Values vs. Respect
10.31.10 By Stephen Yang
As I sat with my colleagues in a well-lit classroom at the Wilson Middle School last Friday, I heard a regal Boston Public Schools administrator say, “We adapt to our students. Our students don’t adapt to us.”
His comment got me thinking about my own values, which I discovered (thanks to the BTR summer course entitled Language, Power, and Democracy) have been shaped by my schooling, my social location, the place I affectionately call “home,” and my experiences there. I am tempted to teach my students how to behave, especially now that I am in a position of power. But what sort of messages would I be communicating to my students about where they come from if I take this approach?
Granted, there are limits that need to be set in order for authentic learning to occur, but how do urban teachers teach their own values while respecting the culture of their students?
I welcome your comments.
more from Stephen Yang on the blogmore about Charlestown High School on the blog
Comments
04:30 AM
07:33 PM
I do not think it is a teacher’s job to impart all his or her values on students. The separation of church and state, for example, exists for a critical reason: education is not merely indoctrination. And although I do agree with Mr. Jacob’s opinion that there is no such thing as a “values free” education, I do not think that developing a taste for another type of music addresses the larger issue of what values we should attempt to instill in the students whom we are entrusted to teach. Teachers must attempt to teach students how respect and tolerance look and sound. What does a respectful class look like? How does a respectful student act? Respect for self, respect for others, and respect for education are paramount! Many students are not fortunate enough to have powerful role models in their lives. Maybe this is a sign of the times, but these students often need to be taught the importance of tolerance. As a teacher, one must make every attempt to model and deepen an understanding of the importance of having a safe place to learn and express oneself. There is a distinction between values and preferences. Ultimately, a teacher must have enough conviction to insist upon expressing certain values; otherwise, a teacher is nothing more than a puppet.
12:02 PM
I think you should concentrate on what that administrator was trying to say. Before you can TEACH a child about your value system you have to determine what theirs is.Adapt to the child. Doesn’t always mean give in to the child. Search for some common ground that you have between you. Then and only then will you be able to reach far enough inside to make a change. You have to remember these kids are way tougher than you think. Don’t force anything but academics on them. Let them ask you. What does that mean? Or why do you feel that way? If they open the door then it becomes a teaching moment. That’s how urban teachers can spread their value system on to a generation of children in need of guidence and structure.
12:13 PM
Stephen,
This may seem like a minor point, but to those that have worked for the last year and half in this building, it is not. We do call this school “TechBoston Lower Academy” now, and not the Wilson Middle School. Pass along the good word to the other residents too. Our faculty and student body would greatly appreciate it 
“how do urban teachers teach their own values while respecting the culture of their students?”
Here’s my 2 cents on the matter. It’s only part of the picture but I hope it gets some conversation going.
I see it as not so much a question of teaching our values vs. respecting their values. As in any human interaction, it’s an exchange of ideas which takes place whenever people communicate. I’m influenced by every person I talk with and vice versa. Having lived in several countries with different cultures, I’ve been shaped by those experiences. As a teacher if we continue to learn from our students our openness will in most cases make the students more open to our ideas and they may adopt some of our values along the way, while in the process, we adopt some of their values. If we try to push our values, that would most likely cause them to reject them. If we continue to learn from them then it’s more likely they’ll learn from us.
As teachers there’s often the question of imposing our values as opposed to “value free” education. I don’t believe it’s possible to have value free education. No person is an island, but if as teachers we try to hard be careful not to try to impart our values, that could also hinder communication. But if we make an effort to understand their values, they will be more open to learning from us.
One example that comes to mind is musical tastes. I’ve been closed to rap music and thought of it as being rebellious and violent. A friend and colleague of mine teaches a university course on hip-hop. At a teachers party he gave a little talk on hip-hop and did some improvised rap. I began to think, this really is an art form. In that case, it wasn’t a student I learned from but it helped open my mind to a whole new culture I had previously rejected. Of course, I hope that in opening myself up to the rap culture I could also influence my students that while their music highlights legitimate grievances, they might adopt some of my more peaceful ideas of affecting change.