Brain Surgeons

In a recent blog, I wrote about a former colleague who was allegedly remembered by a student who had been in a coma for years. This same colleague brings to mind another story. . .

Please keep in mind that I realize public education is flawed. I am acutely aware of this fact, but I am also aware of the fact that no other country attempts to do what we do on such an inclusive level. In many ways, I envy the German school system, but I admire our (sometimes misguided) heart. We really do try to find a way to educate every child in this country to whatever capacity he or she is able to be educated.

This brings me to my un-esteemed colleague. One year when we arrived back to school, she was severely disappointed with her schedule. It seems, that in addition to her upper level and Advanced Placement classes, she was expected to teach a couple of sections of "regular" kids. This, apparently, just would not do! She marched herself into the assistant principal's office and informed him that she was not suited to teach the regular kids (known to her as the dregs of society) because that would be like "asking a brain surgeon to work on feet." Despite her pleas, she did have to teach the feet, although I wouldn't call it teaching. Her best effort and attention went to her AP classes, and the other kids got mere crumbs.

I have a lot of problems with this. 1. I've seen her teach; she's no brain surgeon. 2. All kids should be treated like they can learn because they can. 3. I'm glad she likes the AP kids and I'm in favor of the AP program, but we have way more "feet" than we do AP kids, and the feet pay the bills and allow her to be employed. 4. Many teachers, and she is certainly one of them, who teach AP or gifted kids think that they are gifted by association, and that's bullshit. It's hard to teach gifted kids, but it is just as hard or harder to teach regular and special needs kids.

I love the feet! Not to take anything away from a gifted kid, but I love the kids who are maybe not as naturally endowed but still have intellectual curiosity. I like the average kid who is a hard worker. I like the kid who doesn't kiss my ass for a grade. I like the smart ass.

God bless the feet! And pardon the diatribe!