Argumentative Paper: What Would I Change in our K-12 Education System

Holly A. Saez

Dr. Sonia Begert

English 101

March 16, 2013

American society idealizes itself as an individualistic society; our founding fathers even wrote the Bill of Rights in order to protect our personal freedoms. Unfortunately these holistic ideals have been perverted into a society that focuses so heavily on individualism it has led to a materialistic and apathetic sense of self. Recognizing one’s self as separate from society and community festers a feeling of alienation and isolation, that when you have an issue you must bring it upon yourself to handle your problems and not to rely on others around you. Community is lost in the wake of new ideals of individualism and at its core is the misguided approach to our education reform. We are tailoring our education to the needs of the individual, producing ignorance and an inflated sense of self being. Waiting for Superman claims that in the early to mid-1900’s our education standards were emulated by other countries, but today we are viewed as ignorant and overconfident.  If I could alter the course of our K-12 education system it would be to eliminate the concept of individualism within our schools instead focus on community, discipline, and making teachers, students and community members accountable for the education of our children and youth. 

Focusing on the individual is creating disconnect from society. Adam Smith argues that “The welfare of society is best served when every individual seeks his or her own advantage,” continuing that “The system possesses an inherently self-adjusting quality that will assure the maximum satisfaction of individual desires.” I disagree completely, focusing on personal needs creates disconnect with community. The more we look into ourselves the more we distance ourselves from our community and the issues that should be addressed as a community. Current educational reform has been focusing on individual rights, and freedoms. Many people view limiting our student’s individual rights is also limiting their freedom. In fact the movie Waiting for Superman focuses in on charter schools and how they develop students’ potentials as individuals, yet even Guggenheim admits that most charter schools do not perform above the standards of other public schools around them, only a select few achieve above and beyond. He also states some startling statistics, “every twenty-six seconds a kid drops out of school. These drop outs are eight times more likely to go to prison, fifty percent less likely to vote, more likely to need social welfare assistance, not eligible for ninety percent of jobs, are being paid forty cents of a dollar earned by a college graduate, and continuing the cycle of poverty.” Is the issue one of simply poor education, or is there a lack of community involvement?  It only makes sense to push our children to help each other to succeed, creating an environment that nurtures community outreach.

Part of reforming our education would involve creating a more disciplined atmosphere. Students would be required to wear uniforms, and teachers would have their rights to discipline their students. Wearing uniforms would help to refocus students from worrying about what they and their peers are wearing to their actual study. It is argued that uniforms remove student’s sense of individuality and freedoms. This is not true because in reality the styles students wear only feed into their need to conform to specific groups. Corporations have fed into these fads and conformities, profiting and exploiting youths need to fit in. Statistic Brain Research Institute shows that studies in 1995 Longbeach, CA reported findings after implementing school uniforms an overall crime rate drop of ninety-one percent, and eighty-one percent of teachers felt that school uniforms improved the school environment; ninety-five percent of the teachers saw an improvement in student behavior.  

Discipline is a word most commonly associated with physical repercussion, but when I speak of discipline it is in regards to self-discipline. Students need to be taught self-discipline, not only at school but within the household. In the movie Stand and Deliver  Mr. Escalante maintains a well disciplined classroom, one built on respect. He maintains this through not only holding firm to classroom rules, but also being a role model for his students. Paulo Friere discusses the “banking concept” of education he says “The teacher confuses the authority of knowledge with his own professional authority, which he sets in opposition to the freedom of the students.”(2) I am sure some teachers do misuse their authority, or misinterpret its meaning, but in the K-12 atmosphere children cannot be expected to hold themselves accountable the same as an adult could. Teachers should and do possess an authority over their students, not only on an intellectual level but as their profession. As a parent I expect my child to be guided, directed and disciplined properly by her educators. This is essential to her learning to become a competent adult.  Society as a whole has become so self-conscious and worried about the politically correct way to treat an individual, especially in regards to children and youth. Censorship within the classroom has removed teacher’s abilities to maintain a respectful classroom. If the teacher says something that could be even remotely construed into being inconsiderate or belittling the students have been given the power to negatively affect that adult’s career. Although it is true that students should be able to address any serious issues within the classroom, manipulating the system as a weapon or a means to transfer the position of power from the teacher to the student is counterproductive to a healthy learning environment. Students should practice self-discipline within the classroom, and teachers should be returned their powers to enforce discipline and respect.

In Waiting for Superman a lot of blame is placed on the teachers and the education system, not the student or community. The blame cannot be placed on one specific group, but must be placed on parents, community, teachers and students equally. Teacher’s sense of individual rights and unions has created a beast. This beast is in the form of teachers with tenure, specifically the ones who have become complacent in their teachings. Some teachers are so complacent they have forgotten the true intent of their profession, teaching children to become capable members of society. You can see this in the movie Chalk, when one of the history teachers actually pulls a couple of his students aside to ask them to be less smart. He is so enveloped in his campaign to become the teacher of the year he lost touch of what was really important, his students. He manipulated his students to do his bidding and belittled those who shone to brightly. Even with such atrocities within the teaching realm there is blame to pass on.  As Mike Rose puts it “To stop looking for the structural or technological magic bullet,” continuing, “Our attention is absorbed by a new quick fix.” It takes a community to build good teachers (what it means to be a good teacher) and it takes a community to raise a kid. Teacher’s efforts can be crippled by a parent’s misguided intent, while a parent’s influence can be rendered obsolete in the face of an apathetic community.

Ultimately our education system will prosper only from unity, not focus so much on the individual. Nurturing a sense of community within our school system, and eliminating the potential for self-segregation will not only improve student academics, but also provide a sense of being. Individualism is a concept that is not deeply understood by children and youth, they need to be provided discipline, structure and support within our schools.  Washington Post reported that in 2004 a quarter of Americans felt that they did not have anyone to confide in, in contrast to 1985 when half Americans felt they had someone to confide in. This sobering statistic shows a suffering community, only through setting aside our differences and focusing on each other as team members can we change the mindset of our children setting the course for a successful educational system and society as a whole. 

Works Cited

Chalk: Real Teaching Leaves a Mark. Dir. Morgan Spurlock. Perf. Mike Akel. Troy Schremmer, Janelle Schremmer, Shannon Haragan. Someday Soon Productions. 2006. DVD.

