Reincarnation

[Alexander]

It seemed to me to be glorifying and finding justification for hatred.

The trouble here is I am not really hateful toward anyone; however, no one could like these students. They make the job of the teacher into hell. If the job was sane and the teacher was not beaten up every day by the administrative staff, it would be easier. But, if that is the situation, it is insane.

I will give one of my discipline logs to the V.P. to illustrate.

Hi Mr. W---:

Before entering class, I had the students line up in the hall. Several students had difficulty doing this. Z--- and J--- were halfway down the stairs playing games. I asked them 2x to get in line with everyone else. They did not comply with this request. Y--- tried to enter the room before anyone else. She tried to push past me physically and open the door as I was telling her to wait patiently. I told Y--- she needed to wait and be respectful or I would send her to the office. She again tried to push past me before stopping.

I told the students I was having them line up to help them. By lining up, they would be better able to enter class courteously and respectfully. Finally, the students were let into the room. M---. was wandering around. I directed him to take his seat 2x. K--- was also out of her seat. I directed her to sit down. I instructed the students to settle down and to take out a piece of paper. Many students did not have supplies so I supplied I---, R---, N---, M---, T---, J---, and Z--- with paper. I supplied 2 students with pencils. While I was providing them with materials the students behaved in a way that was very discourteous. I asked them to relax and take it easy. The students had difficulty complying with this. When I gave M--- a paper she exclaimed angrily, "I don't need paper!" and crumpled the paper up.

The students were directed to the board where I had written a review question. I attempted to have a class discussion reviewing the novel while eliciting responses from the students. I continually corrected the behaviors of students who were talking and disrupting the discussion. Among these were N---, T---, and M---.

The students had trouble responding to my questions. I went through each question and wrote notes on the board to help them answer. I directed the students to write their responses using the discussion and notes, then to pick up their copy of the text and independently read the next 3 parts. The page numbers were written on the board.

I went around to T---, N---, Z---, M---, R---, and I--- and redirected them. I did this at least 1x for each student. These students did not get on task and effectively sat with a blank paper.

I sent R--- out of the room at 1:00. R--- was work noncompliant. I had issued the students a warning that the next person who talked would be sent out. R--- said "Balls!" I called down to the office. R--- left the room and then returned a short time later. I asked if he had been sent back up. Returning to class, R--- was adversarial and told me how he was not at fault. He told me he would not complete any work for me for the remainder of class. He told me he hated school and was not at fault.

I sent J--- out of the room at 1:06. J--- was not on task with his assignment and his behavior was disruptive. J--- kept banging and making noises. At one point J--- let out a loud screech. I told J--- to go to the office and called down. J--- took my pass as he left the room. I told J--- to put the pass down. J--- was sent back up to me a short time later. At this time I told J--- to go back to the office and sit there till the period ended. At this time J--- left the room.

I sent Z--- out at 1:07.

Further behaviors:
E--- was work noncompliant. She sat with a blank piece of paper. I redirected her to the assignment and reviewed it for her. She still sat and made no effort. Later, she was copying Y---'s paper. I told E to give me Y---'s paper as she was plagiarizing. E--- put her hands over the two papers and blocked Y---'s paper. This was very disrespectful and egregious.

K--- has been told multiple times not to throw things in the classroom. She threw objects across the room 2-3x. This is totally unacceptable behavior as she is reminded almost daily and corrected immediately each time she throws an object. Throwing things is dangerous to students, disrespectful, and negatively affects the academic atmosphere of a classroom.

I--- refused to change seats when I asked him. I told I--- that refusing to change his seat is not acceptable and I needed him to change where he was sitting. Sitting next to I---, R--- moved his seat instead. I consented to this because I needed I--- to move because he kept talking with R---. However, I--- should have changed his seat.

Respect for books, the classroom
The Per students are reminded constantly of the need to preserve the condition of the school's books and the classroom. I remind them not to lift the books by the title page; not to put the books on the floor; not to play with the books; not to bring candy or gum to class; and not to litter in the room. K--- is the most egregious offender when it comes to harming the quality of the room. M--- and T--- also have difficulty treating the books and the room with respect. The students need to keep their desks on the ground and not throw or strew things across the room.

Swearing
The swearing from the Per students - I---, J---, and M--- in particular - is not acceptable. Students are told constantly to use language which is appropriate for school and not to swear in the classroom.

Thanks,

Ha, I am trying to find an image I took last year, of a giant "FUCK" a student carved on a desk.

[bodhimind]

I feel for you Alexander... Goodness knows how stressful it is to teach a bunch of rowdy kids who have no self-awareness. I myself taught young kids for tuition and while they were less mischievous than yours, they were already hard to teach. I cannot imagine teaching a huge class (full of teenagers I presume?) where hormones are raging and hijacking their ability to act sensibly. It's no wonder why a huge percentage of admissions to mental hospitals are usually teachers.

