what do you really do?
kateKeep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time. - Desiderata
What do you do?
This popular question is often asked at social gatherings along with “Nice to meet you” and “Come here often?” Most have a quick answer ready: at-home mom, IT support, political whore. Really, such titles barely scratch the surface.
What do you do?
Think about how you would describe your life’s passion or, at the very least, the way you earn a living. Not what you’d tell your boss or the committee in charge of your high school reunion. How would you describe your career to impressionable students and a grateful teacher? Most educators know about the real world through experience, training, or stories related by others and we talk to students about the skills and qualities needed to succeed in such a world. However, those out there on the front lines can help us stay updated and relevant.
Such an idea inspired The Great American Teach-In. On November 15th in Hillsborough County, professionals come into our schools and share with us their lives. Doesn’t matter if you work in an office building or a loading dock. Think back to when you were a young child or restless teenager - what do you know now that you wish you knew then? We cram a lot of knowledge into twelve years of schooling. Be honest -
- Is it necessary to memorize the quadratic formula?
- Will jingoism ever come up during a business meeting?
- How did experiences in a high school cafeteria prepare you for the military?
- Do you work harder today because you slept through sixth grade?
- Can the answers to life be found on a high school football field or elementary playground?
These are lessons that our students need to learn before they graduate and arrive in your lobby looking for a job. Contact a neighborhood school and volunteer to enlighten us for The Great American Teach-In.
What do you do?
A classroom of kids is waiting. Come tell them.
***cross-posted at Out in Left Field***
Tags: 366, education, free, tampa
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October 25th, 2006 at 7:12 pm
I doubt they would really want to hear how the cost of their parents home is affected in part by the price of oil and the jobless claims from the month prior to when they bought their home.
October 26th, 2006 at 10:57 am
I’ve been ignored, called a MILF and remembered as a Princess but the fact remains that I am the best qualified, most educated with varied experiences and commitment for Hillsborough County Commissioner. The current County Commission race is straight out of Jerry Springer. Here there is a local candidate that served as a Combat Medic, worked for the Health Department and even had foster children and all the media wants to write about is how Norman has hurt us and Redner is a loose cannon. Yes I’m a Geography Teacher meaning I understand world governments and world religions in a County that has international ports. And yes I went to Leto c/o 88 meaning I understand the uniqueness of each area and all 3 cities within. I’m a member of the Sheriff’s Hispanic Advisory Council, CTA, NAACP and just asked to join the Veteran Parade Committee.
Yamel Christina Arronte
http://www.arronte2006.com
813-385-1220
October 26th, 2006 at 1:46 pm
Not putting mu URL because, apparently, Yamel Christina Arronte is a blog spammer.
Byt back to Kate’s post: I’d LOVE to show up and tell them how I made a great living as a bill collector until I saw the rampant unprofessionalism, lies, misrepresentations (pretending to ba an attorney) and just plain jerks who began to populate the biz. How I moved to medical billing, collecting money from insurance companies who underpaid or denied claims.
How, after being forced out of my overtly-religious company basically for being gay (”Please don’t talk about it at work…”), I spent 4 years helping my partner get back on her feet after a job injury put her out of work (and the FL legislature screwed her to a wall with last-minute changes to the workers compensation laws). How I then helped look after my mom, who got the boob C but will outlive us all because she is Lee The Great.
I’d tell them how now I am an RN student pursuing a second career that will mean more (and, frankly, my choice of employment anywhere) to my soul and my community.
I think my story is educational, as are many other stories from folks my age. But will a school want any of their students to hear it, with its overtones of lesbianism, unemployment and financial struggle? Or would they rather hear from the female fire captain, the always-successful businessperson, the dad who delivered water for 20 years or the mom whose husband put her through law school?
From what I’ve gleaned over the years about the teach-in from my friends who have participated is that the schools are looking for sharp, successful people (accent on college grads), to prop up the illusion that life will be easy street if you get an education.
Well it isn’t always, and sometimes you have to go back and get another one just to keep up.
So much for that liberal arts degree…
Kids should know about that stuff, too.
Yah.
October 26th, 2006 at 5:04 pm
Sorry I spammed. Obvious I’m new to this and don’t know all the rules yet. I often read. Upset with the discriminatory ordinances and lack of protection from our current Commission. Win or lose you’ll always have a friend in me. ~(J)Yamel
October 26th, 2006 at 5:25 pm
Hey Sandy, the phrase “don’t talk about it at work” means nobody wants to hear about YOUR “dates” any more than they want to hear a straight person talk about his/her exploits. There are other times and places for that, and I’m guessing 9 to 5 weekdays ain’t it. If you think you were really so maligned, why not complain to EEOC?
October 26th, 2006 at 10:56 pm
Hey, CW, you don’t know the circumstances and your comment missed the nail. Also, check out the local laws: no protection…knee jerk.
October 27th, 2006 at 6:05 am
The main message students should get out of the teach-in is that what happens in school matters - to a certain extent. There are some who work hard, earn a diploma and later a college degree, and make a great life for themselves. There are others who made mistakes in school and work harder now as a result. Kids need to hear those stories. It’d be nice if more adults came in and said, “Yeah, I hated math but it taught me how to think critically and that has served me well in life.” Sh*t like that. Or maybe examples where someone wasn’t too popular in high school but shined afterward.
Ummm…yeah…they can get cynicism on television. We’re looking for hopeful stories and inspiration.
And I think “MILF” is pushing it.
October 28th, 2006 at 7:24 am
the last thing students need is some old bitter gay chick/dude telling them about how much their life sucks…..
instead, they need to be encouraged to understand that the big picture entails a lot of education - and the more they do now, the better base they will have for later. the bottom line is that most people i know who were hard workers in high school eventually went to college/grad/law/medical school and found nice jobs/nice lives even if it took time due to the extra curves life throw at you. so point should be that you are building a foundation now - not that shittiness awaits you if you get bitter and disappointed with your flaky self.