Two Million Minutes

[drooartz]

One thing that keeps me positive, is that there's still some interest in what's going on in the schools, and what might make it better for the kids.

That's well said, Tom. It's a hard institution to change (as are most large organizations), and there are lots of differing view as to what needs to be done -- or not done. Very complicated stuff. I'm certainly not without hope, or else I wouldn't be working where I am. Lots of constituencies all vying for input and control, and through it all the overriding mission to serve every child.

I've no desire (anymore, though I once did) to teach, but I'm proud to be working in education.

Of course, the longer my wife works with the 8-9 grades, the less likely we are to ever have children. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/grin.gif

 

[Brooklands]

All three of our kids went to an inner city public high school, the type many are trying to move away from. The local papers always reported every problem at the school, while the suburban schools got a free ride with no negative publicity. But we felt that being exposed to the public city atmosphere was preparing them for real life.

The eldest ended up as editor of the daily newspaper at Syracuse and was class Valedictorian. After years of being the managing director of a local theater, he is now working in the alumni department of Lehigh University. Our umber two child graduated with here BA at age 20 by accelerating through high school and taking an advanced load in college and started her work career as the assistant to the VP at Boston's Wang Center, and is now on staff at Muhlenberg College. Our baby was the one who was not as gifted mentally but was more involved in sports. He ended up as his high school's male athlete of the year, then went to the US Air Force Academy, and is finishing training as an Electronic Weapons Officer this spring.

If a student is motivated to learn, most schools can give him an education. I am glad I trusted the same high school I attended when it came to my children's education. But it takes talking to the administrators and staff when it is important, and taking an interest in what they are doing and learning. There will always be some poorer instructors, just like there are weaker bosses, or even shady politicians. But it is possible to survive and flourish.

 

[anthony7777]

doc, im in agreement with the folks that believe to many of these kids have to much stuff just given to them having to put no effort into anything they do or want, what happened to hard work, determination, study, gratitude? i hatted my dad at times when i was younger for making me work hard for anything i wanted, when my grandparents bought me a bike for my 12/13 birthday he had a fit, now that's over the top i know but it taught me to appreciate my own efforts, i learned that the fruit is so much sweeter when you have to reach high to get it. four year aviation program done in three years while being a full time apartment building super for two separate buildings, most support i got was having dinner at moms on Sunday, yes they were tough on us kids but the four of us have done very well for ourselves, the only time my dad felt he had to intervene in any of my school work was when i brought home a book while in grade school "new math" when he saw that he had a fit, he was a math wiz and didnt believe they should be messing around with age old proven methods, it also taught me to take care of my things, i just had to throw away some shoes for lack of space in my closet one of the pairs i tossed were from 1972 and looked brand new, i dont believe kids today are any less intelligent then other kids, they are being taught to just lay there and have everything just layed at their feet, "ooh johnny your having a problem with algebra? dont worry we will forgive you ,dont worry maybe there is something else your good at, dont worry about seeking help, dont worry about study, dont make an effort you poor thing you might get a head ache and by the way here's the keys to your new b.m.w." believe me i was no angel growing up but i know what i went threw having my dad be hard on his kids built character, and ya all know what a "character" im am today. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif

 

[tony barnhill]

anthony7777....could you go back & paragraph your last post, please? It's giving me headaches trying to read it.

Thanks.

 

[Basil]

Not to worry, all the icebergs are melting /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif

Finally!
We <u>agree</u> on something! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif

I suspect not.

 

[Tinster]

anthony7777....could you go back & paragraph your last post, please? It's giving me headaches trying to read it.
Thanks.

Tony !

Take two aspirin, drive over to Doc Bill's in the morning and have him perform root canals on your 'eye' teeth.

d /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif

 

[tony barnhill]

anthony7777....could you go back & paragraph your last post, please? It's giving me headaches trying to read it.
Thanks.

Tony !

Take two aspirin, drive over to Doc Bill's in the morning and have him perform root canals on your 'eye' teeth.

d /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif

Actually, I copied it, put it in word, & paragraphed it for myself....& I pretty much agree with him!

