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.
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????)
Thanks for the post and for giving your students that chance to achieve success for themselves instead of dependance on handouts.
Teacher PING