January 18, 2008 @ 09:51
I received this e-mail yesterday from a guy named Rob who wanted to talk about yesterday's posting "Full Steam Ahead."
Hi Fred,
As you know I visit the website daily and while I don't always agree with your point of view, I do appreciate it and appreciate the fact that you can form an opinion, something that many of today's youth are unable to do. Oh, hi, by the way. Hope all is well with you.
The reason I am writing this is two-fold. 1) I have a somewhat vested interest in this topic. 2) I think you're a swell fella.
I am the husband of a teacher. *gasp!*. I read a lot about teachers and the shit piled on them is not always justified. (this is in no way meant to be directed to you...I don't remember you mentioning teachers in a negative light).
I have spoken to my wife about this issue and we have differing opinions. My wife is a high school teacher for a school whose population would probably fit into this new proposed system (thats a PC way to say 'black' I suppose).
There's no point in telling you my opinion as its pretty much the same as everyone else's who disagree with the proposition. Instead, I will relay to you my wifes position
She believes that this new school would be beneficial to black youth in the city. She has told me time and again of the troubles and problems that the black youth in her school face. Yes there are problems at home and socio-economic issues do exist. But its the fact that these kids are dropping out of school before they graduate that is most concerning.
This is not to say that her school has a high drop-out rate, but they do have their issues. The teachers find it hard to teach kids who have no motivation or understanding; many feel that they are outsiders to the system. Right or wrong, thats the way they feel.
The hope is, according to my wife that the students will find this new system more welcoming and will give them the tools they need to better themselves and graduate and hopefully go to college/university.
My wife loves teaching at her school and when asked she will always say that the rewards of 'reaching' a student are tremendous. There was one girl who was a decent student did apply herself. My wife asked her what she was going to do the following year, which college did she plan on attending?
This student said that she wasn't going to college because she didn't think she was smart enough. My wife pulled her aside and for a few nights over a couple of weeks, worked with her to help fill out her applications for university and college. I don't know where she ended up but she did get in to every school she applied to (she might have received a scholarship, I'm not sure... but it could have been turned into a movie).
My wife is no miracle worker, but she is someone that cares about her students and they do appreciate it. She is a white teacher teaching in a predominately black school and that is not always the easiest position to be in. And she knows she won't be able to help every student but she will continue to do the best she can.
While there are teachers like my wife within the TDSB, there are others that are completely opposite. If the board can build a school(s) that targets at-risk youth and provide them with teachers who do have the patience and desire to help, maybe this whole thing will work.
Of course, the question is this; will they allow non-black teachers to teach there? Who knows. That's an argument for another day I suppose.
I would love to discuss this and other teacher-related issues with you further because like I said earlier, teachers get a lot of shit thrown their way but let me tell you this first hand, I am a widower from September to July. My wife works into the evenings and weekends.
Hopefully this War and Peace-like email will provide you with a different perspective. Like I said, I am not for this new program but it is hard to deny that the possible benefits to these kids is unlimited.
Thanks for the time, Fred.
Rob
Category: Guest Columnists
January 18, 2008 / 22:41
I must say that is a different opinion that I never really thought of
January 19, 2008 / 16:35
all private or segrated schools are rubbish and cause problems. all. of. them.
January 19, 2008 / 16:36
*the only ones that aren't are the "alternative" schools that offer a differnt approach to learning, not opportunites to esgrate oneself from another group.
October 8, 2010 / 10:32
Sen. Graham names Glen Beck a "positive force". Just isn't that a little like labelling Rick Sanchez as a possible consultant on Judaism?
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