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"Do not cry for me": Teacher announces own death

A teacher and mum-of-two who chronicled her breast cancer journey online has announced her own death, through a social media post written before her passing. "If you're reading this, it means I have died," Kate Rackham, 45, shared on her Teacher With Cancer X account. "But do not cry for me. I have lived my life on my own terms, the way I have wanted to." The mum told her followers that she joined X, formerly Twitter, as she "needed an outlet", but "what I got was so much more". "You made me feel validated in my feelings and much less alone. Thank you." <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> If you’re reading this, it means I have died. But do not cry for me. I have lived my life on my own terms, the way I have wanted to. I joined X because I needed an outlet, what I got was so much more. You made me feel validated in my feelings and much less alone. Thank you ❤️ — Teacher with Cancer (@kate_rackham) <a href="https://twitter.com/kate_rackham/status/1801137648146243756?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 13, 2024</a></blockquote> The British mum was only 39 when she was diagnosed with incurable oestrogen-receptive breast cancer and spent the past six years fighting the disease. She began documenting her journey online, and explained that she had no obvious risk factors leading to the disease. Just before her passing, she was admitted into hospital and was told by doctors that "there is nothing more we can do" and that she "needed a bit of time" to process the news. "I'm now home, where I want to be. With Mark and the girls. Surrounded by love, family and friends," she shared at the time. "Everyone is rallying around and I have so much support. Despite everything I feel blessed." Many have shared their condolences, including friends and those who are also battling breast cancer. "When my time comes, I can but hope I display the dignity and strength of character you did. Much love and condolences to your family and friends," one wrote. "I hope you are free from the pain. You still live in your children your husband. Your legacy," another said. "Thank you for sharing your journey with grace and dignity," a third added. "I hope wherever you are you are no longer in pain. Sending love and thoughts to your family." Rackham is survived by her husband Mark and their two daughters Ruby and Nancy. Images: X/ Nine

Caring

"What were their parents thinking?!" Teacher releases list of hilarious student names

In a world where coming up with a standard name seems about as trendy as using a landline phone, parents are unleashing their inner creativity by bestowing upon their offspring names that sound like they were created during a fever dream. We are clearly smack bang in the middle of the era of "Name your child after a random object you find in the pantry" – and teachers are the unsung heroes bravely navigating the choppy waters of these monikers. Specifically, how to spell (and pronounce) them properly. Now, let's not pretend this phenomenon is fresh off the naming press. Celebrities have been gifting their kids with names that could pass as WiFi passwords for donks. It was just a matter of time before the masses caught onto the fad like a catchy tune you can't unhear. But spare a thought for those noble educators who are more baffled than a cat watching a magic trick when confronted with these labels during roll call. Enter one valiant and anonymous teacher, armed with a class register that reads like a cryptic crossword puzzle. She unveiled her list of quirky names on the modern-day town square, aka Facebook, explaining that she merely gave the enrolment list a "blink and you'll miss it" glance. Because let's face it, no one has time to decode this kindergarten code on a Tuesday morning. So, brace yourself, because the highlights of this peculiar parade include names like Jaxen (apparently the 'x' gives it that extra pizzazz) and Aliyah, which sounds like a harmonious collision of Aladdin and Elijah. But the true gems are still to come. Hold onto your hats, for there's a Syakyra in the house! It's pronounced like "Shakira", because why make life easy when you can transform spelling into an extreme sport? Also on the roster of eccentricities are Rhydah, Presillar, Christisarah (which sounds like someone sneezed while naming their child), Anjewel'Lea (because apostrophes are the new vowels), and Biar Biar – quite possibly the sound of someone giving up mid-naming. The list goes on, unveiling Deklyn, Alarna (Is this a name or an exotic spice?), Aaryah (a name that looks like a typo in progress), Maz (likely short for Mazel Tov), Angel-Lee (a tribute to both celestial beings and two first names), and Karleb (a rebel in the world of traditional spelling). Social media users eagerly devoured this buffet of bewildering baby names, chiming in with their own comedic relief. One humorist quipped that some parents should enrol themselves in school, presumably for a crash course in 'Name Your Kid Without Making Them the Butt of Jokes.' Another jester added, "This really is tragic, at least none of them will get bullied because they're all so bad lol." A self-proclaimed comedian jibed, "These parents really aren't thinking it through." Yet amid the chuckles and facepalms, some thought the names were about as wild as a cup of herbal tea. One wise soul pointed out that among the chaos were rather mundane names like Diamond, Aliyah, Jaylene, Porsha, and Aalijah. Apparently, normality is now measured against the Syakyras of the world. Meanwhile, teachers everywhere collectively sighed in sympathy as they remembered their own quirky classroom encounters. One recounted an encounter with a "J'ley" (pronounced like Jaylee), a name that's the linguistic equivalent of a Rubik's Cube. A pupil named Pistol also made an appearance – because what kid doesn't want a name that guarantees zero playground conflicts? And lest we forget, a friend's teacher had the honour of teaching A'Blessyn. It's like the alphabet gipped, and the resulting letters spelled "Bless this child with an unforgettable name." However, the chaos isn't limited to the classroom. It's infiltrated even the most intimate corners of existence. Enter Reddit, where an expectant British dad took to the digital confessional to seek advice on his partner's fantastical name choices for their impending bundle of joy. The British bloke confessed that he'd prefer his offspring not be mistaken for an experimental rocket launch or a motor oil brand. He's opting for classic dignity, imagining a world where his kid doesn't have to explain why their name sounds like a weather forecast for Mercury. Meanwhile, the partner, a visionary in the field of avant-garde nomenclature, has pitched names like Fennix (for the spelling-challenged phoenix), Park (because nature reserves are inspiring, apparently), and Diesel (coming soon to a gas station near you). And so, as teachers practice their tongue-twister warm-ups and parents wage a war of wits over naming rights, we bid adieu to a world where names like John and Sarah were once considered bold. The age of the bewildering baby name is upon us, and the only certainty is that there's a whole generation of kids out there ready to conquer the world with names that defy both pronunciation and reason. Image: Shutterstock