Friere, Paulo. Pedagogy of the Oppressed- New York: Herder and Herder, 1970. Print

Rose, Mike. “Resolutions Someone Should make for 2011.” http://mikerosebooks.blogspot.com/2011/01/resolutions-someone-should-make-for.html. Web. 7 Jan. 2011

Nederman, Cary. “Individualism.” New Dictionary of the History of Ideas. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. Web. 16 Mar. 2013

 “School Uniform Statistics.” http://www.statisticbrain.com/school-uniform-statistics. Statistic Brain Research Institute. Web. 22 Jul. 2012.  

Shankar Vedantam. “Social Isolation Growing in the U.S., Says Studies.” TheWashington Post. http://www.washingtonpost.com. Web. 23 Jun. 2006

Stand and Deliver. Dir. Ramon Menendez Perf. Edward James Olmos, Estelle Harris, Mark Phelan. Warner Bros 1988. DVD

Waiting for Superman. Dir. Davis Guggenheim. Perf. Geoffrey Canada, Michelle Rhee. Paramount Vantage, 2010. DVD

                                                                                                                                                                 

Rough Draft for paper #3

American society idealizes itself as an individualistic society; our founding fathers even wrote the Bill of Rights in order to protect our personal freedoms. Unfortunately these holistic ideals have been perverted into a society that focuses so heavily on individualism it has led to a materialistic and apathetic sense of self. Recognizing one’s self as separate from society and community festers a feeling of alienation and isolation, that when you have an issue you must bring it upon yourself to handle your problems and not to rely on others around you. Community is lost in the wake of new ideals of individualism and at its core is the perversion of our education system. We are tailoring our education to the needs of the individual, producing ignorance and an inflated sense of self being. In the early to mid 1900’s our education standards were emulated by other countries, but today we are viewed as ignorant and overconfident.  If I could alter the course of our K-12 education system it would be to eliminate the concept of individualism within our schools instead focusing on community, discipline, and making teachers, students and community members accountable for the education of our children and youth. 

Focusing on the individual is creating disconnect from society. The more we look into ourselves the more we distance ourselves from our community and the issues that should be addressed as a community. Current educational reform has been focusing on individual rights, and freedoms. Many people view limiting our student’s individualism is also limiting their freedom. In fact the movie Waiting for Superman focuses in on charter schools and how they develop students potentials as individuals, yet even Guggenheim admits that most charter schools do not perform above the standards of other public schools around them, only a select few achieve above and beyond. He also states some startling statistics, “every twenty-six seconds a kid drops out of school. These drop out are eight times more likely to go to prison, fifty percent less likely to vote, more likely to need social welfare assistance, not eligible for ninety percent of jobs, are being paid forty cents of a dollar earned by a college graduate, and continuing the cycle of poverty.” Is the issue one of simply poor education, or is there a lack of community involvement? If individualism is isolating our students, and in turn alienating them from our communities why are they being pushed in the direction of independence and self reliance? It would only make sense to in turn push our children to help each other to succeed, create an environment that nurtures community outreach.

Part of reforming our education would involve creating a more disciplined atmosphere. Students would be required to wear uniforms, and teachers would have their rights to discipline their students. Wearing uniforms would help to refocus students from worrying about what they and their peers are wearing to their actual study. It is argued that uniforms remove student’s sense of individuality and freedoms. This is not true because in reality the styles students wear only feed into their need to conform to specific groups. Corporations have fed into these fads and conformities, profiting and exploiting youths need to fit in. In 1995 Longbeach, CA reported findings after implementing school uniforms an overall crime rate drop of ninety-one percent, and eighty-one percent of teachers felt that school uniforms improved the school environment, ninety-five percent of the teachers saw an improvement in student behavior.  Discipline is a word most commonly associated with physical repercussion, but when I speak of discipline it is in regards to self discipline. Students need to be taught self discipline, not only at school but within the household. Society as a whole has become so self conscious and worried about the politically correct way to treat an individual, especially in regards to children and youth. Political correctness within the classroom has removed teacher’s abilities to address behavioral problems, and in turn the power has been handed to the students. If the teacher says something that could be even remotely construed into being inconsiderate or belittling the students have been given the power to negatively affect that adult’s career. Although it is true that students should be able to address any serious issues within the classroom, manipulating the system as a weapon or a means to transfer the position of power from the teacher to the student is counterproductive to a healthy learning environment. Students should practice self discipline within the classroom, and teachers should be returned their powers to enforce discipline and respect.

In Waiting for Superman a lot of blame is placed on the teachers and the education system, not the student or community. The blame cannot be placed on one specific group, but must be placed on parents, community, teachers and students equally. Teacher’s sense of individual rights and unions has created a beast. This beast is in the form of teachers with tenure, specifically the ones who have become complacent in their teachings. Some teachers are so complacent they have forgotten the true intent of their profession, teaching children to become capable members of society. You can see this in the movie Chalk, when one of the history teachers actually pulls a couple of his students aside to ask them to be less smart. He is so enveloped in his campaign to become the teacher of the year he lost touch of what was really important, his students. He manipulated his students to do his bidding and belittled those who shone to brightly. Even with such atrocities within the teaching realm there is blame to pass on.  As Mike Rose puts it our community has been too busy trying to band aid our education problem, implementing temporary solutions instead of curing the education problems, using the problem for political gains, and putting all their hopes of reform in the ideas of few individuals. It takes a community to build good teachers (what it means to be a good teacher) and it takes a community to raise a kid. Teacher’s efforts can be crippled by a parent’s misguided intent, while a parent’s influence can be rendered obsolete in the face of an apathetic community.

Ultimately our education system will prosper only from unity, not focus so much on the individual. Nurturing a sense of community within our school system, and eliminating the potential for self segregation will not only improve student academics, but also provide a sense of being. Individualism is a concept that is not deeply understood by children and youth, they need to be provided discipline, structure and support within our schools.  Washington post reported that in 2004 a quarter of Americans felt that they do not have anyone to confide in, in contrast to 1985 when half Americans felt they had someone to confide in. This sobering statistic shows a suffering community, only through setting aside our differences and focusing on each other as team members can we change the mindset of our children ultimately setting the course for a successful educational system. 

Argument exercise

TOPIC: Chickens

What I want to prove to the audience: That chickens are not good to eat

My Audience: coyotes

Why should they care about this: Although people say chickens taste good, it could prove fatal.

Reasons they should agree:

Because chicken bones can poke holes in your stomach

Because feathers can get stuck in your throat and make you choke

Because you can get the bird flu eating chickens

Coyotes Rebuttals

No, because I have eaten chicken before without being poked by bones.

No, because we could just pull the feathers before eating.

No, because bird flu does not effect canines

“My idea is superior because”

True, However these chickens are “big boned”

Well, yes, but the feathers will make your mouth really dry.

