Dr. Leland asked a dreadful question to me: what will you do if a high school student gives you a paper with content you have trouble with or you'd find difficult to read out loud to the class (or which one student--and one's parents--would find objectable)?

That's a question that I cannot answer by only principle. It would depend on the circumstances. How outrageous? Who are the students (Freshmen who still make those armpit noises or a class of Pre-College Honor Seniors)? How's my relationship with the administrators? Do I have tenure? Unfairly (but realistically), what kind of mood have I been in lately (has my life been cool sailing or have I had one of those weeks that I'm pulling out my hair). Why is the student dealing with this taboo (take for instance the word "fuck"--is he or she just being stupid or is there a higher meaning {maybe the student has developed a character who is a college kid who snorts cocaine, thus the "f-word" would be more realistic and depicts characterization})? How graphic is too graphic?

All of these are questions that will affect my policy (or lack of a true policy). Because of my own personality, I will probably let a lot of things slide. A few of my favorite writers would infuriate many parents and even make Hugh Hefner blush. But, of course, there are limits!!

The qualifying list: (1) no names of students or faculty in the work (2) no clear cut pornography (3) if asked, the student can defend the choice of the word or phrase by an articulate and intellegent reason (4) if the issue concerns that of a speech and "bad language" is in a quote that the student wants to use, he or she should consult with me first (i.e.: an honest description of war by General Patton; who knows, the quote might be useable and still very powerful by simply shortening the statement) (5) punishment: in layman's terms, punishment is stupid!! Everyone makes mistakes. Punishing teens for every misconduct only creates more long term problems. I've always had (as well as my high school friends) more respect for teachers who did not follow the school's handbook (with respect to punishments). The best teachers will know the students and understand what would work best for each particular teen.

Teachers are like coaches! Think of Dennis Rodman. Chuck Daily treated him like an individual, but demanded respect from him--their relationship worked. John Lucas? It was only o.k. Bob Hill--horrible. Why? Because that coach attempted to be the dictator. More problems developed out of this relationship. Now, Phil Jackson. The Zen master of coaching is once again treating Dennis like an individual, but demanding respect from him. The Bulls are 38-3 (o.k., you're right, they do have M.J., but without a rebounder Chicago wouldn't be blowing teams away). The point: communicate with students and be flexible. The issue is one of respect and just as the prisoner does not respect the wardon, the student will not respect a teacher who follows the rule book most of the time.