As a child, I always wondered why things in my town were the way they were. Why we lived where we lived; why certain neighborhoods were so pretty and others not; why kids I played with at school, couldn't come to my house; why other schools were so nice, had cool uniforms and cheerleaders who could flip.As an adult, I watch in amazement as it seems that the people who run the town in which I live, take rules and apply them only to certain people. I am astounded to see them ignore or twist the rules that are on the books to do what they need or want, but then they turn around and use that same rule to stop you and me from doing what we need or want.
Now I fully realize why when I was a child, things in my town were the way they were. Why we lived where we lived; why certain neighborhoods were so pretty and others not; why kids I played with at school, couldn't come to my house; why other schools were so nice, had cool uniforms and cheerleaders who could flip.
9 comments:
In the late 60s, one of my black students (one with whom I maintain contact to this day because she became very special to me--actually, she is the one who has persisted in maintaining contact) made the assumption that because I was white, I was rich. Therefore, I took her to my mother's home (where I had grown up)and she saw how very modestly my parents and I had lived. In fact, my mother's fence was much in need of painting, so Gail asked if she could paint it. She and my cousin who was her age painted the fence.
I think I was always aware that many students at Woodruff, in particular, were in a much different financial and social class than I was, but I made most, if not all, of my friends at church and didn't involve myself in any school activities.
If I recall correctly though, I was eligible to be in advanced classes at Woodruff, but my parents and I refused the opportunity.
I know that racially things just weren't fair during my early years of teaching--certainly not at all during my own school years. Also, I know that things have improved but we still have a long way to go.
I just don't think it does black children much good to be constantly told that they are victims--I think it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Randy Simmons just recently told me how a Manual teacher once told him that he would never amount to anything. Fortunately, she was not his "support system." No teacher has a right to tell any students anything of the kind. I am all for reporting any teachers who treat any students with that kind of disdain. I tried very hard to explain to my students that the grades they earned in my class were not a reflection of who they are--just an assessment of their work, but their worth as humanbeings were not related to their grades.
Sharon, you are absolutely a wonderful individual. I think all of us have been told the same thing at one time or another. Randy is not the only one who has over come adversity and ridicule along the way.
This particular blog hit a spot in my heart. You are absolutely right. In Peoria IT DOES MATTER where you live, what schools you attend or attended, who you know, how much money you possess, who your family is, and if you have conviction or not and are you willing to stand up for what you believe. Peoria is so corrupt and lives of individuals are played with everyday by the people in power.
Love the post.
An elder Cherokee Native American was teaching his grandchildren about life. He said to them,"It is a fight going on inside of me..."It is a terrible fight,and it is between two wolves. One wolf represents fear,anger,envy,sorrow,regret,greed,arrogance,self-pity,guilt,resentment,inferiority,lies,pride and superiority. The other wolf stands for joy,peace,love,hope,sharing,serenity,humility,kindness,benevolence,friendship,empathy,generosity,truth,compassion,and faith. This same fight is going on inside of you and every other person too."
They thought about it for a minute and then one child asked his grandfather,"Which wolf will win?" The old Cherokee simply said..."The one I feed."
There will never be ENOUGH change,until the right wolf is fed.
I truly appreciate that story!
I am a parent of a student at Rolling Acres-Edison where 7th grade students were made to feel as though their behavior toward a substitute teacher played a role in his untimely death over the weekend.
How truly frustrating to know that a school principal and other administrator basically bullied and guilted 12 and 13 year old students! How is that type of unprofessional, unethical behavior from educators in any way, shape, or form acceptable? How can we possibly expect students in diverse school communities to show any type of tolerance, compassion or sensitivity toward other people when their school "leaders" model absurd behavior like that?!
The truly sad thing is that the principal is now saying that the students "misconstrued" her comments. Whether specific comments were misunderstood, many of those kids came home very upset Tuesday afternoon because of how they were made to feel. The psychologist and social worker were called in a day after the lecture. A terrible representation of D150 leadership!
I'm just hearing bits and pieces about this story. This is one time that I don't know what to believe or how to explain this situation. The principal is a person of whom I think very highly. I can't imagine what frustration level would cause her to say the things she reportedly said. There just has to be more to the story. Very sad.
Sharon, I emailed the principal and suggested she hold a class meeting so that parents and students could hear the same story. We'll see if she is going to step up to the plate and own up to her lack of judgment. The "apology" letter that was handed out evidently shared that the students "misconstrued" what she said. While I hate thinking that an administrator with her number of years experience would do something this cruel, it seems unlikely that 3 classes of students would all misunderstand her intent.
Additionally, the school "counselor" was also a participant in the discussions. It disappoints me that someone who is supposedly an advocate for the well-being of children was also so careless.
I'm sorry for this whole unfortunate situation but, as a teacher in a D150 school, I see substitutes in my building every day. I will be honest, I have NEVER EVER been so embarrassed as I have been this year by the behavior (off the wall) of the children in the classrooms with subs. Its like a free for all. Students being plucked out by administration one at a time for unbelievable disrespect towards an adult. I have been told over and over, I will NEVER come back to a D150 school. It is a huge problem. Please come visit any school and walk past a classroom with a sub and it is utter chaos, no matter the age of the children or subject matter being taught. It is shameful to say the least.
I am also a parent at Rolling Acres school and am disappointed in the behavior of both the Principal and Administrator (they may call her a counselor, but that doesn't make her one). My children have had a tragic loss in their life recently, and when I asked them if they felt sad would they go to the 'counselor,' all three said no way!
Unfortunately, while my daughter has spent the entire school year sharing disrespectful things that have been said to her by these two women, I have given them the benefit of the doubt and assumed it was my teenage daughter's hormonal exaggerations. I no longer believe that and had to apologize to her. Even my mother was spoken to disrespectfully by these two when she came to the school to bring something to my daughter. It is absolutely absurd, and while I appreciate your comments, Anonymous, that some students are unbelievably rude, that certainly doesn't excuse the behavior of these two. They should lead by example, not by belittling the children who are annoying them. Your comments sound like you agree that the students are so rude, Mrs. Turner was justified in her actions. I also don't believe for a moment that all of the 7th grade students misconstrued her comments in the same way. I hope D150 steps up to the plate and removes these two from their leadership position.
Carrie, I think one of my posts was lost or I put it some place else. In it I did state that I have no knowledge at all about Turner as a principal at RAE. My opinions are based sole on my experiences with her when she was a dean at Manual for a brief time and more recently seeing her at board meetings. Up until now, I just hadn't heard anything negative about her. It might come as a surprise to many, but I do like to hold on to positive impressions until my bubble is burst.
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