I feel that we cannot discount culture here too. Culture, to me, is somewhat like a "hive-mind" that slowly polarizes everyone within its vicinity towards a certain group of behaviours. I'd probably even call it the rebellious age... I've seen kind children turn into insensible, hormone-hijacked and angry kids over weeks.

Vandalisms... disruptive behavior in classes... Making loud noises... Swearing... Even physical bullying from the kids (whose parents will jump on you with just a word from the kid)... And I know teachers have to bear with all that trouble just because of how the schools have turned into a "commercial" service where parents pay for their kids' education and hence as a service-provider, teachers can't do anything about it.

Contrast that to the ancient eastern teaching culture, where teachers had respect and final authority even over the parents, and kids were hit on their knuckles with sharp rulers when they misbehaved (corporal punishment). Of course I am not advocating corporal punishment, but it also shows how the current culture itself is impeding education itself, instead of helping it flourish more.

[Zack]

I agree it is insane, and the problems run extremely deep. I was basically reacting to the language used, and Cal made a good point about perception.  I have to run out the door so can't write more than that at the moment.

[Jhanananda]

...I cannot imagine teaching a huge class (full of teenagers I presume?) where hormones are raging and hijacking their ability to act sensibly. It's no wonder why a huge percentage of admissions to mental hospitals are usually teachers.

This reminds me that my step sister used to teach school in San Francisco.  She was given a large sum of money from a family member (most likely my father).  She did not even cash the check.  She went out and bought a large amount of coke, drew a hot bath and overdosed.  Clearly she was sick of life as a school teacher, and could not see how a large sum of money would make any difference in her life.

I feel that we cannot discount culture here too. Culture, to me, is somewhat like a "hive-mind" that slowly polarizes everyone within its vicinity towards a certain group of behaviours. I'd probably even call it the rebellious age... I've seen kind children turn into insensible, hormone-hijacked and angry kids over weeks.

Well, I had two kids and they certainly had their teenage rebellion, which I believe is essential developmental behavior; however, the culture is truly insane, which I believe is why my step sister committed suicide.

Contrast that to the ancient eastern teaching culture, where teachers had respect and final authority even over the parents, and kids were hit on their knuckles with sharp rulers when they misbehaved (corporal punishment). Of course I am not advocating corporal punishment, but it also shows how the current culture itself is impeding education itself, instead of helping it flourish more.

I spent about 4 years growing up in the British commonwealth, where caning was common, and being an American, I was caned more than the other kids.  Yes, discipline was in the classroom, but I did not see how brutalizing children makes for a better culture, just a submissive one.

Catholicism's traditional solution to culture control was to have the priests sexually molest precocious children, and the nuns beating them.  It does make for a submissive culture that believes that they should make a big donation to the church upon their death for them to get into heaven; however, it has only lead to a deeply corrupted religion.

So, to me the only true solution to the problems of any society is for everyone to get that cultivating deep meditation will solve all of the problems of civilization. And, if those who cannot develop the skill of deep meditation would only value, and support, those who are willing to make the commitment to do so, and listen to their advice, then all civilizations that do so would truly manifest a golden age.

[Zack]

To finish my thought, no matter how mentally ill, damaged, deluded, violent, or whatever, people are (and kids, in this instance) I don't think anyone is irredeemable or worthless. Realistically, of course, it's wise to steer clear of those that are unconsciously acting out their pain, and to remove yourself from unhealthy situations. Some days I feel like I need to remove myself to a closet, or a cave somewhere; other days it seems like it's myself I need to steer clear of.

At least you tried to help, Alexander; that's more than most people can say.

[Sam Lim]

Help those who wants help. From experience, those who does not want to be helped would not accept help. It always takes time, a lot of time to change depending on the culture and family situation or religious indoctrination. I suppose one should have faith and patience if one really wants to help.

Alexander, I do not pretend to know your situation even if I do "understand". If it's only when I am in your shoe , then I would truly understand. I do admire your aspiration.

[Jhanananda]

To finish my thought, no matter how mentally ill, damaged, deluded, violent, or whatever, people are (and kids, in this instance) I don't think anyone is irredeemable or worthless. Realistically, of course, it's wise to steer clear of those that are unconsciously acting out their pain, and to remove yourself from unhealthy situations. Some days I feel like I need to remove myself to a closet, or a cave somewhere; other days it seems like it's myself I need to steer clear of.

At least you tried to help, Alexander; that's more than most people can say.

Good advice, Zack.

[Sam Lim]

Stevenson Reincarnation Research

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRTBoRFTczI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scOQ7alpMBg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ge0-WCom0Ls