 

[DrEntropy]

Funny, my Old Fella got himself elected to the school board when I was in third or fourth grade, brother and two cousins right behind. He was the President by the time I'd got to the sixth or seventh. There was a decision before them as to how to spend the budget and he PUSHED for "New Math" textbooks. Told 'em these kids need to be preparing for college, not playing intramural football and such. We got the books. Math teacher was a jock with a teaching degree. ~I~ got to teach HIM "New Math". /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/smirk.gif

The Old Man resigned over their decision to construct a playing field instead of continuing to buy teaching materials a few years later. We'd "cleared the walls" by that time anyhow.

 

[Tinster]

Yo Doc!!

Those beloved football jocks that made my life miserable
while getting myself educated with my own labor??

Funny thing- a few years after I got me papers and they
DIDN'T - a few showed up on several of me construction
projects as common dirt diggers and grunt workers.

I remembered them- they soon remembered me !!!

AAAHHHHHHHHH that felt so good watching them toil for
$ peanuts in the hot, humid summer months.!

d

 

[DrEntropy]

Sadist.

"Cruel....


...but fair."

/bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif

 

[Tinster]

A good buddy of mine is chowing down mightily at the
government handout trough-- even though he makes a ton
of $$$..

Son No1 got a free ride thru Annapolis Naval Academy and
no sooner does he graduate, No2 son gets appointed to
Annapolis for yet another goverment handout. The Mrs
attended the lad's graduation so it was even more $$ out
of my pockets!

I hope the Boss doesn't kick my butt for this political story. /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/angel.gif

I attest those lad's parents did one heck of job raising
them. Gentlemen and scholars-both lads.

d

 

[NutmegCT]

ya know ... I don't think I'd call it "chowing down mightily at the government handout trough" if my own sons were accepted to the US Naval Academy, regardless of who pays.

T.

 

[Tinster]

ya know ... I don't think I'd call it "chowing down mightily at the government handout trough" if my own sons were accepted to the US Naval Academy, regardless of who pays.
T.

Tongue-in-cheek post. I'm mighty proud to be friends with
the parents, watch the lads grow to manhood and honored the
Mrs was able to attend the graduation.

d /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/iagree.gif

 

[SteveL]

As a youth in Toronto, I played basketball, I truly loved the
game. And I was pretty good at it as well...
But when I turned 16, I needed a job, I had to work to
support my habit, fast cars. So I quit playing b-ball, and
got a job in a little machine shop. I got payed by the piece,
so the more bits I made, the more money I had. That came to an
end 3 years later when Chuckie (Dad) got transferred to Boston,
Mum said why don't you go get your HS diploma, you'll be the
first in the family with one... Okay, I'll put up with having
to get 16 credits to graduate. One of the credits I had to have
was phys-ed, and you had to pick what sports you were going to
participate in, obviously, B-ball was one of mine. The class
was basically spent doing a shoot-around, so I'd be swishing
from center court, the corners, and just about anywhere on
the floor, and the word got around that the B-ball team could
very well have a ringer available... Wrong, I was 19yo at
the start of the school year, so not allowed to play for the
school. That was 1978, The Celtics got one of their greatest
ever players, and I was working at the sports camp where the
Celtics did their training, and got to shoot hoops with the
Bird-man...

 

[Basil]

ya know ... I don't think I'd call it "chowing down mightily at the government handout trough" if my own sons were accepted to the US Naval Academy, regardless of who pays.
T.

Tongue-in-cheek post. I'm mighty proud to be friends with
the parents, watch the lads grow to manhood and honored the
Mrs was able to attend the graduation.

d /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/iagree.gif

Glad to hear that clarification....hits a little close to home. #1 Son has a 10 year committment to be a pilot in the AF.

 

[DrEntropy]

And the respect he deserves for that commitment, Boss.

...I know what it means to be ~aircrew~. A/C is a whole 'nother world. Give him my regards.

 

[terriphill]

As an inner city public school 8th grade Science teacher.....I'm staying out of this one!

BTW Drew, Bull's Eye!

 

[anthony7777]

anthony7777....could you go back & paragraph your last post, please? It's giving me headaches trying to read it.

Thanks.

o.k. tony you asked for it! /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/jester.gif

 

[tony barnhill]

And a fine looking young fellow you were!!

 

[Tinster]

My goodness!!

I almost had a heart attack and fell over :b.

I always suspected I had a twin brother somewhere.
My mom, rest her soul, had that identical photo of
ME, as kid beside the fence in our backyard.

Wow!! I've got a brother!! Cool!!!!!!!!!!

Let's go fishin' !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!You drive!!!!

d /bcforum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/thumbsup.gif