"You want kids to come to class? You want them to get excited?"

[Buzz Clik]

7. Hm.

I have a MAEd, so anytime a student actually challenges me on methods, I ask them if they have had fillings installed in their teeth or any other dental work, extractions, anything? When they say yes, then I remind them that they were there all along while the dentists worked on them, and so they wouldn't mind extracting or filling their own tooth next time, would they?

Protests. Then I have to point out the obvious: simply being around an educated practitioner does not mean that you can do any part of their job, that you are a consumer, and when consumers go against professional advice, they cut their toes off underneath lawn mowers, they poison themselves by leaving raw chicken on the counter, and they shoot themselves in the foot trying a quick draw.

So, if a patient is in total agony after the Novocaine wears off, that patient should shut up and deal with it because he/she isn't a dentist?

I will grant you that we know nothing of the teacher other than she is dismissing the student. However, having ushered a helluva lot of kids through school, I get this kid's point.

My dad was a high school teacher in South Chicago, which makes Duncan look like a private prep school, so I get that teaching reluctant kids is an enormous challenge.

I would invite you to this thread to express your feelings: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1124&pid=6303 You'll see that you and I are not as far apart as my reaction to your comments might indicate.