Central Arkansas (OT)

[turboturtle]

Back in 1975 I departed Central because of said atmosphere. Within three days at a small private Church school, I realized that a good percentage of the student populous were derelicts of whom had already been booted from the public school systems for their acts of defiance. One of my instructors there kept his children on leashes when out in public. Within weeks, I returned happily to the public school systems and Central High.
And in 1979 I had a 44 magnum put in my face by a High school student.
I was out with a girlfriend and a truck pulled up to us with three buzz head kids shouting profanity's our way. Upon my reacting, they pulled over, got out and pulled this fine looking stainless 44 caliber pistol. Needless to say, I got away, and he got his by the authorities. It was only later that I found out they were all Catholic High School Students.
I realized that the broader spectrum of surroundings would better prepare me for a more understanding life in the real world. Nothing like being afraid to leave you own home because of the fear of being a statistical lose.
Since High school, I've never been afraid to communicate with anyone, on any level, at any time. Each of us will react in differently to traumatic acts. Some spend the rest of their life in therapy over one nasty event, while others respond by being better prepared for the next time.
So who has the scoop on who is better than who.

T.C. this is true in any instance, and in every school in America and beyond
Gramm "Many violent acts" Im sure they happened, but you saw all of them.

Please.....

[Tim Eubanks]

Speaking for some LRSD teachers, we do the best we can with what they send us. We can't make up for how kids were parented or the conditions at home that influence their ability and willingness to learn. I usually compare my job to teaching beagles to retrieve ducks in ice water.

We have school board issues as does any school district. How would a legal firm or bank like to be run by people who are not professionals in those areas?

If I teach one student something on any given day, that has to be counted as a successful day. Mostly I seem to teach sit down, be quiet, you can't do that here, etc. Sometimes I get around to teaching biology.

[RandyJ]

Speaking for some LRSD teachers, we do the best we can with what they send us. We can't make up for how kids were parented or the conditions at home that influence their ability and willingness to learn. I usually compare my job to teaching beagles to retrieve ducks in ice water.

Tim, you and MOST teachers in general have my high respect. Qualified with "most" since, as Tris has stated, there are no absolutes.

Lots of truth in what you say here. It doesn't seem to be money, technology, earlier and earlier childhood education, etc. (again, someone will point to exceptions). But can you expound on the beagles comment? Curious, and expect it will be insightful. Thanks.

[Tim Eubanks]

Beagles love to chase rabbits and are very inclined to do so. Labs love to retrieve ducks. The best Lab trainer in the country would be mildly successful if you take him a beagle.The beagle might try to learn but both would likely wind up being very frustrated.

Your beagle can't retrieve ducks after 10 sessions, but I'll give him a ribbon of achievement for coming to all the classes. After all, you paid for the sessions, right?

Very few students actually show up to school with the expectation of learning much, in my opinion, because their parents have not instilled that expectation. I can't overcome 15 years of lost opportunities.

I'm a pretty good teacher but it is very frustrating to try to teach kids who really don't want to learn anything and as time goes on they are becoming more and more up front with their lack of interest (read poor parenting here). Lots of parents only want their children to have a C or B and are really unconcerned whether they actually know anything about that subject. Parents put pressure on administrators who "encourage "us to give fewer low grades.

Thanks for listening if you made it this far.

[RandyJ]

I'm a pretty good teacher but it is very frustrating to try to teach kids who really don't want to learn anything...

Right! That's why I enjoy teaching kayaking. Almost all students are motivated, have an expectation to learn, and don't have to be told to do their "homework" (practice).

Easy to overgeneralize, but IMHO, the key to success in primary and secondary education, whether public, private, home school, whatever - is parental involvement.

[RomanLA]

I chickened out on submitting my resume. I'm worried about babysitter problems. That's the reason I had to move from Russellville. I guess I'm stuck until I either get married or my girls are old enough to stay alone (at least long enough for me to leave for work if a sitter is running late or something). I hadn't realized how close that plant was to everything. I'm definitely going to check it out the next time I drive through the area!

[Tim Eubanks]

Roman, can't let this go.
DO NOT GET MARRIED TO GET A BABY SITTER. Get married because YOU want to. Your kids will be OK if YOU are happy. If you are not in a good place it will be very hard to be of any use to them. If you have to wait on a few things, then so be it. But that can't last for ever.

Prior to my move to Little Rock, a good friend told me that "you deserve to be happy, too". Here I am and as far as I know, my kids are doing great, at least that's what they tell me.

Before I get jumped on, take care of your kids, yes. But take care of yourself as well.

[RomanLA]

DO NOT GET MARRIED TO GET A BABY SITTER.

Not even a mail order bride?

[Tim Eubanks]

You can hire a nanny, fire her if it's not a good fit, and walk away. You can't exactly fire a wife. They get half of your stuff (wives that is) in Arkansas.

[stormcrow]

Roman don't get married for a babysitter. Get married because eating Hot Pockets for over 10 years really sucks. Oh and while we're on food make sure to do your grocery shopping at the Kroger in the Heights. It's the cougar capital of Arkansas, the den, ground zero. Don't look them in the eye though Roman, their already going to know your new. This is all the advice I have to offer and my Hot Pockets are done.