Post #2

I had the opportunity to work with a student who actually doesn't come to school almost at all. I feel so bad for this girl. To help you better understand her situation, her mother never brings her to school. Before I got to work with her, she had missed 42 consecutive days of school. I don't understand that mentality. She has been tested for the special education program, and she is qualified, but her mother will not sign the papers. I believe the district is prepared to take her to court for this. I'm not sure that's the case, but I think they are close to it. When I started working with this girl, they class was working on a writing assignment and so I was helping her get some ideas down on paper and that poor girl cannot read. She knows what the letters sound like, and she can piece the sounds together, but she can't make the work. It gets really discouraging as a teacher! You want what is best for the students, but when the parents don't care enough to get them a good education, there is nothing else you can do! It's really hard!

As I was working with her I couldn't help but think about the education of the blacks in the south back in the 60's. They probably didn't have the same struggle of their parents not taking them to school, but they for sure didn't receive the same education as the whites. Most of the students could not read and could barely write. It's just really sad to see students still struggling and not getting the attention and help that they need when they need it most.

I hope that some day this students gets the help that she needs. I would hate for her to end up having to work at a fast food restaurant for the rest of her life just to make a decent living. I want her to be successful and right now she is not on that path and it scares me for her.