504. Fired for Honesty and Competence: One Genuine Teacher's Story | Warren Smith
In this episode of The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast, Warren Smith recounts his teaching experiences, from initially pursuing a career as a college video production professor to ultimately landing at a school for students with behavioral challenges. One viral video captured Smith's thoughtful engagement with a student on J.K. Rowling's controversial comments, drawing praise for his nuanced approach.
However, the video's unexpected attention disrupted Smith's career and teaching methods. Despite securing permissions, the school administration grew concerned over potential publicity, ultimately leading to Smith's dismissal. The episode explores the consequences of honest and competent teaching in a climate of heightened scrutiny.
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1-Page Summary
Warren's Teaching Career
Warren transitioned from pursuing a career as a college professor in video production to teaching in a high school, eventually landing at a specialized school for behaviorally challenged students.
Warren intended to teach video technology at college level (Smith).
After an MFA focused on video production, Warren initially sought a career as a college professor teaching video technology courses. He integrated his teaching with video content creation.
Warren later worked at a school for behaviorally challenged students (Smith).
Warren describes a chaotic environment at the publicly funded school for students with behavioral issues like gangs and substance abuse. Teachers were equipped for safety given frequent altercations. Despite challenges, Warren developed and expanded a multimedia program using advanced equipment.
The Viral Video
Warren engaged a student thoughtfully on J.K. Rowling's views (Smith, Peterson).
In a viral video, Warren guided a student to look critically at Rowling's tweets, prompting reflection beyond accusing her of transphobia. Peterson praised Warren's nuanced approach contrasting heated debates.
Consequences of the Video
The viral video disrupted Warren's career (Smith).
Though permitted, the video drew unwanted attention from the administration concerned over the school's image. Warren felt scrutinized for any missteps.
Warren was ultimately fired (Smith).
Despite obtaining permissions, Warren's YouTube activity raised suspicion. The school avoided publicity, likely influencing his dismissal despite initial inaction. Warren felt pressured into silence.
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Clarifications
- Warren's viral video disrupted his career due to unwanted attention from the administration concerned about the school's image. The video raised suspicion despite permissions obtained, leading to scrutiny and pressure on Warren. The school's avoidance of publicity and potential impact on its reputation influenced Warren's dismissal. Warren felt pressured into silence as a result of the attention and subsequent actions taken by the school.
- Warren's firing despite obtaining permissions for the video was influenced by the school's desire to avoid negative publicity and maintain its image. The administration's concerns about the school's reputation led to increased scrutiny on Warren's actions, even though he had followed protocol. This external pressure and the potential impact on the school's public image played a significant role in the decision to dismiss Warren. The school's focus on managing its public perception ultimately outweighed Warren's adherence to formal permissions in this situation.
- Warren worked in a specialized school for behaviorally challenged students, dealing with issues like gangs and substance abuse. The school environment was chaotic, with teachers facing safety concerns due to frequent altercations. The administration became concerned about the school's image after a viral video featuring Warren discussing controversial topics gained attention. This attention led to increased scrutiny on Warren's actions, ultimately resulting in his dismissal.
Counterarguments
- Warren's intention to teach at the college level may not have been fully informed by the realities of the academic job market, which is often highly competitive and may not have many openings in specialized fields like video technology.
- The transition to teaching at a specialized school for behaviorally challenged students, while challenging, could be seen as an opportunity for professional growth and to make a significant impact on a difficult-to-reach student population.
- The chaotic environment at the specialized school might have provided Warren with real-world experiences that could enhance his teaching and ability to manage difficult situations, which could be valuable in any educational setting.
- Safety concerns at the school, while serious, are not unique to this environment and can occur in any teaching context; it's important for all educators to be prepared for such situations.
- Developing and expanding a multimedia program in a challenging environment could demonstrate Warren's adaptability and commitment to providing quality education despite difficult circumstances.
- The engagement with a student over J.K. Rowling's views, while praised for its nuance, could also be critiqued for potentially not providing enough support for students who may have been personally affected by the issues discussed.
- The viral video, while disruptive, could be seen as a learning opportunity for the school administration to engage with contemporary issues and support their staff in navigating complex cultural conversations.
