Connie Heermann was very excited when she saw her students were very interested in reading a book that was written by other students with their true stories. Those stories contained obscene language, were racist and sexist. Although the school principal was not happy with the way she taught the students and even forbade her to come back to teach, she still stood by her position that students should be taught to express their feelings instead of suppressing their thoughts. Even though other districts allowed the book to be taught, Connie Heermann was still banned from using the book in her class. Because this book aimed to encourage students to express their anger and feelings, the school took the action of banning this book. If there is anything teachers can do to have students enjoy writing, should schools still set up fixed and old-fashioned material for students?
If I had been on the school board, I would have voted not to suspend her from teaching. The purpose of school is to educate and encourage students to write and learn. However, games and media often distract students, so most of them are against writing. If there is anything educators can do to have students like writing, school should encourage that. Being able to write what you want is like you are allowed to eat what you like to eat and do what you enjoy doing without being told exactly what others want you to do. It is an extremely joyful action to feel freedom. I don’t see the point of having students write something they are not interested in. Your daily social life, whether you are happy or sad, is what affects your emotion. Being able to tell your true story is stronger and more powerful than to make something up that you are not interested in or not familiar with. Therefore, if I were a school administrator, I would vote to have teachers create their own way and design their own curricula as long as they can bring students’ attention to learn.
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