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I went to a public school that had a college prep program for the more intellegent children. I had all honors classes all through out high school. I had the opportunity to interact with people who were not motivated to attend school. I saw just where that type of thinking took them. I use to teach high school for several years at a public school. I was able to to tell my students about my experiences in school and what happened to people around me that did not take school very seriously.
I learned how to deal with violence in my community and how to stay away from trouble makers. I can now spot people who are not goal oriented by talking to them for a few moments. I also know how to get out of bad situations because I went to school with some people who did not have my best interest at heart all the time. I was also able to relay that info to my students in the classroom- how to get out of situations like that etc.
I also feel it was a great experience to inteact with people who were not middle class and understand what they were going through. Although it would be good to interact with people of various races- I had the opportunity to interact with people of my own race first before interacting with people of other races. I attended a college that was mostly Caucasian and I had the opportunity to interact with people of other races there.
I was very prepared when I went to college. I did not miss a beat. Everyone seems to think that there are so many problems in public schools but I don't feel that way. Maybe the students will work harder if they know they have to be better than the other kids because they don't have the same resources that they have. Blue collar kids have to work their butts off to get the same education as middle class kids. Everyone cannot afford private schools......... I know I worked my butt of to succeed and rise above the B.S. that may have surrounded me in grade school, high school, and college.
Once again- I applaud my teachers in the public school system who told it like it was with no half stepping. That is what I did as an educator also....
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