Shame. On who?

You know how our teachers always tell us there’s no such thing as a stupid question? Apparently that isn’t always the case. A St. Petersburg College instructor recently walked into the teachers lounge at Jefferson High to find a white board titled “Wall of Shame,” the Tampa Bay Times reported. The SPC instructor erased the board and left a note shaming the teachers. This “Wall of Shame” included a handful of questions and quotes from students, written on the board by different teachers. Some favorites: “Hawaii’s a state?” “Didn’t Japan invade NY?”

According to Hillsborough school officials, this doesn’t technically break any rules, because no student is identified and therefore not publicly embarrassed. Plus, it was in a room off limits to students.

It’s understandable (I guess) that after hours of dealing with high school students, teachers were using this “Wall of Shame” to blow off steam. But it’s a little concerning to think teachers were sitting behind closed doors composing a list of stupid things students have said. We’ve all said dumb things, because we’re stressed, tired, or just not paying attention. Is it right for teachers to abuse this for their amusement?

Students, of course, have also been known to draw attention to stupid things they hear in school — from teachers, such as addition mistakes, or misspelling something on the board, or particularly mind-numbing lectures. Teachers and students, both human.  
What’s troubling, though, is seeing high school teachers act like high school students. Imagine if the roles were reversed. Would a student be punished for doing something like this?

Teachers demand respect but it would behoove them to show a little to students as well.

Wanna weigh in on this? Tweet us your opinion @tbtwo.

Got talent? Get $2.5k

The Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture and the Arts, which believes arts and culture make a prosperous community,  wants to give you some money! The group’s annual High School Art Stars Scholarship for 2013 program is now taking applications and will award six students $2,500 each for excellence in literary arts, instrumental music, dance, theater, vocal music and visual arts. More information, including the application, is available at tbbca.org. Applicants may request a hard copy by calling (813) 221-2787. Deadline for applications to reach the office is 5 p.m. March 8. Last year, 44 students applied for the program, which has awarded $77,500 in scholarship money over four years.

MARILYN PARKER, Lakewood High

Writing getaway

If you like to write, this could be your dream vacation: The Atlantic Center for the Arts’ your word Teen Creative Writing Residency No. 6 on the grounds of an ecological preserve in New Smyrna Beach. Teens (rising ninth-12th graders) who are accepted get to spend July 21-Aug. 3 in workshops with master writers in residence to hone their skills in poetry, fiction and creative nonfiction/memoir writing. For more information, including about financial aid, go to aca35.org and click on the “your word” link. Application deadline is April 3.

MARILYN PARKER, Lakewood High

Cute Catholic school outfits?

Let’s face it, some of the clothing worn to school isn’t meant for school. Maybe for a night out with the girls, or a quick game of ball on the court. But even the most, um, expressive dressers have got to admit, sagging shorts and mini skirts can make for a lot of hubbub in the halls. Three high schools in Pinellas County, Gibbs, Lakewood and Boca Ciega, all are all exploring new dress code policies, according to a recent story in the Tampa Bay Times. In an effort to curb bad behavior and boost academic performance on their campuses, schools have been taking the pulse of the student body and parents, too. Gibbs parents just voted against imposing a dress code, and Lakewood principal Bob Vicari says his parents are split, 50-50.

At Gibbs, students were vocal against the idea of khakis and polo shirts. “The only students who supported (a dress code) stopped when they heard it was going to be khakis,” said Pamela Bulu, a Gibbs sophomore. “They thought we’d get cute Catholic school outfits. But, no.”
 

MARILYN PARKER, Lakewood High