Guest guest Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 I haven't posted anything for awhile, but yesterday my daughter experienced, again, discriminatory remarks from a student-teacher in the cafeteria yesterday who found out she's a vegetarian. I was naturally appalled and have taken appropriate action, but what I find even more disturbing is how difficult it is for folks in south GA to live freely with a good, healthy choice they've made for themselves. While my daughter defended her position, as she's had to do often, I wish she wasn't marginalized so much. I wish education on vegetarian children was something that was at least touched upon when young adults are getting their education degrees. This teacher was young and flippant and better yet a future PE teacher - he of all people should've known better. Does anyone on this network know if surrounding college/univ'y education programs talk about this at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 I am so sorry that your daughter experienced this. It is horrifying that she should have to justify this to a stranger. I don't have any advice; my daughter has always attended very diverse schools (we live in Chicago) and we have never encountered this. ________________________________ mel_rinehart <mel_rinehart Fri, November 20, 2009 8:03:03 AM Lunchroom antics  I haven't posted anything for awhile, but yesterday my daughter experienced, again, discriminatory remarks from a student-teacher in the cafeteria yesterday who found out she's a vegetarian. I was naturally appalled and have taken appropriate action, but what I find even more disturbing is how difficult it is for folks in south GA to live freely with a good, healthy choice they've made for themselves. While my daughter defended her position, as she's had to do often, I wish she wasn't marginalized so much. I wish education on vegetarian children was something that was at least touched upon when young adults are getting their education degrees. This teacher was young and flippant and better yet a future PE teacher - he of all people should've known better. Does anyone on this network know if surrounding college/univ' y education programs talk about this at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 Sorry your child had to go through that. Sounds like a good cause to take up! They should be educated on the issues. They are taught diversity in many other aspects, but not when it comes to food. I had something happen this past week as well at my daughter's school. I walked in and saw a bulletin board where the kids made a big " how to cook a turkey " display. The kids wrote different things related to cooking turkey (e.g., get a big pan, stick it in the oven, etc.). And they decorated the pictures of turkeys to go with it. I was saddened by seeing that display. I then walked into my daughter's classroom and asked her teacher if they are planning to do the same type of display/work (because it is the same age level). She said no, that they were not doing it because of my daughter. I was happy to hear that. In talking with her I told her that if she had to participate in that type of activity a correct answer on how to cook a turkey would be " we don't, because we don't hurt animals. " So she was a bit more sensitive to the issue, having a vegetarian kid in her class. But that's because I have made our lifestyle clear to her. But going back to the original post, kids should never being hearing such stuff from an adult in school. That's just ridiculous. It should be part of any university teaching diversity training, if it's not already. Jacqueline Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 I find it difficult to believe that a PE teacher would question vegetarianism. I hope that your principal/school board deals seriously with the issue and I would also let this man's university advisor know. On Behalf Of mel_rinehart Friday, November 20, 2009 9:03 AM Lunchroom antics I haven't posted anything for awhile, but yesterday my daughter experienced, again, discriminatory remarks from a student-teacher in the cafeteria yesterday who found out she's a vegetarian. I was naturally appalled and have taken appropriate action, but what I find even more disturbing is how difficult it is for folks in south GA to live freely with a good, healthy choice they've made for themselves. While my daughter defended her position, as she's had to do often, I wish she wasn't marginalized so much. I wish education on vegetarian children was something that was at least touched upon when young adults are getting their education degrees. This teacher was young and flippant and better yet a future PE teacher - he of all people should've known better. Does anyone on this network know if surrounding college/univ'y education programs talk about this at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 Yikes. I live In CA, so what I'm about to say applies to CA teachers/teaching programs etc. only; however, CA has one of the most rigorous teacher credentialing processes in the country, so here I go, for better or worse. Thinking back 15 years or so ago, I don't remember any nutrition education in my teaching program. Teaching programs exist to teach student teachers mostly HOW to teach; best practices, processes; behavior management etc. (the exception here would be for reading). For elementary teachers, I think it's assumed that you got your content knowledge through your Bachelor's Program and you prove it through taking the bazillions of tests you have to take to get your state-issued credential. Many PE teachers did major in something health related, but especially in elementary school, having a very specific degree actually impedes the process of becoming a teacher because you then have to take a bunch of extra stuff to prove you have good all-around knowledge. Where this teacher-in-training really biffed it was in not respecting 'student differences'. If he had harangued a vegetarian and they were a vegetarian because they were, say, Hindu, he could have a real problem on his hands. While GA may