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Lesson Plans


misconstrued sexuality

From: Mark Alexander (malexander06)
Date: Wed Jun 14 2000 - 04:12:59 PDT

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    I think this is great! I'm glad to hear these reports on the CBS show. I
    almost never watch TV, especially in the daytime, but I had always wondered
    how T. Lautrec could be a problem drinker, so homely, yet seemingly so
    popular with women! That's a hoot! And I want a larger darkroom, too, but I
    won't try this tactic. As a male art teacher in K-8 schools, I am forced to
    be exceedingly cautious about anything which might be misconstrued.

    I am scared I'll be accused of being a pedophile of something for otherwise
    normal behavior for normal teacher/student relationships. To site only one
    of numerous examples, a few weeks ago a very lovely 6th grade girl gave me a
    massive hug in the hall outside the artroom which was witnessed by two other
    teachers and a dozen kids. The hug was a spontaneous response for giving her
    extra time for a favorite project, but to judge from the comments I heard
    later, it looked like something else.

    On the podium at the graduation ceremonies last night, I announced the Art
    Award recipient, then stuck out my hand for a formal congratulation shake,
    but the rather voluptuous 14 year old girl gave me a crushing hug and kiss,
    with lifted heel and all. She was excited to have been publicly recognized
    for her achievements, but there were later murmurs about the
    inappropriateness of the response, because I am a man. The women teachers
    (almost all the other teachers are women) get and give hugs and kisses every
    day with no comment.

    I am generally a warm, approachable, and safe guy. My students respond to
    that, and I feel that my rapport with them is a positive force in their art
    and their lives. However, these are frightening times. The climate is
    dangerous for a male teacher. I'm scared that some innocent incident will be
    misconstrued as a sexual action and my career will be in jeopardy.

    Any thoughts on this?

    Mark
    Region One in northwest Connecticut

    -----Original Message-----
    From: Batmom44 <Batmom44>
    To: ArtsEdNet Talk <artsednet>
    Date: Wednesday, June 14, 2000 6:17 AM
    Subject: Re: CBS Sunday morning

    >I am still laughing. So don't keep us in suspense. What did they say? Would
    >this be the male art teacher's solution to the tiny dark room problem?
    >Reatha 

    ---

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