Oddbean new post about login | logout Why do schools think so much is their damn business? We can solve most of the debate on this type of issue in education by just having schools go back to their jobs. They don’t have to guide kids to live their personal lives my way or someone else’s way. Just teach math and science, for god’s sake.
I had one teacher write in my returned homework that she recognized my trauma and if I ever wanted to talk to someone, she would be available. That's about the right level of teacher involvement in a student's private life. I never took her up on it but it gave me confidence in knowing my family life was hellish.
My guidance counselor when I was 15 wished I could come live with her, and I've wondered what she thought of my mother's crazy life (constant moving). I think my life would have been a lot better if I had gone to live with her! Basically, the only adult with any interest in me after my father died when I was 14.
Again, that proves their only role in your emotional life should be under extraordinary circumstances. Even when I left home and called my guidance counselor to ask if I could still graduate. He didn't even ask. He just told me to send him an address where he could mail my diploma.