Troublemakers by Shalaby

 Troublemakers by Shalaby

by Cassie Abatecola 

This week, I read the preface and introduction to Shalaby's book for FNED 246 and absolutely loved it. As a teacher someday, I don't want to be someone who just gets students to follow strict rules and be perfect. Instead, I want to inspire them to want to learn, to think for themselves, and not get lost in the manner in which the world is now structured. The article further talks about how children view adult mistakes like shootings, wars, segregation, police brutality, and more. The author wrote, "Our children are learning that only some lives matter, that only some deaths are tragic, that only a precious few deserve relief from suffering." This is powerful and is not okay. We need to teach children this is not true and they have the power to make the world a better place. The author also discusses how "troubled" children are strong and we need to listen and learn from them. They do see what is wrong with the school system, but no one normally listens. Shalaby believes we need to listen to them so that we know what is to be fixed and so that we understand that the system is broken, not the children. I agree. When I become a teacher, I would like to remember these lessons, make all students learn, and listen to them so that I know when I need to change.