Family & Pets

14 inspiring movies about teachers that will uplift you

<h2>Our favourite movies about teachers</h2> Teachers are the foundation for pretty much everything in our society. Not only do they provide academic instruction, they often offer guidance, provide life lessons and inspire us. If you’ve been lucky enough to have a great teacher even once in your life – or you’re just a fan of teacher movies – you understand how much of an effect they can have both in and out of the classroom. That’s probably why there’s no shortage of teacher movies in Hollywood, celebrating great educators, coaches and principals who face daunting challenges and often overcome insurmountable odds along the way. Here’s our roundup of some of the very best. <h3>How we chose the most inspiring teacher movies</h3> For this list, we focused on films with messaging about overcoming the odds, movies that feature teachers who help their students realise their full potential – either through tough love or by teaching them a new way of looking at the world. While there are loads of teen movies that take place in high school, only some of them show the power of great teachers. While not every one of these films has a happy ending, each and every one is inspiring and shows just how powerful a great teacher can be. <h2>Dead Poets Society</h2> Released: 1989 Memorable quote: “Carpe Diem! Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary.” Dead Poets Society was one of Robin Williams’s first drama movie roles, and what a role it was. Williams was nominated for an Oscar for his role as English teacher John Keating, an instructor at a stuffy New England prep school. His unorthodox teaching style is an inspiration to many of his students, who take to heart his advice to live their lives on their own terms. After Keating is blamed for the death of a student who had been struggling with his identity and rejection from his family, he loses his job. But in one of the most tear-jerking scenes from any of the teacher movies on this list, his students rally behind him, reciting Walt Whitman’s “O Captain! My Captain!” in support. <h2>Lean on Me</h2> Released: 1989 Memorable quote: “Self-respect permeates every aspect of your existence. If you don’t have respect for yourself, you’re not gonna get it from anyone else.” Morgan Freeman’s resume contains everything from action movies to sci-fi movies to thrillers, but in 1989, he starred in the inspiring drama Lean on Me, based on the true story of high school principal Joe Clark. In 1987, Clark was the head of Eastside High School in Paterson, New Jersey, which had deteriorated as a result of crime and drug use. Clark’s mission is simple: raise the school’s standardised test scores or the school will get turned over to the state. To meet the goal, Clark’s tactics were often extreme and controversial, he expelled students and used tough love and threats to intimidate others. After he implemented more rigorous academics and enforced a strict code of conduct, the school’s tests scores improved, and Clark proved an inspiration to the students at his school. <h2>Critical Thinking</h2> Released: 2020 Memorable quote: “We start by showing up.” One of the newer movies about teachers on our list, 2020’s Critical Thinking is a movie based on a true story of the Miami Jackson High School chess team, the first inner-city team to win the US National Chess Championship. The film was directed by John Leguizamo, who also stars as the teacher who coached the team, Mario Martinez. When Martinez, known as Mr T, begins coaching a chess team in his Miami high school, no one, including the school’s principal, sees the value in it. Despite the fact that few people believe in the team, Mr T sees chess as a way out for his students, so he throws all his money and support behind them. The result is an underdog victory that will make you stand up and cheer. <h2>Dangerous Minds</h2> Released: 1995 Memorable quote: “I believe one should fight for what one believes. Provided one is absolutely sure one is absolutely right.” While the 1980s had more than a few inspiring teacher movies, Dangerous Minds was one of the most popular ‘90s movies, and it even led to a spinoff TV series of the same name. The film was based on the autobiography of retired Marine LouAnne Johnson (played by Michelle Pfeiffer in the film), a teacher at a California school known for its criminal and drug activity. LouAnne, who is white, begins teaching a class of at-risk Black and Hispanic students who dismiss her. But eventually, she motivates and inspires them, winning their trust. Though the film can feel dated and predictable, it’s one of the classic teacher movies that celebrates an unconventional but life-altering mentor who helps students overcome adversity through education. <h2>Goodbye, Mr Chips</h2> Released: 1939 Memorable quote: “I thought I heard you saying it was a pity… Pity I never had any children. But you’re wrong. I have. Thousands of them. Thousands of them. And all boys.” Goodbye, Mr Chips stars Robert Donat at the title character, a teacher at an all-male prep school where he served for more than 55 years. After the death of his wife and child during childbirth, Mr Chipping (lovingly referred to by his students as Mr Chips) threw himself into his work, guiding generations of young boys on a path to adulthood. The film is shown in flashbacks as he becomes ill and nears the end of his life, reflecting on his life’s work and the hearts and minds he touched along the way. Donat won Best Actor at the 1940 Academy Awards for his portrayal of Mr Chips, a character who ages in the film from his mid-20s through his 80s. <h2>Freedom Writers</h2> Released: 2007 Memorable quote: “You can’t make someone want education.” Another one of our movies based on true stories, Freedom Writers stars Hilary Swank as teacher Erin Gruwell, who taught at a Long Beach, California, high school in the early ’90s, a time when racial tension was high and many of her students were at risk. Gruwell immersed herself in her work in an effort to expose her students to racial injustice and oppression throughout history. Inspiring them to write about their own experiences on the subject, the real Gruwell compiled her students’ stories into a nonfiction book called The Freedom Writers Diary, which she published in 1999. Though the film takes its name from the Civil Rights activists known as the Freedom Riders, it has little to do with that. But you can learn more about the subject in one of the best documentaries about race, called Freedom Riders: 1961 and the Struggle for Racial Justice. <h2>Mona Lisa Smile</h2> Released: 2003 Memorable quote: “I thought that I was headed to a place that would turn out tomorrow’s leaders, not their wives.” In 2003’s Mona Lisa Smile, Julia Roberts stars as Katherine Ann Watson, a first-year art history professor at the all-female Wellesley College in 1953. Progressive in her views and unmarried, Watson encourages her students to think outside the box and consider professions beyond becoming wives and mothers after they graduate. Playing Watson’s students are a who’s who of young, talented actresses, including Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Maggie Gyllenhaal and Ginnifer Goodwin, each of whom is influenced and inspired by Watson sooner or later. Especially Dunst’s character, Betty, who initially reviled Watson for her unorthodox lifestyle and eventually realises Watson is the only adult she’s ever received unconditional support from. Roberts has a solid streak of inspirational, feminist movies from around this time, including Mona Lisa Smile and Erin Brockovich, and this film cemented her status as the highest-paid actress in Hollywood at the time too. <h2>Good Will Hunting</h2> Released: 1997 Memorable quote: “How do you like them apples?” The funny thing about Good Will Hunting being on a list of great teacher movies is that the main character, Will Hunting (Matt Damon), doesn’t actually attend school. Hunting is a self-taught math genius who works as a janitor and has no personal or professional aspirations. When a Harvard math professor (Stellan Skarsgard) discovers Will’s abilities, he introduces him to a psychology professor (another appearance on this list from Robin Williams) named Sean Maguire, who encourages Will to realise his true potential. The two men form a bond, with Sean helping Will realise he’s squandering his life and his talents. As Sean Maguire, Williams, who is beloved for his funny movies, gets serious once again and gives an incredibly heartfelt, empathetic performance; he won an Oscar for the role in 1998, and Damon and co-writer Ben Affleck also won the Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. <h2>The Great Debaters</h2> Released: 2007 Memorable quote: “I and every professor on this campus are here to help you to find, take back, and keep your righteous mind … because obviously you have lost it.” Based on an astonishing and inspirational true story, The Great Debaters takes place in the 1930s at a small, historically Black school called Wiley College, where debate team coach Melvin B Tolson (Denzel Washington) sought to have his team compete against predominantly white colleges at a time when racial segregation and Jim Crow laws permeated the country. Through sheer will and determination, and while staring down the blatant racism of the era, Tolson and his students would eventually go on to beat the reigning debate champions, Harvard College. It’s an underdog movie that will have you cheering, but the fact that it’s based on real events is what’s truly uplifting. If you’re looking for a great Black history movie, The Great Debaters is the perfect place to start. This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/culture/14-inspiring-movies-about-teachers-that-will-uplift-you" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. Images: Getty

