"In-Class Response to Buffington's 'When Teachers Aren't Nice: bell hooks and Feminist Pedagogy'"

SUMMARY:

In this article, a woman teacher, Nancy Buffington, speaks of female teachers. The article focuses on the idea that a woman teacher does not have to treat her students like her children. It states that most often female teachers are looked upon as motherly figures instead of teachers. It makes a clear point that female teachers could benefit by keeping the classroom like the outside world. The outside world is cruel and can be uncomfortable. Female teachers don’t always have to be mean, but if they can get students to be a part of a tough class, they could easily be a part of a tough life.  The article gives examples of several teachers and their ways of teaching as a female. Some agree with Bell Hook’s harsh ways, and others have tried a more subtle approach. The article is stating that as a female teacher, it is not all about being the nurturer, but giving the students the best education.

QUESTIONS:

1.In this style of teaching, has a conflict ever came up that caused a problem outside of class?

2. There was no mention of male teachers using this style of teaching, is it possible men may be too nurturing at some point as well?

3. Was there an incident that caused Bell Hooks to form this style of teaching?

4.  How do you track results form this teaching?

5.  Have students stated their opinions on this type of teaching?

Response:

            Throughout my elementary, middle school, and high school years, I always favored teachers I had that were female. My all time favorite teacher was my first grade teacher, Mrs. Brown. She would bring animals into the class, and always treat us like her own children. We were never punished severely for our behavior and rarely did she ever get angry. I still look back and think of Mrs. Brown as a nurturing figure. I remember more of the fun things we did, instead of what we learned. It seemed, as I got older, teachers got stricter. I do always imagine a strict teacher or professor as a male. It is natural for students to look upon a female teacher as a motherly figure. After reading Nancy Buffington’s article on Bell Hook’s idea of feminist teaching, I have a better understanding of why I always favored female teachers, but learned more from male teachers.