Introduction with a racial slur

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English as a Second Language Chatboard

Introduction with a racial slur

by Jan

Jun 15, 2014

I really was shocked when a very sweet Teacher, who is in a position of power, introduced me as the teacher who teaches the kids who "basically just got off the boat". I was so speechless and the kids I teach are Spanish speaking and most of them are born in the US but their parents only speak Spanish. What was she thinking???? She has several degrees in Education and I would have thought she would have known better. I have members of my family who are Hispanic too so that really did shock me. She actually helps hire people at our school. I am sad that a person who works with our children would say such a stupid remark and in front of a new teacher. I really don't want that teacher to think I say things like that. Should I go to the new teacher and discuss it or keep my mouth shut?

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LG Hello, if I were you, I would absolutely confront the teacher. Whether or not she was "joking" and/or in the presence of students, this is unacceptable from someone in such a position. This is the exact kind of derogatory and racist mentalities and remarks that we as teachers strive to eliminate from our classrooms and halls, and to hear this spoke...See MoreHello, if I were you, I would absolutely confront the teacher. Whether or not she was "joking" and/or in the presence of students, this is unacceptable from someone in such a position. This is the exact kind of derogatory and racist mentalities and remarks that we as teachers strive to eliminate from our classrooms and halls, and to hear this spoken by an educator is a shock. Remind your colleague that not all students arrive in this country by peaceful means, too often being forced out of their native country by horrific circumstances that the majority of native-born Americans will never have to face. I worry that such a comment would slip out of her mouth in class and offend students or encourage this sort of racist behavior. Her statement also implies a trivialization of your hard work and dedication as a thoughtful ESOL teacher. As an educator, an agent of social justice, stand up for your students and yourself! Just because something happened in the teacher's lounge does not make it O.K.. Do not passively allow this behavior to continue, this is what we combat each and every day. I hope you have a smooth end to your school year and find time to relax this summer :)

-LG

On 6/15/14, Jan wrote: > I really was shocked when a very sweet Teacher, who is in a > position of power, introduced me as the teacher who teaches > the kids who "basically just got off the boat". I was so > speechless and the kids I teach are Spanish speaking and > most of them are born in the US but their parents only > speak Spanish. What was she thinking???? She has several > degrees in Education and I would have thought she would > have known better. I have members of my family who are > Hispanic too so that really did shock me. She actually > helps hire people at our school. I am sad that a person who > works with our children would say such a stupid remark and > in front of a new teacher. I really don't want that teacher > to think I say things like that. Should I go to the new > teacher and discuss it or keep my mouth shut?

Jun 23, 2014

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