tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post2261307217753505375..comments2023-10-15T05:01:43.528-07:00Comments on Bamboo Killers: Making a new meEmily Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02163221455899041141noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-21921059952472678222009-08-11T18:57:00.971-07:002009-08-11T18:57:00.971-07:00Really lovely post.Really lovely post.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-23255390167961245512009-01-30T16:50:00.000-08:002009-01-30T16:50:00.000-08:00And this other kid who's super smart but never doe...<I>And this other kid who's super smart but never does his assignment because he's trying to get revenge on his hyper-critical parents?</I><BR/><BR/>Actually, he's bored. He is brilliant, but after getting put down and tromped for being smart enough times, he's given up. He doesn't do homework because he doesn't need to, he probably pulls extremely high marks on tests. I'd bet that he probably isn't popular. He keeps closed because he no longer trusts people. He's angry, at alot of things, with good reason, at least to him. You gave him two things, a challenge and the ability for his intellect to be viewed by you and his peers as an asset. I know him well, because I was just like him once.Hugo Fuchshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13122110266954111510noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-16465107660486205862009-01-29T20:04:00.000-08:002009-01-29T20:04:00.000-08:00yo, it's me. Same club. Tomorrow, I'll tell 10 sen...yo, it's me. Same club. Tomorrow, I'll tell 10 seniors they are failing the first semester. They'll have to go to Adult School or summer school or something, or they won't 'walk' in June with the other grads.<BR/>And you know what?<BR/>Not my freakin' problem at this point. You take them as far as you can. You show them their own weaknesses and how to counter them. You extend the big deadline three times (yes, I did). And then, if they get an F...you go home, have a snack and take a nap. They EARNED that F, baby.<BR/>Thai food, soon, okay?<BR/>-Jeff<BR/>P.S. check my blog for notes about our Union Station trip. I met someone who looks like you, only smaller: she's your Mini-Me.Jeff Pulicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10557790577435036365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-54210778778139290992009-01-29T14:11:00.000-08:002009-01-29T14:11:00.000-08:00Don't fret about the immediate result. I 200% agre...Don't fret about the immediate result. I 200% agree with Anonymous who says "A point that *will* be made in years to come".<BR/><BR/>You don't need to "test" whether you are doing the right thing or not. In you heart you already know you are.<BR/><BR/>Karel<BR/><BR/>(Secretly of course I'm hoping with you there will be some immediate improvement when you see their test results)Karelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01894787076761192228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-8764390298747561132009-01-29T11:15:00.000-08:002009-01-29T11:15:00.000-08:00Thanks for the good thoughts, everybody. Most of t...Thanks for the good thoughts, everybody. Most of them failed their last test, so I'm really testing my new philosophy today.Emily Blakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02163221455899041141noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-35685821675988357412009-01-29T04:53:00.000-08:002009-01-29T04:53:00.000-08:00I’m not a teacher but I have an incredibly high le...I’m not a teacher but I have an incredibly high level of respect…awe, for teachers.<BR/><BR/>In fact I’m on a personal campaign to the President in support of our teachers.<BR/><BR/>The fact that some teachers have to purchase school supplies with their own money disgusts me…to no end.<BR/>But I digress…<BR/><BR/>I like your post. I like the point you’re making with these children. A point that might not be made today…<BR/>A point that *will* be made in years to come, when these then women and men will ask…<BR/><BR/>What did Ms. Blake say…? <BR/><BR/>What they choose to do at that time will count the most.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-65722566127000507192009-01-28T09:18:00.000-08:002009-01-28T09:18:00.000-08:00I just got done editing a book called No Teacher L...I just got done editing a book called No Teacher Left Behind by Bryan Fiese, which focuses on the differences between today's generation of students and the ones that came before it. It goes into detail on how to approach those differences in the classroom, and some of the things you talked about here fit that model perfectly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-32910579397070524622009-01-28T04:54:00.000-08:002009-01-28T04:54:00.000-08:00Emily, you have my deepest respect.This is one of ...Emily, you have my deepest respect.<BR/><BR/>This is one of the most moving, hopeful and inspiring blog posts I have read in a loooong time. And I go through about 500 a week now.<BR/><BR/>I was trained as a high school teacher and sometimes I feel I should be teaching, but I've always thought it is too hard for the money paid. <BR/><BR/>As a matter of fact I teach screenwriting now (probably harder and paid less! ;). <BR/><BR/>Anyhow, I just wanted to tell you how much I appreciated this.<BR/><BR/>And as to Comment #1: It obviously isn't about Tawanda but about you. And the fact that your energy hasn't drained, means you did the right thing, and an amazing thing, too.<BR/><BR/>Again: RESPECT!Karelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01894787076761192228noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25895692.post-3002282819797076532009-01-27T12:37:00.000-08:002009-01-27T12:37:00.000-08:00nice one, Emily. hope that Tawanda will start maki...nice one, Emily. hope that Tawanda will start making self-changes, too!Sabina E.https://www.blogger.com/profile/14679639206346030919noreply@blogger.com