Nancy Buffington begins by sharing a couple anecdotes about past professors who, in a sense, misused their power. Buffington argues that being a female instructor has its perks, but they may easily serve as flaws if not used appropriately. The author points out that female teachers establish a different connection with their students in the classroom, a maternal one. While teachers have the ability to use this maternal connection in a constructive way, many times this connection impedes instructors from displaying and implementing autority over their students. Huffington goes on to explain that the maternal affection a teacher has for her students should enable them to voice their opinions, stand up for themselves, and in a sense behave as they would in the "real world".
QUESTIONS
1. Since Huffington supports her argument about feminist pedagogy, do you believe this makes her and those who agree with her sexist? Why?
2. Do you think male instructors can experience something similar to female professors, in a sense that males can also develop a paternal connection with their students?
QUOTES
"That conflict and struggle are vital partsof revolutionary feminist pedagogy.My students may not alwaysfeel comfortable with what they read, say or hear in my class.But they're th5nking, learning, and changing.And that's what I want. After all, I'm not their mother.I'm their teacher." (12) "
Regina,
ReplyDeleteYour summary is a misrepresentation of Buffington's article. You say, "The author points out that female teachers establish a different connection with their students in the classroom, a maternal one." This is not the case. Instead Buffington explains that teachers who nurture do a disservice to their students. Your point that, "many times this connection impedes instructors from displaying and implementing autority over their students" is well taken, but you've couched it in the sense that female teachers have a maternal affection for their students. This is just simply untrue. Buffington would explain that a feminist approach is what is needed to help students learn. Do you understand what feminism is?
I am looking forward to reading your fuller response in your next blog.