Just Existing Doesn't Earn a Trophy
Responsibility and Effort are Required46 total reviews
Comment from babylonia
ann,
first ... congratulations on winning. this is an excellent essay. you said what i keep trying to tell my hubby but he just doesn't get it. not everyone can get a college degree or needs one. it is okay to be a ditchdigger or house manager all one's life if one does well. the education system does need to change. it will never catch up with the other countries. no, not everyone should get a trohpy for showing up but those little participant ribbons are good enough. why? cause not all racers get to actually be part of the race. but they still have to show up.
great job.
love,
barbara
reply by the author on 10-Dec-2009
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ann,
first ... congratulations on winning. this is an excellent essay. you said what i keep trying to tell my hubby but he just doesn't get it. not everyone can get a college degree or needs one. it is okay to be a ditchdigger or house manager all one's life if one does well. the education system does need to change. it will never catch up with the other countries. no, not everyone should get a trohpy for showing up but those little participant ribbons are good enough. why? cause not all racers get to actually be part of the race. but they still have to show up.
great job.
love,
barbara
Comment Written 09-Dec-2009
reply by the author on 10-Dec-2009
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Thanks so much. I enjoyed reading your thoughts as they allow me to further consider this subject. I appreciate your time in reading and in commenting. ann
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ann,
you are very welcome~
love,
barbara
Comment from DreamWriter1212
This is your finest writing with open opinions on education, and adolescence. It was by far the most riveting, true to life piece. The education system far lacks the abilities children should have. Home schooling or private schools cost too much. There needs to be a happy medium for both spectrums.
Thank you for your post.
reply by the author on 15-Nov-2009
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This is your finest writing with open opinions on education, and adolescence. It was by far the most riveting, true to life piece. The education system far lacks the abilities children should have. Home schooling or private schools cost too much. There needs to be a happy medium for both spectrums.
Thank you for your post.
Comment Written 08-Nov-2009
reply by the author on 15-Nov-2009
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Thanks so much. I'm home today and intend to get busy reviewing again. I appreciate your generous review. ann
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Your welcome. Thank you for your reviews. I am home too. Same for me.
Comment from Guenter
Thank you for sharing your thoughts about education. It is sad that sometimes even the administration refuses to promote excellence. I taught woodworking in high school for twenty-one years. When one of my student placed first in a nation wide woodworking competition for high schools, I informed the principal. Unfortunately there was no mention of it during the intercom announcements that day nor at any other time.
reply by the author on 03-Nov-2009
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts about education. It is sad that sometimes even the administration refuses to promote excellence. I taught woodworking in high school for twenty-one years. When one of my student placed first in a nation wide woodworking competition for high schools, I informed the principal. Unfortunately there was no mention of it during the intercom announcements that day nor at any other time.
Comment Written 03-Nov-2009
reply by the author on 03-Nov-2009
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I agree with the need to support excellence in every endeavor. I hope that woodworking student continued to follow his dream and continues to excel in developing his talent. thanks for the generous review. ann
Comment from second thought
Perhaps you have read Booker T. Washingtons life story. His thoughts are very much like yours. This writing might not be 1st place in some areas but it is 1st place in value Well done.
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2009
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Perhaps you have read Booker T. Washingtons life story. His thoughts are very much like yours. This writing might not be 1st place in some areas but it is 1st place in value Well done.
Comment Written 01-Nov-2009
reply by the author on 01-Nov-2009
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Thanks so much! A sixer always gives me goose bumps. I appreciate your reading and commenting. Means an awful lot to me. I am familiar with Booker T Washington's story and admire him. ann
Comment from BJean
This is really a good essay about our educational system and that which is lacking in reaching and teaching each and every child to excel in the area he's most capable.
To teach to put out one's best effort is so important, for life as well. Then a child can strive and find his own niche. Very well written with good message. Jean
reply by the author on 30-Oct-2009
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This is really a good essay about our educational system and that which is lacking in reaching and teaching each and every child to excel in the area he's most capable.
To teach to put out one's best effort is so important, for life as well. Then a child can strive and find his own niche. Very well written with good message. Jean
Comment Written 30-Oct-2009
reply by the author on 30-Oct-2009
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Thanks so much for reading and commenting. ann
Comment from Writeaway...
An excellent piece of writing Annmuma, this is a truly inspiring piece and you show a true talent for writing. Excellent job, well done!!
reply by the author on 29-Oct-2009
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An excellent piece of writing Annmuma, this is a truly inspiring piece and you show a true talent for writing. Excellent job, well done!!
Comment Written 29-Oct-2009
reply by the author on 29-Oct-2009
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thank you very much. ann
Comment from Begin Again
Annmuma
Great thoughts here!
Our schools need a complete overhaul. My grandson was going to one school, achieving very well. When transferred to another school...he was in second grade reading and comprehending at 6 grade...the teacher suggested he just help the other kids (which is fine) and not worry about improving further. Did he just become a teacher or what!!!
NIce point made in your essay.
Carol
reply by the author on 29-Oct-2009
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Annmuma
Great thoughts here!
Our schools need a complete overhaul. My grandson was going to one school, achieving very well. When transferred to another school...he was in second grade reading and comprehending at 6 grade...the teacher suggested he just help the other kids (which is fine) and not worry about improving further. Did he just become a teacher or what!!!
