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essays on parental involvement in education
importance of parent involvement in education
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When I first began considering a graduation speech, my initial impulse was to spend this time discussing the advent of college preparation at Ridgemont, and the rise of empty values. I thought it would be a good chance to point out the fact that the quest for college admission has ground some of the best people I know into pulp, and that for the most part it seems as though both their parents, and to a large extent the school, seem afraid to confront that system for what it is. I wanted to speak to the changes happening here at Ridgemont, that the focus of the school is being shifted from educating for character to trying to improve the efficiency with which Ridgemont can heard students into the Ivy League. It seemed to me that my entire fourteen years here had led to the final understanding that a lot of what we have been told to strive for amounts to little more than bowing down before Mammon.
But, upon reflection, I realized that I would not be doing justice to the school and the class I love if I spent my time up here attacking the parents and the school in that manner. I really owe the school and my peers a lot more than that. If it were not for my Ridgemont education, I probably would never have seen the system for what it is. Ridgemont taught me to despise that system by showing me a better way to do things; by showing me that education, success, and happiness do not have to come at the expense of others, that I could go further if I learned to help, and to be helped, by those around me, rather than compete against them. Ridgemont's emphasis on process versus product will stay with me for the rest of my life.
So when I sat down and tried to pull together what it was about Ridgemont that made it an interesting and wonderful place to attend school, I remembered that my friend Larry had once pointed out to me the distinction between the two types of people that you can associate with. There are those that care about your soul, and those that don't. I think that the Ridgemont education, for many in my class, was one that cared for our souls, and this is what distinguishes it from other schools, and this is why it is so unlike the real world in here.
...called faith; you must have faith. All in all High School is strange in the way it hides the wisdom it serves daily to us, noble really. I doubt though half the teachers realize high school is not a place to be ascertaining life-lasting knowledge, counteracting high school is the time to obtain the life-lasting wisdom to take you to college where you will then pick up the life-lasting knowledge you desire. Troy is additionally peculiar in that it misleads its students to believe achieving means getting above a 4.0 GPA, when really as Christopher Morley stated “There is but one success─ to be able to spend your life in your own way.” So taking flight from this place called Troy, what have I really learned? I have learned what Oscar Wilde understood, “Education is an admirable thing, but it is well to remember from time to time that nothing worth knowing can be taught.”
Good evening family, friends, teachers and fellow graduates. This special night marks our achievement over the past thirteen years. Tonight we come to the top of a mountain in our lives and look ahead to the numerous more to come. It seems like just yesterday we were eighth graders in middle school, wishing we were twelfth graders in high school. (You have to remember that back then we didn't know if a freshman meant you were in twelfth grade or if a junior meant you were in ninth.) We've definitely come a long way to be where we are today. Being students at Wilson, "The School of Pride," has helped us all with our climb over Mt. Education. Learning the basics to climb Mt. Education didn't just start in high school; it began a long, long time ago. Our first experience with the climb started out in our six years of base camp, formally known as elementary school. The next stage in our climb was when we were able to climb the part of the mountain with the gentle slope. The smooth slope of the mountain took us a whole three years to accomplish. As you have probably guessed, the gentle slope was middle school. These were the steps we took to get to our third stage in our climb of reaching the peak of Mt. Education, also known as high school.
To the County High School Class of 2012: As you sit in front of me, I know what most of you are thinking at the moment. There are those who are already pondering about what life without high school will be like; those who are debating whether or not to tell your crush tonight about your whispers of adoration you’ve secretly held for four years; some simply want to get out of that ungodly chair, get that thing that isn’t really a diploma but only tells you when to pick up the thing, and then be the first one on the green bus to the grad party — you know who you are. And the rest, well, the rest aren’t even paying attention, you’re thinking, “Great, here comes one of the valedictorian speakers. Next up: a boring speech straight out of the pits of scholarly hell.” And it’s OK, I don’t mind — that sort of thing comes with the territory. But tonight, I ask that you give me a chance to break that stereotype so that I may address you in the full splendor that you deserve after 13 grueling years of work. I do not want to be known as your “valedictorian” as I stand here, c’mon guys, there is no time left to place labels on people anymore, instead I ask that you accept me as one of your peers — and as a man who will enjoy becoming a graduate alongside you.
South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu wrote, "You are a very special person - become what you are." These words encourage us, the graduating class of 2012, to recognize the goodness and potential in each and every one of us and to go out and excel in the world. We are a diverse group of different aspirations and backgrounds, bound for different corners of the earth to carve out our won individual niches. Before we leave behind Lee Falls High School and each other, we must ask ourselves how we have become who we are.
