I've noticed alot lately the complete lack of respect kids of every age have for teachers. Now, I'm only 17, but surly even I can see how much teachers mean to us as a society. People in 3rd world countries (and even some developed ones) would do ANYTHING for the same education that we've thrown aside like leftover scrapes. Have we really come to the point where we hate one of the very things that makes other people want to live in America? Our teachers are doing what they do because they want to help us. So many children think that they become teachers just to torture kids. But really, people work part-times jobs and make as much as some teachers! Would you really become one if all you wanted to do was make people miserable? It doesn't make sense, and I hope that future generations, or maybe even this one, can come to realize that.
Now, this is my first blog, I know it's VERY short, and not all that well written, but I really hope to improve, if anyone has hints for me please let me know! I don't even have a picture or anything up yet... sad huh?
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There is an old saying. "You get what you pay for."
This has two sides. On one hand, quality of a product is often tied to the price tag (overpaying for crap based on a brand name notwithstanding).
The other side of it is lost on most people. Too materialistic. When you pay for something, it has worth to you beyond the material. Investing in something connects it to you in a way that is not physical.
School is free. There is nothing involved that would motivate a student to do well. The student does not pay, their parents do. Their parents (unless it is a private school) do not directly pay, they just pay through property taxes.
Grades are too intangible to suffice as a standard for motivation for too many, who have been brought up on an instant gratification lifestyle.
"Why study hard and achieve? Not only do you NOT have fun with your friends, but then you get an A and someone else gets a D.... so what?" is the rationale for too many. Too many feel they are entitled to a good life by virtue of existing.
That hits hard when reality sets in. They can either, then, sacrifice and work hard to make something of themselves, or they can slip into the apathetic dependence of government-subsidized poverty.
Some schools are now turning to paying students for every A or B they get.
Bribery. while it can solve the short term problem, it has not actually taught the student to achieve. It has, instead, enabled an 'instant gratification' mentality.
To steal and paraphrase a line from Dave Ramsey, Live like no one else would now so that later you can live like no one else can.
I think that some of our generation right now takes a lot of things for granted. Like you said in 3rd world countries a lot of children would be thankful for just going to school. But some of us are so worried about trying to beat the teacher up just impress our friends . I feel sorry for teachers. They get underpaid, get talked to any way and sometimes get beat up. I couldn't be a teacher because I would have beat all the bad students on the first day of school. They would hate me.
Nice title for your first blog. It pulled me right on in. As far as a picture, I got mine from Corbis.com It is just this site with numerous images you can pick from. The picture that I have is not my pic. Its just an illustration.
Its not always about making sure if your blog is long or short. Its about making the blog represent what you stand for. Thats the best blog there is. Short or long.
Well your first blog ain't bad. Its pretty good actually. My first blog was a disaster (according to me). I think that as long as you reach 200 words, thats good enough. Long blogs tend to get boring unless you get the reader attached to your words.
Making points, and separating paragraphs also works. The title was great. Keep it up!
A agree, not a bad first blog. My tips:
Spell Check
Add a personal touch to make it more interesting
Don't use phrases such as "but really" and "now" as if you were talking to a friend. Write as if you're a scholar, unless it fits into your story. Essays get better marks than narrations.
F*** Religion. Read more here:
http://www.progressiveu.org/020528-f-religion
Sorry... I actually want to be an author... but it has never been my style to write in essay form, which is probably why I only got a 22 on my ACT writing test... sad huh?
Not writing in a formal style is good for a lot of things, so don't let it stand in the way of being an author. I have noticed that more structured posts here get better ratings, so I just thought you might want to know. .
F*** Religion. Read more here:
http://www.progressiveu.org/020528-f-religion
Oh no! I understood what you meant... and I didn't take any offense to it! It's fine!
You make a good point about third world education. I am studying to be a teacher in Minneapolis, where we have huge Somali and Hmong populations. One problem teachers consistently have with immigrant parents is that they do not understand the American premium placed on parental involvement in a child's education, so it is really difficult to get the parents into the schools or to help with the homework. A lot of teachers see this as a failing on the part of the parents, but it stems from the respect those cultures have for educators. One does NOT question a teacher in their home cultures. Not even adults question teachers.
One of my friends actually had some immigrant parents get upset with their child when they found out her participated actively in class and asked a lot of questions. The teacher had to keep explaining that in the U.S. students are encouraged to ask questions. It went against everything they knew about education.
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
Thats pretty cool info. I know alot of cultures respect teachers but it is hard to explain to immigrant parents what is okay in US. They feel it as disrespect. Professors, even in my country are respected as much as doctors. Actually more than doctors even though they get payed less.
i always tend to click the post comment button and then end up with two of the same comments so i edited this one to explain why.
wow... I've never heard that! Thank you for sharing ediblewoman, I'm sorry if sometimes I come across as being blunt with you on other blogs! Don't take it personally, I've found that you're a pretty cool person and you have alot to say! Thanks for that. I'm not able to enter this semesters contest, but I hope you win!
...is that you can't take everything personally. I used to be really bad about that. The slightest criticism or question seemed like a terrible affront. Learning to let it roll off is going to come in so handy when I'm teaching and dealing with parents! This competition has done some really great things for me, whether I win or lose. I don't even care about the outcome so much anymore. But thanks!
http://www.progressiveu.org/blog/ediblewoman
yeah.... I'm trying to work on it as well, it's pretty hard for me. Especially seeing that the majority of the people on here are college students who have been doing this for a few years! I'm still in high school, I'll be a senior next year
Other countries educational approach is very different. One of my colleagues from India was shocked to hear that I took one of my classes outside for a lesson, and said that in her country she would have been fired for doing so. She also said that all rules of formal etiquette must be followed in the classroom, and as you said before, nobody questions the teacher.
I love abortion. Read more here:
http://progressiveu.org/044921-i-love-abortion-even-if-it-murder