“Glee” on Schools

Posted in DemEd in Real LifeSchoolsStudentsTeaching on Nov 10, 2010 - 10:53 AM

I'm a big fan of "Glee," I admit it. Not that it's a perfect show, but I love the variety of music, the quirky characters, and the humor. Watching last night's episode, something else stood out to me: the compelling way in which "Glee" portrays school life and particularly the message this episode sent about the role of teachers and a school in students' lives.

The plot of yesterday's episode revolved around three students: Kurt, the only openly gay student at the school; Puck, a popular and rebellious student; and a football player and bully who specifically targets Kurt.

I won't spoil it for those who haven't seen it yet. But what I was struck by was how well the episode showed that each of these students - an outcast, a popular rebel, and a sports jock - all share the feeling that their school and the teachers and students in their school don't know them or show that they care about them. The message the show was sending loud and clear is that schools can be alienating and isolating places not only for those who are often "outcasts" like an openly gay student, but also for those who are popular and seem to have it all.

Although the lead teacher of the show, Will Schuester, makes an effort to connect with some of these students, the show doesn't romanticize Will or show him solving all the problems. Rather, what I came away with was a genuine recognition of the complexity and difficulties in being a student, especially in large conventional schools such as the one in "Glee" - and how the school's lack of time and attention to students' social and personal issues can exacerbate problems for many young people who feel that there is no one they can talk to or who understands them.

Watching the episode made me feel sad and frustrated, knowing it was based in a great deal of truth. This is especially evident after the recent string of violence against and suicide of gay and lesbian youth around the country. At the same time, I also felt hope in knowing that most teachers are like Will in that they do care deeply for their students, and that many do show they care however they can amidst the competing pressures of academic and test score improvement.

My hope also comes from spending a week recently at Jefferson County Open School in Lakewood, Colorado during an IDEA consulting project. Jeffco has explicitly created a set of graduation expectations grouped into intellectual, social, and personal aspects. Strong advisory programs, opportunities for self-directed learning, group trips, and teachers who are called "advisors" all make it clear that Jeffco values each and every student. Every student at Jeffco has one (and usually several) adults and other students they know they can go to for support and advice.

Jeffco is not alone out there. And neither are students like Kurt and the others portrayed in the latest "Glee" episode. Yet we need to make sure that we place support, caring and indeed love at the center of the education process.

As Nuestra Escuela, an amazing school located in Puerto Rico, says: their educational mission is one of love.

Tags for this entry:
bullying, goals, advising, caring

Comment using your Facebook account: