Abstract

Mr. Kettering fought hard for something he believed in. He saw a chance to enrich his student’s lives and make a difference in the world. His students and co-workers disagreed on doing this AIDS fundraiser but that just made him want to go through with it even more. The students didn’t feel comfortable with doing this walkathon because they were uneducated about this issue and also their parents and community’s views were passed on to them. At the end it looked like Mr. Kettering didn’t get his opportunity to do this particular event but it was very important and encouraging that he tried. I hope one day I will fight for things in the school system that I believe in.

Case Study 4.2 Analysis

     In this case study Chris Kettering tries to get his class of seniors to participate in a walkathon to raise money to help fight AIDS. He was shocked when they reacted negatively to his idea. Maybe he was surprised because it was his first year teaching or because he was not use to the conservative school. He took the issue to the principal and a fellow teacher. They both advised him not do the walkathon. The authorities at the school had prejudices and so did the students.  When Kettering brought the AIDS walkathon up again in class they quickly rejected it.

     Mr. Kettering was right to try to get his students interested in a good cause. Most of the time people only have prejudices against people with AIDS because they are uneducated about AIDS.  It is ridiculous to think that everyone effected by put themselves in a situation to get the disease.  It is completely possible for children to receive it from a parent. Even those people who were affected by the disease through fault of their own do not mean they do not need a cure just as much. AIDS already takes millions of lives each year; if we do not do anything to stop this epidemic it could start to infect the rest of the world at an alarming rate. 

A Teacher’s values play a huge part in their teaching decisions. Technically teachers are not supposed to inflict their personal views on their students, which they should not try to convert students to their way of thinking, but it is almost impossible not to let your personal opinions slip out. Everything teachers teach affects their students. Teachers need to realize that they are role models for their students and that everything they do needs to set a good example. Teachers never stop being role models, even after school hours. A lot of students do not have parents that are good examples so they find someone to look up to else where.

     Mr. Kettering should persist with his fight to get the students and administration to understand what an epidemic AIDS is. If he fails and they do not see his point of view then he should probably move to a different school. He should go to a school where he would be able to take his students on field trips and participate in fundraisers. It seems that Mr. Kettering has a lot of good ideas and he should teach at a school that is willing to allow him to teach more freely because students need to know about these current events.

     Mr. Kettering saw an opportunity to do something good in his community and in the lives of his students. He took a big risk by asking for permission to do the walkathon. Even though no one agreed with him it is good he fought for something he believed in and I hope he continues to fight for it. I hope that all teachers are willing to fight for good causes and the things that they know are right.