Sensitive Topics Call for Specialized Training for Teachers
Teachers receive district training to address controversial issues in the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird."
By Bibi Sediqi
Teachers receive district training to address controversial issues in the novel "To Kill a Mockingbird."
By Bibi Sediqi
To Kill a Mockingbird is a well-known piece of American literature taught in schools all around the United States. Though the book's origins and the way it covers sensitive topics stir controversies about whether the book should be continued to be read and taught in schools.
Pioneer’s English 1-2 curriculum has long debated whether to keep this controversial book. In an effort to ensure the book was being taught appropriately, the district has provided teachers with pre-training for the contents of the book and how to deal with the sensitive language and scenes.
“This novel is good to teach because we can understand some of the things that went on back then. The book has been taught for years and so it’s really well-known around the world. I feel it’s still relevant to teach as long as things are taught regarding the book and the different time periods which I feel we do a good job of for the freshman classes,” said English teacher Andrew Kosel-Castaneda.
Freshman English teachers, like Stephanie Harvey, received training units provided by the district on the novel, where the meeting went over the basic logistics of the book.
“The new training we have received for TKAM is being carried out in a series of three lessons created by the district. The expectation is that we are meant to teach two before the unit begins and one after the unit concludes,” said Harvey.
The teachers received training in other ways outside of the meeting.
“Aside from a meeting to go over the three district-provided lessons for the unit. The English nine team got together to review the lessons and try to fit them in with the unit calendar we created. I think I would've liked to watch one of the lessons be demonstrated by the creators of it. I'm kind of a visual learner,” said English teacher Theresa Kurzawa.
Despite the district this year providing pre-lessons for teachers and students, many teachers like Kurzawa have been doing their pre-lessons for their students.
“Before the district provided pre-reading lessons, I had my students learn about banned or challenged books and why they are banned or challenged,” said Kurzawa. “Students are often very surprised to see that some people want to ban or challenge widely read books like Harry Potter. That opens up the discussion for the class about how we're going to approach this novel, the language in it, and the controversy surrounding it.”
Despite the controversy surrounding the novel, many are still able to appreciate the story and its importance.
“I understand why some people could be uncomfortable with the novel, but I don't think that the answer to that is to stop teaching it. It's a great novel. The novel won the Pulitzer Prize. It was made into a movie that won three Academy Awards. It's a book that millions of Americans have read,” said English teacher Alan Tracey.
Teachers know that this book is important for the curriculum but said there is still work that can be done to better teach about these issues on campus.
“I think there are quite a few reasons behind why we are still teaching the unit, but I feel like the unit could still be updated. There are plenty of modern texts that still address the core concepts surrounding racism, gender, stereotypes, class systems, etc. That can be taught instead. I would happily welcome a new core text to use in place of the novel since it is often hard for students to connect to the book due to the time period and language. I think also reading a book by a POC would be much more impactful since we often do not get as much diversity as we need to in our selected readings,” said Harvey.
Pioneer’s English 1-2 curriculum has long debated whether to keep this controversial book. In an effort to ensure the book was being taught appropriately, the district has provided teachers with pre-training for the contents of the book and how to deal with the sensitive language and scenes.
“This novel is good to teach because we can understand some of the things that went on back then. The book has been taught for years and so it’s really well-known around the world. I feel it’s still relevant to teach as long as things are taught regarding the book and the different time periods which I feel we do a good job of for the freshman classes,” said English teacher Andrew Kosel-Castaneda.
Freshman English teachers, like Stephanie Harvey, received training units provided by the district on the novel, where the meeting went over the basic logistics of the book.
“The new training we have received for TKAM is being carried out in a series of three lessons created by the district. The expectation is that we are meant to teach two before the unit begins and one after the unit concludes,” said Harvey.
The teachers received training in other ways outside of the meeting.
“Aside from a meeting to go over the three district-provided lessons for the unit. The English nine team got together to review the lessons and try to fit them in with the unit calendar we created. I think I would've liked to watch one of the lessons be demonstrated by the creators of it. I'm kind of a visual learner,” said English teacher Theresa Kurzawa.
Despite the district this year providing pre-lessons for teachers and students, many teachers like Kurzawa have been doing their pre-lessons for their students.
“Before the district provided pre-reading lessons, I had my students learn about banned or challenged books and why they are banned or challenged,” said Kurzawa. “Students are often very surprised to see that some people want to ban or challenge widely read books like Harry Potter. That opens up the discussion for the class about how we're going to approach this novel, the language in it, and the controversy surrounding it.”
Despite the controversy surrounding the novel, many are still able to appreciate the story and its importance.
“I understand why some people could be uncomfortable with the novel, but I don't think that the answer to that is to stop teaching it. It's a great novel. The novel won the Pulitzer Prize. It was made into a movie that won three Academy Awards. It's a book that millions of Americans have read,” said English teacher Alan Tracey.
Teachers know that this book is important for the curriculum but said there is still work that can be done to better teach about these issues on campus.
“I think there are quite a few reasons behind why we are still teaching the unit, but I feel like the unit could still be updated. There are plenty of modern texts that still address the core concepts surrounding racism, gender, stereotypes, class systems, etc. That can be taught instead. I would happily welcome a new core text to use in place of the novel since it is often hard for students to connect to the book due to the time period and language. I think also reading a book by a POC would be much more impactful since we often do not get as much diversity as we need to in our selected readings,” said Harvey.