I began working in the local public school system again yesterday.

I have to admit, I was quite shocked.
For one, as I’ve said many times in the past, students today deal with things I NEVER had to deal with and the students of tomorrow will deal with things that the students of today NEVER had to deal with that is just the nature of this thing we refer to as life.
What was even more shocking for me was the large amount of apathy that exists amongst not only most of the students but even some of the instructional personnel.
The biggest shocker though, came in the form of multiple students needing assistance that I, as an in-class tutor could not provide for them. Why? Well, because the students do not have books that leave the classroom of the subject they’re taught in or, their home. That’s right folks, times are tough but, did you know that most of our students are not even issued their own textbooks!? I am involved in a special program for students who DESIRE, I mean truly DESIRE to learn. They want to better themselves (most of them), they are eager to broaden their knowledge of many areas of academia and frankly their education system is FAILING them and miserably in some areas, I might add. How is it in the day and age of a technologically rich society that we can not even provide our students with the BASIC necessities of an education? Why, in some classrooms are their only two or three computers?

What the hell is going on!?!

I think that it all comes back to a lack of focus. As parents, community members, leaders, and instructors we have let our students down. We have turned schools into cattle-herding (as my friend Kenny would say) babysitting farms where we send our kids away for 7.33 hours a day and then shove them in after-school recreation or tutor programs so we can lesson even more, the amount of time we have to spend with them.

I did some reflecting today in the midst of all the requests for assistance from the students and the multiple “Mr. Will thank you so much” and “Mr. Will you take more time than our teacher to show us this stuff” statements. Sadly I feel like education has become a job for some. Shoot, I know several folks who have graduated from college and went into an education field who believe that. EDUCATING THE FUTURE LEADERS OF THIS COUNTRY IS NOT JUST A JOB! It’s an investment…a passion…a calling…a charge and if you don’t have those things you shouldn’t be doing it! Now, more than ever our students need our investment in their lives. We need teachers to step up and make that investment, passionately take that charge and pursue your calling. These kids need you!

I think that we have taken the very negative sit back and watch attitude when it comes to education and our schools. Ask yourself, outside of parents whose students are enrolled in the local school how many others do you know who are active in that schools PTA? Probably none right? Well you do realize that the school has a direct impact on the community it is in and as a member of the community you have a responsibility to serve that school JUST LIKE IT SERVES your community!

Do something today. Act now before it is too late…these kids REALLY need you.

The latest edition of the Unobjective Intelligence podcast (The Will Young show) is ready for your listening pleasure.

This week I discuss:

• Relationships, and how I feel the internet is positively changing the way we approach them.
• Why getting involved in your community is important, and how you can get involved in your community.
• And I’ll give a very brief campaign 08 update.

As always if there is something you’d like to hear please shoot me an e-mail.

You can download it using Apple’s iTune’s using the link on the right, or for those who don’t use itunes, simply click the button that says ‘RSS Podcast’ and download the latest episode.

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Links mentioned in this weeks episode:

Relationships:

Los’ entry that started it all. He makes a very valid point, check out some of the comments too.

Jeff Jarvis’ Article.

Abstract of the article in the Journal of Adolescent Research. (NOTE: To read the full article you have to buy it)

Article in the New York Times that talks about the above study.

Maxwell Payne Article.

Kristin Stanberry’s Schwab Learning Article.

eHow’s guide to maintaining healthy online relationships. I didn’t mention this one in the podcast, but I figured it was worth listing anyway.

Community Involvement:

The Corporation for National and Community Service.

The USA Freedom Corps.

Campaign News:

Glassbooth - Find out what candidate shares your ideals and philosophy.

McCain’s Straight Talk Express bus now a plane

Shake-up in the McCain campaign

McCain calls shake-up part of “natural evolution”

McCain/Obama talk about Patriotism in Parade Magazine

Obama talks about his consistency on Iraq

AP Analysis: McCain Struggles to regain footing

Senator Obama speaks about Patriotism

Obama endorses faith-based social programs in Zanesville

Senator Obama talks to Relevant magazine about mental distress not justifying abortion

John McCain press release regarding the Colombian Hostage Rescue

McCain camp’s comments on Obama’s Iraq comments

McCain traveled to Mexico to push free trade