Jul 16, 2012 11:40:36 PM cite

Since I'm about to stumble through my senior year, I thought I'd give this a shot. Aesthetically, a school building should be large enough to accommodate all students in the district. Sociologically, it ought not be the most judgmental place in the world; that would basically be begging for social dysfunction later on. Teachers' paychecks shouldn't be based upon their students' grades - that's like paying a farmer only for the eggs that don't hatch. Most of all, students shouldn't be afraid to be there. I'll not go into details there; suffice it to say that I speak (type) from personal experience.

by pensivetwirl

Jun 18, 2012 6:46:10 AM cite

I don`t agree with the idea that students don`t have the maturity to create a well-versed, comprehensive, and accurate idea of what their schools should like. I was lucky in that I attended a school where administration our teachers gave us freedom to stretch our creativity and the curriculum and to redefine what `learning` means. Students can have and do have the maturity and understanding to create a curriculum that is relevant for themselves and the society as of the moment. One thing that I am wary about is the fact that sometimes the discussion is pitched as a `student against administrators`battle. As many commentators have said before, it should be a cooperative movement between administrators, professors, students, and the community at large. However, we should all be at the same level and the playing field should be level. This empowers students to widen their creativity and critical thinking while empowering the community to act as role models for students.

by question2learn

Feb 5, 2012 9:09:13 PM cite

I think it's a bad idea to assume that children always know what's best for them. As a teacher myself I have seen multiple cases where I felt a mature child was making a poor decision. Now did that mean that I yelled and screamed at the child? No, I make a point of letting my students know that everyone makes a mistakes and that's okay as long as we are consistently learning from them. I do try to listen to and utilize the opinions of my students as much as possible, even to the point of altering curriculum/activities/deadlines based on their needs and desires. However, I also have a better understanding of what they will need in order to be successful in college/life/work as I am on the other side of high school (and continuing to educate myself independently as well as in classes). My intention is to teach my students the skills/knowledge necessary for them to be able to continue to educate themselves in whatever areas they choose. Children do not always know what skills they need and often struggle with identifying their challenge areas and their assets. If they had all of this information then there would be no reason for teachers or school to exist.

by rwt

Feb 2, 2012 4:40:50 AM cite

So what is it you don’t like, the small lockers or the color of the walls?

by Thai sean

Dec 30, 2011 2:56:43 PM cite

Very good question! what are our schools set up for? Education? If it was education, then each class would be free flowing with ideas. Students would be part of making the curriculum and have more say in where their education goes. Making learning authentic is essential, but some teachers don’t get that. Instead they come in and think it is THEIR class that the students are in. it is not theirs, it is ours. Each class is a community that should focus on cooperation. Since a lot of teachers subscribe to discipline measures like my way or the highway (authoritarian), children are left feeling not heard or respected. Adults in general do not respect the rights of children. This is why I teach and why I have dedicated my life to children… I know I teach because I think it is the most radical occupation out there. Educators have to power and tools to mold our next generation. Each student is our hope for a brighter, more peaceful, and gentler world. To me, the classroom is a community where each child is respected for the person they are and already loved for who they will be. They are taught many things within this community with the hopes of making them productive, educated citizens. To empower children and to respect their rights, in turn empowers the adult they will become. We can teach our generations to be yes-people or we can inspire them to be leaders who question with a critical mind and love with a compassionate heart. The greatest honor a teacher could ever have bestowed on them is not an award you put on a wall or a golden apple on your desk. Teachers’ greatest gift is making a difference, to inspire change that starts from within and radiates out. This is why I go back every day. i wish you were in my class, scottbell.

by livnlrn75

Sep 3, 2011 6:06:29 PM cite

I think someone just did.

by Thai sean

Aug 8, 2011 2:23:49 PM cite

This was definitely something I cared a lot about when I was a student in school. I felt like teachers and administrators and other people who haven't been in school for years were deciding what schools should be like and no one paid any attention to what the students wanted. As a student I felt strongly that we should have some say in what was going on but alas this doesn't seem to be likely to happen soon.

by Jsunlight