Thursday, February 28, 2008
Hmm...
Well, after reading several posts from a former student who hadn't been on our blog in a while, I felt that I needed to create another topic. Now, I don't want this to sound as though I don't want "Trekkie" to post, I do. I just want our discussion to be about the issues, not personal attacks. If you disagree, say so, and back it up with a point. To steal a line from a fellow teacher's blog in Muskegon, "this is not MySpace, it's My Space"...I will take down comments that are hurtful to people, whether it is me or any other person on this blog. I hope that would not discourage anyone from posting, but if it does, then I guess you really shouldn't be posting here anyway.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
29 comments:
Sooo, are you finally beginning to realize that "trekkie" might not be who you think it is?
Maybe you should learn a lesson about assumptions...
I always knew you couldnt withstand the truth. You claim you dont mind apposing opinions, but as soon as someone posts something you dont like you delete it...hmmmm I think there is a VOCAB word that could describe this, maybe HYPOCRITE, or maybe even LIAR!
Trekkie, your picture has been a part of your profile, so if you are not Brian, I will start taking down your posts as we made a rule that no one could post annonymously here.
Actually, I think I have done a great job of withstanding the truth. I really don't mind opposing (spell correctly, please) opinions. I DON'T like posts that simply attack me, rather than ideas.
I am not usually a hypocrite, but I think we ALL accidentally find ourselves in that position from time to time. It happens. BUT, I am most certainly NOT a liar.
I will no longer respond to your posts unless you begin bringing up points, arguing ideas etc, rather than just attack a person's character. Unfortunately for you, I think you missed who I am. What a shame.
...and look, now I am President Bush, simply because my profile picture show it!!
Actually images of most people are quite common on the internet, especially if they are on the internet quite often!
Well, then, I guess I will contact HHS and make sure Brian knows you are using his photo and I will take down your posts. Believe it or not, it's not personal. It's just that, after the fiasco of anonymous blogging through Story Chat and Ms. Day's previous blog, I do not want annonymous blogging. I realize that I have no real way of telling if you are who you say you are. I am going off the assumption that you wouldn't need to hide behind a fake name. If you can't stand up to that, then I will delete all of your posts. If you can, no problem...
Trekkie, you take the time out of your day to attack a teacher, an English teacher nonetheless, but you can't take the extra couple of seconds to spell check? or even proofread for grammar?
Exhibit A: apposing? huh??
Exhibit B: "...because my profile picture show it!"
Besides that, you are a heartless worm hiding behind a silly show for a screen name. If you're so tough, let's find out who you really are!
Love,
Mike Lewis
Mrs. Cantu,
I really wish we could get over all of this, but I think there will always be small people out there. But, I know you know that there are so many of us who care so much about you. You made high school feel like a safe place, and you helped me to learn how to stand up for my beliefs, and for that I will always be grateful.
Maya, Becky, Sarah, and I are all in town this week and next weekend, spring break. I'm seeing them tomorrow night so I'll let them know you'll be at the musical, Saturday night, right? I don't know their schedules yet, but maybe we'll see you there!
Maura
This is just silly. Trekkie, if you aren't already an adult, you're damn close, and it's about time you stop acting like a child. Name-calling and anonymously teasing and making fun of? Grow up. Here Mrs. Cantu (I will never get used to saying that) is, trying to stay connected with students and do something good and constructive, and you have to cause drama. If you're going to act like a child, then here's your Kindergarten lesson: If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all.
It is important for everyone to keep in mind facts instead and the person's character. But frivolous posting will not solve any problems for ya trekkie.
-KGB
No truly powerful person in this world has ever accomplished anything without overcoming obstacles and close minded people who were unwilling to accept differences in opinions.
I applaud you Mrs. Cantu for doing what you did for Howell Public Schools. No matter how you feel on the issue you must respect the fact that you followed what you believed in, fought for it, and not only did you accomplish your goal (exposing kids to a book that could change their lives) but your brought together a community. You might have brought some of them together against you but none the less you brought them together. I am saddened to think all the work was lost when you left, no one having the guts to continue the great works that you had started.
As for those who want to ban books within schools as am very scared for them they do not know the slope they are going down. When we allow the government (or in the case the school board) to control what we can and can not view we balance on a precipice of control.... have you ever heard this quote....
First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out -
because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out -
because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out -
because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak for me.
It is time we respect people who speak out. If you do not watch to carefully we will be forced back into reading books which only tell one side of any story, or lack literary value.
Will we ban Romeo and Juliet for the violence? or the sex? will we ban Huckleberry Fin for language?
Did you know the banned the LORAX by Dr. Seuss?? Come on what good does that do? What are you keeping from students when you ban a book?
Maybe we should ban Picasso, he did drugs you know, that's what helped him paint so well....should we keeps kids from seeing what drugs will do to you?
The other point to think about is to consider why most great literary work is written. Most of the greatest stories were inspired by the obstacles of a troubled life, books like "The Color Purple" or "Uncle Tom's Cabin", or "Bridge to Terrabithia" (my absolute favorite book, and a highly banned book). It is because of these terrible things that we read these books. These obstacles have formed them into amazing books.
Should we not learn about the Holocaust? It was a terrible thing; people were killed in disgusting, hateful and deplorable ways. Should we close the Holocaust Museum becuase it discusses issue which kids shouldn't hear about?
I hope what I have to say makes some of you think. I respect the students who told Ms. Capy (now Cantu) that they didn't want to read the book, and we tell them they don't have to. I also respect the kids who did read the book, learned something from it and then stood up for what they believed in.
