Not knowing the context (or even the validity) of this picture, it’s hard to comment, but that didn’t stop these people. At the time I posted this, there were already 188 comments. Some of them heated.
Like these:
IMHO, that’s honestly a student’s failure to study! That’s such a simple mathematics problem and he couldn’t even get the first step correct?
Then again, why attach a McDonald’s application form. He’ll probably not be able to use the cash registers!
Being bad at math in no way qualifies you as a “failure.” Everyone’s different/ has different aptitudes - this kid could be really good at languages or art or sports or a number of things besides flipping burgers.
Not to mention jobs like those at Mickey D’s tend to be major time commitments and can often contribute to kids doing poorly at school.
I fully believe that if they’d had great teachers from the beginning, only kids with major learning disabilities would fail. You’d have some do better than others, sure, but failing? No.
If you fail - it is the teachers fault… the teachers failure to teach.
Not really. You can’t just sit there in class and wait for the teacher to throw knowledge in you. As a student, you have responsibility too.
When did “F” stop meaning “Failure” and start meaning “It’s OK, maybe you just need a hug.” Come on, guys, this is bullshit, and the teacher is being tough but motivational. Stop treating kids like they’re babies, and make them accept some personal responsibility. Good job to the teacher, and to the kid who got the Mickey D’s application, that’s your future if you don’t start putting some effort in, yourself.
Save for when I was screwing off, doing lots of drugs, and not taking life seriously, every F I got was a kick in the pants to stop resting on my laurels and get the education I was after. I understand that giving out Fs sucks, and if it’s the kind of kid who won’t get it, then she won’t get it. But if she’s the kind of kid who will understand, then she’ll look back and thank you for it.
Bullshit, for a couple of reasons:
- Who (bad words) is ever going to use calculus unless they’re going to spend the rest of their lives doing advanced mathematics? This kid is probably required to take this ridiculous, unnecessary class, and he’s failing probably because he sees no way in which he will ever use what he’s learning. And he’s right about that.
- Not everyone who fails at advanced math will end up working at McDonald’s. Get off your high horse and get rid of your (more bad words) elitist attitude.
Sure the picture and idea that a teacher would do this is interesting and somewhat amusing. But what really strikes me here are the sheer number of comments, and passion behind them. Many relate personal experiences, feelings and ideas.
It’s a great reminder that what I do (or don’t do) as a teacher can hit hard and run deep.
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5 responses so far ↓
1 Sam Sizer // Oct 1, 2007 at 10:15 pm
NOT motivational! It would be very hurtful to have that on my test. I’m quite literate and everything but I have Math problems stemming back to 1st grade from moving around so much so it’s no surprise to anybody if I’m doing horrible in Math. If a Math teacher of MINE ever did that I would probably get quite aggressive about it, since it’s simply uncalled for. Being unable to understand something for whatever reason is like trying to get out of a court case by saying, “Well, if she could have flied when I pushed her off that building she’d be safe!” an inability to do something doesn’t mean that the person is mentally incapable, it means they need help, if there really is a teacher that did that then I think he should re-consider a new job instead of abusing kids like that, who wants to do their best when people are putting them down?
Anyways, good blog! I’m sure it could get into a heated argument as proved from above.
Thanks Sam,
It’s always good to see you. You leave such thoughtful comments.
Mr. Wondra
2 Mrs. Chili // Oct 2, 2007 at 6:08 am
Personally, I would never, EVER do this - I think it IS mean. I also think that it’s disrespectful to both the student AND the people who work at McD’s.
Look, not everyone is academically inclined. We, as a society, HAVE to stop looking down on people who don’t do well in school and who don’t “aspire to something greater.” We NEED car mechanics and bus drivers and garbage collectors and foodservice workers (though the extent to which we need McDonald’s specifically could be rightly argued).
My point is that we don’t value people the way we should, and part of my job as a teacher is to recognize the talents and strengths that each of my students carry, and to encourage each of them to make the most of what THEY are - not of what I or anyone else wants them to be…
I agree with you, Mrs. Chili, when you say that we don’t always value everyone. We do need all of these people. However, sometimes you have a student that is not being who they need to be. They are not following their path. I think sometimes it’s important to show them where the path they are choosing to take ends up. I don’t think that’s necessarily mean.
Here’s an analogy:
Sometimes my daughter thinks I’m being mean when I wake her up in the morning. She enjoys sleeping. I love her. I want the best for her day. It’s a beautiful day full of joy and possibility. If she stays in bed, she’ll never get to experience this.
Obviously, I need to wake her up. So I whisper, “Wake up honey.” I turn on the light. I pat her, shake her. Pull down the covers. Open the window. Turn on some music. Louder.
She thinks this is mean.
See where I’m going here?
Sometimes (and each individual is different) you need to wake people up–because you love them.
Thanks for stopping. I value you and your comments
Chris
3 cityteacher // Oct 3, 2007 at 7:53 pm
Whoo whee! Even teaching second grade, I’ve been tempted to bring in the McDonald’s application form..along with college application forms of course. This one’s a doozy.
Thanks City,
I don’t think I’d have the guts to do this–unless the student was a real pain. It’s fun to think about though.
Thanks for stopping by again.
Chris
4 Jenn // Nov 13, 2007 at 10:06 pm
I avoid failing tests….so of course I think its hilarious….
but that one time I failed a test I started crying so maybe this isn’t so good….but its still hilarious!
5 Crystal Anderson // Nov 28, 2007 at 4:55 pm
I have a couple opinions on this entry. I think it would be very humiliating and acually mean to put that on a students test. Sometimes you screw up. But I don’t believe that is a reason to “predict” the kid’s future in a negative way. There are other ways to motivate a student to make them want to do better in there school work and everyday activites. I’m sure that the kid would study much harder next test because they wouldn’t want to get that application again, but honestly. Is it really necassary? I do not believe it is. I would feel bad for the student if I saw that. It could crush dreams. Some kids might have dreams to be something when they get older..and failing one test could ruin that if they saw some McDonald’s application attatched. I think a teacher should help them, not tear them down.
But that’s just my opinion.
~Crystal~
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