Context matters. See, I got an e-mail from a parent which was offensive. The message was simply a request for me to make my literature class more exciting (in the same way that mom does at home) so that the student could find it within himself to do his work. See, this boy is just so smart, and so he gets bored a lot. Clearly, according to this parent, this student's failing grade is a direct result of a dull, lifeless curricula & a terrible teacher.
My initial response was inappropriate and unprofessional, though probably the clearest expression of my thoughts. Then the next response was still inappropriate, then the next, then the next. It took me a while to respond. See, I really do have a thick skin, but there are some things that piss me off - like parents who not only accept the ridiculous "this class is boring" excuse for failure, but also then reinforce the excuse by blaming the teacher. As far as I'm concerned, this is shitty parenting.
One colleague - the one I was talking with when I cursed a little too loud - suggested I simply ask the parent for suggestions on how to make my class more exciting, as clearly the parent is an expert. I considered this mocking tone, but then I pictured myself across the table from both the parent and my administrator & decided I didn't want to try and explain that one. Another teacher suggested I reply with two words: home schooling. I'll go ahead and admit that those weren't the first two words that came to mind after I read that e-mail.
I decided to try a line drive. I went ahead and pointed out that the failing grade is due to a lack of work. I acknowledged the student's boredom - I imagine school would be pretty boring if you never did any of the work. And I left the parent with suggestions for improvement: 1) your son should do the work, and 2) he really needs to do some work. I imagined reading the message aloud with my administrator and the parent, and decided it was a reasonable response.
My intention in relaying this gem of an anecdote is not only to bitch about my day, as that is part of it, but also to illustrate a pervasive problem. There are some students who are so used to the blinky-flashy things they see when they sit in front of a screen, that they can't concentrate on anything that's not blinking, flashing, or exploding. If it takes longer than 5 or 6 seconds to understand, it's either too hard or boring. I teach a remedial reading class. My only objective with the class is to teach students how to pass the state reading test. It takes me a solid 5 minutes at the start of each class just to get their attention. They are soooooo distracted. Talking, texting, standing up, adjusting their pants, sharpening their pencils, staring at the desks.
I'm not exaggerating about the 5 or 6 second part, either. I pulled one student aside the other day because I'm convinced she keeps failing the reading test because she's so distracted all of the time that she constantly does her work improperly. Smart kid, but she won't even listen to the end of a sentence - it really only takes 3 or 4 words for her to lose interest. Some of that is probably self-absorption, but the rest I attribute to never being forced to focus on a single task for an extended (I'm talking 15 minutes or so) period of time.
So when kids use the term "boring," I interpret that as distracted. This distraction is an overwhelming & detrimental problem for everyone, but especially teens who are hormonal and half-crazed anyway. If only parents would shut the damned screens off & ask their kids to read.
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