4. What are some considerations when exploring sensitive issues in class?
A teacher must be well aware and careful whenever it comes to bringing sensitive issues to the class because if he or she is not careful, the teacher may step on some 'tails' of the students and the class may turn to chaos. It is therefore important that a teacher represents himself or herself as a transformative intellectual (as what Giroux have stated) to understand, comprehend, take charge, build relationship and to stand up for his students.
A teacher must be seen as a transformative intellectual. As what Giroux (1989) said that 'it is important to stress that teachers must take active responsibility for raising serious questions about what they teach, how they are to teach, and what the larger goals are for which they are striving' (Pg 126) When a teacher portrays himself or herself as someone who is accountable to, someone who is responsible for his or her own actions, understanding, reliable, dependable and intellectual, the students will tend to feel safe and know that the teacher is in control. The teacher then creates this safe space (but still in control) that the students can freely express their views, knowing that their teacher is taking care of everyone's welfare. This space allows students to critically think about the perspectives of others, therefore developing empathy, and also be responsible for their own thoughts. If there is no such teacher around, the students will feel threatened and may even feel that the teacher is not up to the standard of taking charge of the class yet. They know their teacher very well and do not need anyone to tell them if the teacher is reliable or trustworthy or not willing to help, etc. They are smart enough to see and know.
One way to being a transformative intellectual is to be reflective practitioners who relates the classroom experience to political and ideological purposes, Vice versa. Reflection, critical thinking and work in action all contributes to helping students achieve that understanding and belief that provides satisfaction or better situations for all to live in. When a teacher practices using his intellectual mind to deal with these issues, the students will gain respect and think that 'their teacher has the knowledge and ability to deal with these issues',and therefore, they are able to express what they feel freely and with a critical mind. It is not about a space where a barrage of comments and feelings fire at one another but it is more of the softer and civilized way in dealing these matter. When sensitive issues are deal in a more humane and intellectual way, students will feel and see themselves as intellectuals as well and also the readiness to explore and deal with theses issues in a deeper level.
A teacher should know his or her students well and how far they can discuss these issues. Every child have their own emotional state of mind and their sensitivity varies from one another. It is crucial that the teacher knows what to say and what not to say least anyone's emotions are stirred up. Even if the teacher really steps on one of their 'tails', the teacher must be able to deal with it. The teacher should come up with a list of possible factors that may spark anger, sadness and other negative and sensitive feelings of the child and also another list of what he or she should do if these emotions are triggered. If in any case the child experience hurt or emotional disturbance during the dramatic process, the teacher has to stop (in a calm way) and attend to the child so that the child does not get traumatized. We, as teachers, are not to condemn or make our students remember bad experiences but to offer a safe space where they can think for and benefit one another.
Lastly, the teacher must know the possible potential harm or insults that may arise from delinquents. It is not our job to judge or reject these students from coming into the safe space just because they may make the space chaotic, but to take precautions against these issues. Knowing our students well is one thing. Another thing is to anticipate their speech and actions and to be prepared to counter the insults. This space is not a battlefield that students can anyhow fire missiles at one another but it is to open the discussion and allow suggestions and ideas flow in to benefit ourselves.
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