I think that we can all attest to the fact that there truly are no limits when it comes to art, everything is accepted and as artists we all seem to have open minds. Hopefully we all carry this ability outside the realm of art, and into the world surrounding us as we encounter different individuals in our lives and build relationships, especially those with our students. As we become teachers, we should encourage our students to be open minded in all areas.
As we begin to handle issues pertaining to discrimination, we should not only have ourselves on guard for racial slurs, but should also watch for discrimination against persons with different sexual orientations. If I was approached by a student who "came out" to me I would be open to them and welcome them if they need someone to talk to. I am not opposed to anyone with a different sexuality than I, so I don't feel that I would have a hard time talking to someone who is beginning to be open about this part of their lives. I would sit down with the student and ask them if they have spoken to their friends or family about it yet, and ask them how they plan to approach the subject when they do. I hope to be able to help the student talk through the difficulties they may encounter as they begin this process.
I plan to make my art room a safe place for all students by being intolerant of any language pertaining to anyone's race or personal choices. While reading Chapter 7 in Adolescents At School, I found the following passage interesting and disturbing, and this pertains to our roles as teachers and the examples we set in our classrooms: "One of the most damaging way some school staff contribute to the creation of identity-detrimental environments for LGBT students is their failure to respond to hostile language and harassment. Forty percent of GLSEN's survey respondents indicated that the faculty and staff at their schools never intervene when they hear students use anti-LGBT language, and another 43 percent said their teacheers intervene only 'some of the time.' " Students should not feel threatened and discriminated against when they come to school, it is important that they feel safe, we are working in the environment that is the basis for their future and it is our job as teachers to make sure that all of our students feel safe in the school environment. An environment full of discrimination and threats is detrimental to the personal and academic growth of students.
I love that you pointed out the importance of bring these ideas out of the classroom also. Because we are preservice teachers I think a lot of us forget to address what these situations could easily occur in our everyday lives as well. I think that all the steps and ideas you have suggested here could carry out into the real world as well as the classroom.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it horrible the percent of students who get out-casted or treated differently because of their sexuality. That fast stuck out to me too.
ReplyDeleteI thought you did a nice job of thinking of ways that you might offer comfort and helpful advice.
ReplyDeleteIt is important to get a sense of the network in which students exist-often this issue in gay teens can influence their thoughts with regard to suicide.
I liked the way you talked about one of the ways of making your artroom a safe place is by be intolerant of students language in your class. Like any situation its important to continue to stay by your convictions.
ReplyDeleteI liked the GLSEN statistics that you gave further in the last paragraph. I think these stats give a good look into why such bullying continues in schools. As you said students shouldnt have to come to school and worry about these issues, schools should be a safe place for students.