No, because avian flu has crossed species before, remember the humans?

OUR Facts:

Chicken bones are one of the leading causes of deaths in dogs.

There are no Coyote vaccinations for bird flu.

Chickens are composed of 30% feathers, that’s a lot of feathers to pluck.

What is it you want to change, add, or cause to happen to K-12 education?

If I could change one thing about our education system it would be to stop tailoring our education to the individual and holding students, teachers and our community as a whole accountable.

MY audience is: Community Members

WHY should they care?: Tailoring our education to the needs of the individual breed’s ignorance and inflated sense of self.

WHAT does society have to lose? Our society is losing credibility in the world economy, and our education system which was once highly valued and modeled after is becoming a joke.

REASONS to agree:

1# because focusing heavily on individualism creates a disconnect with the community

2# because educators are being pushed too hard to pass students, thus they lower standards so that more students pass, ultimately lowering expectations so that we all as individuals can succeed.

3# because promoting individualism within our schools also promotes the pervasive intents of capitalism influencing our students to measure one another by what they are wearing, and thus ultimately producing a materialistic society.

1# Rebuttal Students can be left behind because you are not catering to their individual needs.

2#Rebuttal taking away individualism will break their confidence within themselves

3#Rebuttal treating students like a production warehouse does not promote a creative, successful or confident individual

1# NO, because by setting high expectations for all of our students will make them rise to the level of expectation

2#No, because relying on each other as a community builds ones confidence in each other, which is more important than alienating one’s self by only relying on one’s self.

3#No because eliminating a students need to stand out from the crowd will also eliminate corporate involvement in their education, is it any different that students look to certain style of clothes to fit into a specific group? Although yes they are fitting into their own “cookie shape” but ultimately is it not the intent of corporations to dictate what shapes of cookies are set out for students to fit into? So is individualism just a fad within itself? An illusion of personal freedom at the cost of our community?

1# Reason: Look at Jaime Escalante’s class in stand and deliver he said “students will rise to the level of expectation” and he set his bar really high, most of his students rose to his level of expectation and exceeded it.

2# Reason: Washington Post reports that ¼ of Americans report having no one with whom they can discuss their personal problems with.

3#Reason: In 1995 Longbeach, CA reported findings after implementing school uniforms: with an overall crime rate drop of 91% and 81% of teachers felt that school uniforms improved the school environment 95% saw an improvement in student behavior. 

"Chalk" notes

Chalk is an interesting comedic view of teaching. It really brings out the humanity in teachers. They are not perfect robotic teaching machines. They were flawed to say the least, but ultimately all of them wanted to make a difference in their student’s lives. The PE Teacher cares too much, but atleast she pushes her students. Mr. Stroopes thinks too much of himself, but seems to really reach his class. Mr. Lawry was a mess at first, but by the end of the year he was an okay teacher. The Assistant Principal did her job, but hated it and just wanted to go back to teaching. It will be important that my paper reflects some level of consideration towards the teachers who are only human.  It kind of comes back to my thoughts of most large organizations. They kind of take on a life of their own, struggling, adapting, and reacting in order to survive. No single person holds responsibility, and we cannot simply look at the teacher who is in fact only human for a cure to our education problems, this will require a complete reamaging or a "rebirth" of this beast we call the education system.

(you can ignore the rest)

50% of teachers quit within the first 3 years of teaching.

First day of class, teachers laying the ground rules and trying to reach students. They seem less than enthused to be back in class.

Teachers are eating lunch together, there only common ground seems to be mathematics and how they struggled with it and used their own styles to succeed.

Mr stroopes goals with the board are his Sarcasm, cleanliness and organization, and a lesson plan. He doesn’t seem all too interested in doing a great job, just getting by.

The new assistant Principal is breaking up her first fight, yelling for the perpetrators to go to her office. The students are laughing at her.

The PE Teacher has had a few instances the students assume she is gay because her hair is short. Not all PE teachers are gay.

The new History teacher is struggling to control his students; there is yelling, and rowdiness.

The teachers are told not to have a friendship but a relationship, and the teacher is having a problem telling the difference. “I care about you, you can trust me, and I have your best interests in mind.”

The new teacher is continuing to lose control of his class.

The new AP (assistant Principal) is working really late nights, and isn’t spending much time with her family.

The principal is telling the AP another war story completely unrelated to school.

The PE Teacher(Webb)  pulls a teacher from her class to inform her that one of her students came in late and needs to go to PRC. She informs her that she has a walking group in the morning.

The new teacher is struggling to gain the respect of his students, and stops teaching. So a student begins to teach the class.

The new history teacher is reading a book on classroom management.

The AP cannot go to her friends the PE Teachers happy hour. She is too busy at school.

The History teacher pulled a couple of students aside to tell his students that they know too much, and that they need to damp down their participation in class.

PE Teacher is teaching yoga. The students are joking about the positions.

The new teacher is incorporating humor to enliven his class, and is dwelling on jokes.

PE Teacher has found a crush; she is enjoying work more because of him.

 The janitor dropped the piano.

Staff meeting, Mr. Stroopes is asking a bunch of theft related questions, and no is admitting to it except himself. Than he addresses it as a negative thing, ultimately it comes down to his missing stapler. Saying there is no integrity, and they are all role models.

Teacher lunch, AP and PE teacher are talking about relationships. Ms. Webb asks if she is pushy. AP tells her that she is passionate and knows what she wants and that is what makes her a good teacher.

Mr. Stroopes calls one of the too smart kid’s parents to inform his parents that his grades are pitiful. It turns out he didn’t call anyone, but next time there will be.

The new teacher is daydreaming about the PE teacher and them being in a relationship.  His dream is interrupted by the AP who is worried about him. She asks him if he is single, and leaves it at that. He has been divorced for almost 2 years, and finds the subject of dating keeps coming up at work. Teaching is hard enough that he can’t imagine having a personal life.

Mr. Webb is out in the woods shooting, he says “it’s like teaching in the sense that you do your best but you are not going to get every kid.” 6/10 kids walk away with a college education. You practice you aim, you hone you skill, you let it fly and sometimes you hit it.

The new teacher asks why kids have cell phones “What is possibly so dire that you have to get a hold of a 15 yr old at that moment.”

A students cell phone goes off, and he asks for the phone and begins getting into an argument. “If you bring your phones into my classroom then just get out.”

A group of teachers are out at happy hour; the new teacher is uncomfortable being there but eventually settles in.

