Module 5

I am a math teacher in a middle school somewhere in rural NC. While working at the chalk board one day, I heard a student call another student a ni**er. As we all know that word is insulting to African Americans and it should not be tolerated at all.

If a situation like this happened and I was the teacher I would immediately send the child out of my class into the hallway to reprimand him/her out of ear shot of other students. I would let the child know that kind of language would never be allowed in my class and I would send him/her directly to the office. I would then set up a meeting with the principal and the parents. Although I am aware racism is learned and his/her parents could possibly feel the same way, I would still like to meet with them and inform them of what went on in my class.

Even if that type of statement was not directed at an African American, I would still feel as though something like that should never be said and that would not even make a difference a statement like that is still wrong.

I have been trying to think of a situation where I would be uncomfortable. I can not think of any situation like that. I would not have any problems teaching someone of a different race, religion, or even sexuality. I would not even have a problem if a child had homosexual parents. I have been trying to put every possible scenario into play to see if I were uncomfortable and I truly can not think of one.

An issue that bothers me is abuse, either physical, mental or sexual. If the child's' parent were abusing him/her and I was aware of it, I would definitely have to take my information to the officials, whether it be the school officials or the police. As a teacher, I would be responsible for the care and safety of the child. If I knew something was causing harm to a student, then it would be my duty to stop it and help the child in any way possible.