I took my exam to be certified to teach English as a Second Language this weekend. Before this test, I took the two-day prep course for the exam. The class was filled, of course. With the majority in Texas being Hispanic, the ESL courses are like meat and potatoes to school districts. Literally (and legally) you can't function without them.
When discussing demographics, a woman raised her hand and asked the teacher if she thought we ought to close our borders. The teacher asked, "what do you mean?" The woman said, "don't you think there is a limit to how many people we can have in our country? I mean, don't you think that we can't have any more people here? What are we going to do with all of them?" The teacher recognized the concern as one that is commonly raised and tried to assure her people have asked this question during every wave of immigration to the States. Very true. Yet what concerns me is the motivation behind the question: almost always it is racism.
The woman was very persistant in having the teacher answer the question directly. She clearly wanted a yes or no question. The class was groaning under its breath as she pressed on. The teacher was trying to be tactful and yet did not agree with the premise of "otherness" or "them-ness" the woman kept expressing.
I did all I could to not boil over. I didn't even open my mouth for fear I'd say something that would make the woman cry. I held my tounge and let the teacher handle it while giving non-verbals of disapproval and weariness.
As I returned to my school, I found out from our ESL teacher that many of the teachers do not like the ESL kids. She has to watch their schedules carefully to make sure they dont' get someone who will fail them out of spite. One teacher, she said, "hates them." I was disheartened. Another teacher told me how one of my kids -- a senior this year -- went to a teacher for help but was having problems with saying it in English. She told him flatly that she would not help him and he needed to learn English first. She is no long with the district, I was also informed, but not because of racism. And this kid is golden. What a gentleman. I'm helping him with his college applications right now. He's very smart.
As a testimony to these kids that so many seem to hate, I'd rather teach these kids than any other group I have. Before you think I'm playing favorites, hardly a class goes by that I don't show personal attention to each student. I always go to their desk and personally talk to them. I always put a hand on their shoulder and let them know they are cared for regardless of who they are. Too many NEVER get told how important they are and do not know they are special to anyone. This is for all my students. I take it very seriously. I always welcome them to class specially when they've missed the day before and let them know they were missed by me. HOWEVER: my kids who come from other countries are HUGELY more responsible, more gracious, more disciplined, more kind, and more respectful. They are diligent and painstaking in their studies. They keep their promises and have high morals. This is my experience and I cannot speak for others. But these kids are amazing students. Discipline is the sign of a good education to their cultures. For ANY student like that, I'd walk 5 extra miles to help them with thier work. It's why I became a teacher.
I'm just disgusted with the racism. I'm disgusted with the treatment these kids get.
At least I've solved one mystery: why did I just keep getting new kids transferring to my class this semester, and why were they all ESL kids? Now I understand. Is a teacher who genuinely cares for students all that rare? Someone, please give me some hope out there. Tell me about good experiences with teachers. Please.