Students in my AP US History class were confused by the term “otherism,” which they heard during a video about immigration. One student, Ashley, turned to me and asked, “Are g*psies considered others?” Her tone sounded genuinely curious, and it was clear she didn’t realize the term she used is considered offensive. None of the other students reacted, which led me to believe they also did not know its harmful connotation. I saw this as a valuable opportunity to clarify the meaning of “otherism” and to open a discussion about the impact of language, but I didn't want to embarrass Ashley. Her question was valid student inquiry, and my response could discourage her or other students from asking questions in the future.
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Margarita
10th Grade
US History
First Year Teaching
- What is the teacher's dilemma? Consider the teacher's goals, possible actions, beliefs about the situation and the students, and their own self-perceptions.
- Complete or modify the following sentence in a way that captures the teacher's central tension in the situation: "While on the one hand, the teacher believed/wanted/felt/did __________, on the other hand, they believed/wanted/felt/did __________."
- Thinking about your own classroom, how do you create a safe space for genuine student questions while ensuring your classroom remains a respectful learning environment?