Mr. Webb “I have made no bones about it, you guys are my favorite class.” He is trying to convince his class to help him become teacher of the year.

The new teacher is talking to his students parents, the one who had a cell phone go out. The mother starts talking to him about his teaching style, and his lack of authoritative figure.  She offers him a glass of wine. They drink the whole bottle, and he has to call a cab.

The AP is still working really late.

Ms Webb is complaining to the AP about the teachers letting their students come into class late, and they debate as to whether it is black and white or gray area.

Ms Webb is frustrated that her friend the AP is not bridging the gap of teachers and administration. Teachers are always complaining about the other teachers. Now that she is in a position of power she feels like people are trying to manipulate her because they are friends.

Mr. Webb is sending a spy to the other nominated teacher of the year.

Teacher of the year debate, Mr. Webb is trying to show stage presence. He is speaking out like a politician.  He is making promises that he cannot keep. He claims to be sweating out of passion.

He did not win teacher of the year. He throws a fit in class because he did not win.

Ms. Webb is complaining about not having uniforms for her volleyball player. AP blows up in Ms.  Webb’s face, and then walks off.

The AP is substituting for teachers, and she loves teaching, she hates being AP.

(Mr. Lawry) New teacher has just made a deal with his students, the “spelling hornet” a spelling bee of slang words. He has agreed to partake as long as his students coach him. He wins the spelling hornet.  

At almost the end of the year Mr. Lawry finally gained his students respect.

It also gained some common ground with staff members.

He is not so sure he is going to teach another year.  

Ms Webb “ I learned that some people are very insecure… I need to find a way to approach people… I need to encourage people”

Mr. Stoopes is upset he lost the election, but more upset that he lost his cool during class.

How Friere would change K-12 Education.

Given a chance Paolo Friere would flip our education system on its head. He compares our current style of educating to a checking account for information: depositing, withdrawing and saving. Friere makes the point that this “banking” concept teaches students to memorize what they are taught but never to truly grasp the meaning behind the content they are being delivered. He idealizes a society that promotes thoughtful invention free of narration, a teachers role being not that of a depository of information, but for the teacher to be growing alongside their students experimenting and promoting conscious thought. So if Friere could change one thing in the K-12 system it would be to redefine the role of the teacher. He compares the current teaching styles to an oppressive society that does the opposite of promoting education and critical thinking. The current style of teaching would be thrown out, and a teacher’s role would be more similar to the role of the student; “Teacher-student”, “students-teachers” both students and teachers being responsible for each other’s and their own educational experience. Completely removing a teachers authoritative position; teachers would no longer expect their students to simply listen and absorb the information he/she puts out to the classroom, but to present information up for debate and consideration. Friere believes that only through this complete redefinition of a teacher’s role will our society succeed in producing conscious thoughtful individuals. My own paper involves changing our learning environment, and there could be a few comparisons in both Friere and my own opinions of our current educational system. Friere is a bit extreme for my taste, and uses unnecessarily complex language that narrows the audience. I will have to be careful to mediate myself, and will avoid taking quite as antagonistic of an approach as Friere. Friere knows where he stands, and poses a very strong argument, he compares his ideas to the opposing ideas in a light that favors his own and this definitely promotes his cause.  

Waiting for Superman notes

“My feelings about public education did not matter as much as fearing taking them to a failing school.”

Since 1971 $4300-$9000/student

Since 1971 reading scores have flat lined and math is no better

When asked what they would see walking into school, Francisco’s mother” walking in you will see a desk with a security guard, that’s it you can no farther than that”

Bianca’s mom “I don’t care what I have to do, and don’t care how many jobs I have to obtain, she will go to college.” “You go to college, you get an education, you don’t get a job you get a career and there is a difference.”

No child left behind decided to test all the students in the United States

Math scores

Alabama 18%

Mississippi 14%

English scores were between 20 and 25%

Roosevelt High School

3% students have necessary classes for 4 year university

57% don’t graduate

2000 drop out factories throughout US

Experts tend to blame failing schools on failing neighborhoods… might be failing neighborhoods because of failing schools.

68% PA r high school drop outs

Prison: $33000 X4 years/person

Private school: $8300 X4/person

“lots of districts have certain things wrong with them, DC has everything wrong with it”

Michelle Rhee Chancellor of the district of Columbia Public School “The city government gives central office pile of money, central office screws it up” “ there is a complete and udder lack of accountability for the thing we are supposed to be doing, and that is teaching kids”

She is 7^th Chancellor in 10 years

The things that have been done to help make schools better, are making schools harder to reform

Bad teacher only covers 50% of require curriculum, a good one 150%

Public school teachers automatically received tenure, guaranteeing their jobs for life.

 “There biggest obstacle for reform is a contract with the teachers union, which ties their hands”

“Teachers are great a national treasure, teachers unions are a menace and a challenge to reform”

280-t provision in the contract “the dance of the Lemons”

Chronically bad teachers cannot be fired so the principals get together and does the Lemon dance, red gives jack his lemons, etc.

New York, Tenure teachers who are in trouble are sent to “the rubber room”

1 in 2500 teachers lose their teaching credentials

Geoffrey Canada faced blocks so he started a charter school in Central Harlem, New York. He guarantees success in college, through a public charter school.

Nakia pays $500 tuition for her child to go to private school, just to ensure her daughter Bianca does not go to public school.  “I will just have to find a way”

Michelle Rhee fired ¼ principals and closed down 23 schools. “there is an  unbelievable ability to turning eye from the injustices happening to kids in school in the name of harmony amongst adults.”

If you want a better school for your kid it is all about options.

Up until the 1970s the United states had the best public schools. Public school weren’t an ordeal we had to survive but the sole reason of our lives.

Among 25math 24science in developed countries. US ranks #1 in confidence

Even fine schools in the suburbs are failing.

Tracking is due to test results, neatness and obedience. Lower tracks become harder but less productive and poor teachers.

Tracking fit the demands of the time, 20% college bound, 20% skilled, bottom half unskilled workers.

Bill Gates testified before congress “we cannot sustain an economy…..

120 million high skills, high pay jobs, only 50 million will be able to fill them.

Geoffrey Canada’s charters increased classroom ours, held school on Saturday and during summers.  Top charters are sending 90% of their students to a 4 year college.