If we can learn nothing else from this experience we need to remember that it is right to stand up for what you believe in despite the voices which bring you down. The loudest voice comes from the most unlikely places.
Thank you Mrs. Cantu from teaching our district that we can change for the better.
^^^
Well said. :D
Mrs. Cantu,
I don't understand how someone (trekkie) can talk like that to you because all I have ever seen from you is a strong-willed, open minded, brave soul who cares about her students more than herself. You have taught me and so many others about the meaning of what is right and wrong. You truly did make High school a safe place for me and a place where I wanted to be. You taught me to be myself and to stand up for my beliefs. I can't have thank you enough for how much you have done for me. Apparently trekkie, you don't know Mrs. Cantu at all if you call her a liar or a hypocrite. Maybe you need to rethink what you say before you say it...see if there is any truth to what YOU are saying.
I am NOT making blank accusations! Everything I have said is 100% true, it just you guys are blindly following her and cant see what a dangerous and NASTY person she can really be. For that I am very sorry for you and hope long for the day each of you realizes this.
Trekkie, if you really have nothing better to do than get online and bad mouth a teacher, then I truly feel sorry for you. Find a better use of your time, this is pathetic.
Opinions can not be 100% true. It's impossible. You can't prove your opinion of someone, yes maybe you feel her behavior warrants your opinion of her but becuase it is an opinions others can take that same behavior and see it as forming a good opinion of her. So Trekkie I am sorry but you can not claim what you are saying is 100% true simply becuase it is opinion and not fact. If you would like to start stating facts then we can have a real arguement if all you are going to so is state opinons we can not have a viable discussions, it clear you OPINION of Ms. Cantu is she isn't a good person but it seems there are many others here who have the oppisite OPINION!!
I'd say she is not a good TEACHER, I dont know her as a person so I cannot tell if she is a good or bad person.
Yes, I do, but these are all traits that she shows when teaching. If you need examples I can show them.
Please, show! (If such things exist)
Just a few off the top of my head under the LYING category, which she CLAIMS she is "most certainly NOT a liar."
1) Most recently, "I will no longer respond to your posts" just two posts later, she responds!!
2) She states she likes opposing view points, but whenever people confront her with them she gets extremely defensive and gets all her "buddies" together to "get you." A couple examples, THIS BLOG!! Not only attacking the district for not allowing HHS to teach FW last year, Fyke for her opposing views, and my points. All of which where pretty much ignored and just attacked.
3)My favorite: She stated that if anyone could pass the final vocab exam they wouldnt be required to to take tests for the remainder of the year. A couple students take the test, PASS it, and what does she do? She "changes her mind" and changes the vocab format so NO ONE (except the ones that passed the test in the FIRST PLACE!).
Trekkie,
1. You're right. I did respond to your posts about me. It happens. I spent far too long last year NOT defending myself.
2. I didn't "get my buddies" to defend me. Maybe they agree with my view and not yours? And yes, I attack the district for the FWD because I obviously believe that it is a good book and believe it can easily be used to teach the MI content standards and benchmarks, it easily fits in with the "essential questions and dispositions", it also is challenging for students who have never read such raw personal narrative style etc. I also ALWAYS stated that I truly believed it was every student/family's right to opt out of the book if it was something they felt comfortable with. As for Vikki Fyke, until this recent post, I have NEVER said anything, even in my classes as you were obviously a part of, about her. She SLAMMED me in the paper, publicly and on the Story Chat, and I had NEVER met the woman before. She didn't just slam the book. That I can handle and have a conversation about. BUT, she did not do that. She attacked me and my character...and she didn't know the facts.
3. You're right. I faintly remember that. I believe there were three students who attempted to take the final vocab test. Only one passed it. If that was you, then you are not Brian and I know who you are. I am sorry for that one. An explanation of why I did that (though I will certainly admit that I was wrong and should have stuck to my original word. I am admitting that I made a poor decision on that one). I spoke with some other English teachers because the student who did pass (and everyone in that fifth hour class knew who it was) seemed to get so much right that I was concerned, not that he cheated, but that he was recalling, not learning. Please understand that it wasn't until later in the year that I really learned the capabilities of this student and learned that he really is pretty much a genius when it comes to vocabulary and the like. Had he brought it up to me again, I KNOW I would have reconsidered once again. Alas, it's over. It was some vocab tests that this particular student never scored less than an A on anyway. So, if it is you, Ben, then I do apologize and wish you would have approached. If you are one of his friends, please at least pass that along for me.
I know I will not change your mind about me, I can tell this from your tone. I am sad about that as I can't think of a single student that I had last year that I didn't utterly respect and admire, maybe even ESPECIALLY those who didn't want to read the book. The arguments that came from the students regarding their desire to not read the book as they were much more respectful about it and able to express their reasons than many of the adults involved.
So...now just because I brought up vocab, you think I'm Ben?!
Nope, I really don't think you're Ben either. And, I guess there's another one of my "lies", as I said if you didn't come forward with who you are, I was going to delete all of your comments.
I whole heartedly agree with trekkie!
You are such a tool.
What do you mean by "such a tool?"
And to whom are you speaking?
Ok, this is getting out of hand. Please stop doing this posting.
Also, I said in a previous topic that if Hillary won Texas and Ohio I'd see the play. I went Friday Night.
Awe, Kyle, I was hoping you would be there tonight so I could get a chance to say hi!
Did you like the play Kyle?
The play was cool, I couldnt make it tonight though. There was an awesome tennis tournment that I had to go to (indoor) Got 2nd place =D. Could of had 1st if I didnt die in the middle of the match =/.
The play was cool. Story line was a bit bizarre but everyone did great. Behan missed tennis for it =P
Post a Comment