Get Schooled

By Dan

May 20, 2005 01:27 PM | Link to this

Great story and a testament to the myriad of options available in this country to anyone and everyone. Also a great example of how experience shapes your perception of reality. Rose came here looking for opportunity and found it, to her the constant bashing of America by pols and papers, was of no import to her because regardless it was a light year ahead of where she came from. People born and raised here redily snatch up the excuses handed to them by the media and pols and complain about the dearth of opportunity. Yet they are observing the same reality as Rose, and have the same opportunities. It is like trying to find the scissors in the junk drawer if it is your drawer you can’t find them because of your preconceived notion of where they should be, but ask rose to find them with her eager eyes and she will point out they are right there in the front within easy reach

By JR

May 20, 2005 01:43 PM | Link to this

This article to me disspells the myth that RACE has anything to do with the lack of learning and that MOTIVATION has everything to do with a love of learning.

Good for her. I’m sure her parents are greatful she is willing to work so hard and earn dollars for them.

By Craig

May 20, 2005 02:10 PM | Link to this

Rose’s story is heartening. Too bad all our students don’t share her commitment to educating one’s self.

More particularly, one wonders-in light of the recent Harvard Civil Rights Project study on dropouts- how many of Rose’s classmates will “march” to receive a certificate of attendance rather than a HS diploma.

By C.R.H.

May 20, 2005 04:52 PM | Link to this

This isn’t unusual, many of my best students were immigrants from other countries where conditions were horrific. When people arrive here they see opportunity, and there is plenty of it for those willing to work. If you are looking for a hand out you have no right to complain when things don’t work out for you…work for it! We need to start an exchange program to send our “sorry, full of excuses, I am entitled to everything because the world revolves around me” students to these countries and let them see how ROUGH life really can be!

By DB

May 23, 2005 10:16 AM | Link to this

I’ve always wished I could charter a DC-9 each year and fly over some of the poorest villages of the poorest countries. I’d love to take the most ill-motivated, disrespectful and arrogant students and drop them off right into one of the villages and make them stay there for a minimum of 3 years. They would then find out what life is all about and change their attitudes forever. Quite soon they would find out that school is a privilege, and success it based totally on motivation and sacrifice.

By R.

May 23, 2005 10:27 AM | Link to this

Way to go Rose!! As a teacher I’ve seen quite a few students from other countries who have had excellent attitudes toward work and learning. It’s too bad many students born in this country can’t find the determination and dedication that Rose has shown. Too many have grown up with the government giving them a lifestyle and are content to continue with passivity into a life of laziness. Best of luck to you Rose!!