~To be honest I have seen "Waiting for Superman" a couple of times already on my own, but this was a good refresher and gave me an opportunity to jot down some notes, a couple statistics and quotes. The first time I had seen this movie it kind of hit me across the face, being in the military I had the chance to meet alot of people around the United States fresh out of high school, so I was aware of the vast differences in people educational experiences. I just could not believe that some places in the United States schools have armed guards, and metal detectors. It is sad to think that a student body has to be protected from themselves, I always tend to see children as still being innocent and naive to the world around them. I did take away this time the comments made by Rhee  about the adults intentions to keep peace with one another is what she believes is holding back the educational system most of all. I have to agree with her. Also need to remind myself to look up Bill Gates testimony to congress, the man is a genius of the time and usually has some pertinent things to say.

Rose vs. Black

One is an educator the other an entertainer. Both are trying to convince the audience and both seek to point out holes in our educational system. Because Rose has actual experience being a teacher, and working with the educational system he offers more insight and details on exactly what needs to be changed and even goes as far as to give ideas of some small changes. for example not using economists in the school system, or using corporate words like "nonstarter" or "incentives". He seems to make some insightful points that will help me develop a good quality paper. Black on the other hand is speaking out in order to entertain an audience. He uses shocking statements to keep one interested, and I feel the purpose of his speech was not to give advice on reformation but to bring to light the downfalls of our current system. I really did not learn anything new from Black. If there is anything I could take from his performance, it would be his style. Making shocking point blank statements can be alluring to an audience that may or may not care what I have to think or say about our future education system.

2/28 notes and class participation

Lewis Black argues very sarcastically that we are pretending to deal only for 1 week for education and 51 weeks of incarceration with the education problem. We waste our educational funds on half a billion dollar schools that really don’t have to be that way. That charter schools are a great idea, except that they only allow a very small number of students. Public schools don’t need random volunteers but fully educated teachers.

Really this all plays on my post from earlier today; public education is failing our students. When Lewis Black mentioned a half a billion dollar school in LA it brought my thoughts to my family in Klamath Falls, Oregon. For the past year I have been saving my school stamps, those little stamps you get on some boxed foods and canned goods, because my cousins school system is struggling financially. To think that just a state away students are learning in luxury while they struggle just to have up to date books and computers. Of course the distribution of wealth within the public education system is a major issue, if just a small portion of the LA schools money went to some of the less affluent parts of America it could really make a difference. Then there is the issue of charter schools, an awesome idea that looks great on paper, but lacks the backing and funding to educate the masses. The idea that we could cure our education problem with a superhero is preposterous; it will take an upheaval involving our entire society in order to successfully change our education. Not enough parents care enough to get arms deep in their children’s education, as my parents put it “school is supposed to teach you those things, morals, discipline, education” but in all truth it is a parent’s responsibility to teach morals and discipline. Teachers need to be more involved with their students, of course there are plenty of outstanding teachers out there but there are just as many who have either taught for way too long, or defaulted to teaching when they themselves did not achieve their original career choice.  The blame can’t be placed on a single group, but ultimately sits on the shoulders of many. No one that I know of is arguing that our education system is perfectly fine the way it is, but if we continue to set blame or responsibility on a single group how can we expect to reform? There is no simple answer to the problem, or quick fix. I am sure that there will always be holes in the system, and unfortunately when one single system is forced into finding that median in the individuals it is trying to educate it will fall short of expectations. The school system is set with the daunting task of finding that universal method or here goes my military jargon Standard Order of Operation that ensures a generalized success.   

My group mostly spoke about how the education system runs currently, and the way we ourselves experienced our own K-12 education. We talked about budget issues, the fact that some schools cannot afford books. How impersonal the teacher/student, teacher/parent relationship has become. The overwhelming class sizes, and we also discussed some of the alternative education systems i.e. the off campus program and homeschooling.

The Biggest Challenge Facing K-12 Students

The biggest challenge facing K-12 students seems to be trying to fit into an archaic educational system that has been tailored to educate the masses as oppose to catering to individual needs. Every year throughout the United States class sizes grow larger and larger. Each teacher is burdened with a heavier workload, and pressure to pass all of their students on to the next grade. Unfortunately this comes at the cost of the students, ones who excels are held back by low expectations, others fail to grasp the concept of their curriculum and due to an overloaded teacher neither receive the individual attention needed to succeed. The teacher is forced to find a middle ground to which all students have a better chance of succeeding, but as class sizes swell and test scores drop, expectations and standards fall as well. In the midst of this there are those students who academically should be exceeding, but as boredom creeps in the back door they become delinquent and lose sight of success. The public education system continues to become more and more impersonal, and is beginning to resemble an industrial warehouse for cookie cutter students. If a child does not fit the mold they are reprocessed for redistribution or if too marred the are tossed to the side, if the great tasting cookies cost too much to make, take the sugar out and add a cheaper sweetener it tastes similar. Keep lowering standards to increase distribution and profit. This system does not produce excellence but breeds mediocrity and lowered expectations. K-12 students already face the challenges of growing up, and coming into their individual self, an educational system that does not develop the individual is only limiting their potential.

Compare and Contrast Essay: What Role Does a Teacher Play?

“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge,” said Albert Einstein. There is nothing more essential than acquiring knowledge, expanding ones understanding of the world we live in and the people who have shaped and continue to shape the world we live in. Education is fundamental to success and at the root of education is the teacher. Teachers develop minds, showing pupils the tools necessary to expand their minds and also how to implement those tools in their everyday lives and influence the world around them. No matter the curriculum a good teacher must gain his/her students respect, create a rewarding environment, genuinely care for the welfare of their pupils and possess a passion for knowledge and teaching. The role of the teacher is to “inspire to aspire,” Jaime Escalante and Jack MacFarland are excellent examples of inspirational teachers.

Both teachers from the very start of class commanded respect from their classroom. Jaime Escalante began by setting some ground rules, stating that, “There will be no free rides, no excuses. You already have two strikes against you: your name and your complexion. Because of those two strikes, there are some people in this world who will assume that you know less than you do. *math* is the great equalizer… When you go for a job, the person giving you that job will not want to hear your problems; ergo, neither do I. You are going to work harder here than you’ve ever worked anywhere else. And the only thing I ask of you is to have *ganas* *desire*” he continues, “If you don’t have the *ganas,* I will give it to you because I am an expert.” Simply pointing out the hard truth, and not accepting excuses for poor performance set standards for Escalante’s students instilled if not respect a sense of understanding. When challenged by their students both Escalante and MacFarland used similar tactics of control. Instead of disciplining their students for misbehavior they would challenge them mentally, make a point that would force the student to reconsider their current standing. MacFarland made references to literature, and role played his way into challenges with unruly teenagers. As his former student Mike Rose wrote, “Jack MacFarland, this tobacco-stained intellectual, brandished linguistic weapons of a kind I hadn’t encountered before… if nothing else, we recognized MacFarland’s considerable intelligence and respected the hours he put into his work.” By creating an environment of mutual respect the teachers set their students at a more mature level, opening them up to the idea that they could achieve academic success. Neither Mr. MacFarland nor Mr. Escalante set the bar low, both expected their students to achieve at a higher academic level.

