I found “A Pedagogy of Kindness” to be the most interesting read this week. I really like the idea that both create and I really do think the authors are onto something. Being in the classroom, whether you are a student or a teacher, should be a loving, kind and safe space. Children will thrive in a space that is comforting. Although I do think the concept of kindness and love in the classroom makes perfect sense and is ideal, what happens when that is just not possible? What happens when there are factors that do not make the environment loving , and kind and safe. Sure it’s a goal, but not every student is going to feel that way all the time. For instance, what if there is a child that just does not allow that to be possible. What happens when you are being kind and not thinking of your students as “antagonists” or assuming they will do the worst, and you have a student that is doing all the wrong things. Again, this might be an issue that I see because I do work with younger children. Students don’t usually struggle with behavior and respecting others too much in college (at least I hope they don’t) but in lower levels it’s a big issue. Is it different for them? Do they need the firm boundary? I like to think that I make my students feel comfortable and they feel as though I am kind, but also that I have clear boundaries and expectations. Is it a little bit of both ? She uses the example of giving her students extensions on assignments. I give extensions all the time! I understand that life throws things at you and sometimes my schedule does not align with the students. I AM a student who needs extensions constantly, so I have to understand. However, normally that’s a private thing that I talk to just that student about. If it was a known thing that I am not too strict on deadlines I would never receive any work. At what point is it just being a pushover and no longer being kind?
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