Greetings everyone,

I am forwarding a message I sent to the NLA list about attire and etiquette.  It seems in line with the discussion Daphne is seeking to continue.

Thanks,

Michael


----- Forwarded Message ----
From: Michael Gyori <tesolmichael at yahoo.com>
To: National Literacy Advocacy List sponsored by AAACE <aaace-nla at lists.literacytent.org>
Sent: Sat, October 17, 2009 1:12:04 PM
Subject: Get dirty in street clothes, maybe have a beer with parents and at least act like a human being...


Greetings Merle and all,

I fully agree with Merle Ayres when she says:

Get dirty in street clothes, maybe have a beer with parents and at least act like a human being.

One does, however, need to "break through" the cultural and etiquettal barriers that have a few (some, many, whatever number of) students view their teachers as of a higher social order with the need to maintain proper and professional "distance."

I remember my father telling me when I was young and wild, and behaved like and did things...well, let's not go there...when my father told me not to dress like a slob, because I would first have to earn the "right" to do so.  Back then, I dismissed those remarks and really had no idea what he was talking about.  

Now that I am much older, my father's words ring true.  Much needs to go into the relationships one is able to develop with one's students so that attire goes unnoticed, or at least does not present an insurmountable barrier.

Again, it all comes down to the crucial role affect plays in the teaching-learning cycle.  Truly, if your students feel that you "understand" and care for them, you will have earned the right to be caught dressed in rags.

Michael

Michael A. Gyori 
Maui International Language School 
www.mauilanguage.com


      
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