Both Escalante and MacFarland held a rigorous class schedule, always quizzing, testing and asking questions. They never let their minds idle, always keeping them busy, working, learning, challenging, rethinking and creating a deeper understanding of the subject. As Escalante put it, “students will rise to the level of expectation.” They did not offer easy A’s, and this set the bar high for their students. Challenging their students to achieve more developed healthy habits and created a thirst for learning. As Rose said, “I loved getting good grades from MacFarland.” They created a desire in their students, a desire to achieve, and a fear of failure. People tend to only put forth as much effort as is necessary to receive their reward, if you set the bar high they will put forth the effort necessary to reach their goal. When you work really hard for something, it always tastes a little sweeter.

During his senior year Mike Rose was questioned by Mr. MacFarland as to whether he was going to go to college or not. Mike had never thought much of it, and gave an indecisive answer. Jack MacFarland would not accept that such a talented student would not go to college, and pushed Rose to apply for as many colleges as possible. When all the major universities denied Rose’s application, MacFarland did not waver. He went to Loyola, the institution he had graduated and pulled the strings necessary to see to it that Rose received higher education. Knowing that Rose could not afford college, Mr. MacFarland showed Mike Rose how to apply for financial aid. There is no denying that the man cared about his students, going above and beyond the call of duty. He showed more consideration, and put forth more effort than the average parent, personally ensuring the students with potential fulfilled that potential. Jaime Escalante was no less dedicated to the success of his students. As long as his students had the “ganas” he would ensure their success. When outside influences affected students attendance Jaime personally addressed the problem. In the movie Stand and Deliver one of his top students, Ana Delgado withdrew herself from class. Mr. Escalante went to dinner at the Delgado family restaurant to personally confront Ana’s parents about her future. He pressed that Ana was intelligent, and had great potential. Ana’s father believed Ana belonged in the restaurant with her family, not wasting her time getting an education she would not use. He would not waiver in his decision, and ultimately banned Escalante from eating at the Delgado family restaurant. Escalante was successful in sowing his seed, because Ana would later attend class, and ultimately successfully passed her calculus exam. Both teachers showed a desire to improve their student’s lives; they cared enough to help them through life’s challenges.

Both Jack MacFarland and Jaime Escalante were intensely passionate teachers. MacFarland was passionate about literature and Escalante about teaching. They were so passionate they were inspirational to others. Jack would bring a select group of students to his home, to further develop their passion for literature. His home was described as a “cramped cluttered space… books were all over: stacked, piled, tossed, and crated…well worn and new.” Expanding knowledge is what Jack MacFarland lived for.  MacFarland would ultimately seed Mike Rose’s passion for literature, taking him under his wing and introducing him to a myriad of literature. Rose described the literature as “hardly the stuff of deep understanding” but the sheer volume and variety of the digested material would ultimately expand Rose’s insight into the world. Rose looked to MacFarland for inspiration and insight. Jaime Escalante inspired others not with his intellectual passion, but for his tenacity and unwillingness to quit. His passion for teaching made the classroom the most important aspect of his life. Escalante was so stubborn that when school staff denied his request to make calculus a part of school curriculum, he added calculus as an extra school activity. His passion inspired his students to come into class an hour before the first bell, so that they learn calculus. He not only taught an early morning class, but also taught an adult class. He pushed himself so hard that he had a heart attack teaching his adult class. When told by the doctor that he would not be able to work, Escalante requested a new one. Against doctors orders he went back to teaching within two days of his heart attack, eager to get back to what he loved. Both teachers passion was not only inspirational to their students, but stand as an inspiration today.

No matter the curriculum, a teacher’s goal should always remain the same, “inspire to aspire”. Inspire others to love learning and the acquisition of knowledge. Jaime Escalante opened his student’s eyes to their real potential. He would not allow preconceived notions about their heritage and culture to keep them from achieving more than they originally considered themselves capable of. Jack MacFarland came into the life of Mike Rose during a time he was most needed; he took him under his wing and provided Rose with the necessary tools to become an inspiration himself. Rose would go forth into the world, and redefine our views of remedial education, stating that the problem is not the student’s lack of intelligence but the environment in which they were taught. 

Rough Draft for paper #2

“It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge,” said Albert Einstein. There is nothing more essential than acquiring knowledge, expanding ones understanding of the world we live in and the people who have shaped and continue to shape the world we live in. Education is fundamental to success and at the root of education is the teacher. Teachers develop minds, showing pupils the tools necessary to expand their minds and also how to implement those tools in their everyday lives and influence the world around them. No matter the curriculum a good teacher must gain his/her students respect, create a rewarding environment, genuinely care for the welfare of their pupils and possess a passion for knowledge and teaching. The role of the teacher is to “inspire to aspire,” Jaime Escalante and Jack MacFarland are excellent examples of inspirational teachers.

Both teachers from the very start of class commanded respect from their classroom. Jaime Escalante began by setting some ground rules, stating that, “There will be no free rides, no excuses. You already have two strikes against you: your name and your complexion. Because of those two strikes, there are some people in this world who will assume that you know less than you do. *math* is the great equalizer… When you go for a job, the person giving you that job will not want to hear your problems; ergo, neither do I. You are going to work harder here than you’ve ever worked anywhere else. And the only thing I ask of you is to have *ganas* *desire*” he continues, “If you done have the *ganas,* I will give it to you because I am an expert.” Simply pointing out the hard truth, and not accepting excuses for poor performance set standards for Escalante’s students instilled if not respect a sense of understanding. When challenged by their students both Escalante and MacFarland used similar tactics of control. Instead of disciplining their students for misbehavior they would challenge them mentally, make a point that would force the student to reconsider their current standing. MacFarland made references to literature, and role played his way into challenges with unruly teenagers. As his former student Mike Rose wrote, “Jack MacFarland, this tobacco-stained intellectual, brandished linguistic weapons of a kind I hadn’t encountered before… if nothing else, we recognized MacFarland’s considerable intelligence and respected the hours he put into his work.” By creating an environment of mutual respect the teachers set their students at a more mature level, opening them up to the idea that they could achieve academic success. Neither Mr. MacFarland nor Mr. Escalante set the bar low, both expected their students to achieve at a higher academic level.

