I fully agree that a teacher needs to be cognizant of a child's feelings and by no means "scar" them so to speak. I also think that when a child is trying, they need to be commended for trying.... but not given a grade. There are many students out there struggling that need extra help. I have spent MANY hours tutoring these student, guiding them through active questioning, and encouraging them along the way. What I don't advocate, however, is allowing a student to "get away easy". The problem is that along with the sense of entitlement from parents or students, is that the students become complacent. They don't try anymore. So if I asked a question in class such as "what is an electromagnetic wave?" and called on a student I wouldn't get an answer such as "A bump of water caused by a whale's tail" (an actual answer I received by a student that had grown complacent.... he was not trying to be funny... he just stopped trying). Now you might think that this is a cute answer..... until you hear that it is from 16 year old. Do I tell this student that it is a "Good try?" I wouldn't. But MANY a parent and administrator would complain if i called it like I saw it. Are there bad teachers out there that punish kids just because they don't like them.... giving bad grades, etc. Sure. But I would say the majority of teachers are fair and trying to educate the students.

Thanks for the interesting discussion. I am enjoying it....

Corina Fiore
Writer, Educator, Mother