Blog Post #3: Waiting for Superman?

     What do I think about the teacher's strike in Chicago?  This is a tough one.  It's difficult because I don't know enough about it, beyond what I read in news articles.  My understanding is the strike is over evaluations, job security and other issues.  I wonder what the other issues are.  It's said there are 3 sides to every story; party 1's side, party 2's side and then the truth. 

     The strike began on September 10, 2012 and ended on September 22, 2012.  400,000 students were affected by teachers being out of the class rooms.  In my opinion, I think the unions you allow the teachers to have class while the contracts are being renegotiated, or start the negotiations earlier so that children don't suffer over adult issues. 

     I don't think it's fair to say that the teacher's unions are the sole reason for the failing education system, however I do think they play a part in it.  Waiting for Superman talked about how there is no results based incentives for teachers who drive positive results in students.  The "lemon" teachers are shuffled from one school to the next in hopes that the lemon received is not as bad or will magically improve under a different Principle is ridiculous.  This is unheard of in the corporate world.  You perform or you are out. 

     I believe the teachers are bound by the rules and regulations of the unions and this ties their hands as individuals.   I'd like to think people who become teachers do so for their love of children and their ability to help them learn and grow into productive adults.  It's obvious that some teachers become complacent because they know tenor will be automatically granted to them after 2 years, not because they have earned it. 

   The education crisis did not happen overnight and it will not be resolved overnight.  It's my opinion that there needs to be accountability for teachers based on their classroom scores.  If they're not producing good result then replace them with a teacher who is engaged in the process and wants to be there and make a difference. 

Watch this clip from Waiting for Superman

http://vimeo.com/20095459

Blog Post #2: You and education

West Perry High School    

Elliottsburg, PA

     Wow!  It's been a long time since I've been at this school, or even looked at a picture of it.  Brings back alot of memories. 

     My educational experiences would align with middle-class schools talked about in Social Class and the Hidden Curriculum of Work.  It was about getting the right answer and bringing a good grade home on the report card.  There was not necessarily alot of creativity requested in social studies and science projects.  In fact I remember social studies as being quite boring and bringing home my only D ever or a report card; it was in social studies.  This concerned my Mother alot and she questioned  the "D"because I always brought home Bs & As.  When I explained how boring the teacher was and that I just couldn't focus or keep myself interested in the class she scheduled a time to come in and sit in the class and observe.  She obviously thought I was making up an excuse to cover up for my bad grade.  After attending class with me she acknowledged and agreed with my opinion of the teacher and some how excepted my "D" and told me to do better on the next report card.  It was surprising to me that it stopped there.  What?  no meeting with the teacher or principle to discuss this teacher's approach?  On the flip side, my 11th grade social studies teacher was young and made learning social studies fun and  I received As in his class. 

     Class definitely mattered.  I didn't realize it now, but after reading the articles assigned in class and watching the assigned movies, it's apparent that groups of kids were targeted for college and others were not.  I and students like me signed up for business courses.  Business Accounting, typing, short hand etc.  While other friends in my circle were taking college prep courses.  I don't recall being given a choice in these classes; although it's been a very long time and memories fade.  If a counselor had pulled me aside and had a conversation about what I wanted to be or do and shared with me the opportunities that college has to offer my life would be alot different now.  Nobody in my family had gone to college.  My older siblings joined the services and that was not an option for me.   Somehow I could not see myself allowing somebody to scream in my face and demand I take orders from them.  My Mother agreed for me to go to HAAC (Harrisburg Area Community College) however also gave me the opportunity to take 1 year off after high school and then start attending class.  This was a mistake - I never went. 

    As parents, we want our children's lives to be better than ours and education is an important part of how that can happen.  My children know they will be attending college; no question about it.  The conversation in our house is not about "if I go to college", but "when I go to college" and "I want to go to this college".  That's a great feeling as a parent to know your children see the value in education and their minds are already on that path. 

    

Blog assignment #1 Melissa Freitas

     

    

Melissa Freitas attends Cedar Crest College.  We are in the same writing and accounting classes together.  Her face has a smile on it every time I see her.  Melissa grew up and went to school in Erie, PA.  She had many friends at that time and keeps in contact with one special friend from her school days.  She was the oldest of 3 children and often was the built-in babysitter being responsible for looking after her two younger brothers. 

     At the age of 19, Melissa moved to Allentown with her boyfriend because he has family here.  She gave birth to her son, now 6, at the age of 19.  Although she feels she never developed a close open relationship wither her Mom or Dad, the family moved here the same year her son was born to be near them  and offer her support.  Having a child has matured Melissa in many ways. 

     It has been difficult for Melissa to meet people and make friends because she didn't grow up in the Allentown area.  She has made a few friends but none that she would consider really close. All of her friends have children too and so they ten to hand out at McDonald's play place or Chuck e Cheese and talk while the children play.    Melissa rarely watches TV and so there is no favorite television program.  The Pittsburgh Steelers are her favorite football team.    

     Working at a well known drug store for four years, keeps Melissa busy, yet she finds the position boring and does not pay her good wages.  She really doesn't like the job as it has become routine and she finds it boring.  Co-workers and the Manager are flexible with her schedule with is very much appreciated. 

     Short-term goals for Melissa include completing accounting and writing classes.   A long term goal is to  earn a degree, establish a well paying career, buy a house for her and her son  and open a cat rescue . 

       

     Melissa takes care of her 6 year old son, works a job and attend an accelerated degree program.  Like most single Mothers, she carries the guilt that comes with juggling it all and trying to keep it all together.

About Me - Patty Lee

"Class is an aura of confidence that is being sure without being cocky.  Class has nothing to do with money.  Class never runs scared.  It is self-discipline and self-knowledge.  It's the sure-footedness that comes with having proved you can meet life." 
- Ann Landers, advice columnist

Professor Brumitt has asked us to blog about ourselves so she can get to know us.  Sometimes getting started is the toughest part of a task.  I'm meeting life and so Ann Lander's quote seemed appropriate.

I'm a 42 year old Mother of 2 wonderful children.  They are and always have been part of my core that keep me going every day.  They're who I live for.  Beyond that, I'm a daughter, sister, grandaughter and friend.    



I grew up in a small town called Landisburg, population 218 people.  My Grandmother, Pauline, is one of the oldest residents of Landisburg, at the age of 92.  My nephew recently had a baby boy, making her a Great-Great Grandmother.  A few months after graduation I moved away from Landisburg to be closer to work and conveniences.  I've lived in Landisburg, Mechanicsburg, New Kingstown, Harrisburg, NY City (Woodside, Queens), Stroudsburg and now The Lehigh Valley. 

Working full time and raising two children as a single Mother for the past 4 years has not always been easy, and I know without doubt that it will not always be easy in future.  There will be challenges and how we get through them together will continue to define us individually and as a family.  My children do well in school, have a good core group of friends and stay out of trouble.  So, I must be doing something right!

It's a big year for my Family.  Abby, 14, starts highschool; Andrew, 11, starts middle school; I've started college.  It's an exciting time for all of us and I look forward to the years ahead as my children and I continue to grow as individuals and a family. 

I see myself owning my own company someday.  Real Estate investing with a twist to help women, women with children specifically.  There are many ideas and I look forward to making them a reality someday.