Sophomore boy: I’m a real man! A grown man!
Me: Know what real men don’t do? Announce they are grown men. Everyone knows because of how he behaves and treats others. A real man doesn’t pound his chest telling people. That’s what boys do.
Class: Ohhhhh! Got ‘em!
Sophomore boy: Told ya Mrs D is a thug.
Lessons often go far beyond state standards and curriculum. It takes a village to raise a child, and teachers are definitely part of that village. While I would love for students to leave my room knowing how to evaluate literature, utilize critical thinking skills, and write well, I want them to be functioning members of society even more.
Indoctrinating students? HA! Not even close. We aren’t that powerful, nor do we have that much time or energy. Will we challenge them to be decent, contributing members of society? Absolutely. Many times, that means we have to challenge their thinking.
When a young man walks in, pounding his chest and claiming to be a “real man,” I will correct that line of thinking. I asked this young man how he shows up for people, how he protects and provides for others. I asked if he thinks about others more than his own needs and wants.
The poor guy never stood a chance in this discussion.
After a few questions, I told him he was still learning, and that was okay too. This even opened up into a whole class discussion on what being a man means. Some have some wild ideas as to what that means. Some students seemed to be voicing their desire to have an involved father in their lives, while others clearly have incredible examples in their lives.
You’ll find me living that thug life (I just rolled my own eyes, you don’t need to), while trying to raise up these children in the way they should go. Or maybe I just want more for these young men that what our society might expect of them.