Teacher's Responsibility


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Posted by Former Student on February 25, 2000 at 18:46:27:

Here's another thought-provoking post. Please read it all before you respond.

The question is, when does a teacher need to step in to a student's personal life?

So often we find students who have come from situations with few role models, or the wrong role models, and despite the odds, have made it to college with their talent intact. On the other side of the coin are the students who have been pretty sheltered; practicing all through high school, not really getting a lot of life experience.

When many of these kids get to college, it's like they've moved to a different planet. Freedom, different opportunities, and different rules and mores can often overwhelm a shiny new freshman. Maybe they make friends with some people who are just in college to get their piece of paper and have fun. Our chosen field of study doesn't really allow for much of that sort of thing, but our student is too naive to know that. They just know that they had a great time at the floor party last night, even though they are feeling it today.

What happens when you, the teacher start to see the changes: slipping performance, slipping grades, lack of preparation. I'm talking about the binge-drinking that is so prevalent on campuses today, even marijuana use, which most indicators say is very much on the rise again. Mom & Dad send money every week or month, but they don't really know what's going on, so how do you the teacher handle it when you know a student is engaging in too much self-destructive behavior?

Do you try to give some parental or friendly advice? Or tell them in no uncertain terms that type of behavior is not tolerated in your studio - kind of shake their conciousness and give it a dowse of cold water? (You have had your fun, but here's a reality check) Pull their scholarship? Or do you take the attitude that they're an adult, and you can't make decisions for them?

Be honest - it's a situation that most teachers will eventually run into.


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