Both Escalante and MacFarland held a rigorous class schedule, always quizzing, testing and asking questions. They never left their minds idle, always keeping them busy, working, learning, challenging, rethinking and creating a deeper understanding of the subject. As Escalante put it, “students will rise to the level of expectation.” They did not offer easy A’s, and this set the bar high for their students. Challenging their students to achieve more developed healthy habits and created a thirst for learning. As Rose said, “I loved getting good grades from MacFarland.” They created a desire in their students, a desire to achieve, and a fear of failure. People tend to only put forth as only much effort as is necessary to receive their reward, if you set the bar high they will put forth the effort necessary to reach their goal. When you work really hard for something, it always tastes a little sweeter.

During his senior year Mike Rose was questioned by Mr. MacFarland as to whether he was going to go to college or not. Mike had never thought much of it, and gave an indecisive answer. Jack MacFarland would not accept that such a talented student would not go to college, and pushed Rose to apply for as many colleges as possible. When all the major universities denied Rose’s application, MacFarland did not waver. He went to Loyola, the institution he had graduated and pulled the strings necessary to see to it that Rose received higher education. Knowing that Rose could not afford college, Mr. MacFarland showed Mike Rose how to apply for financial aid. There is no denying that the man cared about his students, going above and beyond the call of duty. He showed more consideration, and put forth more effort than the average parent, personally ensuring the students with potential fulfilled that potential. Jaime Escalante was no less dedicated to the success of his students. As long as his students had the “Ganas” he would ensure their success. When outside influences affected students attendance Jaime personally addressed the problem. In the movie Stand and Deliver one of his top students, Ana Delgado withdrew herself from class. Mr. Escalante went to dinner at the Delgado family restaurant to personally confront Ana’s parents about her future. He pressed that Ana was intelligent, and had great potential. Ana’s father believed Ana belonged in the restaurant with her family, not wasting her time getting an education she would not use. He would not waiver in his decision, and ultimately banned Escalante from eating at the Delgado family restaurant. Escalante was successful in sowing his seed, because Ana would later attend class, and ultimately successfully passed her calculus exam. Both teachers showed a desire to improve their student’s lives; they cared enough to help them through life’s challenges.

Both Jack MacFarland and Jaime Escalante were intensely passionate teachers. MacFarland was passionate about literature and Escalante about teaching. They were so passionate they were inspirational to others. Jack would bring a select group of students to his home, to further develop their passion for literature. His home was described as a “cramped cluttered space… books were all over: stacked, piled, tossed, and crated…well worn and new.” Expanding knowledge is what Jack MacFarland lived for.  MacFarland would ultimately seed Mike Rose’s passion for literature, taking him under his wing and introducing him to a myriad of literature. Rose described the literature as “hardly the stuff of deep understanding” but the sheer volume and variety of the digested material would ultimately expand Rose’s insight into the world. Rose looked to MacFarland for inspiration and insight. Jaime Escalante inspired others not with his intellectual passion, but for his tenacity and unwillingness to quit. His passion for teaching made the classroom the most important aspect of his life. Escalante was so stubborn that when school staff denied his request to make calculus a part of school curriculum, he added calculus as an extra school activity. His passion inspired his students to come into class an hour before the first bell, so that they learn calculus. He not only taught an early morning class, but also taught an adult class. He pushed himself so hard that he had a heart attack teaching his adult class. When told by the doctor that he would not be able to work, Escalante requested a new one. Against doctors orders he went back to teaching within two days of his heart attack, eager to get back to what he loved. Both teachers passion was not only inspirational to their students, but stand as an inspiration today.

No matter the curriculum, a teacher’s goal should always remain the same, “inspire to aspire”. Inspire others to love learning and the acquisition of knowledge. Jaime Escalante opened his student’s eyes to their real potential. He would not allow preconceived notions about their heritage and culture to keep them from achieving more than they originally considered themselves capable of. Jack MacFarland came into the life of Mike Rose during a time he was most needed; he took him under his wing and provided Rose with the necessary tools to become and inspiration himself. Rose would go forth into the world, and redefine our views of remedial education, stating that the problem is not the student’s lack of intelligence but the environment in which they were taught. 

drafting exercise: block format

Role: inspire to aspire

positive

Name of Teacher #1: Mr. MacFarland

Commanded respect: As oppose to disciplining his students, when a student acted out Jack Macfarland would challenge his students. Not a physical challenge, but a linguistic challenge that would push his unruly students to participate more effectively within the classroom. As Rose put it “Jack Macfarland, this tobacco-stained intellectual, brandished linguistic weapons of a kind I hadn’t encountered before… If nothing else, we all recognized Macfarland’s considerable intelligence and respected the hours he put into his work.”

Made good grades more rewarding: Mr. MacFarland offered a rewarding curriculum keeping his students on their toes by frequently asking questions and providing his students with busy work: multiple essays per month, and quizzes on alternate days.  As Rose says “I loved getting good grades from MacFarland.”

Showed that he cared about each student individually: During Mike Rose’s senior year Mr. MacFarland questioned him on whether he was going to college or not. When Mike was indecisive he pressured him to apply for colleges. When he was denied enrollment in major universities Mr. Macfarland pulled strings at Loyola and Rose was accepted as a probationary student.

Was passionate about his curriculum and teaching: He brought Rose and a select other students to his home. From Rose’s description, “a cramped cluttered space…books were allover: stacked, piled, tossed, and crated… well-worn and new.” Mr. Macfarland clearly had an obsession with literature, such passion could easily be inspirational.

Inspired his students to love learning: Rose was inspired to love knowledge, and acquiring new knowledge. MacFarland’s introduced his students to some literature which Rose describes as, “hardly the stuff of deep understanding.”  The literature started a fire inside Rose, and later would prove to expand Rose’s insight into the world, but more importantly he could “talk that talk” with Jack MacFarland, his greatest and most beloved mentor.

positive

Name of Teacher #2: Mr. Escalante

Commanded Respect: From the very beginning of class Jaime Escalante commanded respect from his students.“there will be no free rides, no excuses. You already have two strikes against you: your name and your complexion. Because of those two strikes, there are some people in this world who will assume that you know less than you do. *math* is the great equalizer… When you go for a job, the person giving you that job will not want to hear your problems; ergo, neither do I. You are going to work harder her than you’ve ever worked anywhere else.  And the only thing I ask of you is to have *ganas* *desire*” “If you don’t have the *ganas,* I will give it to you because I am an expert.”

