chris?
If Green Dot, the organization that runs the Animo schools, said they should be expelled, then I totally accept their decision because I trust that they have thought about the situation seriously and thoroughly. I understand that they must keep the bigger picture in mind, and they must be consistent across all of the Animo schools.
3) What do you think about yesterday’s student assembly?
The whole time during the assembly, I had my head down because I couldn’t bear to watch. The point of the assembly wasn’t so much about Luis and Chris—the assembly was about respect. And it was sad to see that some of the students couldn’t even respect each other. I walked out of that assembly angry and depressed because, in my mind, I thought the students would come together and rally behind each other after this incident. What happened to Luis and Chris was unfortunate, and the only choice we have now is to turn this event into something positive. However, some students were selfish and could think of nothing but themselves. Unless they change their attitude soon, these students will be the ones who lead miserable lives because they don’t understand that for people to care about them, they must also care about others. Unfortunately, I think these arrogant students will only be able to change by learning things the hard way.
On a positive note, I commend the student leadership for having the courage to stand in front of 140 students, some of whom were the worst examples of humanity. I also commend the students in the audience who listened closely and asked thoughtful questions, and the ones who actually told the idiots that they were being idiots. You are the ones who are making the decision to create a better life for yourself, and it takes inner strength to do that. Hopefully, you will continue to learn from this experience, and to find ways to turn this event into something positive.
4) What do you think could be done differently in the future?
This is a question I want to leave with the students because the assembly was for the students by the students. Whether or not you want something different in the future is up to you—that is your choice. You must realize the power you have in making the choice to do something differently. Few people in the world have the power to do something different with their lives.
1) What do you think about the incident with Luis and Chris?
I was torn about what to do with Luis and Chris. On the one hand, Luis and Chris seriously crossed the line in bringing and using toys that looked like real weapons. The law specifically states that students should be expelled for this. In Colorado, where Columbine happened, they would have been expelled immediately, no questions asked. On the other hand, as a teacher, I have invested a lot of energy in helping them and I see the potential in them. I also know that they would have a hard time surviving at their home schools. I really wished there was a way to keep them, and at the same time have them suffer consequences that were on the same level as expulsion. I couldn’t think of anything. So what I really wanted was for their biggest supporters, the students, to come up with the terms and conditions for their return to school. And if these terms and conditions were agreed upon by the teachers, administrators, and parents, only then would they not be expelled. Unfortunately, we didn’t have the chance to try this plan out.
2) What do you think about the decision that was made about Luis and Chris?
If Green Dot, the organization that runs the Animo schools, said they should be expelled, then I totally accept their decision because I trust that they have thought about the situation seriously and thoroughly. I understand that they must keep the bigger picture in mind, and they must be consistent across all of the Animo schools.
3) What do you think about yesterday’s student assembly?
The whole time during the assembly, I had my head down because I couldn’t bear to watch. The point of the assembly wasn’t so much about Luis and Chris—the assembly was about respect. And it was sad to see that some of the students couldn’t even respect each other. I walked out of that assembly angry and depressed because, in my mind, I thought the students would come together and rally behind each other after this incident. What happened to Luis and Chris was unfortunate, and the only choice we have now is to turn this event into something positive. However, some students were selfish and could think of nothing but themselves. Unless they change their attitude soon, these students will be the ones who lead miserable lives because they don’t understand that for people to care about them, they must also care about others. Unfortunately, I think these arrogant students will only be able to change by learning things the hard way.
On a positive note, I commend the student leadership for having the courage to stand in front of 140 students, some of whom were the worst examples of humanity. I also commend the students in the audience who listened closely and asked thoughtful questions, and the ones who actually told the idiots that they were being idiots. You are the ones who are making the decision to create a better life for yourself, and it takes inner strength to do that. Hopefully, you will continue to learn from this experience, and to find ways to turn this event into something positive.
4) What do you think could be done differently in the future?
This is a question I want to leave with the students because the assembly was for the students by the students. Whether or not you want something different in the future is up to you—that is your choice. You must realize the power you have in making the choice to do something differently. Few people in the world have the power to do something different with their lives.
posted by P. Hsu at 12:12 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home