Ask the Teacher chat with Ron Fletcher - December 13, 2006
Ron Fletcher has taught English at Boston College High School, his alma mater, for the past 13 years. An alumnus of Skidmore College and Boston College, he taught five summers for Johns Hopkins University's Center for Talented Youth.
In addition to writing the "Ask the Teacher" column for the Boston Globe, Ron contributes regularly to the paper's City Weekly section.
A transcript follows.
Ron_Fletcher: We're at it again--in the thick of a holiday season. The students sense the imminent break and distraction trumps attention--now and then. Thanks for visiting; I look forward to your questions.
CarterC: If I want my son to go to BC High - what do they look for in a student?
Ron_Fletcher: My unbiased view: we look for students who've demonstrated both promise and accomplishment: boys who welcome a challenge to both their intellectual and spiritual lives on their path to becoming young men. We seek and hope to enhance a sense of balance and ambition and, more important, an obligation to put one's talents at the service of others. I should stop there--I sound like our view book.
Holiday_Haze: Hi Mr. Fletcher. I read your column on civility in the Sunday paper and wondered if you could say more about it - it seems so important and neglected in today's culture. Thank you.
Ron_Fletcher: Decorum, respect, holding a door for another might not top a teacher's to-do list, but they strike me as indistinguishable from good teaching, which relies on an openness to others' idea and the premise that respect is granted at the outset then, ideally, earned or questioned. Assuming the best about another--until we've reason not to, encouraging skepticism rather than cynicism, and realizing the value of the smallest gestures seem to me like the stuff of education.
FBMom95: hello..
Ron_Fletcher: Hello--and hello to "Kevin" who wrote a moment ago. If you had a question, please submit it again; there's a chance we had a cyber-snafu.
Peter_Maher: Since you teach English I would like to ask if you think Instant Messaging and text messaging have contributed to the lack of our youth's grasp of spelling and grammar. If all day they're typing "r u there?" "brb" and "c-ya" it can only lead to laziness in their school work.
Ron_Fletcher: W8IMThinkN
Ron_Fletcher: Seriously, great question, Peter. I would implicate the speed and informality of IM and e-mail in the general weakening of our students' grasp of grammar. With speed valued more than precision, an ease with IM can make the time-consuming task of writing an essay or learning about grammar or reading seem intolerable. Sure, it's expression that resembles writing. Perhaps it's a door to taking writing more seriously--that might be too sanguine a view, though. (Damn, this response took too long. Should I proofread it?) C'YA.
kindermom: Hi Mr. Fletcher, I realize you are a high school teacher but thought I'd pose this question to you anyway. My daughter is in kindergarten and the teacher often has the kids sit on a carpet on the floor to play various games with "clipboards" made of whiteboard material, using dry erasemarkers. My daughter now has seven items of clothing with dry erase marker on them that I can't get off! It doesn't help to ask her to be more careful because several of the marks are across the middle of her back--made by other students in this crowded situation. I waited until November to mention this in an email to the teacher, since I didn't want to seem petty. I offered to buy a classroom set of washable markers for the class if she knew of any alternatives. She never emailed me back. Yesterday another item of clothing came home ruined. Two questions for you: Do you or other readers know how to remove the marker from clothes--or of alternatives--and do you think it was inappropriate for me to bring this up with the teacher? Thanks.
Ron_Fletcher: Absolutely appropriate to bring it up with the teacher--and I encourage doing so in person. We made the switch to white boards this year, which has left me nostalgic for chalk-dust. Indelible markers in the hands of kids--and some adults--is not a good idea. A tactful mention of the expense and inconvenience of markers should open your daughter's teacher's eyes. Good luck.
FBMom95: Mr. Fletcher - I have a son who is currently attending public middle school and excelling. His grades are fantastic (honor roll), he was elected to Student Counsel, he is well-liked has many friends, excels in sports in town, is extremely confident and outgoing and is overall VERY happy and thriving. Unfortunately, the town in which we live has an under-performing school district (MCAS scores, funding, physical state of schools, class-size, etc is less than great). We are in the process of applying to private schools (BC High's innaugural Arrupe as well) and I am concerened about his transition. Is it beter to excel in an underperforming school district where he is happy and thriving (and the where teachers who do their very best under the circumstances are wonderful) or do you think kids just adapt and I am worrying for nothing?
Ron_Fletcher: Your concern strikes me as both warranted and thoughtful. Many parents are relucant to increase the number of obstacles that are already part of the transition from middle school to high school. Students, however, are surprisingly adaptive beings. What they greet with dramatic protest in the abstract they handle well in reality. Share your rationale with your son: let him know that you are aware of the drawbacks as well as the advantages of seeking a challenge greater than the one offered by your local high school. Let him hear in your explanation encouragement and invitation rather than command. I've a sense from your e-mail that that conversation will go well.
FBMom95: Thank you!! (I cringed after reading all the typos and misspelling in my hastily typed question!!) My former English teacher would have red marks all over it!
Ron_Fletcher: You're welcome. Doubtless this medium is one of relaxed standards. Best of luck to you and your son with the big decision.
SunnySkies: Hi there. My 9th grade son has a lot of reading to do over the holdiay break -- is that common?
Ron_Fletcher: If he signed on for an honors or advanced course, some work over the break seems reasonable. Otherwise, I tend to think that solid work throughout the opening two quarters entitles a student to a break that lives up to its name.
Ron_Fletcher: Well, the class bell has sounded here and in my continued effort to "model" punctuality--what Oscar Wilde called "the thief of time"--I sign off, wishing all of you a joyful holiday season. See you in the new year.
Ron_Fletcher: Best,
Ron_Fletcher: Ron
Fancy1: this might sound silly, but are we as parents expected to buy holiday gifts for our kids' teachers? i know you'll say it's not mandatory -- but how common is it? certain teachers i do love and want them to know they're appreciated!
Ron_Fletcher: Yes! I recommend the tangible OED. Off to class....
mo6: Hi Ron, I'm curious if your school has started usuing any online grade reporting software. If so, what's the response been like from students, faculty and parents? Do you thinkt hat constant access to grades by parents of high schooler is necessary or are there some potential drawbacks that we should be aware of?
Ron_Fletcher: Important question. I cannot hustle a response--class is waiting. I will respond in January--or in my column. Thank you.
