03-08-2015, 01:01 AM
(03-07-2015, 10:57 PM)Donovan Wrote: I have seen some pretty provocative things in a classroom and been responsible for a couple of sketchy moments. For example, in a job preparation segment at an alternative school I spent time in, I secured permission to screen "Clerks" which is pretty racy in parts. But it also had solid redeeming qualities, was pertinent to the subject matter and was also a good object lesson for what it meant to Kevin Smith since the course was an English elective. However, I still had to send written notes home explaining the movie was adult themes and content, excuse any student who didn't wish to attend, and excise a couple of the more bawdy bits like the blowjob argument.
While parental concern never factored into the equation for me with college students, I can imagine it's ever-looming for high school teachers. It's good that you weren't over-sheltering and predictable (boring), while also understanding that you should respect parental concerns in advance.
Based on nothing but a very detail-void story + Olio's 2013 class syllabus + a really good impression of Olio's ability to inspire his students after viewing one of his teaching videos, I think Olio's failure to respect both sides of that coin may be what got him in hot water in the OP case.
Do you have any regrettable in-class teaching memories, Donovan? I do.