My observation of "Against School: How Public Education Cripples our Kids, an Why"

I felt that John Gatto's narrative is mostly full of hog wash. I think his narrative is more of a rant, than Michael Moores "Idiot Nation". I disagree with Gatto's thought process, however there was only two paragraphs I truly appreciated, the talk between him and his grandfather, and the GOOD NEWS paragraph on pg. 5. But I continued to ask myself, how can someone argue the fundamentals of the importance of school? School is so important.

With this economy today, just having a high school education, a GED will not allow you to get a job to support your family. Like we mentioned today, it takes two people in the household to support a family. We don't have our mom or dad at home to teach us like it was when George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, etc. was in school. Shoot by the time they were of age 11 - 15 they were considered an adult. I can't even imagine children in today's society being that responsible. Times have changed.

Gatto mentioned in pg.1/ paragraph  3 that his grandfather gave him a talking to about Boredom. I do however agree with the grandfather, that if you are bored, it is your fault. There are so many things to do, and if you choose to be lazy, sleep, drink, eat your day away - then you have no one else to blame, but yourself.

At least Gatto tried to instill this into some of his students. If he had an attitude on education - like he does in the narrative throughout the paper on the what if of education, what does he expect people to think about him?

Gatto reminded me of Mr. Keating, when he stated to teach your own children to be leaders and adventures vs. employees and consumers. It is true, we do need to challenge our kids more to have them have a more meaningful life that they can have (pg. 5 / paragraph 3). If we don't prepare our children now for their higher educations, they will not have a future. As for Gatto and Moore they both focused on advertising.

I was a housewife for the last 7 years. In high school I majored in Intensive Business. Before marrying Kenny, I had a wonderful job working for an environmental service with WTI. When the office shut down, I had to take a min. wage job because everyone felt I was over qualified to work in the office. After losing my job this past January, I looked for employment in my trained field. Because I didn't have proper college education, I am back in school. I have returned to college for a degree, because if you don't have that GOLDEN TICKET, you will not get a job to build your future.

Class notes:

In Gatto essay we read about processes, funding, attitude, beliefs.

Thesis-driven Essay Paper III - Outline

     The educational system is a pathway to a students education, which is the importance of an individual being able to follow his or her dreams. Lately, one thing leads to another from the Country wide budget cuts, and we watch this disaster continue to spiral out of control. The public school systems self worth declines, and just like a domino effect, teachers are being laid off; classrooms are becoming overcrowded; teachers are overworked; disruptive starts with classroom curriculum; and frustrations mount between teachers, students, parents.

•      It is no hidden secret, the United States public school system is struggling to stay afloat. Major budget cuts occur and teachers continue to be laid off. This all leads to the teacher / student ratio problems and the classrooms become overcrowed. Teachers can not provide the one on one time with students, especially those who need that little extra push.

The effects on:
1. Teacher layoffs
2. Teachers providing a proper education to an overcrowded class
3. How having a overcrowded classroom effects the other students

•      Teachers already have very limited time in each subject with a normal class schedule. Now what was once two teachers jobs, is now the duties for a single teacher. Teachers eventually become overworked. 

Time & how it effects
1. Students
2. Overworks the Teachers
3. How the Parents end up picking up the slack of an overworked teacher.

•      A students normal class routine consists of reading, English, math, history, science, music and/or gym. Sometimes there may be a student (s) that struggles grasping a certain subject. The student (s) are then pulled out of the classroom during normal class curriculum and being placed in a LAP program. Then the disruption begins.

Special Education and the disruptions
1. Students missed out on subjects to attend LAP classes
2. Teachers

•  Teachers start becoming frustrated from being overworked and having class disruption then leads to the students, teachers and parents frustrated from the lack of the class receiving a proper education.

Frustrations of
1. Teacher
2. Students
3. Parents

Rough Draft II / Thesis-Driven Essay OBSERVATION ON EDUCATION Paper #2

An Outstanding Teacher

     When Mrs. Montgomery was my sixth grade teacher at MacDonald Elementary, she was known as one of the school districts most outstanding teachers. She was accredited for her teaching skills because she was able to help her students set and meet goals, made learning fun and interesting, was an advocate for children’s self-esteem, was always there for her students, and promoted lifelong learning that would follow students into adulthood.

     "We are the only ones responsible for our futures!" said Mrs. Montgomery as she helped us set and meet our goals. Often she would remind us that our goals should be set in small steps to ensure we would succeed each one. She helped her students stay focused and emphasized her wisdom as she kept us mindful of our choices we would make that would reflect our future. In the beginning of school year, she would have us write our goals down on a sheet of paper. Along with our list of goals, she would also have us write a letter to ourselves reminding us of the goals we had set for ourselves. As we worked toward meeting our goals through the school year, she would walk and coach us when needed. During the summer she would mail the letters and your goal lists from the beginning of the school year. Being able to see all our individual accomplishments you achieved; prepared and empowered you for the next school year. As an adult, I see all my educational achievements and owe a lot of my successions to Mrs. Montgomery for her dedication in the education of her students.

