 |
 |
well said Paulette. It does depend on the student's desire. I grew up under parents who did not even want me to go to college, with a father who made fun of my disabilities, and in spite of them and discouragements and severe physical disabilities and limitations, I still did well in school and now I am pursuing my doctorate and I teach college. I was not rich and had to balance many obstacles including financial, and familial discouragement. Again, responsibility is the key. I hope every socologist reads this post. Prof L > I totally agree with Walt's comments quoted below!!! It depends on what > the student wants to do -- how academically coachable he/she is -- how > willing he/she is to let go of old habits and images and risk new ones. > That's an internal system that I try to impact in every way possible > each time I contact a student -- but I have to respect where the student > is at that point in her/his life. > > Our society is so focused on laying blame rather than on taking personal > responsibility. Having graduated from college in '69, I believe this is > a product of the sixty's, and, like so much of our inheritance from the > time of fighting "the establishment", our society is not well-served by > this no-commitment, blame mentality. > > Students blame parents, parents blame welfare, college profs blame high > school teachers, etc. Until a student accepts the responsibility and > the consequences, he/she can not and will not move ahead on the ladder > of life. > > Paulette Church > Waldorf College > Forest City, IA 50436 > > > In my humble opinion, no matter what one does, no matter how many > > programs > > you throw money and energy into, if the individual student does not > > make a > > personal investment in her/his success, he/she will not succeed in > > school > > or any other endeavor, regardless of race, gender, economic status. > > > > Call me what you will, but I respect each adult's decision to make it > > or > > not. I stand with open arms to those students who want to take > > advantage, > > but I avoid chasing students down to try and force them to be > > successful. > > > > Walt > > **************************************** > > Walt Barlow > > Learning Services Center > > University of Kentucky > > 660 S. Limestone > > Lexington, KY 40506-0417 > > Phone: (606)323-6347 > > FAX: (606)257-2425 > > > Sue Lorraine Lavorata E-MAIL: [log in to unmask]