Natalie Munroe - Fighting for Her Teaching Job at Philadelphia's Central Bucks East High School
Interestingly her frustrations regarding the students from Central Bucks East High School in Philadelphia has brought her to the attention of the nation. Ms. Munroe wrote open voiced comments regarding students. She did not state in her frustrated rants the school nor the names of students, just her feelings and frustrations.
Statements such as, "They are rude, disengaged, lazy whiners. They curse, discuss drugs, talk back, argue for grades, complain about everything fancy themselves entitled to whatever they desire, and are just generally annoying. "
How many parents think these thoughts? I for one know that I have felt and thought this way about the youngsters of today on many occasion. Their rude behavior and actions make some people ask themselves, "Where are these children's parents?"
Ms. Munroe is on paid administrative leave after a few of her students brought the blog posts to the attention of the school officials. Central Bucks East High School apparently feels that Ms. Munroe has no right to speak out about her perceptions of the youngsters of today. Having not named any individual student the rant can be considered her opinions of the youth of America as a whole, not her classroom students.
The issue with this whole situation is it is one of this countries freedoms for over the centuries, our freedom of speech. Ask yourself, when do the parents step up and accept responsibility for their children? Shoolbraid, one of Munroe's former students, states in an email to AP, "As far as motivated high school students, she is completely correct. High-school kids don't want to do anything.... It's a teacher's job, however, to give students motivation to learn." What of the parents and their responsibilities? Is it not their job first and foremost to teach their children a sense of motivation? Leaving children's education and upbringing strictly to their educational team is a tremendous mistake. The actions of these students at Central Bucks East High School are a clear example of how the system is not working in this country any longer.
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Published by CJMathis
CJ is an avid traveler who enjoys sharing her travel experiences, tips, and fun with her readers. Living in Central Oregon on a small ranch with her husband, 3 horses, 6 dogs, daughter and grand-daughter, s... View profile
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17 Comments
Post a CommentDo the students get in trouble if they complain about the teachers on a site like Facebook? Just a thought...
It's a shame, but the pop psychology since the 1980's has been "don't give kids any negative feedback," so teachers are losing their freedom of speech. But it's a reminder we ALL need to be careful blogging. People are getting sued for comments someone runs across.
Gee, if blogs had been available back when I was teaching, I would have been in trouble so quickly...
I heard about this story. Thanks for the update.
Parents should be as much involved as the students and the same for the teachers, Be a team and get the job done!
As for that teacher she should hold more parent conferences instead of hiding behind a blog and complaining in the open.
I think it will be difficult to dismiss the teacher since she didn't name names. cheers - I hadn't heard about this.
I think this woman is getting a bad rap. As you said, no one was named, not even the school. I know quite a few teachers, and some of them take their lives in their hands in our public schools every day. The kids are rude, threatening, foul-mouthed and the teachers are just supposed to take it. This woman did this on her own time and ID's no one. Perhaps the school should be looking at the kids and their parents instead.
She is absolutely correct about how our youth are. When you search for people to blame, add to this list politicians and advocacy groups who have protected these kids from much needed discipline.
I agree with her totally!
As a teacher myself, I have had the same the same feelings about students occassionally-BUT it is also true that as an educator, we are held to a slightly higher "moral" standards-it comes with the job. So, a word to the wise, don't say or print anything you would not want to become a national headline. Tell your spouse, becareful of what you put out on a public forum. Do I have a facebook page? Nope-not for me.
I think she can be warned about her postings and should probally stop. The saving grace for here is that there was no mention of names. And just to continue the debate, what about students who can voice thier opinion openly about teachers on sites like "rate my teacher. com".....