- The scrutiny following the viral video could be interpreted as due diligence by the administration to ensure that all staff actions align with school policies and community standards.
- Warren's firing, although unfortunate, might have been the result of a complex set of factors beyond just the viral video, including broader concerns about the fit between his teaching style and the school's culture or mission.
- The school's desire to avoid publicity could be seen as a protective measure for its students, who may be vulnerable and in need of a safe and private educational environment.
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Warren's Teaching Career and Experiences
Warren’s career journey from an MFA graduate with a focus on video production to a high school teacher and eventually a teacher at a specialized school for behaviorally challenged students reveals a dynamic intersection between education, technology, and videography.
Warren had a background in video production and was pursuing a career as a college professor.
After completing his Master's degree in 2019, Warren intends to become a college professor, teaching video technology courses while drawing from his experience in video production. He integrates his teaching with creating content, such as recording his lectures for YouTube, exemplified by a video on archetypes in Harry Potter. This approach not only enriches his students’ learning experiences but also creates portfolio artifacts that illustrate his methodological pedagogy.
Despite his intention to teach at the college level, Warren lands a high school teaching job introducing students to video technology, his area of expertise. Combining his love for filmmaking and a desire to move away from the Hollywood industry, he embraces teaching full-time after a tenure of freelancing and creating films.
Warren later took a job at a specialized school for behaviorally challenged students, which proved to be a chaotic and challenging environment.
Warren Smith describes his transition to a specialized publicly funded school that accommodated behaviorally challenged students, including those involved with gangs, substance abuse, and those who were bullies or were bullied. With each student's spot costing around $50,000, the facility was geared to handle difficulties that other schools could not.
Smith paints a picture of a school environment one step removed from juvenile detention with frequent student altercations. The dynamics are so challenging that new teachers are warned about the high turnover rate, and teachers are equipped with walkie-talkies and safety care training for urgent situations. The pandemic added to the chaos with COVID-19 outbreaks and staff shortages—conditions that necessitated remote teaching from his classroom against a backdrop of constant health-related disruptions.
Warren divides the student population into two groups: those with behavioral issues and those with physical challenges. He notes with enthusiasm the aptitude of physically challenged students for multimedia subjects like Photoshop and video editing. Despite no existing curriculum, he developed and expanded a multimedia program, which included working in a lab with advanced equipment such as a 3D printer, new camera technology, and iMacs running Premiere Pro and Photoshop. This program eventually ex ...
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Warren's Teaching Career and Experiences
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Counterarguments
- Warren's intention to become a college professor might not have been fully realized due to market conditions or personal choice, rather than a direct preference for high school teaching.
- Transitioning to high school teaching could be seen as a step down from his original goal, potentially indicating a compromise or a shift in career aspirations.
- Working at a specialized school for behaviorally challenged students, while noble, may not fully utilize Warren's expertise in video production.
- The chaotic environment of the specialized school might not be the most conducive to learning, especially for subjects that require concentration and focus like video technology.
- The high turnover rate among teachers at the specialized school could indicate systemic issues within the school's administration or support systems.
- The development of a multimedia program, while innovative, may not align with the core educational needs or immediate priorities of behaviorally challenged students.
- The investment in advanced equipment like a 3D printer and new camera technology might be questioned in terms of cost-effect ...
Actionables
- You can explore alternative career paths by volunteering in different educational settings, such as after-school programs or adult education centers, to gain insight into various teaching environments and student needs. By doing this, you'll understand the dynamics of different educational systems and how they cater to diverse student populations, which can help you make informed decisions about your career trajectory.
- Create a simple feedback system using free online survey tools to gather input from peers or students on any projects or presentations you're involved in. This approach allows you to identify areas for improvement and ensure your work remains relevant and engaging to your audience, much like adjusting a curriculum to meet student needs.
- To better understand the chall ...
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The viral video discussing J.K. Rowling
Warren Smith was captured in a video engaging thoughtfully with a student's concerns about J.K. Rowling's controversial opinions, particularly accusations of transphobia. The conversation exemplifies a nuanced approach to a contentious topic.
