Working Class Hero

Rather than gripping over urban public schools and their test scores, low grades, high drop out rates, poor attendance, and burnt out and ineffective teachers, we must recognize the value and the importance of the services they provide. In many instances, when children come to school they are in a safe haven and feel comforted by the everyday classroom routine. The Annenburg Article, The Promise of Urban Schools, says that the development of positive cultural and social identity as well as one's relationship to the broader society is a the very core of education in urban public schools. As an educators in urban public schools,we should accept that not every child will continue in their academic pursuits. The expectations are still there that teachers will create a foundation for every child to be capable of succeeding in college, but we must not loose the children that do not have college as a goal. Often the students last experience in a classroom setting is in an urban high school and it is the educators responsibly to impart the knowledge and capability to be an active part of the community and the workforce. As baby boomers grow older, so does our workforce. In order for economic stability in America's future, we must replace the retiring workers with fresh and diligent workers who are equipped with the skills and technological knowledge to succeed in today's job market. Coming from an urban school system, I have seen many of my friends and family fall by the wayside because their is often too much emphasise on test scores and grades. We need to teach that learning is important to function in the world today. That the minimum of a high school education is need to get many jobs. and that there will be many opportunities in a variety of fields as the population grows older and baby boomers retire. When they realize that the will be a flurry of jobs in the future, they will be encouraged to learn and finish high school which for many is a great accomplishment. A teacher should display high expectations for their students, but those expectations don't always need to be college bound. There are many trades and professions that are equally as feasible for a student to learn and achieve success without college training. We should encourage them to feel confident with their knowledge and identity to go out there and make an impact. Just presenting a variety of opportunities to them, not just one opportunity, college, that for many may seem like a stretch. There is a myth in America that all students should attend and complete college and that a college degree is necessary to be successful in the future. Unfortunately, too many college graduate are currently coming out of school jobless because their is so much competition, including outsourcing, for jobs that require college degrees. To truly leave no child behind, teachers need to provide children with multiple opportunities to ensure that every child finds a career suited to their individual character, ability, and goals.The youth of today will be our working class someday, we should be proud of them, encourage them, and most of all allow them to be proud of themselves. Lets hope that we will one day stop perpetuating stereotypes about the youth in urban centers and start recognizing them as a integral part of the future prosperity of America. By allowing students to dream many possibilities, including becoming skilled rather than professional workers, and integrating useful technology into the classroom, a eager and able workforce is created.

http://social.jrank.org/pages/708/Workforce-Baby-Boomer-Retirement-Effects.html

This link shows the true numbers of retirees in the future and the importance of training the youth to fill their shoes.