High school student in trouble because of hair color (vs., move)
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Status:
"Light at the end of the tunnel!"
(set 24 days ago)
Location: San Antonio, TX, USA
5,070 posts, read 4,848,361 times
Reputation: 2340
Quote:
Originally Posted by xsa210tx
And these mistakes shouldn't propagate but I think it was very mean-spirited for City-Data board members to call this student out on their punctuation and grammar as if we are parents chastising him/her.
It upset me that instead of engaging with the student more, that some felt it was necessary to call him/her out on out on their punctuation and grammar as if they could not be here unless they can properly communicate.
Now of course, that would be nice. But it's not realistic because not everyone here (I'm certain) has a college degree or is/was fortunate enough to have GOOD teachers to teach them well.
Sure students share responsibility in their education. No doubt about that. But for some students, all they have to do is kiss the teacher's butt to get good grades, get on their good side, or just copy and cheat (rampant in schools). I witnessed all of the above in high school.
Students share the responsibility but the educational system, by in large, is failing our students as well! This is why we are CONSISTENTLY outranked by most countries in the world. It's not all of our students' fault.
Further, I can't tell you how many times on here I've seen people wanting to "teach" at NEISD and NISD OVER other (more low-income) school districts.
That is WHY we are failing our students! Many teachers only want to teach at the "good schools." Not all, but I've seen way too many on here with that kind of selective attitude. THOSE people shouldn't be teachers. The one's who need good teachers the most, are those who reside in more low-income areas...yet I've seen so many on here wanting to stay away from those school districts.
That, speaks volumes and THAT'S WHY WE ARE FAILING OUR STUDENTS.
Bravo to you! I know where you are coming from on this!
Sure, just because you were lousy at spelling and grammar back in high school, the same mistakes should be allowed to propagate (look that up if you have to! ).
Haha. Um, I know what propagate means. I don't have to look that up.
And these mistakes shouldn't propagate but I think it was very mean-spirited for City-Data board members to call this student out on their punctuation and grammar as if we are parents chastising him/her.
It upset me that instead of engaging with the student more, that some felt it was necessary to call him/her out on out on their punctuation and grammar as if they could not be here unless they can properly communicate.
Now of course, that would be nice. But it's not realistic because not everyone here (I'm certain) has a college degree or is/was fortunate enough to have GOOD teachers to teach them well.
Sure students share responsibility in their education. No doubt about that. But for some students, all they have to do is kiss the teacher's butt to get good grades, get on their good side, or just copy and cheat (rampant in schools). I witnessed all of the above in high school.
Students share the responsibility but the educational system, by in large, is failing our students as well! This is why we are CONSISTENTLY outranked by most countries in the world. It's not all of our students' fault.
Further, I can't tell you how many times on here I've seen people wanting to "teach" at NEISD and NISD OVER other (more low-income) school districts.
That is WHY we are failing our students! Many teachers only want to teach at the "good schools." Not all, but I've seen way too many on here with that kind of selective attitude. THOSE people shouldn't be teachers. The one's who need good teachers the most, are those who reside in more low-income areas...yet I've seen so many on here wanting to stay away from those school districts.
That, speaks volumes and THAT'S WHY WE ARE FAILING OUR STUDENTS.
There are people out there who are currently teaching....who don't TRULY have a love for teaching. Some just want the paycheck (40,000 a year starting is some nice change in your pocket). Others don't want to have to drive to the inner west side because they are too scared what could happen to their car or themself if they stay after hours to finish some work (after 5PM and later), and some just don't feel comfortable teaching to a predominantly low-income Hispanic or African-American area of the city.
I even had questionably racist teachers in high school as well! But I won't go there.
Quote:
Originally Posted by majormadmax
Sure, just And blaming it on the educators? Give me a break, I doubt there are many teachers who are "in it for the paycheck;" as it's not that great of a paycheck to be in for!
MMM, this was MY experience. I never said "all" teachers are like this. I said that when I went to high school half of the teachers I had were in it for the paycheck. Believe me, THEY WERE.
I went to a high school in a very nice school district here in San Antonio with great teachers, awesome classes and it was amazing! I loved it.
But then my Dad moved.
I was switched to a high school near downtown here in San Antonio and if you would have experienced what I experienced you might see where I am coming from.
Because they were teaching in a more "low-income" area and not that great of a school (like I said -- my experience) half of the teachers that I had from 10th through 12th grade, didn't care to put in as much motivation, they were lackluster, they didn't really engage the students at all, and their teaching was absolutely dumbing down at its finest!
