| Subject: Re: Assignment #2 |
Author:
Joi Howard
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Date Posted: 15:00:03 06/15/10 Tue
In reply to:
Dr. M-J
's message, "Assignment #2" on 19:25:40 06/11/10 Fri
>Assignment 2 (Behaviorism): June 13
>Post a response to the following question by first
>clicking onto "Post a Reply to this Message"
>
>Think of a problem/situation in your area (teaching or
>counseling or as a parent) where you would use of have
>used behavioristic or social learning theories.
>Provide an example of the problem/situation and the
>solution.
As a first year high school teacher in Memphis City Schools, there have been numerous instances in which I have recognized the correlation between student behavior and the environment in which he/she lives. One key problem that has affected the extent to which I can connect and communicate with my students has been substance/ drug abuse. Admittedly, it took numerous self reflections and observations on my part to realize that this was partially the reason some of my students could not grasp the material I explained in class. On occasion, as a teacher I have realized that it is practically impossible to communicate information to a child when he/she is not in a sober mental state. Not even the most intensive instruction or most well prepared lessons will help a teacher with this issue.
Whereas, this problem has become increasingly prevalent among many of the youth in our society, there was one instance this year that put a lot of light on why this issue affects many teenagers. Initially, I made an assumption that much of the substance abuse was due to negative peer pressure and due to the influence gangs and drug dealers have on the local community. While much of this may be the case, a key element I did not take into account was the substance abuse displayed by many of the parents in front of students. Particularly, there was a child who stated that he had aspirations of becoming a “big time” drug dealer. He bragged about smoking marijuana, etc. in front of the entire class. In a private conversation with the student, I asked “why didn’t he have goals of becoming someone better and legal, unlike a drug dealer?” and “what would his parents think of his substance abuse and aspirations of becoming a criminal?” The student then stated “Me and my mama smoke marijuana together all the time so she wouldn’t have any problems with it.” It was this moment that I realized that much of the negative behaviors my students exhibit, such as drug abuse, are not only a result of peer pressure or peer influence, but also due to things that occur in the home environment they live in. Please note, however that I am not suggesting that all of the parents of my students do such things. This was an isolated incident that may be more prevalent among many other students than is currently known.
As a teacher there is a limit to what I can do to counter a child that has been using drugs or alcohol. I simply try to reach the student as much as possible through his/her inebriated state. As an aid to my students, I usually offer copies of powerpoint presentations, notes and additional tutoring after school to review any material that might not have been grasped in class. However, if I could offer a clearer solution to this problem, I would certainly make parents more accountable for their behaviors. That is because much of the behaviors they exhibit affect their children currently and will continue to do so in the future if the child continues to use illegal substances. If a teacher observes that a child is under the influence, the school should have the right to request that the student seek help from 1 of the many counseling services offered within the school system. In addition, their parents should be required to attend the counseling services, so they can tackle any alcohol or drug related problems together. In fact, it should be a requirement in some cases that the counseling be sought after or either apply appropriate consequences to parents for a lack of involvement. This cycle of negative behaviors needs to be stopped because it hinders an educator’s ability to teach and connect with students.
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