The Workday Reading: June 4, 2015
Jun 4, 2015
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1) Sheryl Sandberg shares her thoughts on love and loss after the death of her husband.
2) This $37 oversized clutch has a chic metal accent and comes in tan, cobalt, or my favorite, bright orange.
3) A thought-provoking piece about how an increasing focus on self and personal emotions creates an educational environment where challenging content and opposing views are chased out of the classroom.
“Emotional discomfort is [now] regarded as equivalent to material injury, and all injuries have to be remediated.” Hurting a student’s feelings, even in the course of instruction that is absolutely appropriate and respectful, can now get a teacher into serious trouble.
4) The Beauty Department covers alternative brush cleaners. I am so intrigued by this sponge, which allows you to clean your brushes without water.
5) Things In Women’s Magazines That Make Me Stabby.
6) Lilliana Vazquez presents 7 Ways to Wear a White Blazer. If you still need a pale topper, I recommend this sleek WHBM blazer or this Mural boyfriend blazer. Plus-size? Try this Eloquii blazer.
7) Real Simple offers “The Ultimate Guide on Tipping Etiquette.”
8) This colorblock v-neck blouse from Anthro looks very fresh in a palette of blues and greens.
9) You’ve probably heard that sitting will kill you. Health experts have allegedly figured out how much time you should sit each day. One standing desk converter, now ordered.
10) My daily motto on a makeup pouch.
*image can be bought on Etsy.
I read Sheryl Sandberg’s post earlier today. Beautiful and wise.
Wow, I find #3 to be quite shocking. What’s the point of having teachers at all if they can’t challenge students to think outside their own paradigm. This Teacher-Student power shift has happened at almost all levels of education I’m afraid. The horror stories of elementary school teachers who find themselves on the wrong side of parental ire is such a 180 from when I was in school. I don’t think the teacher should have the attitude of my way no matter what, but there has to be room for dissent among adults. How do the students that complain deal with different points of view in real life? Are they going to have anyone who disagrees with them fired for the rest of their lives?!
As a middle school teacher, I get pulled into my principal’s office if a student goes home and tells their parent I’m “mean.” We are not allowed to do anything that upsets parents or students. It used to be when a student did something wrong, parents pointed the finger of blame on them. Now it’s pointed right at the teacher. It’s definitely not the school environment I grew up in and I’m only 30.
Thank you for sharing that Vox article! It was similar to a much shorter opinion piece in the NYT I read over the weekend. After graduating from grad school less than a month ago, I cannot emphasize the truth of this article enough. I don’t know if professors had “toned down” their speech in any classes I participated in (not those with tenure, at least), but I can certainly say as a student, the conversation around topics that should be the kinds of things up for educated discussion could turn uncivil quickly or one could immediately be labeled inappropriate or backwards, or worse, racist or sexist, over a simple comment that could be backed up simply because someone become offended. There was no discussion, just that person being wrong. It was very disheartening and concerning to experience a lack of ability to even listen to the other side, let alone try to understand.
Article from #3 is interesting to me. I grew up in Tokyo in an international school ,– very liberal, progressive, insert adjective here.
In 6th grade we watched a movie about Nelson Mandela’s life, including graphic scenes, in 8th grade we researched and debated abortion in language class, we learned world history from the Western textbooks as well as the Japanese textbooks to critique the “making of history,” etc. I was used to being challenged, uncomfortable, analyzing, ‘arguing’ with my classmates and teachers.
Moved to CA for my undergrad and masters. I was actually disappointed by the lack of discussion (even avoidance) on more ‘meatier’ topics, both with peers and in the classroom. My husband is now a teacher. It is an uphill battle.
A great alternative to an expensive and clunky standing desk converter is a portable standing desk called standstand. It’s sleek and simple and I take it everywhere!
https://www.standstand.com/
If women’s magazines make you stabby…https://reductress.com/. Reductress forever!