I have purposely distanced myself from this arena to grade research papers and catch up on some very necessary school work. I find it easier to deal with long term projects if I live life as it approaches instead of looking constantly forward to the big reward.
Currently, I am trying to get seniors out of high school and on to more gratifying activities. Once again, I find myself surrounded by students who can barely use the English language planning to be doctors, lawyers, nurses, etc. I find that some of them have what seems to me an impossible dream, and I cope less and less with their surreality.
The greatest thing about high school students is their relentless belief that they can do better than those who have come before them. The funniest thing about them is that the lack of work ethic, basic knowledge, and financial stability hasn't "punched them in the stomach" yet. The world will open to them like the pages of a book and hand them everything they need for success. Unfortunately, they will probably fail to read the material the book offers like they have failed to read any book this year.
It saddens me to think I have failed, but there is always next year. I have hope that one day the student who will step up and take the initiative to make a change that is desperately needed to promote a successful future will magically appear. Perhaps he or she will find that the definition of success has nothing to do with how much money you make, what kind of house you own, what car you drive, or what clothes you wear. I might possibly convince a student someday that you are successful if you make a change for the better, enjoy your work, have happy children, or simply do no harm to others. These are the true measures of success.
