While reading this story I couldn't help but notice how cranky and mean Mr.Harvey was. He was very harsh towards his students and insulted them. He would tell his students that they were no good and couldn't speak right. I don't know if this was just a bad case of tough love or what. I think that he was so hard on his students because of his childhood and how it was a battle for him to get to where he is now.
I can strongly relate to this type of behavior. My fiance's father treats him so bad. He takes out on him the fact that he never got a childhood. He insults my fiance about spending money on fun trips for our family and for doing fun things. He always says, "Why go out and waste your money and time on playing around with your family, when you should be working and saving your money. Family is nothing but a burden and a huge price tag." This just breaks my heart to hear him say these types of things. I know that he is just looking out for our best interest, but doesn't know how to verbalize that in a decent manor.
This was an interesting story to read. I would have to say that I think that Mr.Harvey has the children's best interest at heart, but struggles with channeling those concerns in a constructive fashion. Giving advice and constructive critisism would go a lot farther with his students then degrating them.
Hi Andrea,
ReplyDeleteI really like your "tough love" statement. That could be so true. I can't imagine how your fiance must feel towards his dad. I understand a little bit about this. When I was growing up my family never went on trips together, my dad thought it was a waste of money. I promised my family we would travel as much as we could. I have kept that promise. I also agree that Mr. Harvey needs to give constructive criticism. Great writing. Thank you. Barb
Hi Andrea,
ReplyDeleteYour post has me thinking about where we draw the line between sharing our two cents and letting people make choices for their own lives. In the case of Mr. Harvey, he certainly feels entitled to tell students they won't amount to anything, but is that really his right to say as a teacher? Certainly, the ability to speak, read and write standard English is used to evaluate people and can determine future success, but there has to be a way to tell students the truth without degrading them.
Thanks for your insights!
Lauren
I agree with your post in that Mr. Harvey should be giving constructive critisim rather than degrading them. I think that when you degrade someone you are just keeping them down. Instead, it would be better if he built the children up, thereby fostering confidence in the children so that they feel they can succeed in school and in life.
ReplyDeleteHi Andrea,
ReplyDeleteI’m sorry that your fiancés father thinks family comes with a huge price tag and that his not very nice. I think the whole point of working hard is so that you can provide the best for your family and what your fiancés does with his family on taking fun trips or doing what he does with his family is providing the best for his family. His spending valuable time with his family and there is no price tag on these moments or family. About Mr. Harvey I do agree that there is a better way on trying to help his students other then degrading them.
Hi Andrea,
ReplyDeleteI also think he has the children's best interest at heart but he doesn't know how to voice those concerns more positively. Maybe he has been so frustrated in his life that he just has pent up anger. He definitely was a very bad teacher and he could have taught them in a better way.
Hi Andrea,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you I didn't like his teaching methods, what's interesting in the story is that Lovey would try and see the best in him, she didn't hate him like the other students. I learned about the background from you as for why he acts the way he does to those students. Thanks,
Brittany
Your analogy is great with the story and I like how you bring the word "tough love". That's the word I was looking for in my writing my essay. It's good that we can relate the readings to our life!
ReplyDelete