NIce point made in your essay.
Carol
Comment Written 29-Oct-2009
reply by the author on 29-Oct-2009
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So frustrating, isn't it! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with me.
Comment from Cairn Destop
Education comes down to the degree of input from the parent. There are the parents who will push for excellence and those kids push themselves. There are the parents who settle for the minimum, and that is what the kids aim for. And there are the parents who believe their children are entitled to special treatment due to some criteria that is considered sufficient.
Teachers help, but if parents demand passing grades, children are pushed forward. After all, teachers too are subject to those over them. Have school officials who place higher value on athletics, and the teacher standing on academics will be looking for another job. If test scores are the criteria for employment, teachers will be concentrating on that alone. There is no time for expanding student's minds.
reply by the author on 29-Oct-2009
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Education comes down to the degree of input from the parent. There are the parents who will push for excellence and those kids push themselves. There are the parents who settle for the minimum, and that is what the kids aim for. And there are the parents who believe their children are entitled to special treatment due to some criteria that is considered sufficient.
Teachers help, but if parents demand passing grades, children are pushed forward. After all, teachers too are subject to those over them. Have school officials who place higher value on athletics, and the teacher standing on academics will be looking for another job. If test scores are the criteria for employment, teachers will be concentrating on that alone. There is no time for expanding student's minds.
Comment Written 29-Oct-2009
reply by the author on 29-Oct-2009
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I agree 100% with you. You put the problem and the solution in very succinct terms. thanks for reading and sharing. ann
Comment from asma khan
Our parents showed up at the parent-teacher meetings to understand and cooperate with our teachers to insure we all--the teacher, the parent and the student--were on the same page and path toward our best product. Personal agendas and one-upmanship were left at the door of the classroom in favor of honest dialogue and conversation. That thought brings me back to the beginning of this essay and the very bedrock of what is wrong with today's educational system. Our educational system will become exemplary when parents stand up for their children as mentors and leaders by accepting and demanding only the best their child can give and requiring their teachers be allowed to teach, rather than manage a curriculum to the government's satisfaction.
A very good contest entry I would say. The writer had perfectly kept her finger on the sensitive issues of today's education. But the question is about the rights who should be given the rights, In my view instead of the school the parent's should be given the right to choose the teacher, because its the kids who will be exploited if the teacher is not capable. I'm not saying all teachers are good or bad, but some are definitely playing with the student's future.
Excellent writing and good job done.
reply by the author on 29-Oct-2009
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Our parents showed up at the parent-teacher meetings to understand and cooperate with our teachers to insure we all--the teacher, the parent and the student--were on the same page and path toward our best product. Personal agendas and one-upmanship were left at the door of the classroom in favor of honest dialogue and conversation. That thought brings me back to the beginning of this essay and the very bedrock of what is wrong with today's educational system. Our educational system will become exemplary when parents stand up for their children as mentors and leaders by accepting and demanding only the best their child can give and requiring their teachers be allowed to teach, rather than manage a curriculum to the government's satisfaction.
A very good contest entry I would say. The writer had perfectly kept her finger on the sensitive issues of today's education. But the question is about the rights who should be given the rights, In my view instead of the school the parent's should be given the right to choose the teacher, because its the kids who will be exploited if the teacher is not capable. I'm not saying all teachers are good or bad, but some are definitely playing with the student's future.
Excellent writing and good job done.
Comment Written 29-Oct-2009
reply by the author on 29-Oct-2009
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Thanks so much for a generous review. Indeed there are incapable, irresponsible and harmful teachers, as there are parents. I believe them to be in the minority in both cases. Perhaps a required consensus between educators and the public would work better. I appreciate your sharing your views. ann
Comment from Realist101
As the mother of a 21 year old son, who was consistantly put in the back of the room and ignored, even after my husband and I pleaded for the teachers to help him, I find your writing on this subject very timely. American students with the wrong attitudes are only half the problem. The teachers are the ones who hold the key to a childs success. They are the ones on the frontline of educating our kids, and they have the power to help or hinder, or to simply ignore any given kid they do not like or agree with. I feel strongly that our teachers ALL need to be held directly responsible for the job they do, and punished, or discharged for failing students. Tenure needs to be eliminated...period. Anyway, thank you for a very good article. Susan
reply by the author on 29-Oct-2009
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As the mother of a 21 year old son, who was consistantly put in the back of the room and ignored, even after my husband and I pleaded for the teachers to help him, I find your writing on this subject very timely. American students with the wrong attitudes are only half the problem. The teachers are the ones who hold the key to a childs success. They are the ones on the frontline of educating our kids, and they have the power to help or hinder, or to simply ignore any given kid they do not like or agree with. I feel strongly that our teachers ALL need to be held directly responsible for the job they do, and punished, or discharged for failing students. Tenure needs to be eliminated...period. Anyway, thank you for a very good article. Susan
Comment Written 29-Oct-2009
reply by the author on 29-Oct-2009
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I find the tenure thing troublesome as well. I also believe that most teachers feel as if they have no real choices in how they manage their classes, given the government restraints imposed. A really sticky-wicket, but one we must address as a society. Thanks so much for reading and commenting.
