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Thursday, June 11, 2009

It's Not Easy Being Green

3 comments:

  1. I am a parent of two RSP Students. Each with their own unique learning disabilities. Unfortunately, these and other kids with ADHD & FAS/FDS all face similiar issues. Our government continues to want to take away text books, band, electives, RSP and other activities to help our children, they no longer value education and the difference of uneducated actions vs educated people making educated choices and being able to support their families in the future. The biggiest issue is teacher who simple want to put in 8 and hit the gate. Many teacher today no longer want to teach and help children they mearly want to earn a pay check and get out. Many never realize the relationship they build with his or her students can have a life long effect on how this child views education and if they will be successful. I have experienced a number of teachers who want to push my children into special ed classes labeling them for life and making them subject to teasing and ridicule from other students, just because it takes them a little more time in the classroom and the teacher actually has to think and be creative to help them learn. Not all students learn the way or at that same rate. If you are seeking a career in teaching you already know this is not the highest paying industry. I pray you are seeking this career because you truly care about the youth of tomorrow and you want to make a difference in one or more childrens lives. Each and every child deserves an education and deserves teachers who will guide them to success, encourage them, nurture them. How great will it be when one of your studens graduates from high school and comes back to thank you for making a difference! In some childrens lives you may be the only person who cares about them, the only person who tells them you want them to be successful, the only person to make a difference. You may be dealing with an abused child, an adopted child, a sensative child, a child who lost one or both of their parents, a child who may have witnessed a horrific or tragity....you can be the pillar of strength, the person they look up to and the person they want to be just like when they grow up. Please take your job seriously and do it with all of your heart, be passionate about making a difference and responsible with your actions, words etc...or choose a different career, please!

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  2. Our classes at CGU constantly remind us that all children deserve an education. I think the students for our class were picked for our diversity: by ethnicity, sexuality, age and socioeconomic background.

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  3. A friend just sent me this pass-along email:

    What do teachers make?
    The dinner guests were sitting around the table discussing life. One man, a CEO, decided to explain the problem with education.
    He argued, 'What's a kid g oing to learn from someone who decided his best option in life was to become a teacher?'
    He reminded the other dinner guests what they say about teachers: 'Those who can, do. Those who can't, teach.'
    To emphasize his point he said to another guest; 'You're a teacher, Mary. Be honest. What do you make?'

    Mary, who had a reputation for honesty and frankness replied, ’You want to know what I make?'
    (She paused for a second, then began...)
    'Well, I make kids work harder than they ever thought they could.
    I make a C+ feel like the Medal of Honor.
    I make kids sit through 40 minutes of class time when their parents can't make them sit for 5 without an I Pod, Game Cube or movie rental.
    You want to know what I make?' (She paused again and looked at each and every person at the table.)
    'I make kids wonder.
    I make them question.
    I make them apologize and mean it.
    I make them have respect and take responsibility for their actions.
    I teach them to write and then I make them write. Keyboarding isn't everything.
    I make them read, read, read.
    I make them show all their work in math. They use their God-given brain, not the man-made calculator..
    I make my students from other countries learn everything they need to know in English while preserving their unique cultural identity.
    I make my classroom a place where all my students feel safe.
    I make my students stand, placing their hand over their heart to say the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag, One Nation Under God, because we live in the United States of America.
    I make them understand that if they use the gifts they were given, work hard, and follow their hearts, they can succeed in life.'
    (Mary paused one last time, then continued.)
    'Then, when people try to judge me by what I make, with me knowing money isn't everything, I can hold my head up high and pay no attention because they are ignorant... You want to know what I make?
    I MAKE A DIFFERENCE. What do you make, Mr. CEO?'
    His jaw dropped, he went silent.

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