Is Damion Frye A Brilliant Teacher or an Arrogant Twit?

Link: Spreading Homework Out So Even Parents Have Some - New York Times.

So far, Mr. Frye, an English teacher at Montclair High School, has asked the parents to read and comment on a Franz Kafka story, Section 1 of Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself” and a speech given by Robert F. Kennedy in 1968. Their newest assignment is a poem by Saul Williams, a poet, musician and rapper who lives in Los Angeles. The ninth graders complete their assignments during class; the parents are supposed to write their responses on a blog Mr. Frye started online.

If the parents do not comply, Mr. Frye tells them, their child’s grade may suffer — a threat on which he has made good only once in the three years he has been making such assignments.

Gee, what is Frye assuming about all the parents of his students? 

1. They have internet access

2. They read English at a high-school level

3. They are comfortable using "new media" such as blogs

4. They have sufficient time and energy left over after work and caring for the kids and/or elderly parents to sit down, read  complex works, and compose a reply.

Personally, I'm voting for, at the very least, culturally insensitive.

Comments

[Craig Lee Burket]

I vote for Arrogant Twit or worse. What part of "egregious overreaching power grab" does he not understand?

The furiously backpedalling "media statement" from the Montclair, NJ School District (http://www.montclair.k12.nj.us/district/frye.cfm) says:

"Mr. Frye is not planning to give more interviews at this time."

[Tom Winters]

I am not sure where he is going with the whole thing, but I think Mr Frye is correct that parents need to get involved with their kids education. Maybe parents should have the option of opting their kids out of his class.

[yattacheese]

Wow. It's a shame you didn't bother trying to contact Damion to ask him about the details of his program yourself. I know firsthand that Damion "did his homework" on his particular students' access to technology, the time required to do the work involved, as well as exploring any language barriers that existed. He also consulted with several people who study technology access among students and their families in the United States. Then again, I'm sure it's a lot easier for you to make your own assumptions and just call someone a twit instead. I only wish I had come across your post months ago. Perhaps I would have been more than happy to put the two of you in touch with one another.

[M.G. Elijah Roberts]

You all make very good points and valid arguments. All criticism aside, Frye's innovative approach to teaching 9th grade English is similar to an intimate revolution, it can go both ways. I am a college student who lives on the west coast.

Conveniently, this article was presented to me in an English 50 class, where we we're obligated the share our opinions. I grew up in a less then middle class environment where "family" communication was rationed for hard times or gangin' up on other members of the tribe. There was always a side to take, however, no one was ever completely right.. they were justified to feel that way. That’s the irony of the human ego.

Frye is neither right or wrong; I support him for his efforts to stimulate personal growth through human interaction. Any type of interaction has benefits to offer, in the long run. Somewhere down the line it will prove to be influential, whether or not your conversations are intellectual or simple.

If Frye can get his students and their parents to communicate at all, then he accomplished what he set out to do. *That's called a goal, children* Communication helps establish those too. Communication is essential for the human mind, conscience, soul... whatever you want to call it. Even in the world of wires it has a place. Keep up the good work Mr. Frye.

-M.G.E. Roberts

*Frye is neither right or wrong; I support him for his efforts to stimulate personal growth through human interaction.*

[M.G. Elijah Roberts]

A cup of fine coffee to get you ready every morning for the hellish yet rewarding experience of teaching high school English – 4.00 $

Buying a copy of Saul Williams new album - 17.00 $

Paying for the Internet because everyone knows your not going to actually buy poetry by Walt Whitman at a book store – 50 $ a month

Purchasing supplies to aid in the fundamental development of youthful minds - 200 $

Getting a lawyer to sue the school system for its exploitation of honest, hard working citizens and ridiculous currency policies – 3,500 $

Teaching controversial yet innovative techniques to high school English students in an attempt to stimulate personal growth through human interaction – PRICELESS

Damion Frye – Wherever 9th grade English is accepted.

[Sabrina Powell]

i am in Mr. Fryes 9th grade english class, and i have to say that you are all wrong about him. for one he has three computers in the classroom that he urges all of students us to utalize if we dont have a computer at home. also, the assignments arnt like 7 page essays, they are reflections on poems and entirly oppinion. also i do not apriciate the strong oppinions that you are making about a person you have never met.

Mr. Frye is by-far the best teacher i have ever had. so hop-off

[A student]

I feel that all of the parents complaining about an amazing teacher, who is getting parents involved in thier childrens academic work is great. Dont you all want the best for you children? So why talk about a young teacher who cares more than most senior teachers who have been there over 10 years. I feel if you have enough time to waste and make an idiotic blog about Mr. Frye then you can blog about the topic he has presented as an assignment for you childs grade!

" I vote for arrogant Twit".. you sound rediculous. How about you vote for the next president of the united states and let your child be taught by a great teacher.

[Melissa Winlows]

What a shame we do not have teachers like Mr. Frye at the school my children attend. Common sense should tell every parent that involvement in your child’s education allows for maximum success... Children who’s parents are involved in the educational process have higher test scores, attend class more often, have better attitudes and increase their chances of going on to college... not to mention that those same children have fewer discipline problems. The best advice my parents ever gave me about raising my children was that “a child educated only at school is an uneducated child”... As parents, we do our children a terrible disservice by standing by and believing that education is the sole responsibility of the school system. Two of my children have received full scholarships to the college or university of their choosing and I am sure the other will be just as successful and that did not happen simply because I woke them up for school every morning. Parents need to be involved and school systems need to actively recruit teachers like Mr. Frye.

[Diego (12th Grade)]

I am a former student of Mr. Frye's, and can tell you (the creator of this blog) that he is anything but culturally insensitive. If you had done YOUR homework, you could have found out that he majored in African American studies at Bates College, and went on to study just that at Brown University and Columbia University. What you would have also found out is that he is part black.

It is a shame to see how such an ignorant person as yourself can comment so negatively about (in my opinion) the best teacher in Montclair High School. He doesn't just go through the motions of teaching the curriculum, assigning countless boring analysis essays, he incorporates film, music and poetry into his daily lessons and assignments. He truly allows for students to explore literature through means that interest them, not in the cookie-cutter fashion that I have experienced my other two years at MHS.

Also, I'm an African American and Hispanic student, and have received more support from Mr. Frye than any other teacher in my 11 years of schooling. I am positive that Mr. Frye is a friend, mentor and outstanding teacher to many students at the high school, so please refrain from insulting him.