Gee, I think even back then the really good teachers went to NEISD and NISD as well! What a great deal, for me.
Not only that, but the classes offered were DISMAL by comparison! Compared to the nice school district on the Northside of SA, this school near downtown was pathetic in their class offerings.
In one class, we sat down and did NOTHING the entire semester. We sat in the cafeteria, joked, talked, and DID NOTHING for months. The teacher simply didn't care. Another teacher I had only liked students who kissed her big butt. She played "favorites" too.
I have no doubt that I was failed by the educational system because some of the teachers felt I wasn't as worthy since I didn't go to a better school in a part of San Antonio where they probably lived with their family.
Even then, I went on to college. I did the right thing regardless. But I was fortunate to have that zest for life and motivation early on.
This is why is upset me that some called this student out here on this board. For all we know, that student could be a nurse who saves the life of one of our friends or family members in need.
We shouldn't shut young people out for things like that. I applaud that student for coming on here and expressing his/her opinion. We need more of that today.
I shudder to think about those students back in high school who could have been moved in the right track or direction but weren't because the teachers there just didn't challenge the students, motivate them enough, or give them as much attention as they should have.
Quote:
Originally Posted by majormadmax
I’m sure you school was full of bright, eager students who sat attentively waiting to be educated; just as I am sure these days the students aren’t more worried about texting their BFFs, their hair (both female and male), or when the next Justin Bieber song will be released (and before you criticize me that Justin Bieber isn’t the latest and greatest, don’t bother, I honestly don’t give a rat’s backside!).
Ha! I'll get to Justin Bieber later in this post.
Yes, there were great students who were eager to learn. But I'm sure there were also teachers who didn't care. I know I had quite a few of them from 10th to 12th grade. I also had great teachers. But the ratio of not so good teachers to good teachers was alarming.
Quote:
Originally Posted by majormadmax
The problem is the majority of students see high school as a day-long detention, and honestly don’t care about their education (but for some odd reason they feel there is some huge accomplishment in getting a high school diploma).
Then they are shocked when they find out that the only job they are qualified for after high school is washing dishes at Bill Miller’s or doing lawn maintenance.
How do I know this? It was the same way 30 years ago when I was a senior in high school.
Luckily, my cranium extracted itself from my anal orifice and I found something that would steer me to a more enlightened future.
That something turned my attitude around 180° and gave me the opportunity to get my life on track. It wasn't easy, and it took a lot of hard work and dedication; but if I am able to do it, then so can most others.
And for that I will be forever grateful, but the fact still remains that the vast majority of high school graduates are destined for boring, dead end jobs due to their own lethargy! That explains much of why society is in the state that it is...
IMO, there are good students who care about their future and where they are going, and there are also students who don't care at all what their future holds.
Similarly, there are good teachers.....and not so good teachers. Not everything is all rosy and picture-perfect with teachers.
It seems like it's every week we here about a new teacher caught messing around with one of their students. Personally, I don't hold them up on a pedestal. There are good apples and bad apples in every bunch.
Like anywhere, you have some good one's and some bad one's.
Quote:
Originally Posted by majormadmax
But back to the topic on hand, here we have an honor student who is an exception but who is being harassed (in my opinion) for the wrong reason. As I said earlier, those who do work hard and try to excel in high school should be shown the rewards for their efforts. The others students who are just there because they have to be are the ones that need to be targeted, not only for their dress but also their attitudes. If the output of our schools is on par with this sophomore who believes that all written communication need only be up to the standards of text messaging (OMG! LOL! ), then there are much more serious issues to deal with in our school systems than an honor student's hair color!
Cheers! M2
Agreed completely. I already said in a previous post that it's ridiculous the principal brought this up as an issue.
Oh, and Justin Bieber. Well let's see. How about a video of Justin walking through a revolving door and getting owned >>
Please, if this freshman hasn't learned how to properly construct a sentence by the time he or she is in high school, it's not going to happen. Mean-spirited? By quoting what they posted as an example of what's wrong, and what the principals and educators should be focusing on? Just wait--this student will end up at one of the local community colleges, or somehow make it to UTSA, where they will spend a whole lot of time and money playing catch-up, and frustrating the HELL out of their college instructors.
