One of the things I appreciate about Saved by the Bell is the show's attempts to tackle moral and ethical issues that Zack and the gang often find themselves in. In fact, I could use several episodes as mandatory viewing for my kids to learn the lessons/dangers of: overspending and lying (the "Lisa Card"), gambling and having unsupervised parties (Screech and "Hound Dog"), making and using fake ID's (The Attic), drug use (Johnny Dakota), and of course drinking and driving (probably the only useful "Tori" episode...I usually ignore the others). Laugh if you will but the show portrayed some pretty common mistakes made by teenagers and it certainly teaches better lessons than most of the reality TV junk on MTV.
But I've noticed that these episodes usually focus around the kids and their parents. Noticeably absent are the teachers or even Mr. Belding. Sure Zack often gets detention in many episodes, but they are usually for academically-related offenses. Saved by the Bell gives off the impression that when it comes to teenagers' moral upbringing and decisions, the responsibility is completely on the parents...but is that right?
I have been reflecting a lot lately on a teacher's role in their students' ethics and morality. I spent a week with my school's 8th graders on an East Coast tour. While on the trip, the chaperones discovered that one of the boys was "sexting" with a fellow 8th grade girl back home. Very illicit language was being used and if the boy's phone hadn't been taken away, photos would have been exchanged as well. My initial reaction was shock that students I had known for the last couple of years would be doing this (even though I am fully aware of how common sexting has become among teenagers). When the surprise wore off, I was left with a huge sense of sadness. I was sad to see the lost innocence of 13 year-olds. I was sad that the boy and girl did not respect themselves or each other. I was sad that these two students, and probably others that I didn't know about, thought this behavior was acceptable...my heart broke.
As a teacher, when students make choices like these, I am often handicapped as to how much I can do in response. If they haven't broken a law or school rule, all I can really do is inform the parents and let them handle the situation (which we did in the above situation). But for me, that doesn't feel like its enough. Its not that I don't trust the parents to appropriately respond (though some may not). I'm sure they will, and if punishment is necessary, they will do so accordingly. But I believe that one of my most important roles as a teacher is to set a good moral example for my students, and if one of my students makes a mistake in judgement, I cannot sit idly by.
I realize that I cannot expect my students to live by the same moral guidelines that I do or want my own children to, even if I think of my students as my kids (I cannot even assume that their parents have a similar moral compass!). My authority over their lives is limited outside of the classroom, but I have realized that I am not okay with that. Hilary Clinton wrote a book "It Takes a Village," emphasizing the role that all adults, not just the immediate family, play in the upbringing of children. In my opinion, teachers are a part of that village. If I catch a student cheating, using drugs, lying, sexting...I'm going to use that opportunity to have a discussion with them about the choices they are making. It may not have an impact and my students may very well ignore me since its not really my place, but I'll feel worse if I don't even try
