Student Teaching: No...and I'll tell you why

Today my 6th period tech class was especially chatty. Not so helpful when you are trying to read through a script out loud in class. It wasn't working in their seats, so I had them come to the front of the room and sit on the floor together in a circle. One of the first students to sit down turned to me, a little frustrated and asked:

"Can't we just get rid of the people we don't like?"

My heart sank. I know there are teachers out there that feel that way. But that entire line of thinking is so dangerous.

So I posed the question to the class, and asked them, "What happens when we decide to get rid of people we don't like?"

I then told them of a time, much like ours, when the economy was in shambles, people were out of work, and many were looking for someone to blame. The result?

Six million Jews murdered in concentration camps...and that was only a fraction of the total loss of life.

We went on to talk about how the same issues exist around us today. It sounds like a simple solution. Get rid of the unwanted elements in your world at it will be better.

But who gets to decide who and what is unwanted?

Can we get rid of the people we don't like?

No...because what seems like a small decision now can grow into something we regret.