Warren recorded a video discussing a student's concerns about J.K. Rowling's views, taking a thoughtful and nuanced approach.
In the video, the student inquires about J.K. Rowling's perceived transphobic opinions. Smith encourages critical thinking, challenging the student to look beyond the crowd's opinion and stimulating a reflective examination of Rowling's actual tweets. He prompts the student to identify anything specifically disagreeable in Rowling's words. The student initially labels Rowling as transphobic but later, under Smith’s guidance, admits to not finding anything objectionable in the tweet and regrets their earlier stance. Smith, therefore, not solely relies on disapproving Rowling but leads the student through a closer inspection of the tweet, discussing what they consider transphobic and noting Rowling's apology. He clarifies Rowling's emphasis on her womanhood being important to her without discounting individual identity.
This video went viral after being shared by notable figures, garnering widespread attention, and prompted an interview with Piers Morgan.
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The viral video discussing J.K. Rowling
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Counterarguments
- While Smith's approach is praised for encouraging critical thinking, some might argue that it could inadvertently dismiss or minimize the concerns of those who feel affected by Rowling's comments.
- The student's change of opinion might be seen as a result of the power dynamics in a student-teacher relationship rather than a genuine shift in perspective.
- The praise from Jordan Peterson could be considered controversial given his own polarizing views, and some might question whether his endorsement actually reflects a balanced approach to the issue.
- The video's viral nature and the subsequent interview with Piers Morgan, who is also a divisive figure, might skew public perception of the event and its participants.
- The claim that Smith's approach avoids pola ...
Actionables
- You can practice empathetic listening by engaging with friends or family on a controversial topic and focusing solely on understanding their perspective before sharing your own. Start by choosing a topic that's currently debated in the media, listen without interrupting, and then summarize their points back to them to ensure you've understood correctly before discussing your own views.
- Enhance your critical thinking skills by writing a reflective journal entry after reading news articles or social media posts. When you encounter a statement or opinion, write down your initial reaction, then list questions that challenge this reaction and explore different angles. This exercise will help you to not immediately take sides but to consider various aspects of an issue.
- Develop a habit of seeking original sources when forming opinions by ...
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The consequences and aftermath of the viral video
Warren Smith's teaching career faced significant turmoil following the viral spread of his video, resulting in escalated scrutiny from the school administration and ultimately his dismissal.
The viral video led to significant disruption in Warren's professional life, as the school administration became concerned about the public attention.
After Warren Smith’s video went viral, the school administrators took notice, particularly when the video attracted attention from high-profile individuals like Elon Musk. Despite Smith having the necessary releases, indicating no explicit rule-breaking, the awareness the video garnered made the school administration uncomfortable. The principal called Warren into his office to discuss the video due to concerns about the school's public image and potential issues with superiors.
Warren felt that he had to be cautious, as it seemed that the administration was watching him closely for any missteps and was considering his removal. During a meeting, school authorities told Warren they were "deciding to part ways because you uploaded a video to YouTube against policy." Warren disputed that there was any policy violation, especially since his previous video work had been met with congratulations.
Warren was ultimately fired from his teaching position, though the reasons provided were vague and the decision seemed to be influenced by the school's desire to avoid further public scrutiny.
Despite obtaining permission from new students featured in subsequent videos, Warren’s continued activity on YouTube was viewed with suspicion by the school administration. The school, not wanting the spotlight, seemed keen to avoid further public scrutiny, which likely influenced their decision-making concerning Warren's employment. The school did not act hastily in dismissi ...
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The consequences and aftermath of the viral video
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Actionables
- You can create a personal policy for social media sharing that aligns with your workplace guidelines to avoid conflicts. Start by reviewing your employer's code of conduct and social media policies, then draft a set of rules for yourself that ensure your online activity won't inadvertently cause issues. For example, decide not to post content during work hours or share anything related to your job without explicit permission.
- Develop a contingency plan for handling public attention in your professional life. Think about potential scenarios where your work or personal actions might draw unexpected scrutiny and outline steps to address them while maintaining your reputation and relationships. For instance, if a project you're involved in goes viral, plan to communicate proactively with stakeholders to manage the narrative.
- Practice assertive communicat ...
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