Thursday, March 24, 2011

High School Etiquette

So, I am nearing the end of my first year teaching high school. And wow, the future is in very interesting hands. Two days ago I was with some students at a pull-out assembly that was a musical/dramatic presentation about Cesar Chavez. It was done by a husband and wife team and was very informative as well as entertaining.
Well worth the time out of class.
But, the students... not mine of course- I would've killed them.
They were so rude! Talking during the presentation, not participating, acting 'too cool for school'. I was infuriated! Literally it was all I could do to not stand up and let everyone have a piece of my mind.
People on the phones, listening to music, talking to their friends, putting their feet up on the back of the auditorium chairs. I was so embarrassed to be among that group.
I gave so many death glares to students I don't know. Serious death glares- and they can be scary. Trust me.
I hate the lack of class and etiquette. It is appalling to me. I always feel like even if a performance isn't great you should at least respect the performer for having the guts to put themselves out there. And it's just getting worse.
I also hate the fact that I hear the 'F' word all the time. It's starting to creep into my brain on a regular basis... Yesterday I heard a kid in the hall saying, "I just tore my 'f-ing' pants" I wanted to say to him- just curious but what makes your pants so 'f-ing'? But, I am sure I wouldn't want to hear the answer.
Oh and don't even get me started on the vile things they talk about when they think I am out of ear-shot. It's disgusting.
And very sad- they shouldn't be in such a rush to deal with such adult things. They need to enjoy being young and should stay innocent. But in this environment, that is nearly impossible.
I just wish that respect and tact and refinement would make a come back with these kids. I wish they could learn.
And so I try to set and example, and I try to get through to them.
Maybe I will make a difference?

1 comment:

MisterKerr said...

Yeah, that's pretty much how I remember high school. For the record, in our school assembly preview for "Crazy For You" during the song between me and Wendy Ricks, some kids were yelling out some pretty lewd things (that totally went over my head), and Fields got so mad that she came out on the stage, stopped the show, and sent everyone back to class. So this isn't a new thing, sadly.