Movies

Disturbing new details emerge in death of head teacher, husband and daughter

Warning: This article contains distressing content that some readers may find confronting. A headmistress at a private school in the UK made a distress call to a family member just hours before she was found dead, a report has claimed. School principal Emma Pattison, the head teacher of private school Epsom College in Surrey, England, was <a href="https://oversixty.co.nz/news/news/headmistress-husband-and-daughter-found-dead-on-school-grounds" target="_blank" rel="noopener">found dead</a> alongside her 39-year-old husband, George, and seven-year-old daughter Lettie on the school grounds earlier this week. As an investigation into their deaths has commenced, the BBC has reported that Emma made a frantic phone call to a relative with concerns about her partner. By the time the worried relative arrived at the house, which is surrounded by other properties occupied by college staff and is close to the prestigious school’s rifle range, all three were dead. Police have yet to disclose the official cause of their deaths, but are confident no one else was involved in the "isolated" incident. Detectives confirmed a firearm registered to George, of which he had a license for, was found at the scene and they are treating the tragedy as a double murder and suicide. Detectives suspect George killed his wife Emma, 45, and little Lettie before taking his own life. Detective Chief Inspector Kimball Edey, senior investigating officer on the case, said, “This is an incredibly traumatic incident and we are working around the clock to investigate and understand the exact circumstances which led to this point." “We understand the public concern and upset, and we will clarify what we can, when we can, while respecting the right to a level of privacy for the families of those who have lost their lives." The community is reeling from the tragedy, as devastated neighbours who knew the "lovely" family shared how "heartbroken" they are. One person said, “It is just shocking and unimaginable.” Chloe Rathbone, a nursery worker who looked after Lettie, told The Times, “I am utterly so heartbroken over this awful news." “They were such a lovely family and Lettie was perfect in every way, everything you could have wished for in a little girl.” <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">Don't go it alone. Please reach out for help. <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">Lifeline: 13 11 14 or lifeline.org.au <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">Beyond Blue: 1300 22 4636 or beyondblue.org.au <p style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 1rem; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">Headspace: 1800 650 890 or headspace.org.au Image credits: Getty Images / <em style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: #212529; color: #212529; font-family: -apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, 'Segoe UI', Roboto, 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, sans-serif, 'Apple Color Emoji', 'Segoe UI Emoji', 'Segoe UI Symbol', 'Noto Color Emoji';">epsomcollege.org.uk

News

5 best yoga poses for a healthier gut, from a registered yoga teacher

<h2>Finding relief</h2> When you experience digestive issues, you might try pretty much anything for relief – whether it’s a specific diet, cutting down on dairy or maybe taking some probiotics. There are a lot of ways you can work to ease discomfort and get things moving more regularly. Exercise, for example, can offer a lot of relief; in fact, a 2015 peer-reviewed study in the journal Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine even found that yoga can help people manage the primary and secondary symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). <h2>Big Toe Pose II (padangustasana)</h2> “This posture is geared toward regulating the kidney meridian,” Monal says. “The kidneys are a vital organ for containing and filtering blood, and when regulated properly contribute to our overall energy levels.” We sure like the sound of that. Monal adds that you can try this pose standing, or lying down. If you lie down while you do it, Monal suggests you “place a blanket, bolster or block beneath the lifted leg to support the lengthening of the inner leg from the inner arch of the foot, to the inner knee, to the inner groin.” She adds: “Your inhales and exhales should be sent toward the location of your kidneys in the lower back region, just below the diaphragm.” <h2>Supported Headstand (Salamba Sirsasana A)</h2> Monal recommends trying inversions, such as a headstand, for gut relief. She says they provide an “anti-gravity effect” to your organs and surrounding tissues, which can offer “physiological support and benefits for one’s visceral organs.” (The visceral organs are the body’s soft organs, such as the heart, lungs, and liver. Most visceral organs are housed within the body’s core – that is, the chest and abdomen.) <h2>Full Wheel (Urdhva Dhanurasana)</h2> Monal says that when it’s done right, the full wheel pose creates space for something called motility, when organs can move around and slide along one another. “Deep backbends help to lengthen the tissues and muscles which surround the gut,” Monal says, adding that “it is helpful to stretch the walls of the abdominal region which house the internal organs.” <h2>Supine Twist</h2> “Similar to backbends, twists can contribute to yoking the organs of the gut to achieve an optimal state of motility,” Monal says. “Proper gut health also aids in efficient absorption and digestion of food and nutrients.” Monal notes that you should twist toward the right first, followed by the left, as this follows the direction of digestion through your intestines. Also important is understanding right from left in yoga twisting poses: “Always think about which way your belly is turning, not where your knees are going.” <h2>Child’s Pose</h2> “Once the organs have space to move around, doing the opposite…compressing or squeezing the organs (in an intentional manner) and then letting it go has positive effects in allowing optimal circulation through the gut,” Monal says. “It’s like a cleansing and purifying process through churning of the visceral organs.” (Sounds kind of amazing, doesn’t it?) She adds that you can also try variations of child’s pose targeted to compress the viscera, including putting your knees together or placing your fists or a rolled blanket into the front of the abdomen, just below the naval. “Deep breathing sent into the abdomen and lower back should accompany this practice,” Monal says. <h2>Practicing yoga for gut health</h2> No one yoga move is going to be a quick fix for digestive issues. Mondal says to keep in mind that these poses “should be done consistently in practice, not just when you are experiencing gut distress.” And even if you don’t suffer with a chronic issue like IBS, Mondal emphasises that “proper gut health isn’t only for those who experience gut distress – it really is for everyone on a regular basis.” This article originally appeared on <a href="https://www.readersdigest.co.nz/healthsmart/5-best-yoga-poses-for-a-healthier-gut-from-a-registered-yoga-teacher" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Reader's Digest</a>. Image: Shutterstock

Body

‘Teacher’s Pet’ journalist takes stand in Chris Dawson trial

The journalist whose podcast, The Teacher’s Pet, brought global attention to Lynette Dawson’s disappearance has taken the stand in Chris Dawson’s murder trial, telling the court he wasn’t out to “condemn” Mr Dawson. Hedley Thomas, a journalist with The Australian, is one of the final witnesses the prosecution will call in the Supreme Court trial, during which Mr Dawson has denied killing his wife Lynette 40 years ago, per <a href="https://www.stuff.co.nz/world/australia/300562138/the-teachers-pet-chris-dawson-to-face-murder-trial-over-death-of-his-wife-whose-body-has-never-been-found" target="_blank" rel="noopener">news.com.au</a>. Ms Dawson’s disappearance from her home on Sydney’s northern beaches in January, 1982, was the subject of investigation in Mr Thomas’ podcast, which was downloaded 60 million times internationally. Mr Thomas began investigating the case in 2017 and spoke with Ms Dawson’s family about seeking “justice”. “Justice for Lyn meant to you, didn’t it, the prosecution of Christoper Dawson?” Pauline David, Mr Dawson’s barrister, asked Mr Thomas on Monday. “Yes, I think that that is a fair call, yes,” Mr Thomas answered. Under Ms David’s questioning, Mr Thomas said he hadn’t met Mr Dawson but had formed an opinion of him after interviewing those close to the case and reading material from the two inquests into Ms Dawson’s disappearance. “I don’t think you need to meet someone to form a view about them,” Mr Thomas said, after the court was told of an interview Mr Thomas had with 60 Minutes where he described Mr Dawson as “despicable”, “severely narcissistic” and “dangerous”. “People can form views about tyrants, for argument’s sake, without ever having met them, study materials, talk to people and form a view. “At that stage it was my view and it hasn’t changed.” However, Mr Thomas denied that the podcast amounted to an attempt to “incite evidence” against Mr Dawson, saying he would have broadcasted evidence that contradicted his theory that Mr Dawson murdered his wife. “There was no doubt from the outset of the podcast it was going to be an exercise in condemning Christopher Dawson?” Ms David asked. “No, I disagree,” Mr Thomas said. “If I had uncovered or received information from anybody that disrupted, changed the narrative, that disputed the findings by coroners or anyone, that would have become a very significant part of the podcast.” As the case draws to a close, the court heard on Monday that Mr Thomas would be one of the final witnesses called by the prosecution, which argues that Ms Dawson was killed on or about January 8, 1982. Mr Dawson argues that on the morning of January 9, 1982, he drove Ms Dawson to a Mona Vale bus stop so she could go shopping, and that she later failed to meet him at the Northbridge baths, where he worked as a part-time lifeguard. According to Mr Dawson, Ms Dawson called him from the baths, telling him she needed time away. His version of events were said to be corroborated by a woman - known for legal reasons as KB - who worked at the baths and was interviewed by former detective Damian Loone in March 2001. Mr Loone didn’t take a statement from her, and told the court that he didn’t turn a blind eye to evidence that supported Mr Dawson’s account. He disagreed that KB told him she remembered the phone call. “I want to suggest your failure to take a statement from (KB) was consistent with your approach to the investigation, which was that if inquiries supported Christopher Dawson you would not take a statement,” Ms David said. “That’s incorrect,” Mr Loone replied The trial continues under Justice Ian Harrison. Image: Nine

