Reading I wanna be Average, the author presents the feeling of pathos. The author Mike Rose clearly implies that we could change our future if we choose to do so. I believe that to be true from my own experiences. He talked about being in vocational classes that were for the so-called slower learners. The setback came with the label to live up to the expectations of the school and others. Rose felt he and other students needed to act stupid and not live up to their actual potential. He said this by saying,” The tragedy is that you have to twist the knife in your own gray matter to make this defense work.” Which meant the special classes gives the student the idea to be dumb and they feel they need to play along. I can understand how this can happen. Back in high school, I was accidently put in an English class for ESL learners. I felt out of place especially since I only speak English and the class did not challenge any thought process. I had a choice to continue in the easy class or move to a more thought provoking one. I chose the latter. I clearly see how easy it is to fall into the funk of things. Luckily, Mike Rose also chose to change his life and do something other than what is expected.
John Taylor Gatto's "Against Schools"
The author in this essay gives the feeling of ethos and logos. He gives reasons to why and how he feels the school system needs to be a certain way. Since he taught for 30 years in one of the most difficult school systems in America, I feel he has a right to say so. Rose felt parents should be more active in their child’s learning. That way the child can do and be something good in society. He also felt school was worthless because it create only mediocre students. Rose wanted the students to dream big, then they can achieve those dreams. He wanted to challenge the students to think out of the box, when others did not agree with his ideas. He felt kids were bored and he was too. I think it is good for teachers to think outside of box. Not all kids learn flat black and white. If children are not learning then something else needs to change. I think Rose’s idea to challenge students will work, the setback comes to other authority figures not agreeing. Someone needs to make a change and step up to this challenge.
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Andi, I really do agree with what you are saying. I had a similar experience when I was a senior in high school I was put in a regular English class after being in an Honor English class all 3 years prior. After I was in that class I felt myself not working as hard just because of the level that the material was being taught. I had always been an A student and I felt myself conforming to the the rest of the students who werent as good of a Student as I was. I also agree with your statement about "Against Schools." When I read this I was thinking why the rest of the world's growing counrties have better school systems than our own. I really think that school systems and parents need to step their expectations up.
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