Freedom isn't free

I worked in a charter school this year. Some of their philosophies were a little idealistic and the kids' hands were held waaaaay too much, but at least the teachers were authorities and respect was expected.

Today, we were on a field trip to a Native American museum, and I was frustrated by what teachers and free-thinking schools have created. Three of our boys were not at all interested in staying with the group and decided it was okay to walk away from the guide and go wherever they please. They interrupted the guide, touched things they weren't supposed to, and were generally disrespectful and rude. Apparently all three of these attend this charter school in town that promotes "free thinking" and "expressing themselves". That means the kids are allowed to wear hats inside the building, get up and walk around when the teacher is talking and are allowed to chew gum and eat candy in class, since it might "help them learn". This is the battle we deal with at camp. They don't have to be with the group or participate or listen or do anything if they don't want to. Great. So they're crumbling the whole ideal of camp, if they don't have to do group games and activities. And there's something oh-so-irritating when kids think they don't have to listen to you. Hormonal children are hard enough to challenge on that topic, they don't need schools encouraging them. I'm all for inspiring children to be creative, innovative and free thinkers, but not at the cost of losing respect for authorities. If this idea catches on and students feel they have the right to "express themselves" any time they want, then well, my job will be diminished. And I didn't go through 4 years of college, student teaching, trainings, state tests and mounds of paperwork to find that the light at the end of the tunnel has dimmed and I may not even need to be there, or be respected when I get there. Let's hope most schools continue to run with the concept that teachers are the leaders and the students are there to learn through and honor their teachers. I don't remember the Constitution mentioning the Freedom to be little snots. Maybe I need to read up on that...