Old Weird Ward
Unless otherwise noted, that which is posted here is opinion, which is protected by the First Amendment to the US Constitution. If you don't like my opinions, go somewhere else. Nobody is forcing you to actually read this drivel.
The presumption exists that you can read at all.
That may be a large assumption.
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Saturday, January 31, 2004
- - - - - OWW's Postings - - - - -
I know, I promised yesterday that I wouldn't post political stuff. Strictly speaking, the stuff below is NOT political.
But, I bet it becomes political. The teacher's union IS a political beast.
- - - - - Too Much of a Good Thing? - - - - -
Marquis Harris is not a shy guy. He's right up front about being smart, driven, talented, educated, passionate about his chosen profession. In fact, he comes off as a little arrogant. Or maybe confident is the word.
Let's say he's solidly confident.
He's not quite your average 22-year-old.
He wants to teach. He's qualified out the wazoo. He's certified as a teacher in Kentucky, and his Georgia certification is pending. He wants to be an example and a challenge to other young black men that with some brains and a lot of hard work, you can succeed.
But, the Atlanta high schools don't want him. Here's a quote from Mr. Harris' guest column at the Atlanta Journal and Constitution:
Recently, I interviewed with a school in one of the metro Atlanta counties, only to receive an e-mail from the principal stating, "Though your qualifications are quite impressive, I regret to inform you that we have selected another candidate. It was felt that your demeanor and therefore presence in the classroom would serve as an unrealistic expectation as to what high school students could strive to achieve or become. However, it is highly recommended that you seek employment at the collegiate level; there your intellectual comportment would be greatly appreciated. Good luck."
HERE is the whole sad story.
As a recent transplant to Georgia, with two kids (9 and 5) I want guys like Mr. Harris teaching in our schools. I'm going to find out who in Camden County (in the South-East corner of Georgia) to prod to get Mr. Harris to come down here.
Damn, I thought this kind of thing only happened in the place that I just left! Or is that principal from Californa? If so, I'm embarassed by my former state yet again.
I'll bet that principal is like those nit-wits in Tennesee that don't like things like the Honor Roll, or competetive sports because it might damage some kid's self-esteem.
- - - - Tennesee Honor Roll Flap - - - - -
I wasn't going to comment on this one, but the nonsense above re-motivated me.
In short, LIFE is competetive. Learning to compete is part of life. You want a job? You have to compete. You want some attention from Mom and Dad? A little competition is required. Yeah, I know that shouldn't be so. But there are many demands on one's time, so a little nudge from the kid will remind you that there are things more important than football, or that novel, or that the other kid has had enough attention for the moment.
At least one "educator" thinks it might be a good idea to get rid of the honor roll altogether, as Principal Steven Baum did at Julia Green Elementary in Nashville.
"The rationale was, if there are some children that always make it and others that always don't make it, there is a very subtle message that was sent," he said. "I also understand right to privacy is the legal issue for the new century."
Baum thinks spelling bees and other publicly graded events are leftovers from the days of ranking and sorting students.
"I discourage competitive games at school," he said. "They just don't fit my worldview of what a school should be."
So, a kid works hard, excels at his/her studies, and is then ignored for doing well.
This "educator", is, in my opinion, a somewhat less than intelligent person.
Competition for recognition of excellence is one of those things that seems to be built into the human race. As far back as anyone has been able to reliably research, competition for one's reputation has been a Big Deal, whether it's been as a scholar, blacksmith, manufacturer of automobiles, warrior, religious leader, farmer, or author.
Mr. Steven Baum, principal of Julia Green Elementary School in Nashville, Tennesee is a shining example of the tendency of some of the educational establishment to suppress any indication of individual excellence.
He's also forgotten something - he is not working in a vacuum. He's an employee, not the employer.
See the whole story HERE.
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