Whenever a child tells you that they want to become a professional athlete, singer or billionaire, we always ask, do you have something to fall back on? We would hate for a child to have a lavish dream or goal. Why would a child select something that only 1 in 50,000 possibly achieve? Kids should be more realistic and set a goal that is within their reach.
I wonder...what is the Plan B for all the students we put on a college track knowing they don't have the ability or resources? How will they support themselves when graduation comes and they awake with no skills to earn a living? We have no problem assassinating a child's dream when they reach outside the box, but have no qualms about selling them our nightmare.
We can't all compete in the Olympics, practice medicine or rap. One size does not fit all. We must make those tough, sincere and realistic choices. At some point a child must be pointed in a direction that will prove successful and profitable. If they wake up and choose something different for themselves, everyone has the right to change their mind. It's the same change every student who is not going to college makes after they have invested 13 years in a college prep curriculum but want to join the yacht industry.
Every wonder how much money someone can make repairing yachts, or plumbing? How much did you pay the last time your car needed to be repaired. I bet it was more than you paid your doctor.
Don't be a dream assassin!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
The Three Amigos
This week during church, Pastor Troy(yeah, there's also a rapper named Pastor Troy) spoke about the three different types of people. Until you know about these people, you won't know who is surrounding you.
The ones who "use you": I think that's fairly self-explanatory, so I won't even waste any more words.
The ones who are "for you": The person who is for you will cheer you on and be one of your top supporters. Though they are a supporter, they have no vested interest in you and will turn on you in a second. You can also call them the "fair weather fan". When things are great, they are behind you 100%. The second you say or do something that they disapprove of...the fans are gone.
The ones who are "with you": This person is in your corner and laughs when you laugh, they cry when you cry and are invested in you. The difference between those who are "with you" and those who are "for you" is measured in the level of commitment. Pastor Troy explained commitment in a very clever way once. He spoke about the pig and chicken. When you eat breakfast, you eat bacon and eggs. The chicken contributes the eggs, but the pig gives his life for the bacon. The difference lies in the level of commitment.
Take some time to look around you and identify those who either "use you", are "for you" or are truly "with you".
The ones who "use you": I think that's fairly self-explanatory, so I won't even waste any more words.
The ones who are "for you": The person who is for you will cheer you on and be one of your top supporters. Though they are a supporter, they have no vested interest in you and will turn on you in a second. You can also call them the "fair weather fan". When things are great, they are behind you 100%. The second you say or do something that they disapprove of...the fans are gone.
The ones who are "with you": This person is in your corner and laughs when you laugh, they cry when you cry and are invested in you. The difference between those who are "with you" and those who are "for you" is measured in the level of commitment. Pastor Troy explained commitment in a very clever way once. He spoke about the pig and chicken. When you eat breakfast, you eat bacon and eggs. The chicken contributes the eggs, but the pig gives his life for the bacon. The difference lies in the level of commitment.
Take some time to look around you and identify those who either "use you", are "for you" or are truly "with you".
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Find My Way
I am struck by a puzzling reality. How will a student find their way or find an interest when they never gain any exposures. Students who are low in reading or math must take 2 reading and 2 math classes. These don't replace their regular English coursework. With such a course load, when will they find their way and meet that elective teacher or have the aha experience so necessary for future growth. When will they try something new and gain a liking for it and pursue it during the post-secondary studies. Maybe it's the woodworking, automotive, computer, or myriad of other vocational courses that they will never experience.
Each day, I see the hundreds of students who are forever destined for failure. A lifelong failure, one that academics cannot reverse. Our students are wasting their most productive and exploratory years worrying about a single standardized test. A test that does little to boost or predict future academic success.
Let's take a tour of a hospital, factory or college; or will we miss FCAT practice time. We are creating a generation of students who will be lost and forever without a direction or purpose.
I truly believe we are not helping students find their way. The longer we focus all our attention on a test that does little to predict college readiness or success, the farther behind our students will fall. The ones the need the most direction and career guidance, get the least, because all their coursework is focused on a infinitely minute bulls-eye.
Each day, I see the hundreds of students who are forever destined for failure. A lifelong failure, one that academics cannot reverse. Our students are wasting their most productive and exploratory years worrying about a single standardized test. A test that does little to boost or predict future academic success.
Let's take a tour of a hospital, factory or college; or will we miss FCAT practice time. We are creating a generation of students who will be lost and forever without a direction or purpose.
I truly believe we are not helping students find their way. The longer we focus all our attention on a test that does little to predict college readiness or success, the farther behind our students will fall. The ones the need the most direction and career guidance, get the least, because all their coursework is focused on a infinitely minute bulls-eye.
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