North Penn Senior High




 Souderton Area HS


I finally figured out how to get pics on this blogger!  These are the high schools that I bounced between for the majority of my high school career.  My family moved between these districts quite a few times so I had a fairly equal amount of time at both of them.  I tarted at North Penn in 7th grade and continued through until February of my10th grade year, when I made the first transition to Souderton Area.  I finished my sophomore year and my entire junior year at Souderton and then moved back to North Penn for the beginning of my Senior year, only to move back again in  February of that year.  Sounds crazy? It was. Only I didn't know it at the time.  My school experience was quite different at each of these institutions on a social level, yet the type of education was basically the same.  It is neatly described by Freire in his outline of the "banking concept" of education.  I had an opportunity to experience an honors level class  during my first year of community college.  I was surprised to find out that these classes are more inclined to be cleverly laid out and allow for student- idea-based learning.  In this class we sat around in a circle (like our current WRI 100 at CCC) and answered daily journal questions which culminated in a book of our own design, complete with a table of contents, at the end of the semester.  We wrote two 10-13 page papers every week.  The assignments in class were somewhat open-ended and left to the individual.  We were given such a wide birth for our learning needs.  Our class actually had a visit from some educators from Finland and Scotland.  We were encouraged to ask questions in reference to the culture in those areas.  I didn't realize it at the time, but the plain truth is that I am not an honor student.  I never was.  I received a B- for that class.  But I remember the things we did in that class more vividly than any class I have ever taken since or before.  If the education system could just allow for more flexible learning styles in our public schools, I am certain more children would have positive learning experiences, instead of just getting through it.

Pictures

Waiting for superman

                               

The education system in this country leaves much to be desired. The movie Waiting for Superman is a documentary-based glimpse of the Swiss cheese-like system of formal education that has been created and re-created since the 1970s.  The 'no child left behind' mission statement was, as many of these types of public assurances are, just a great political platform topic, and not in and of itself a fool-proof remedy for lack of abilities and understanding that can be found during a conversation with the average American high school graduate.  Watching this film certainly helped to solidify my opinion of the way in which education is perceived by children in our country.  I often wonder if it wouldn't help to make school a privilege given only to those students whose parents are willing to support properly, and only to those who are willing to apply themselves appropriately.  Of course, like any other 'solution' or idea to bring about change, that would also carry with it a new spectrum of problems and the need for new solutions.  Teachers are definitely under appreciated in America and I'm certain that the reason for this has more to do with the fact that it only takes one worm to soil a batch of beautiful apples. Those teachers who are unworthy of their position and see it as a paycheck instead of a huge  responsibility to our collective future are the ones who make it difficult for the teachers who struggle to do amazing things with children.  Its my understanding that the situation happening in Chicago is largely due to the unfortunate system in place that places the judgment of a teachers value on the scores of his/her students.  The rubric used to evaluate the ability of a teacher to successfully reach his/her students needs to be more inclusive and also more publicized.  I don't think-no I KNOW the majority of parents are not aware that teachers are judged based on their child's performance. Those who are aware of it may not fully accept their own participation responsibility.  Its difficult for many reasons on both sides, however those difficulties could be significantly reduced with more effective communication.

Night number 2 of writing class

Interviewing a classmate...
 

People really are worth knowing, it's not easy to know how to ask the right questions, though.  Let's get personal, but not cross that line. Whenever I spend time talking to someone new, I feel as though I made good use of my time, regardless of the nature of our discussion.  It was great learning about Lisa Lin.  She is from the town in which I currently live.  She is smart, funny and has a very kind disposition.

Lisa Lin is an 18 yr old girl who recently graduated from Panther Valley Area HS.  Her favorite subject is math, lucky for her, since skills in that area will be quite an important part of her training to become a nurse.

Interview

Lisa Lin is a classmate of mine whom I had the pleasure of interviewing during class last week.  I learned that she is 18 years old and a recent Panther Valley High School graduate.  Born in Lansford, Pa in July of 1994 makes her a pleasant Cancer in the realm of Zodiac.  Miss Lin spends her spare time reading and watching MTV.  She has a 7 yr old brother and a 17 yr old sister, with whom she is very close.  Her father is the proprietor of a restaurant specializing in Asian cuisine in her home town and is currently married to her mother.  Lisa likes animals and, in fact, has pet lobsters, thanks to her brother who found them while on an outdoor excursion.  She is a nursing major, and when asked why she chose this field of study, she astutely replied that this career choice will allow her to begin a traditional family while she is still young.  She hopes to have kids in the future, even though she is admittedly, not a good cook!