Waiting for Superman

Teachers Unions

If I was a teacher I would like to have the job security provided by the teacher's union. The protection it offers appears to be ideal from the teacher's standpoint. They are part of a unified body that can negotiate their demands. The educators enjoy the benefits of tenure, rubber rooms, and only under extreme instances do they get fired.

Regardless of whether you are considered a bad teacher or a good teacher you receive the same pay rate. The bad teacher faces no consequences because he/she is protected by the union. For this reason I support the motion of having a teacher's performance measured by his/her students standardized test scores. But I also feel the teacher's salary should not be the factor motivating how well that teacher decides to educate his/her students.

After watching the movie and reading the article I think the teacher's union is ridiculous. I can see why the people in Chicago are so upset about the recent strike. How can the teachers justify keeping kids out of school because they decided to strike? I understand fighting for improvements but at the expense of the students is unacceptable.

Instead of being a support platform for its members the union has become a menace to education. The focus has shifted from what’s best for the students to what’s best for the teachers. The students deserve all the attention; they are the key to improving our nation.

 

My education

ME AND EDUCATION

 

 

 

 

I went to school in Erie, PA. The name of my high school was Northwest Pennsylvania Collegiate Academy. NPCA is a public charter high school that students have to apply to and meet the requirements to in order to get in. When I was accepted NPCA had only been open for 3 years, it was still fairly new.

 I did like my school for the most part; it was unique compared to the other high schools in Erie. It focused solely on academics and preparing its students for college. If you chose to participate in any sports you had to join one of the surrounding high school’s teams.

 According to Jean Anyon’s study I guess my high school would fall between Affluent Professional and Executive Elite. NPCA prides itself on having a 100% 4 year college acceptance rate for its students. It ranks among the top high schools in the country.

NPCA is a public school so the students came from a mixture of social classes. When I went there the majority of the students came from middle class families. But there were some students from upper class families and lower class families too. What I do remember is that it seemed that the students tended to be friends with other students that were from similar financial standings. For example the kids from this one area of town which was considered a rich neighborhood all hung out together at school.

NPCA did provide me with some necessary tools for college. It encouraged independent and creative thinking. However I do feel there was a lot of emphasis on memorization and significant focus on getting the right answer. I remember memorizing the material presented to me not necessarily learning it. I would memorize it to pass the tests and forget it afterwards. This technique has made it harder for me now as I am attending college.

My Interview of PATTY LEE

                                      A Walk in Patty’s Shoes

                                                                  By Melissa Freitas

Patty Lee was born on June 6^th 1970 in Landisburg Pa. She is now 42 years old and resides in the Lehigh Valley. Patty works for the company ADP-Automated Data Processing. Patty has 2 children and is currently separated. This is Patty’s first year at Cedar Crest College and her major is in Business Administration.

Patty starts her day very early. She is a dedicated employee of ADP working Monday through Thursday 7:30am to 6pm. Patty works in sales at ADP. More specifically she educates existing PR clients about how the company can partner with them in other areas of their business and then sell the solution to them that helps in those areas. Patty has been doing this for 5 years and she enjoys it.

           After completing her work day Patty returns to her home and family. She has a 15 year old daughter Abby, who just started high school. And an 11 year old son named Andrew. He just started middle school. Patty’s family is not complete without Fred and Beckem. Fred and Beckem are Patty’s 2 yorkies.

           

             An ideal evening for Patty would include spending quality time with her children. At the dinner table they would enjoy a meal of steak and potatoes. She would watch an Eagle’s game or a Phillies game with her special someone. That is if Andrew isn’t playing lacrosse that night. Patty lives to support her children’s interest. Lastly she may catch a late night episode of Criminal Minds.

            There are many things Patty is set on accomplishing. Some are household goals like painting the bathroom and getting the tub area tiled. Another goal is to maintain a healthy and happy household for herself and her children. This is an important example Patty is setting for her children. Her objective is to instill this in them so they will be able to achieve it for their selves when they are older.

            Patty also aspires to buy a house, graduate from college, start her own business and retire early. Patty’s business interests are in real estate and helping women and children.  From having talked with Patty I believe she will achieve all of her goals. Patty is a well-rounded intelligent individual. She has the drive to succeed and she is definitely capable.