Legal

“Our children did not deserve this”: Texas school teacher recounts harrowing events

A school teacher from Robb Elementary School has spoken about how the “longest 35 minutes of my life” unfolded during the school shooting that claimed the lives of 19 children and two teachers. The teacher spoke to a reporter from <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/teacher-uvalde-texas-describes-longest-35-minutes-life-rcna30571" target="_blank" rel="noopener">NBC News</a> on the condition that she not be named, partly because district administrators asked staff not to speak with reporters, but also because she was terrified. On Wednesday night, 28 hours and 45 minutes after the gunman charged into the school and opened fire, the teacher answered her door with puffy eyes from hours of crying and almost no sleep. “What do you want me to say?” she asked the reporter. “That I can’t eat? That all I hear are their voices screaming? And I can’t help them?” She recalled how her students had been watching a Disney movie that morning as part of their end-of-year celebration. When she heard gunfire from down the hall, she knew exactly what it was, telling her kids to get under their desks and sprinting to lock the door. “They’ve been practising for this day for years,” the teacher said, referring to active shooter drills that have been incorporated into American public education over the years. “They knew this wasn’t a drill. We knew we had to be quiet or else we were going to give ourselves away.” While her students huddled under their desks, staying quiet while hearing their wounded classmates down the hall, the teacher sat in the middle of the room. She said she tried to stay calm and be strong for them. She said what followed was “the longest 35 minutes of my life”. As some of her students began to cry, she motioned for them to come sit with her and held them, whispering for them to pray silently. Without saying a word, she tried to convey to the class: ‘You’re OK. We’re going to be OK.’ When the police finally broke the classroom windows, the teacher called for her students to line up as they would every day for recess and lunch before they were helped out of the window. “After the last kid, I turned around to ensure everyone was out,” the teacher said. “I knew I had to go quickly, but I wasn’t leaving until I knew for sure.” She later reunited with her students at another school facility across town and tried to comfort those who were worried about their best friends or cousins down the hall. Then, as the toll of the shooting became clearer, some parents texted her, writing: “Thank you for keeping my baby safe.” “But it’s not just their baby,” the teacher said, sobbing on her front porch. “That’s my baby, too. They are not my students. They are my children.” Before closing her door, she had an important message to share with the reporter. “I want you to say this in your article,” the teacher said. “Our children did not deserve this. They were loved. Not only by their families, but their family at school.” Image: Getty Images

Caring

Dad swears at teacher for overstepping the line

A father snapped at a teacher after she insisted he invite all the students in her class to his son’s birthday. Taking to Reddit, the father asked if he took it too far by swearing at the teacher who kept pestering him to invite the 24 children instead of only nine to his son’s sixth birthday party. He said he explained to the teacher that he could not host 24 children and their parents and it was his choice to do whatever he wanted in his house. “I get a call from my son’s teacher and she tells me that she understands he is having a birthday party and that he invited a few of his friends from class, but not everyone,” the post begins. “I said yeah, there are a few kids in there that he has problems with and also I don't think we can really handle hosting 24 kids and their parents. “She then tells me that there is a rule that if any kids in the class are invited that all kids in the class are invited. “I told her it is an event off school hours on private property in my home. She can no more tell me what I do there and who I can and can't invite anymore than I can decide who is invited to her Thanksgiving dinner.” The teacher however kept insisting the rule was in place to stop kids from getting their feelings hurt to which the father then asked if he should invite the students from his son’s other classes. “She then said ‘He is in my class. He is under my supervision. This is my rule’. “I then told her that my son is only under her supervision while he is in class. I am the one throwing the party, and she doesn't get to make rules for my house or me. She then said if it involves her class, she does.” The pair went back and forth on the touchy subject before the father snapped and told her to go f**k herself. “I said, ‘Lady, it's pretty clear that you're too used to bossing around kids who have to listen to you and that you don't seem to understand that your little fiefdom ends at the end of the school day and doesn't go further than schoolhouse gates. I am not a 6 year old in your class. I'm a 38 year old union electrician planning a private event in my own home, off school hours. If you think you're the one to make the rules for me, in my home on which I pay the mortgage on, you can go f**k yourself and there isn't a goddamn thing you can do about it. She then kind of stammered and I ended the call.” The husband said that his wife agreed that the teacher had no business telling them who to invite to their home but that he may have taken it a step too far for swearing at her. He did confess that he wished that he didn’t swear at the teacher but stood firm on his decision that the teacher had no right to do what she did. Reddit users sided with the father who said the teacher overstepped the mark by getting involved in a matter that did not involve her. “The gall of this woman is laughable and her thought process simply defies logic,” someone wrote. “She was out of line for calling you in the first place, and then had the audacity to double down and insist that literally anything that involves students in her class is her business. Out-freaking-rageous! Tell the principal, and if you aren't satisfied with that result, call up the superintendent's office,” another comment read. “This teacher got out of her lane and you forced her a** back into it. Exactly what you should have done. NO ONE gets to tell you who to have at your own damn house. Frankly I would be talking to her supervisor as well. That is not ok, and she has OBVIOUSLY gotten away with this before,” someone else wrote. “Unless she's paying for the party she has ZERO say,” another commented. Image: Shutterstock

Family & Pets

“I need a new butt!” Kiwi book leads to teacher being fired

An assistant principal has claimed that he was fired from his job after reading a book about butts to his year two students. Toby Price was reading I Need A New Butt! to his second graders at Gary Road Elementary School in Mississippi. The children’s book, written by New Zealand author Dawn McMillian, tells the story of a boy who looks for a new bum after seeing a crack on his. Mr Price said the children “loved” and “really liked” the book, but it appears those on top did not and he was soon called to the principal’s office. "About 10 minutes after that, the principal called me into her office and said, 'Mr Price we are probably going to get some parent calls about this book' and I understood, a very professional lady, I get it," he told <a href="https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-the-monday-edition-1.6384517/this-assistant-principal-says-he-was-fired-for-reading-kids-a-book-called-i-need-a-new-butt-1.6384717" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CBC</a>. "A few minutes after that I was called to the superintendent's office - there are two superintendents - the main superintendent, she let me have it pretty good for choosing that book. "She asked me if that was the kind of thing I thought was funny - butts and farts - and before I walked in there I thought it was." Mr Price was placed on administrative leave and two days later was “totally blinded” after being fired. The educator of 20 years has the support of the parent-teacher association and because of how much traction his story received, it will go to court to reverse the decision. He admits he’s scared of the decision because it “might not be the happiest work environment". Image: Facebook

Books

Do arts teachers have to be artists?

