Celebrate Learning
Page 6
“Sharon, I agree it’s not ‘fair.’ But we aren’t
means to educate. I grapple with idea of seeing that
talking about ‘fairness.’ We are talking about
the social fabric that holds students together as a
what’s ‘just,’ what’s ‘equitable,’ what’s ‘needed.’
multiple sewing together of varied lives, situations,
This is often different than giving every student the
challenges, and perspectives that need different
same response. Now, don’t get me wrong, Sharon.
threads and needles to blend the pieces of the social
I’m not saying we don’t have deadlines and don’t
fabric together. When I put together my syllabus, I
have RUBRICS, and that I will take work any time. I
apply this “fairness” as a common, major thread to
am saying, though, that I will attempt to work with
hold the class together, but I recognize that different
a student when we can agree on a plan that will
size needles and threads may be needed for the more
keep him or her with the class in a manner that
fragile cloths that are included in the whole master-
doesn’t throw us off.”
piece of society that represents the students who lack
“I somewhat hear you, but I still don’t get it.” (for whatever reason) the strength to endure all of
“I know, Sharon. I don’t fully get it all the
time—either. I do know, though, that when the
my rules that I require for graduation. I am the reflective educator in the classroom who must deter-
‘rules’ determine what is needed (dictating my every mine if the syllabus is not working in its “fairness.” I
action as a teacher) rather than my ‘intent’ for learn- have to be on the look out for when “fair” is no
ing being the guide for what decisions I make in the
longer working for a student—“when the shoes are
classroom, learning stops. I don’t ever want to stop
not fitting properly.” This is our challenge as educa-
learning. I know the goals for the class. I will pro-
tors. This is our societal problem. The “rules” of a
tect the classroom, but I will still protect learning for situation—are they “just,” “equitable,” “right”? Who
the individuals who I encounter along the way.”
“Mr. Dickens, I am still not getting it, but I
wants to NOT follow the rules? On the oth