(February 7, 2017 at 9:23 pm)Whateverist Wrote: Lots of reasons why kids don't succeed. An alcoholic mother of a sad boy who was way behind but really achieved a lot and got decent grades for it. At the meeting when the first report cards come out he was sitting up proud after I gave her the glowing report he'd earned. Her reaction was to turn toward him and ask derisively "who, him?", obviously a little smashed. He slouched like deflated balloon. So sad.
By far most parents are not like that, especially not in the university town I taught in. I was lucky that way. But just to say there are many reasons why kids don't succeed, not all of them owing to their teacher. And while there are some total loser teachers too, most of us are in it to win it and work really hard.
I'll never forget my niece's high school graduation a few years back. She went to high school in a terrible neighborhood, lots of poverty, parents of her classmates unable or unwilling to be involved in their kids' educations, the whole nine yards.
Anyway, the valedictorian gave a touching speech about the struggles he had getting his education - such as studying at home with the lights out because his mom couldn't pay the electric bill. I sat behind his mom in the audience and I got a kick out of seeing how proud the woman was. He went on to UC Berkeley.
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