Do arts teachers have to be artists? It’s a question that is often raised when talking about our chosen profession across the dinner table. There is an expectation that if we teach the arts then we must be practising artists. It is a presumption that doesn’t seem to exist in other teaching paths. We do not assume that the English teacher is writing the next great novel. Nor do we envisage that the science teacher is a consultant for the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). Still, an assumption exists that arts teachers exhibit or perform their art. Where does this expectation come from? <h2>Hierarchy of subjects</h2> According to the foremost advocate of creativity and the arts, Sir Ken Robinson, there was – and still is – a hierarchy of subjects that exist in all Western schools. At the top are mathematics and languages, followed by the humanities and, at the bottom, the arts. This is somewhat unusual given that arts teachers are required to complete the same years of training as non-arts teachers. Some come to teaching after finishing their fine arts degree, while others complete an education degree with one of the arts as their teaching method. We could ask if this presumption of the arts teacher as artist is an attempt to raise the status of teaching the arts in our schools. Do these subjects require professionals to be taught effectively? The low status of the arts in schools has resulted in myriad challenges. Artistic subjects are often seen as frivolous extras in an already overcrowded curriculum. And as “elective” subjects they are not always prioritised, especially in a high-stakes testing regime which emphasises literacy and numeracy as core components of our educational system. For example, in NSW alone almost <a href="http://www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/">9,000 students</a> are enrolled in visual arts in year 12, close to 5,000 in both drama and music, and only 900 in dance. While low compared to compulsory subjects such as English, for which approximately 60,000 students sit their Higher School Certificate, these numbers continue to grow due in part to dedicated arts teachers in our secondary schools. There is little doubt that the arts require specialised facilities and resources, so funding becomes yet another challenge. And, of course, there is the issue of the well-trained arts teacher who must possess certain artistic skills in order to help their students acquire a higher level of proficiency in their chosen art form. Early career teachers face a plethora of challenges, but for arts teachers they face the added expectation that they are maintaining a personal arts practice – the music teacher is in a band, the drama teacher directs plays, and the art teacher is working on their next Archibald entry. However, little research exists detailing exactly how many teachers practise their chosen art form outside of the school. The University of Melbourne is undertaking a research project exploring the common myths surrounding artists who become teachers. Starting in 2013, the researchers have been <a href="http://www.teacherartmaker.com/">following 100 Victorian graduate art teachers</a> to explore whether new arts teachers make art and, if they do, what impact it has on their teaching. Anecdotally we know that many artists become teachers because they struggle to sustain a profession as an artist. But do making and teaching art require the same set of skills? A teacher has to have a certain mastery of an art to teach it. A dance teacher needs to know about the choreography of dance. A music teacher needs to know how to make music. The arts are not core units; they are electives. They need to be taught by someone with a passion for their chosen field. Yes, artists have this passion. But to argue that a person has to be an artist to teach the arts implies that mastery of artistic skills and techniques equates to an understanding of current pedagogy when, in reality, they can be mutually exclusive. Just because a person is an artist doesn’t necessarily mean that they are, or will be, a good teacher. <h2>Teaching as an art form</h2> Perhaps we need to move this conversation in another direction. Let’s consider teaching as an art form in and of itself. Effective teaching has been described as <a href="http://edr.sagepub.com/content/33/2/12.short">“scripted improvisation”</a>. Good teachers require passion, creativity and imagination. Arts teachers, whether artists or not, have made a decision to be arts educators. They do not wish to live the life of an artist, to feel pressured to produce, to pursue galleries and theatres, to live off commissions and sales. They want to be a teacher, to inspire an appreciation for the arts, to encourage their students to reach a higher level of proficiency, and to give confidence and life skills to their students. Image credits: Getty Images This article originally appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/do-arts-teachers-have-to-be-artists-64964" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a>.

Art

Teacher locks son with Covid in car boot

A Texas teacher has been arrested and charged with endangering a child after locking her Covid-positive son in the boot of her car in order to protect herself from exposure to the virus as they drove to a testing site. Sarah Beam, 41, was arrested after a witness called police and told them they heard someone in the vehicle’s trunk on January 3 at a testing site in Harris County, Texas. Beam reportedly opened the boot to reveal the 13-year-old boy lying inside. She explained that her son had tested positive for COVID-19 and that she was taking him to a testing site at Pridgeon Stadium for a second test to confirm the result. She reportedly said that she had placed her son in the boot as she did not want to be infected herself. A health worker told her that no test would be administered until the boy was allowed to sit in the back seat of the car. Ms Beam has been working as a teacher at Cypress Falls High School since 2011, but is now on administrative leave. CY-Fair ISD Police Department said in a statement, "CFPD was alerted that a child was in the trunk of a car at a drive-thru Covid-19 testing site earlier this week. Law enforcement conducted a full investigation, resulting in a warrant for arrest. Thankfully, the child was not harmed." Sergeant Richard Standifer, of the Texas Department of Public Safety, told reporters that the boy could have been seriously injured if the vehicle had been involved in an accident. He added, "I have never heard of somebody being put in a trunk because they tested positive for anything.” Image: Silvia Bianchini

Travel Trouble

Teacher sacked for punching and kicking horse has gone into hiding

Content warning: This article contains mentions and depictions of animal abuse. A UK school teacher <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/animals/teacher-sacked-over-shocking-horse-video-in-the-uk/news-story/a098daeb99f46976d6e4363050ce4658" target="_blank">has been fired</a> after footage emerged of her seeming to kick and hit a distressed horse. The graphic footage shows Sarah Moulds striking the white pony after it ran out onto the road in the UK’s East Midlands, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/17099018/rider-kicks-punches-horse-teacher-sacked/" target="_blank">The Sun</a> reports. Following the circulation of the footage, it was revealed that the 37-year-old woman from Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire was being probed by the RSPCA. The Mowbray Education Trust also said Ms Moulds has been suspended during a formal investigation. However, the trust has said the mother-of-two has officially been dismissed from her roles as a teacher at Somerby Primary School and as a director of the Knossington & Somerby Pre-School in Leicestershire. “I can confirm that Sarah Mould’s employment with the trust has been terminated,” Paul Maddox, chief operating officer of the trust, told the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-leicestershire-59728476" target="_blank">BBC</a>. “As a trust we are committed to ensuring the best standard of education for all of our young people and we look forward to continuing this throughout the 2021/22 academic year and beyond.” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Yesterday we filmed a <a href="https://twitter.com/CottesmoreHunt?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@CottesmoreHunt</a> rider kicking and punching her horse in the face. Watched on by lackeys Will Ashmore and son Ed. Violence running through their veins.<a href="https://twitter.com/RSPCA_official?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RSPCA_official</a> <a href="https://t.co/s37BlR4Hv3">pic.twitter.com/s37BlR4Hv3</a> — Hertfordshire Hunt Saboteurs (@HertsHuntSabs) <a href="https://twitter.com/HertsHuntSabs/status/1457304240079228929?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 7, 2021</a></blockquote> The footage was shared last month by Hertfordshire Hunt Saboteurs, an anti-hunting group, who were monitoring the hunting event at the time. The woman alleged to be Ms Moulds was seen acting aggressively towards the horse, after it ran towards her when another young rider lost control of it while trying to lead it onto a trailer. She was filmed kicking and hitting the horse before pulling it into the horse trailer. Ms Moulds is believed to belong to the Cottesmore Hunt, a foxhound hunting group based in Rutland. At the time, she was surrounded by other members. After the incident, Cottesmore Hunt reportedly said it did not condone the actions depicted in the video “under any circumstances”. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWBYBdUKiaN/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CWBYBdUKiaN/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by The Cottesmore Hunt (@cottesmorehuntofficial)</a> </div> </blockquote> The RSPCA was contacted by multiple people after the clip was posted online, and later issued a statement. “This footage is really upsetting. We will always look into complaints made to us about animal welfare.” A spokesman from the Hunting Office in the UK said: “The Hunting Office expects the highest level of animal welfare at all times - both on and off the hunting field - and condemns the actions taken by this individual, who is not a member of the hunting associations.” Members of the public also condemned the woman online, labelling her behaviour as unacceptable. “As a horsewoman myself, nothing makes me angrier than seeing such footage as this. It is shameful. There is absolutely no excuse for this behaviour,” one person wrote. “No matter how frustrated you are, no matter if you’ve had a bad day. Horses are so sensitive. What a way to make them head shy.” Image: @HertsHuntSabs (Twitter)