When I was in elementary school, I loved to read. I was a total nerd back then ... okay maybe I still am, but one thing has changed. Now I don't so much like reading. My favorite poet was Shel Silverstein, who wrote "Where the Sidewalk Ends." He seemed like he was a total hippie, but that's cool because I like hippies. My grandma is a recovering hippie. I like her too. Anyway, Shel Silverstein wrote about the coolest things. He wrote about magical erasers, eating whales and a boy with long hair flying away from people who were taunting him. He captured all of the things that I loved without knowing that I actually loved them. Now you may ask, how does this hippie relate to our graduation? Well, he wrote a poem entitled "Traffic Light" and this is how it goes:
Good evening. Some of you out there may not realize this but those of you who attended Suntime Middle School have been with this guy for the last seven years. I would like to ask you all, not just Suntime Middle School grads and who all else, to join me in thanking Mr. Weather for his patience and dedication to the success of our education over the years. We are the Class of 2000. The first graduating class of the new millennium. The past four years have been pretty wild. We started out as a bunch of rats in a small cage, but as time went by we learned and matured and became big rats in a new small cage, but in any case, the cage door is now opening; the handlers turning us wild things loose. As we leave "Where the Wild Things Are," home to some of the best cat fights, fist fights and food fights this side of the Cascades, I have a little surprise for all of you sitting in front of me here tonight in your caps and gowns … we ain’t seen nothing yet!
In previous years, the school did not have a well respected reputation before and after the moving into the new school in 2010. The experiences at the school however was one of many pillars that helped established my foundation in becoming an effective teacher thanks to the exceptional staff of Samuel Fels who not just fostered an academic environment but fostered an emotionally supportive environment. The experience from Fels made me an underdog during my collegiate career. However, there’s a grittiness that students in Fels would leave away from. Little did I know that it was that particular characteristic that allowed me to preserve during university’s most difficult times.
Looking back on my three years at Twin Cities Academy, I find myself wondering how all these years came and went so fast. I still watch myself walking through the same halls and sitting in the same classrooms as I did back in 6th and 7th grade and I’ve seen myself grow so much, mentally, socially and physically. I still remember everything that has happened throughout my years, the best of times, and the worst.
Like majority of my class, I came into Terry High School a wide-eyed freshman ready for an adventure. Being at Terry has opened my eyes and allowed me to have many different experiences. While I have experienced a few setbacks along the way, my time in high school has led to countless successes. During my tenure here, I have grown not only in my quest for knowledge, but also in the way that I handle everyday situations and life in general.
From the third grade up until the beginning of my high school career, this school was where I found myself every day. Needless to say, I had found my place within the complex texture of the school, I belonged to something far greater than just myself, I was part of a family. All the little aspects of Monticello made it feel like home. If I had a problem, I knew plenty of staff at the school that I felt comfortable discussing the issues with. All of the teachers were there not simply for a job, but because they had a passion for teaching. As a result of this passion every student felt as though they were individually cared about and not just another student. After the consolidation, all of these feelings were gone, and it was here that I found the root of my struggle — I needed to find a place where I belonged like I once had at
I have spent nearly three years walking the halls of Tallassee High School as both an intern and a full – time teacher. I have been so proud to teach at THS. I have grieved leaving this profession because being a teacher has truly been my joy and my honor. I have cried knowing I will miss my students dearly – the 200+ lives I have had the pleasure to get to know over my time here. But I have also been burdened not knowing who will advocate for them in my absence. And so this letter is my last advocacy for those students who are hurting, those who feel overlooked, and those who are vulnerable. Because I love this school, this community, and my students so much, I feel compelled to share my concerns. All of these concerns come out of a love for
The past three years have been difficult, yet the most rewarding. During high school I foolishly squandered the opportunity a collegiate high school offers. I’ll always be grateful to Mr. Cass, a past teacher; for losing his temper and speaking the unspoken truths of our class’s reality. It gave me the wakeup call I desperately needed, and shed light to the depth of disservice I’d done myself. The fall of 2014, I started community college with a new-found respect for education. I worked diligently in my
But I have learned so much from both the hardships and the happiness. I’ve learned how to be strong on my own; I’ve gotten to know myself. I’ve learned how inspiring my peers are, and have thus made a greater effort if recent semesters to find more balance in my life. I’ve discovered that, cliché as it may be, good things come when you least expect them. Georgetown has taught me to put myself out there, to take risks, and to not be afraid of failure. While my classes have also been incredibly valuable, these are lessons that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my life. I look back on freshman me, wishing I could tell that young, timid version of myself how much is to come—how the college experience, especially at a place like Georgetown is so much more important than GPA, image, and becoming CEO of a club. It’s about making memories that will last a lifetime and discovering who you are and who you want to
Throughout my high school tenure at Roncalli High, I’ve been graced with some of the best teachers around. They have taught me to have pride, passion, and courage in everything that I pursue. Roncalli is a school where excellence is our average and the students are pushed to go farther than they think they can. These specific values have stuck to my heart and I know will carry me through my collegiate years.
Let’s flash back in time to before our college days. Back to then we had lunch trays filled with rubbery chicken nuggets, stale pizza, and bags of chocolate milk. A backpack stacked with Lisa Frank note books, flexi rulers, and color changing pencils. The times where we thought we wouldn’t make it out alive, but we did. Through all the trials and tribulations school helped build who I am today and shaped my future. From basic functions all the way to life-long lessons that helped shape my character.