A classroom lesson without opening a book
"Hey Donna, want to know how you're just like wall-to-wall carpeting? Neither one of you are worth a damn until you get laid."
That was the comment of a 10th grade boy who shouted it out to a young woman in an area classroom just as students were taking their seats before class was about to begin.
I was fairly confident that this was a test for me, the substitute teacher filling in for a full-time instructor out with the flu in a Huron County high school. Concerns about privacy prohibit me from revealing more about the kids or the school involved.
I must say that I was shocked at the 10th grade boy's loud comment in front of the whole class. The remark prompted some nervous laughter among students. The girl was clearly embarrassed, blushing fully. She did not respond to the comment. Instead, she rose from her seat and approached me, asking if she go to the restroom.
By now, the class was as quiet as a church on Monday morning. In a firm voice, I told her she could visit the restroom right after she received a public and sincere apology from the young man who made the comment.
"Hell no!" The young guy declared, saying he had no intention of apologizing because it was just a joke and that students tease each other all the time.
I responded, with the whole class now tuned in to the exchange, that I did not accept his explanation as an excuse. I said that his comment was completely inappropriate and that he owed her a sincere apology.
"Men and women who respect each other do not speak to each other like that. You made this young woman feel uncomfortable and you humiliated her in front of friends. She deserves an apology."
His response: "Hey, we've been classmates since the 3rd grade. She knows me, and knows that I was just kidding. So do the other kids in class. I'm not saying I apologize because I'm not sorry."
I replied that I saw his conduct as a form of bullying and that I simply would not tolerate it. I asked the young woman if she thought an apology was in order.
"Yes," she said, turning away from me and looking directly at the young guy. "But I will only accept it if I believe you are sincere."
Silence, the kind that is deafening, hung over the classroom like a thick fog.
After what seemed like an eternity, I suggested that the young man could either make a heart-felt apology or report to the administrative office and explain what happened to the principal.
Finally, he stood up from his chair. "Donna, I should not have made that comment to you. I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings."
"OK, I accept your apology," the young woman said.
Students applauded. A few of the young guys in the class wadded up sheets of paper and threw them at the young man who made the offensive remark.
Young men and women in the class laughed off the tension with some light teasing. The young woman thanked me and took her seat.
We started class. It was a great hour with lots of participation and discussion.
A Grand Murder
That was the comment of a 10th grade boy who shouted it out to a young woman in an area classroom just as students were taking their seats before class was about to begin.
I was fairly confident that this was a test for me, the substitute teacher filling in for a full-time instructor out with the flu in a Huron County high school. Concerns about privacy prohibit me from revealing more about the kids or the school involved.
I must say that I was shocked at the 10th grade boy's loud comment in front of the whole class. The remark prompted some nervous laughter among students. The girl was clearly embarrassed, blushing fully. She did not respond to the comment. Instead, she rose from her seat and approached me, asking if she go to the restroom.
By now, the class was as quiet as a church on Monday morning. In a firm voice, I told her she could visit the restroom right after she received a public and sincere apology from the young man who made the comment.
"Hell no!" The young guy declared, saying he had no intention of apologizing because it was just a joke and that students tease each other all the time.
I responded, with the whole class now tuned in to the exchange, that I did not accept his explanation as an excuse. I said that his comment was completely inappropriate and that he owed her a sincere apology.
"Men and women who respect each other do not speak to each other like that. You made this young woman feel uncomfortable and you humiliated her in front of friends. She deserves an apology."
His response: "Hey, we've been classmates since the 3rd grade. She knows me, and knows that I was just kidding. So do the other kids in class. I'm not saying I apologize because I'm not sorry."
I replied that I saw his conduct as a form of bullying and that I simply would not tolerate it. I asked the young woman if she thought an apology was in order.
"Yes," she said, turning away from me and looking directly at the young guy. "But I will only accept it if I believe you are sincere."
Silence, the kind that is deafening, hung over the classroom like a thick fog.
After what seemed like an eternity, I suggested that the young man could either make a heart-felt apology or report to the administrative office and explain what happened to the principal.
Finally, he stood up from his chair. "Donna, I should not have made that comment to you. I'm sorry if I hurt your feelings."
"OK, I accept your apology," the young woman said.
Students applauded. A few of the young guys in the class wadded up sheets of paper and threw them at the young man who made the offensive remark.
Young men and women in the class laughed off the tension with some light teasing. The young woman thanked me and took her seat.
We started class. It was a great hour with lots of participation and discussion.
A Grand Murder
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