[etni] [FWD: Re: response to still wanting to be a teacher

From: Lev Abramov <lev.abramov@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Re: response to still wanting to be a teacher
 
Folks,
I want to stop this exchange of opinions before it turns into and
exchange
of accusations, and say the following:
1. I was not the initiator of the poll - the ETNI owners were - and
cannot
be held responsible for that.
2. I did not send the link to the videoclip to the list.
3. I posted my comment regarding the possible influence of viewing the
clip
on the poll results because I saw some connection between the two.
4. I posted the comment because of the pity I feel to all those teachers
who
(like myself) have to endure unnecessary and undeserved humiliation by
pupils/parents/adminstration etc. It was an expression of compassion
[probably laid out in a manner that was not sufficiently revealing its
intention] and should only be treated as such, not as an attempt to
insult
Aviva and all those who think likewise.
5. Lack of non-verbal clues (facial expression/tone of voice/body
language
etc) makes it possible for the readers to interpret messages as either
straightforward or sarcastic, depending solely on their inclination.
Smileys
and winks are usually used to bridge this gap when the author wants to
stress the humor / irony / sarcasm. When I called Aviva an understanding
teacher no emoticons were added, hence there is no reason to interpret
my
message as anything but straightforward: I am sure you are an
understanding
teacher, Aviva. No winks.
6. There seems to be more than one interpretation of both the intentions
and
the results of the poll, as well as those of the videoclip - not to
mention
my posting. Long live ambiguity - life and the English language would be
so
boring without it. There CAN and SHOULD be more than one interpretation
of
most non-linear things in this world, Aviva - and very often more than
one
is correct. :) [that was a smiley]
7. Let us agree to continue disagreeing. Let us also agree to refrain
from
interpreting each other's messages as insulting as long as another
option
exists. The default hypothesis should be "this message is constructive,
 well-meant and not insulting." Only if you fail to interpret it as such
should you try other, less appealing interpretations.
 8. In the unlikely case someone wants to insult someone on the list,
let's
agree to prepend the message with an appropriate disclaimer: "With an
intention to insult X, I'd like to say that..." - how do you like the
idea?
9. No profession is perfect, but the imperfection of teaching is
astonishing. I am not even sure it IS a profession. "Being a teacher"
might
well belong to a list like that:
 
- no jam on toast
- spanking
- suspension for a week
- expulsion
- a heavy fine
- revocation of licence
- a year in jail
- incarceration
 - hard labor
 - death by hanging
- crucifixion.
 
And, honestly, I'd rank teaching closer to "chaining to the ore in
galleys"
than to "no maple syrup for your pancakes today" ...
Thank you for reading this longish posting.
Cordially -
Lev


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