     I am sure we have all encountered the feeling of “boredom” in learning within the classroom. Mrs. Montgomery had the ability to ease that feeling. She had the art of sparking imagination in all her students. No matter what subject, she opened creativity and she always made sure it was fun and interesting.

     Our sixth grade’s favorite history project was learning about different cultures within countries around the world. Mrs. Montgomery called it, “Dinner around the World.”  Each group of students was assigned a country in which we had to prepare week-long projects. Each group was to write a report and transform their school desks into the “Customs Booth” for their assigned country. The booth was to be displayed with the country’s flag, facts, and chart of statistics. On Friday, all groups were to bring in a special food dish to share with the class which the country was known for. Since my group was assigned Sweden, our special food dish we prepared was Swedish meatballs, that my mom instructed us how to make.

     The next day our classroom looked like an International tourist extravaganza. The aroma of food from America, Italy, Mexico, to China filled the air in the classroom and down the hallways. Our pretend passports were stamped at every customs booth.  By the end of our day long adventure; we had chased Leprechauns in Ireland, walked the Great Wall of China, danced the Polka in Poland, rowed in the Gondola down the Grand Canal of Venice in Italy, celebrated Cinco de Mayo in Mexico, ran with the bulls in Spain, had tea and crumpets with the Queen of England, and toured The Eiffel Tower in Paris, France. Although we didn’t want to end our trip around the world so quickly, it was time to head back to the United States so we could clean up and head home for the weekend.

     Along with the fun and exciting times, Mrs. Montgomery also had her serious side too. She was an advocate for children’s self-esteem and she believed that teachers played a major role in developing this in a child. Mrs. Montgomery took pride in watching her students achieve. No matter if the achievement was big or small; she would let you know how proud she was of you. When there were failures, she would encourage us to pick ourselves back up and try again. To make us feel better, she would slip in a triumph or failure of her own to let us know that if she made it this far, she knew we could go even further. She had passion, encouragement, and a gentle way of helping everyone out in their own special way.

     Mrs. Montgomery was an inspiration to all her students. She always treated us as if we were her own children. Her love and compassion showed true in all she did for us. One of the very first things I remember her telling our sixth grade class was, “No matter what, I will always be here for you.”, and she held true to her word.

     I had been jaded by my previous experience in the fifth grade. I was sure that having to repeat the fifth grade and having previous educational challenges was going to follow me to my new school.  With an open mind and a smile she welcomed me into her fifth grade Science and English class that year. She knew of my frustrations and sadness in my education history. No matter what, she would always arrange special one on one time for me, as she did for all her students when needed.

     Mrs. Montgomery promoted lifelong learning that has carried me through all of life’s obstacles. She would always tell our class that no matter what challenges come our way in life we had to stay positive and you will be able to find the good out of any bad situation. She instilled in us that no matter how old you are, you are never too old to learn new thing.

     It had been 17 years since I spoke with Mrs. Montgomery, but just the other day on Facebook I located her. I let her know that I think of her often and continue to teach my children on a daily basis the life-long lessons she taught our sixth grade class. We talked about the past and present, how I have been able to find the good out of the many bad situations that have come my way. I have made my lemonade with the lemons God has given me. She asked me if I had any regrets in life, I told her only one…..not going to college right out of high school. She was overjoyed to hear I returned to college and she said, “You are never too old to learn new things.” I thanked her for empowering me with the wisdom to conquer the accomplishments I have made along the way. She was an outstanding teacher, and now I had the encouragement and ability to succeed all the way to my college degree as a “Medical Assistant.” Before our conversation ended, she said to me, “Good luck in school! An education of any kind only helps you and makes you a better, stronger person…..”

My Literacy Narrative "Importance of Self-Esteem" Rough Draft

Michelle L. Jones
Dr. Sonia Begert
English 99
18 July 2011

Importance of Self Esteem

     Teachers play a major role in the development of a child (s) self-esteem, as with any profession, the education system is made up of educators whom are dedicated and those that prefer summers off. My low self-esteem issues began in the fall of my third grade year. It was here I would experience comprehension problems and declining grades. I was afraid to take papers home and scared of my teachers. As a young girl, I was still forming my ability to adapt, regulate my emotions and find my voice.

     My ultimate demise came at my third grade parent teacher conference. I was sent out of the room. The disappointed look on my parent's faces said it all. There I was, an eight year old child who knew she would never be good enough for the teachers or her parents. 

