1 post tagged “moral dilemmas”

Hypothetical situation #1:
You have a student who honestly tries hard to do their work, consistently comes to school and turns in assignments on time, and is never a behavior problem. They are one of the "smart" kids and participate in a number of after school clubs because one of their best friends from their neighborhood does and, at some point, someone just might have told them that they too were academically superior. The students is a complete joy to have in your class and always asks to help with little things that you're doing such as passing out papers or cleaning up your room. Quite nice.

Problem: The kids is not the sharpest tool in the shed. Despite attempting to do the classwork most of their assignments are graded as D's and F's since the student rarely follows directions to assignments, really struggles with reading comprehension questions, and cannot write cohesive paragraphs using standard English. At the end of the nine week period after all is said and done the student ends up with a 69 average. You have told the students time and time again that you do not and WILL not give out any points extra on a report card just as will not take any away. Although the students will not know this, you can change her grade. Only you will bear the knowledge of having violated your principle. What do you do?

Hypothetical situation #2:
After a long day at work you are invited to a party at a social club in the small, rural town where you teach and live. You're not sure who has invited you but you think, "Hey...I'm 22!" and decide to go. You hear that this is where the elite of your town party so you're looking forward to it as an opportunity to meet and mingle with these so-called "elite." Upon arrival at the party's venue the first person you see is a student of yours. A star student. Actually, one of the star students at the school. You soon find out that the party is a birthday party for the student's father. She is helping set-up and music is playing inside the social club while alcohol is being brought in by the caseload. The student's father thanks you fervently for coming and says that once the kids leave you should let loose and get down (meaning drink, dance or do more with the scantily clad women on their way, and engage in weekday/work night tomfoolery). To top it off your principal, a good friend of the birthday man, soon shows up and pours himself the first of what may be numerous alcoholic drinks as he slaps you on the back and addresses you in an informal and friendly manner the likes of which you've never seen from your boss. It could be a long night. What do you do?