Posted on 09/17/2008 11:58:09 AM PDT by ExSoldier
Mostly these kids matriculate in and out of my classes every year and when they leave I have no idea of the effect of me or my classes on them. Every once in awhile I get an unexpected visit. Usually it's the kid I probably swore to myself would be dead from a gang war or overdose. Then the kid turns up and he's in his senior year of college majoring in business and on the Dean's List. Or better he's in the uniform of a Navy SEAL and he whispers to me that I'm the one that brought him around and gave him that shove in the right direction and I never even knew.
Folks, that's my payoff. That's my career bonus in spades. That's how I know that when I retire (soon, please dear Lord!) I'll be able to look myself in the eye and know in my heart that at least on some level and with some folks I made a difference.
You’re doing a great job! Teaching is so difficult but can also be very rewarding.
You are doing what you can and that is better than they’d get most other places.
Are you familiar with the writing of Dr. Thomas Sowell? The Vision of the Annoited is probably the best book on social policy availble on the market.
His book Basic Economics is very appropriate for a high school text.
Since Dr. Sowell is probably the most brilliant economist alive today and he happens to be of African ancestry, he could possibly reach some of your students. Good luck!
Very interesting read. Really appreciated.
I enjoyed your post. God bless you for making a difference in these kids lives. More than you know, no doubt!
I remember my Government teacher when I was a senior in high school (1992). He was a major influence in my love of politics and country, and he never knew it. I remember being in his class and to start out, I couldn’t tell you the difference between the conservative and liberal position on abortion. And I remember him asking us if laws were based on morality or what were laws based on. He was always trying to get us to think. He opened my eyes to how the world and our government worked.
The fact that you are opening their eyes and giving them glimpses of something beyond the knee-jerk liberalism surrounding them elsewhere, by default "modifies their values." God bless you, you're on the front lines.
I enjoyed your post. Please do so more often.
I could never do what you do! I salute your diligence.
What a wonderful and amazing essay ... and life you are leading. God Bless you.
GREAT post! You are fighting the good fight in a way most people do not know or understand. Thanks for sharing your experience there.
“He was a major influence in my love of politics and country, and he never knew it.”
If that teacher is still alive, a visit to him at school (if he’s still teaching) or a letter this many years later would be the ‘bonus’ ex-soldier spoke about in his post. Even if he is no longer alive and/or teaching, his family might appreciate knowing how he touched your life.
By the way, thanks for the link to the Obama test. I’m proud to say that I disagree with Obama 94% of the time! 49/52 questions! I wonder on which 3 we agree — hmmm, I must have read the questions wrong. :)
If you do nothing else all year.
Teach your students that....
Voting is for white people.
(now... where did I put that sarc tag????)
sadly, I learned recently that my government teacher has passed away. He retired the year I graduated.
well, then, he does know the affect he had on you ;)
Thanks for the post and for giving your students that chance to achieve success for themselves instead of dependance on handouts.
I like your list.
I would certainly add “A Conflict of Visions” to the “must read” list for understanding the lib mindset.
I have a question to ask. I taught in HS in AL in 1973 and after that did some substituting. Just after the TV drama "Roots", I filled in for the Social Studies HS teacher (one HS in this town). She always requested me because one of my majors was Soc. Stud.
The students all wanted to discuss "Roots"; or I should say, wanted to make known their feelings about slavery, white people, etc.
I realized most or all of them had very static ideas about slavery, imbibed, no doubt, from J. Jackson and years of being taught their victimhood.
They seemed to think slavery in thr US was the only time slavery had ever occurred; that white people sailed up to Africa, went inland, rounded up Africans and loaded the slave boats. They had no concept at all of worldwide slavery; the role of Arabs and their slave marts; the role of village chieftains and even parents in selling their subjects/children; white slavery; the ongong slavery in areas today.
What kind of take on this subject do you or your students have?
vaudine
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