Legal

Teacher kills 9-year-old handing out “Save The Planet” flyers

While handing out homemade 'Save the Planet' flyers on the street, a nine-year-old girl was kidnapped, tortured and stabbed to death by a teacher, according to Russian police. Sofia Zhavoronkova’s head was “smashed” and her face and body “disfigured” after she was lured home by Ulyana Lanskaya, 40, an English language tutor. Hundreds attended the girl’s funeral, many in tears, said local reports in Vologda. Sofia hand wrote the flyers in a notebook with 'save the planet 'announcements', which she handed out to strangers with her friend Alla. One read: “Do not throw rubbish on the ground, because you are polluting nature.” Lanskaya - now remanded in custody - had seen the girls distributing the messages to passers-by and praised them for their green initiative. “Well done, girls, come on, I'll buy you something tasty,” she told them, according to the mother of the other girl. Alla was told by the teacher to go home - unharmed - before she is alleged to have attacked and killed Sofia. The woman took the girls to a cafe for cake, and bought sweets and ice cream for them before allegedly luring them to her home. “Sofia came up with the idea of handing out flyers. She herself wrote them on sheets from her notebook,” said Alla's unnamed mother. Lanskaya is reported to have been distraught after the authorities barred her from raising her own son and daughter, and said Sofia looked like her own child. The teacher had repeatedly claimed her healthy daughter suffered from cancer and needed urgent medical treatment, and had reportedly threatened her child with a knife. After Sofia’s death, police detained Lanskaya on a train heading towards Arctic port Murmansk. She confessed to carrying out the murder, said Russian law enforcement. Later in court, wearing military garments, she said, “I confessed because I'm very ill. I feel unwell, I don't have so long to live.” Despite her claim, investigators say there is no evidence she is terminally ill. During the court proceedings, Lanskaya admitted to inviting the girls to her flat “for tea”. She was covered in slash wounds and her head was “a broken, bloody mess”, reported Vologda-Poisk media. Sofia was reported missing and a huge police search started with 272 volunteers in Vologda city, with the girl’s mother Anna Zhavoronkova, 32, making an emotional appeal on social media. Police eventually located her friend after volunteers scanned CCTV footage and saw the girls together. The friend told them the address where she last saw Sofia, as police went to Lanskaya's house. Lanskaya was absent but police broke in and found Sofia’s body. Her throat had been slit and head battered with a blunt object, say police. A local said Lanskaya "is an intelligent woman, with an education" and “she used to be a tutor in several foreign languages." She was remanded in custody for two months pending the murder investigation. At the funeral, hundreds of mourners carried flowers in the tragic girl's memory. A local report said, “People are silent, do not talk at all. Everyone is crying." “Even men, leaving the church, step aside, light a cigarette and wipe away their tears.” One weeping woman said she came because “my granddaughter is the same age”. Image credits: East2West/Australscope

Legal

Heroes, villains ... biology: 3 reasons comic books are great science teachers

People may think of comics and science as worlds apart, but they have been cross-pollinating each other in more than ways than one. Many classic comic book characters are inspired by biology such as Spider-Man, Ant-Man and Poison Ivy. And they can act as educational tools to gain some fun facts about the natural world. Some superheroes have scientific careers alongside their alter egos. For example, Marvel’s <a href="https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/61755/the_unstoppable_wasp_2017_1">The Unstoppable Wasp</a> is a teenage scientist. And DC Comics’ super-villain <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poison_Ivy_(character)">Poison Ivy</a> is a botanist who saved honey bees from colony collapse. Superheroes have also crept into the world of taxonomy, with animals being named after famous comic book characters. These include a <a href="https://www.csiro.au/en/News/News-releases/2020/Deadpool-fly-among-new-species-named-by-CSIRO%22%22">robber fly</a> named after the Marvel character Deadpool (whose mask looks like the markings on the fly’s back) and a <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2019/07/12/a-fish-called-wakanda-a-new-species-of-fairy-wrasse.html">fish</a> after Marvel hero Black Panther. I am a PhD student researching bee behaviour and I have spent most of my university life working at a comic book store. Here’s how superheroes could be used to make biology, and other types of science, more intriguing to school students. <h2>1. They’re engaging</h2> Reading has a range of benefits, <a href="https://theconversation.com/if-you-can-only-do-one-thing-for-your-children-it-should-be-shared-reading-95146">from improved vocabulary</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/read-aloud-to-your-children-to-boost-their-vocabulary-111427">comprehension and mathematics skills, to increased empathy and creativity</a>. While it’s hard to directly prove the advantages of comics over other forms of reading, they <a href="https://jcom.sissa.it/archive/17/01/JCOM_1701_2018_Y01#:%7E:text=Combining%20the%20benefits%20of%20visualization,engaging%20for%20a%20wider%20audience.">can be engaging</a>, easy to understand learning tools. Comics <a href="https://www.lifescied.org/doi/full/10.1187/cbe.10-07-0090">have similar benefits</a> to classic textbooks in terms of understanding course content. But they can be more captivating. A study of 114 business students showed they <a href="https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1080569913482574">preferred</a> graphic novels over classic textbooks for learning course content. In another <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3164570/">study in the United States</a>, college biology students were given either a textbook or a graphic novel — <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3151324-optical-allusions">Optical Allusions</a> by scientist Jay Hosler, that follows a character discovering the science of vision — as supplementary reading for their biology course. Both groups of students showed similar increases in course knowledge, but students who were given the graphic novel showed an increased interest in the course. <a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/392175/original/file-20210329-19-gob8ew.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/392175/original/file-20210329-19-gob8ew.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" alt="Front cover of the Unstoppable Wasp." /></a> The Unstoppable Wasp is a teenage scientist. <a href="https://www.marvel.com/comics/issue/61755/the_unstoppable_wasp_2017_1" class="source">Marvel</a> So, comics can be used to engage students, <a href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11165-013-9358-x">especially those who aren’t very interested in science</a>. Educational comics such as the <a href="https://us.macmillan.com/series/sciencecomics/">Science Comics series</a>, Jay Hosler’s <a href="https://www.harpercollins.com.au/9780063007376/the-way-of-the-hive/">The Way of the Hive</a> and Abby Howard’s <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/257878-earth-before-us">Earth Before Us</a> series frequently have a narrative structure with a story consisting of a beginning, middle and resolution. Students often find information inside storytelling easier to <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09523987.2017.1324361">comprehend</a> than when it’s provided matter-of-factly, such as in textbooks. As readers follow a story, they can use key information they have learnt along the way to understand and interpret the resolution. <h2>2. They teach important concepts</h2> In science-related comic books, as the story unfolds, scientific concepts are often sprinkled in along the way. For example, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29102867-science-comics">Science Comics: Bats</a>, follows a bat going through a rehabilitation clinic while suffering from a broken wing. The reader learns about different bat species and their ecology on this journey. Comics also have the advantage of <a href="https://blog.heinemann.com/author-gene-yang-graphic-novels-classroom">permanance</a>, meaning students can read, revisit and understand panels at their own pace. Many science comics, including Optical Allusions, are written by scientists, allowing for reliable facts. <div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1367457735734751234"}"></div> Using storytelling can also <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00094056.2018.1540189">humanise scientists</a> by creating relatable characters throughout comics. Some graphic novels showcase <a href="http://www.amnh.org/ology/features/wonderfulworldofwasps/comic/">scientific</a> careers and can be a great tool for removing stereotypes of the lab coat wearing scientist. For example, Jim Ottaviani and Maris Wick’s graphic novels <a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250062932">Primates</a> and <a href="https://www.booktopia.com.au/astronauts-jim-ottaviani/book/9781626728776.html">Astronauts: Women on the Final Frontier</a> showcase female scientists in labs, the field and even space. The Marvel series’ Unstoppable Wasp also includes interviews with female scientists at the end of each issue. <h2>3. They can give a visual insight into strange worlds</h2> Imagery combined with an easy to follow narrative structure can also give a look into worlds that may otherwise be hard to visualise. For example, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31144997-science-comics">Science Comics: Plagues</a>, and the Manga series, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29844802-cells-at-work-vol-1">Cells at Work!</a>, are told from the point of view of microbes and cells in the body. Imagery can also show life cycles of animals that are potentially dangerous, or difficult to encounter, such as a honeybee colony, which was visualised through <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/506636.Clan_Apis">Clan Apis</a>. <iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TR5OXhBjbVk?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe> The author would like to acknowledge neuroscientist and cartoonist <a href="https://matteofarinella.com/">Matteo Farinella</a>, whose advice helped shape this article.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/143251/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/caitlyn-forster-1034177">Caitlyn Forster</a>, PhD Candidate, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/university-of-sydney-841">University of Sydney</a> This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/heroes-villains-biology-3-reasons-comic-books-are-great-science-teachers-143251">original article</a>.

