Be honest, had you ever heard of “lunch shaming” before news broke about a recently signed New Mexico law that bans so-called lunch shaming in public schools? That is, singling out or punishing students who cannot pay for their school lunch. Our teachers had never heard the term, but they have a lot of thoughts about the bill. They like its principle: don’t punish for kids for not being able to pay. But who is going to pay for it? And should schools everywhere just offer all kids free and reduced-price lunch?
Also, we’re coming to the end of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. (The irony, of course, is our latest news cycle has been dominated by news of Bill O’Reilly.) But a new report by the White Ribbon Campaign concludes America still has a long way to go in successfully enlisting men into the fight against sexual assault and rape. Our teachers agree. They see how students perceive sexual violence and sexuality more generally as one of the thorniest issues they face.
We end with a discussion about teachers buying and selling lesson plans and materials on line, in a growing digital marketplace. (Teachers have reportedly raked in more than $1 million in a single year selling their plans.) But some worry this “monetizing” of a key teacher skill creates literal paywalls to organic collaboration. Our teachers’ verdict? In a phrase: “Respect the hustle.”
“Kids These Days”: Maddie has developed a “fast chains” challenge that has gone viral--in its own modest way with her students; Jaime says one of her particularly unique students is himself a walking, talking meme, and David says it’s prom season, so there is nothing else on his kids’ minds.
Music used in this episode is Inspiring Corporate and Scottish Indie by Scott Holmes, as well as Jack by Podington Bear; all have been edited.
