A “good” student

January 28, 2020 5 By Michaela

What does it mean to be a good student according to the “commonsense” of Canada? A good student is always eager to learn and pays excellent attention in classes by maintaining eye contact with the lecturer and raising their hand when they wish to contribute to the conversation. When they contribute they say exactly what the teacher wants to hear, and the teacher is glad because “they have been listening well.” A good student works quietly and independently and needs little or no help to accomplish tasks on time. A good student gets along well with others, or at least isn’t involved in any altercations (being without friends is acceptable). A good student comes to school bathed and groomed. A good student keeps a tidy desk.

Students who come from high status socioeconomic backgrounds benefit from this model. If you are white, or at least assimilated to western society, middle or upper class, and have a “good” home life, you will do well. This narrowminded view doesn’t allow for any knowledges but that of European design. Indigenous and all other knowledges are lesser and irrelevant. This model also perpetuates internalized racism in white and minoritized students alike.