Books

We asked kids who their favourite teacher is, and why. Here’s what they said

Most of us can remember a favourite teacher. Some of us can also remember a teacher we didn’t get on with or with whom we always seemed to get in trouble. Relationships between students and teachers at school are important. They predict students’ motivation, performance, and expectations of future relationships. We interviewed 96 students from a range of schools in Years 3 to 9. We wanted to find out who students remember as their favourite and least favourite teachers. We also wanted to find out what made those relationships positive or negative. In our study, published in the journal School Psychology Review, all students described similar factors that made them like their teachers — care, kindness and humour. What we wanted to find Past research shows students with disruptive behaviour are more likely to experience negative relationships with their teachers than their less disruptive peers. Teachers often rate relationships with such students to be low in closeness and high in conflict. But these relationships aren’t always negative. Even self-described troublemakers and class clowns often remember a specific teacher who stood up for them, who took them under their wing, or who changed their perceptions of school for the better. The first group we interviewed consisted of 54 students who had a history of disruptive behaviour, such as acting out in class or being frequently suspended. Around half were in a special behaviour school for disruptive behaviour, and the remainder attended a mainstream school. The second group consisted of 42 students with no history of disruptive behaviour. They were often high achieving (such as school prefects or A-students), and all attended a mainstream school. We were particularly interested in the “magic ingredients” that would support positive student-teacher relationships, even for disruptive students. We also wanted to determine if there were “contaminating ingredients” that could sour these relationships, even for exemplary students. Who is your favourite teacher? We first asked students if they could remember any teachers they’d had a really good relationship with. If the student replied yes, we then asked what made the relationship good. The reasons students liked teachers were almost identical across groups. Even highly disruptive students bonded with teachers who were caring, kind and funny. One 13-year-old with disruptive behaviour (in a special school) said of their favourite teacher: "Every time I’d go there without food … Miss H always used to buy me lunch, let me go on excursions. … I was never allowed to go on an excursion [before] because of my ADHD." A 15-year-old with disruptive behaviour (also in a special school) said of their favourite teacher: "Mr M, he’s just hilarious. He’s the funniest man on earth. He’s always saying this weird stuff […] walking around with this big puffy jacket, like some kind of Russian guard […] pretending his pencil is a cigar […] we just laugh." These answers show how important it is for teachers to separate student disciplinary matters from relationship matters. Around 16% of students highlighted teacher helpfulness, while 10% highlighted effective teaching, as a key advantage of their favourite teachers. One 12-year-old without disruptive behaviour said about their favourite teacher: "She gave me and some of the other smart kids harder work. [I liked that] because it challenges me." What causes conflicts? We next asked students if they could remember any teachers they really didn’t get on with or clashed with. If a student replied yes, we asked what sort of things would bring that on. While not all students could remember a teacher they clashed with, a large proportion of each group could. Students in both groups overwhelmingly agreed on the key factors contributing to negative relationships. Across groups, 86% highlighted instances where they had perceived the teacher being unnecessarily hostile towards them, or where they felt they were treated unfairly. One 13-year-old with disruptive behaviour (in a mainstream school) said: "I usually have my earphones in and I just sit there and just listen to music […] she just like opened the door, seen me listening to music […] She comes up, grabs the earphones, she just rips them out of my ear [pretend shouting] ‘Listen to the teacher!'" A 16-year-old with disruptive behaviour (in a special school) said: "She just used to pin stuff on me. If I done the littlest thing wrong and someone done somethin’ major wrong, she would […] go for me first […] She just hated me, and I hated her." Another 10-year-old with no disruptive behaviour said: "She was always yelling […] Because she gave us a real hard book, and we were only in Year 1, and we couldn’t really read it that good […]" Frequently, students’ descriptions of unfair treatment included pre-emptive punishments and reprimands: One 15-year-old with disruptive behaviour (in a special school) said: "Well, I remember one time that, like, I went inside the classroom and she just, like, came up to me and she was like, you had better not talk this lesson and I wasn’t even talking at all." Another 15-year-old with disruptive behaviour (in a mainstream school) said: "Well, she always picked me out, as well, for misbehaving, so I got in a lot of trouble for that, but […] like, a lot of people were just doing a lot worse than I was doing, but she was like, no, no, you’ve been bad before." A 12-year-old with no disruptive behavior (in a mainstream school) said: "Every time I did something in the playground that was good, someone told her I’d done something bad and [Miss C] always believed them." What teachers can take from this Based on our research, below are some things teachers and parents can do to promote positive relationships with teachers for the young people in their care. <ol> <li>Remember empathy and humour go a long way to building positive relationships with students. Caring about students as individuals genuinely does break down barriers. Most teachers already report caring deeply for their students. It may simply be a matter of making one’s acts of kindness and care more visible </li> <li>Consider how warnings are given. Students benefit when they are allowed to start the day with a clean slate, and when reprimands are held back until an offence has actually been committed </li> <li>Separate classroom management from relationship building. Students who are most disruptive are also often the ones who could use a positive relationship the most </li> <li>Parents can help by encouraging students to reflect on their relationships with teachers. Sometimes situations are ambiguous, and understanding a teacher’s perspective may help in interpreting situations that would otherwise feel unreasonable to a young person. Students and teachers both win when they work on the same team.</li> </ol> Written by Misha Ketchell. This article first appeared on <a href="https://theconversation.com/we-asked-kids-who-their-favourite-teacher-is-and-why-heres-what-they-said-145093">The Conversation</a>.