not be as diverse as CA (I don't know this, just guessing), I feel 100% confident that he's being taught about 'respecting student differences', which has been part of teacher education for MANY years. This is especially true since No Child Left Behind and all the discussion in education on 'closing the achievement gap' as it relates to particular groups of students. Any complaints you make, I would frame in that regard- that he was insulting your moral/ethical beliefs, not respecting your brand of 'diversity' and that is just unacceptable. I totally agree you should try to get in touch with his University advisor ( ask in the office what school he's from and go from there to make a complaint in the teacher ed. dep't. of that university); the school board will probably have little to no power or interest in addressing this. I think they would get involved only if a student teacher did something illegal. Student teachers generally speaking are not 'employed' by school districts; it's more of a partnership thing between the district and universities. The exception to this would be if he's on some sort of paid internship. That being said, the Principal of the school certainly has a right/responsibility to give him a good talking-to. He will not be so flippant when he sees his chances of being employed by that Principal are dwindling. Sorry your daughter had to deal with this. I'm sure she's turning into a very well-spoken young lady as a result (trying to look on the bright side here), even though it pains us as moms to hear these stories! good luck- and let us know how it all works out... j. ________________________________ Noreen Davisson <davisson Fri, November 20, 2009 6:44:29 AM RE: Lunchroom antics  I find it difficult to believe that a PE teacher would question vegetarianism. I hope that your principal/school board deals seriously with the issue and I would also let this man's university advisor know. @gro ups.com [@gro ups.com] On Behalf Of mel_rinehart Friday, November 20, 2009 9:03 AM @gro ups.com Lunchroom antics I haven't posted anything for awhile, but yesterday my daughter experienced, again, discriminatory remarks from a student-teacher in the cafeteria yesterday who found out she's a vegetarian. I was naturally appalled and have taken appropriate action, but what I find even more disturbing is how difficult it is for folks in south GA to live freely with a good, healthy choice they've made for themselves. While my daughter defended her position, as she's had to do often, I wish she wasn't marginalized so much. I wish education on vegetarian children was something that was at least touched upon when young adults are getting their education degrees. This teacher was young and flippant and better yet a future PE teacher - he of all people should've known better. Does anyone on this network know if surrounding college/univ' y education programs talk about this at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted November 20, 2009 Report Share Posted November 20, 2009 Hello, I'm new to this list, and was planning to lurk a bit before writing. I hope I am not breaking with protocol. However, I saw all the activity on this comment, and want to share a slightly different perspective. First, I'm sorry your daughter was harassed. I hope she was not too upset by the incident. You did not specify what discriminatory remark was made and maybe it doesn't matter. Teachers and teacher figures need to respect all the students in the school. I agree with the other comments which suggest that this student-teacher needs to learn that, especially in his position of authority, discriminatory remarks are not acceptable. As a new teacher, he might not yet understand that his comments carry a different weight than those of classmates and peers. It doesn't matter whether vegetarianism is good, bad, or indifferent. If there is a reason to say something negative, it should be done with forethought and sensitivity. Otherwise, he should just keep his mouth shut. That said, this is also an opportunity for you to talk to your daughter about how people in authority are not always right, and that we need to have the courage to trust our own values and beliefs. If she is lucky, this may be the first time a teacher, or someone with power over her, has been a jerk to her. Unfortunately, it is unlikely to be the last. If there is a hard and fast strategy for dealing with jerks, especially those in power, I have not learned it. However, by looking at such incidents critically, we can slowly build skills to make us stronger individuals and better citizens. Although I remember how much such thing could hurt when I was a kid, in the grand scheme, one rude student-teacher is not so much. Sadly, one only has to read the newspaper to see that much worse stuff happens frequently in our schools, should we be lucky enough not to experience it first-hand. Hopefully, this can be a learning event for you, your daughter, and the student-teacher. Good luck. Let us know what comes of any follow-up interactions you have on this matter. -Sharon , " mel_rinehart " <mel_rinehart wrote: > > I haven't posted anything for awhile, but yesterday my daughter experienced, again, discriminatory remarks from a student-teacher in the cafeteria yesterday who found out she's a vegetarian. I was naturally appalled and have taken appropriate action, but what I find even more disturbing is how difficult it is for folks in south GA to live freely with a good, healthy choice they've made for themselves. While my daughter defended her position, as she's had to do often, I wish she wasn't marginalized so much. I wish education on vegetarian children was something that was at least touched upon when young adults are getting their education degrees. This teacher was young and flippant and better yet a future PE teacher - he of all people should've known better. Does anyone on this network know if surrounding college/univ'y education programs talk about this at all? > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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