Made good grades more rewarding: Mr. Escalante required students to take a timed quiz every single day at the beginning of the class. While talking to a colleague he stated that “students will rise to the level of expectation.”

Showed that he cared about his students individually: When Ana Delgado withdrew herself from Escalante’s math class, Jaime went to the Delgado’s family restaurant to personally confront Ana’s family. If the student had the desire to learn Mr. Escalante would do anything to ensure that student succeeded.

Was passionate about teaching: Mr. Escalante was so passionate about teaching that when the school staff denied his request to teach calculus as a class, Escalante added calculus as a before school activity and his students attended! He worked so hard he had a heart attack while teaching an adult education class, and to top it off he went back to work against doctors’ orders. No one could stop Jaime Escalante from doing what he was passionate for, teaching.

my teachers of choice

Mrs. Gabrio was a delicately framed woman, long wavy blonde hair wildly flowing behind her; barely reaching five feet, her physical features were hardly an example of grandeur. Yet she always held a presence that made her seem a little taller, of course that could have simply been due to her being at least a head taller than all her student. We were in fifth grade, and nearing a critical turning point in our lives.  Mrs. Gabrio would be our teacher for the next two years, and had the challenge of preparing us for the next stage in our lives, Junior High School. It was no longer just about drawing pictures, learning numbers and letters, but about understanding personal responsibility and preparing for new educational process.  

Junior High came as a classic lost in the sauce scenario, no longer were we walked in straight lines as a classroom unit, gone were the days of same teacher all year, two years in a row. Now we were responsible for finding our way to our multiple scheduled classes, with a new and different teacher in each classroom, with their own personal style of teaching, and their own idea of a well-organized classroom, at first the self-responsibility of it all was personally crippling. When sixth period came my saving grace would come in the form of a balding grey-haired middle aged man with a little extra baggage in the stomach.  Mr. Thompson was former navy, and his no nonsense well organized style of teaching would prove more valuable than the actual subject he taught. From the very get go he set the standards and expectations for his class and all of came to a single conclusion: in order to pass this class you must remain well organized. He set standards,  raised standards, and then turned around and expected us to exceed those standards.

I am concerned about using this format in my paper, it seems too narrative... while our paper itself seems to require a strict essay format... PLEASE give me input!

Garfield High vs. Wellsley, Mr. Escalante vs. Ms. Watson

The students at first seem very different; one class seems ignorant and unwilling to learn, while the other class is eager to learn. Neither student body seemed to desire to further their education; both Escalante and Watson sought to motivate students into achieving their potential. Both student bodies needed to have their minds opened and each teacher used alternative methods to reach those minds. The teachers face a similar problem, a student body with an attitude problem and fellow staff members that do not respect or understand their curriculum. Through all the opposition their teaching styles did not waiver just because someone did not agree with their methods.  Both teachers eventually in their own ways give in under the pressure, one with a heart attack, the other with an emotional breakdown.

Garfield High and Wellesley are worlds apart: Garfield is informal, while Wellesley is very formal. One is a school for what is considered the lower ring of society, while the other is for high society. Garfield sat in the middle of the slums of a big city, filled with students from mixed backgrounds and poor educations. Wellesley is beautiful brick school, walls lined with mahogany wainscoting, an all-girls school with high society girls with poor attitudes, high expectations, and an inflated sense of self. Wellesley is very traditional, and much alike to Garfield High the students are being forced to fill a specific role in life. In outward appearance it would seem that the Wellesley girls desired to learn as much as possible, but ultimately their goals were to marry the best man possible and become housewives of the rich. So in all actuality they are quite similar to the Garfield High students, tradition was holding both student bodies back from truly achieving their fullest potential.

Macfarland Vs. Escalante

Both of these teachers parallel each other in many ways. Neither graduated from an accredited college, yet both had an educational background that could have offered a more financially rewarding career. Instead they chose to educate youth and found reward in helping others learn to succeed. discipline, study, and respect take center stage in both curriculum. Rose stated,  "Tomfoolery, not to mention assault, had no place in the world he was trying to create for us, and instinctively everyone knew that. If nothing else, we all recognized Macfarland's considerable intelligence and respected the hours he put into his work." In the movie Stand and Deliver you can watch an similar evolution in the student body, a group of unruly students transform into an ideal classroom environment. Escalante's self discipline and presence effects his students so profoundly that their thug like attitudes are left behind once they entered the classroom. Another quote by Rose seems to hit it on the nose, "he provided a role model that wasn't shaped on physical prowess alone, and something inside me that I wasn't quite aware of responded to that." Is that all that the Garfield High students needed, a worth role model? Someone who actually cared enough to push them to become more than what society was trying to mold them into?

example of a good/bad teacher

1. Mr. Escalante, as depicted in the film Stand and Deliver embodies quite a few characteristics of what my ideal High School teacher would be. He is dedicated, relates and communicates to his students, and is willing to improve his craft. Mr. Escalante shows dedication in the scene where he sneaks out of the hospital in order to help and support his students before there AP Testing. He relates to his students by introducing real life situations into his curriculum,  and pushes his students to achieve above and beyond their own expectations.
2.Mr. Escalante proves to be a horrible example for Dan Brown's paper What Makes a Great Teacher? He did not have time to "learn the ropes", in fact he jumped straight from being a computer science teacher to a math teacher. During the scenes involving the staff meetings it is pretty clear Mr. Escalante had no "collaboration among the colleagues" In fact they refused to allow calculus in the curriculum and Mr. Escalante was forced teach Calculus as extra curriculum. Mr. Brown stresses teacher/parent relationships and in Stand and Deliver Mr. Escalante receives a lot of opposition from parents who did not have faith in their children. The only aspect of Dan's idea of a good teacher that Mr. Escalante embodies is dedication. Mr. Escalante went out of his way to ensure the students that had the "ganas" the drive to achieve succeeded.
3.Sir Ken Robinson does not directly state a criteria for good teaching, but I believe Robinson would idealize an individual who fosters a childs inner capabilities, and pursues their curiosities as oppose to caging it with rigid study.
4.I am not one to put words in other peoples mouths, especially not to attempt to perceive how someone else would/should feel about another person. But for the sake of this exercise I am sure Sir Ken Robinson would have a mixed review of Jaime Escalante. Mr. Escalante is a fairly rigid teacher, whose take no crap or get out attitude does not foster curiousity or imagination. On the other hand Mr. Escalante reaches out to students in a deep way, he finds strong relations between his math problems and his students every day lives.