Believe it or not, there are many, many students that have gone through NISD that ARE capable of reading and writing at college level by the time they graduate high school. This particular one is falling through the cracks and there is plenty of blame to go around. Hopefully they come back and read what is being written and will do some serious soul-searching about their educational future. Students need to demand better, if they are not getting it. Teachers definitely need to demand better, but I think they are tied up in too much red tape (i.e. TAKS).
I think I did my hair all crazy back in the day at school, and I turned out okay.... but I also know how to construct meaningful and worthwhile sentences and I'm even good at calculus.
I don't think the hair is the problem, I think the scourge of society would be texting. LOL too many LOLs and not enough time reading interesting stuff like Fitzgerald.
The sad thing about texting is when you walk into a room full of people and all of them are busy texting. Not interacting at all with the people they are with. Then, they move on, sit with another group of people, and text the ones they were just sitting with. It's very sad.
Not all people that go to community college are idiots. I'd venture to say they're smarter for not spending a crapload of money on their basics. But then what do I know, I started out a community college and went on to a professional career that makes a decent amount of money and requires quite a bit of intelligence.
Now, on topic, her hair looks fine. If the facts given in the story are true, there is a problem in that school.
Please, if this freshman hasn't learned how to properly construct a sentence by the time he or she is in high school, it's not going to happen.
Wrong.
Thanks to the uncaring and lackadaisical half of the teachers I had in high school, I wrote like crap as I said previously.
HOWEVER, I went on to succeed NO thanks to the half of the crappy teachers I had in high school.
I'm a LIVING example that somebody can indeed improve on their education and skills.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sapphire
Mean-spirited? By quoting what they posted as an example of what's wrong, and what the principals and educators should be focusing on?
Yeah because it's pretty pathetic and petty to see adults bully a 9th grader about punctuation and grammar as if they are their own Mom or Dad.
No wonder "some" kids hate their parents.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sapphire
Just wait--this student will end up at one of the local community colleges, or somehow make it to UTSA, where they will spend a whole lot of time and money playing catch-up, and frustrating the HELL out of their college instructors.
Ah, yes, thanks to our wondeful and great educational system as it is now. Gotta love it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sapphire
Just wait--this Believe it or not, there are many, many students that have gone through NISD that ARE capable of reading and writing at college level by the time they graduate high school.
K....well good for them.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sapphire
This particular one is falling through the cracks and there is plenty of blame to go around.
I seriously doubt this is a just a "particular" one that is falling through the cracks. I'm sure there's plenty more of 'em.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sapphire
Hopefully they come back and read what is being written and will do some serious soul-searching about their educational future.
Soul-searching........?? You can't be serious??!
Um, that one in particular is a ninth grader. He/she isn't going through a mid-life crisis.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sapphire
Students need to demand better, if they are not getting it. Teachers definitely need to demand better, but I think they are tied up in too much red tape (i.e. TAKS).
I agree about TAKS, but I think the PARENTS should be demanding MORE TEACHING rather than these stupid, biased standardized tests.
Where are all the parents protesting against TAKS????
Nowhere.
They are just keeping their mouth shut and going on with their business like everyone else.
TAKS is surely ANOTHER reason why our students are being failed by our educational system. Too many standardized tests and not enough of the ACTUAL teaching instruction that students need now more than ever.
Students may be apathetic but that's kind of expected. On the other hand, I would expect parents would care more about the lack of quality education in our school districts. I hardly ever hear a peep from parents about TAKS or other educational/teaching issues that affect their kid(s).
Please, if this freshman hasn't learned how to properly construct a sentence by the time he or she is in high school, it's not going to happen. Mean-spirited? By quoting what they posted as an example of what's wrong, and what the principals and educators should be focusing on? Just wait--this student will end up at one of the local community colleges, or somehow make it to UTSA, where they will spend a whole lot of time and money playing catch-up, and frustrating the HELL out of their college instructors.
Believe it or not, there are many, many students that have gone through NISD that ARE capable of reading and writing at college level by the time they graduate high school. This particular one is falling through the cracks and there is plenty of blame to go around. Hopefully they come back and read what is being written and will do some serious soul-searching about their educational future. Students need to demand better, if they are not getting it. Teachers definitely need to demand better, but I think they are tied up in too much red tape (i.e. TAKS).
If that was not the implication, then I apologize. It certainly seemed so to me though.
If that was not the implication, then I apologize. It certainly seemed so to me though.
Well, you were wrong. Apology accepted.
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