      The summer before fourth grade proved to be one of punishment from my performance the year before. That horrible year seemed to follow me like a predator stalking its prey. As I sit here now as an adult, I still remember those horrible days. Fourth grade was a year of "special" help. I was singled out for the “extra help” with discouraged looks from the teachers, the other students and especially my family. My fourth grade teacher was like the “Wicked Witch” of Fairview Elementary School. She was already coming across as unfriendly and now I needed to ask for help. She of course was never available so that I could get the help needed because she was always with the Enrichment Students and I felt so intimidated to ask again for help. Odds were that by the time class was about over, she had forgotten that had even asked anyways. I forced to sit there an listen to the "Wicked Witch" of Fairview Elementary. She was one of the most unfriendly, unavailable, hopeless teachers that a child could have. The "Enrichment" kids were held up on a pedestal, their every whim catered to. She would intimidate and talk down to me as if I were dirt on the bottom of her shoes. Would she ever remember that a scared little girl needed to ask a question? Would she remember that little girl who was classified to be " not as smart" as her fellow peers and wanted to please everyone?

      I would let my parents know everyday after school. I hated going to school. I hated my teacher! Just as the year before, same complaint, just another year. I often wondered if anyone else in my class was having similar problems. You’ve heard a child complain of their teacher before. The comments like, “I don’t like that teacher.” or “I really enjoy school and my teacher this year.”  For me I would often hear back “It is not nice to say that about your teacher.”, my voice still left unheard.

      Teachers have a huge impact on children, they have our children in class 5 days out of a week for about six hours a day. There I was, subjected to 30 hours a week of damaging self-esteem. I started to become very discouraged with figuring things out. I felt alone and lost, like I had just jumped in the rabbit hole to join the tea party with Alice. I didn’t know which direction to take. I was an emotional train ride. Here I was struggling, when my older sister kept bringing home achievements. I would always hear of her accomplishments and it was not that I did not want to have the same things.  

    My Grandma Grace dedicated her time helping me with homework. She could see I had reading comprehension issues and just needed someone that would be able to give me that little extra push. No matter how long it took, grandma would sit with me each night until all homework or studying was done. Some children would have dreaded this time, but I looked forwarded to it each night. Finally, I was getting some help, I appreciated every minute of it.  Eventually, she even hired me a tutor when needed.

      Fifth grade arrived and I thought I was ready. Little did I know, the work was going to be a little bit harder and we would be switching classes. Not only did I have the “Wicked Witch” of Fairview Elementary again for some subjects, but I had her evil twin for my fifth grade teacher. Before the end of my first week of fifth grade my troubles had already begun, it was going to be a long school year.

     I immediately went home and let my parents know all that was going on, and they came to school.  Apparently the teachers had conversations about me before school had even begun and I felt at that very moment I just wanted to disappear. I was not a bad child, I behaved in school. I was not understanding what made me such a problem. They wanted me to be tested because they agreed that I was “mentally retarded”.  It was a total nightmare for me. They went as far as wanting me tested at the county mental health clinic.

      It was a cold winter break, the tree branches were all iced over. While other children were able to stay home to play with their Christmas toys and enjoy the fresh fallen snow, I was having to get ready for the meeting with the mental health doctor. I didn’t want to go! I remember being called back to the doctors room. I felt like I was walking down the hall that would never end and when the door shut, it sounded like a tomb was just sealed for eternity. Then out came the paper and pen, flashcards and he asked tons of questions. I let him know exactly how I felt, how the teachers made me feel. There was nothing wrong with me and the doctor agreed, he reported back to the school district as well, I was vindicated! I was so happy when school ended that year, except I failed fifth grade.

      It was the first day of a new year, I was depressed having to repeat the fifth grade. All my classmates were moving on, I was sure to be teased. Right before we were to catch the bus, my dad let me know I wouldn’t be riding the bus to school because I would be attending MacDonald Elementary and they wanted to take me to meet my teachers. Mixed emotions overwhelmed my mind, finally my parents were taking me out of that  “institution”! I was scared to death, but just like Mike Rose, I knew from that point on my education was going to be my responsibility. In order to have a future I was going to have to set higher goals. My life was going to be what I made of it, not how a teacher made me feel about myself. A new year, a new school, a new beginning!

      My prayers were answered when I came home my first day to let my family know about my great day and I was excited to return. No longer was I afraid of the teachers, I was receiving the same help my grandma was able to give me and I was not being embarrassed in front of my classmates. I was no longer being treated like a “labeled” student.  

      How many of you remember your favorite teacher or your not so favorite teacher? Just like I remember the “Wicked Witch” of Fairview Elementary and her evil twin, I also remember my favorite teacher, Mrs. Montgomery. She helped me build goals toward succeeding through school after my horrible experience and because of her and all of her encouragement she gave me along the way, I received A’s and B’s throughout the rest of my school years and graduated top 20 of the Class of 1994. This shows how important teachers roles play in education along with self esteem. Along with our parents and grandparents, teachers are also our earliest influences.