Relationships

The Teacher's Pet podcast: Lyn Dawson allegedly spotted at royal tour

An elderly blind woman has told the court she swore she saw missing person Lynette Dawson a year after she disappeared from her home in 1982. Elva McBay, 101, gave evidence at a committal hearing in Sydney that aims to see if Chris Dawson will stand trial for the alleged murder of his wife. The 71-year-old father who shared two children with Lynette has pleaded not guilty to killing Ms Dawson, and says he believes his first wife ran away to join a cult deep in the Blue Mountains region. Her body has never been found. Ms McBay became friends with the twin brother of Chris Dawson, Paul, while on a research course for the education department at Kogarah High School. She eventually met Chris Dawson while he played rugby league for Newtown Jets and as a result went on to meet his wife Lynette. In March 1983, Prince Charles and Princess Diana toured Australia and made an appearance outside the Sydney Hospital on Macquarie Street where they greeted and met with fans. It was there, Ms McBay said appearing via video link from Wyong Court to Downing Centre, that she remembered seeing a woman who looked eerily like Ms Dawson. "She was hurrying, she was running, she pushed in and ducked under the barricade ... I saw her face for a few seconds ... I turned to my husband and said 'I think that was Lyn Dawson'," she said. However Ms McBay said her husband was not able to say whether it was Ms Dawson because it happened "so quickly". Before Lynette disappeared, Ms McBay told the court she had seen Ms Dawson in a "distressed state" at her daughter's fourth birthday party. "She was distraught, she was crying, she was trembling — I had never seen her in such a state ever." Chris Dawson has also been charged with one count of carnal knowledge relating to when he was a sports teacher at Cromer High School in 1980. The court heard that one of his students moved into the family home, which Ms McBay described as "very strange". "She [Lynette] said 'I had the most dreadful row with [the girl]' this morning and she said she wanted to get rid of me'," Ms McBay told the court. "I said 'you should get her out of the house before there is any more trouble'," she said. Defence barrister Philip Boulton SC went on to ask Ms McBay whether she had ever seen any violent behaviour from Chris Dawson. "No ... Chris was very quiet, placid, easy-going ... I never saw him bad-tempered ... he was an absolutely wonderful husband and he adored his wife Lyn," she told the court. "They were one of the happiest families I had ever seen." Ms McBay told the court she was left shocked when someone told her Mr Dawson had been charged with his wife's murder just before Christmas in 2018. Three more witnesses are due to give their own evidence over the next week.

Travel Trouble

A teacher’s beautiful decision for 14-year-old student with down syndrome

A teacher has made a beautiful gesture for a 14-year-old boy with down syndrome. Kerry Bremer, 52, first met Jake Manning when he was just 14 years old, along with his mother Jean four years ago after the family moved to Massachusetts from Florida, US. Sadly Jean had breast cancer and worried about the fate of her only son. “He’s just so lovable,” Bremer told Boston 25 News about the student. “He loves everyone, and he’s so smart and funny. He is very funny.” Bremer was Jake's teacher at CASE Collaborative School in Concord, Massachusetts when he and his family just moved to the state. After Jean expressed worry about what would happen to him if she were to pass away, which resulted in Kerry offering up to adopt sweet Jake who she admitted she “fell in love with” instantly. “I called his mom and I said, ‘I might be overstepping here, I’m really sorry if I am but just in case, if you need to have some backup for Jake my family would be willing to be his guardians,’ and she said, ‘I’m going to sleep better tonight than I have in a very long time,’” Bremer explained. “I knew he would a need a home and there was no way I wouldn't open ours to him.” Kerry and her husband already have three children: Kristen, 21, Jonathan, 19, and Kaitlyn, 16. On November 13, Jake’s mother, Jean, sadly passed away from cancer, and swiftly moved into Bremer’s home full-time. “He needed us and quite honestly obviously we needed him,” Bremer said. “He’s fit in so perfect here.”

Caring

School teacher placed on leave after making a shocking comment about Greta Thunberg

A teacher from Iowa was placed on administrative leave after making a threatening remark about Greta Thunberg. The 16-year-old climate change activist headed to Iowa City in the US to join a climate change strike, with demonstrators calling on the University of Iowa and the city to operate on clean energy by 2030. Before the event, Waterloo West High teacher Matt Baish commented on a Facebook post about her visit, saying “Don’t have my sniper rifle”. A spokesperson for the school district said that they had sent a letter out to families and staff of the high school and said that the employee in question was being put on leave. “We wanted to make you aware of a social media situation involving one of our employees,” the letter said. “The nature of the content shared rose to the level of putting this employee on administrative leave pending an investigation. We appreciate your patience as we sort through the details and thank you for respecting the process.” Naturally, Baish has since removed his comment on the Facebook post, which was written by a 27-year-old former student of Baish’s, Mason Severson. Mr Severson told <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nytimes.com/2019/10/06/us/Greta-thunberg-shooting-threat-teacher.html" target="_blank">The New York Times</a> his comment “was insensitive and taken too far”. “It wasn’t a joke,” he said. “It wasn’t baseless. It was irrefutably vile and wrong.” Thunberg at the rally was as passionate as ever, saying that those present should “never give up”. “No matter what, we need to continue, no matter how hopeless the situation may seem like, we must always carry on and we must never allow ourselves to give up,” she said. “That is simply not an option.”

International Travel

Prince William’s best friend is getting married – to Prince George's teacher!

Prince William’s best friend has found love with someone very familiar to the royal family – Prince George’s teacher! Thomas van Straubenzee – a lifelong friend of the Prince and godfather to Princess Charlotte – proposed to Lucy Lanigan-O’Keeffe, the assistant head teacher at the prep school that the Duke’s son goes to, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/news/prince-georges-teacher-to-wed-his-dad-the-duke-of-cambridges-best-friend-x7qdbbmwn" target="_blank">The Times</a> reported. 31-year-old Lanigan-O’Keeffe teaches outdoor learning and mindfulness at Thomas’s London Day Schools in Battersea. She and 36-year-old van Straubenzee reportedly met a year ago through a friend. This will be van Straubenzee’s second marriage following his separation from Lady Melissa Percy, daughter of the Duke of Northumberland, in 2016. Van Straubenzee and his brother Charlie attended Ludgrove School in Berkshire with both Prince William and Prince Harry. It is speculated that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex may ask Charlie to be the godfather to Archie Harrison Mountbatten-Windsor, who will be <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/bazaar-brides/a28162639/prince-george-teacher-engaged-prince-william-friend/" target="_blank">christened in July</a>. <img style="width: 500px; height: 281.25px; display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7828054/kms2.jpg" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/ca733a17664241b69d8b9092cfe98a43" /> According to The Times, Prince William will serve as an usher and may make a speech at the wedding. Prince George and Princess Charlotte, who will also be attending Thomas’s Battersea in September, are also expected to be pageboy and bridesmaid at their teacher’s wedding.

Relationships

5 famous musicians who started as teachers

Before these famous musicians found international success, they shared their passion for music by teaching it in school. We can imagine they had no trouble keeping their students engaged due to the energy and skill they showcase in stadiums around the world. Scroll through the galley above to see which famous musicians started out as teachers. Can you imagine these musicians teaching your grandkids?

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Prince William’s best friend is getting married – to Prince George's teacher!

5 famous musicians who started as teachers