Open Mic 1

I have done a lot of thinking about teaching during the break (but not working!). I keep thinking about my students and how they are great young individuals that need much more than students had decades ago. It seems that students at my school rely on objects (ipods, money, food, brands...) to feel good about themselves and identify them amongst others. I'm only 30, but in HS, there was one student with a pager that I knew of. Maybe I'm just frustrated that students would rather listen to songs they've heard a million times than learn something new. I think these students need to have involvement in organizations so that they could have more identity away from what they wear in the halls. I see that parent involvement is diminishing due to time of parents working, but schools should encourage or even demand that students participate in clubs. I think this will create school unity and pride that my school needs. I coach, and see athletes giving up way too easily when times get tough. When some students have no encouragement from home, I think schools should require students to participate in at least 1 extracurricular activity to teach the youth to stay involved.