Hello Fellow Students
This will be a quick post but something I would love to get your responses on. I recently was floating through the internet and came upon this gem from a teacher who gave a student detention for challenging her on the validity of her instruction, even though he was actually right.
I’ve included the letter here:
Now it’s obvious that this teacher is an idiot, but more importantly I’m interested as to what you think about questioning academic authority. Should this student be punished for what he did or do you think he was justified in openly challenging the teachers curriculum?
Liam McIvor Martin
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Of course the student was justified. A blatant disregard for authority is one of the best things a citizen can have. I wish more students were brave enough to argue for what they know is right. The attitude of this teacher makes me sick.
I completely agree, I really don’t know where academic integrity went. The idea that the student can challenge the teacher is the cornerstone of Socratic discourse and should be respected.
I am 14 and regularly challenge only one of my teachers, who teaches Social Studies and always insists he knows best. He always marks me down, and I hate him and do no work whatever in his classes because I have no respect for him.
I would suggest you refine your arguments and keep refuting him. If your points are justifiable you’ll eventually either win him over or make him look like such an ass that the entire class will get behind you.
It’s one of the greatest academic experiences when you argue with a teacher. Regardless of if you are correct or not, you are going to learn something.