When dealing with a "raw material" such as
human being, we cannot expect a "standard"
parent, anymore than we can expect
a "standard" student. Every situation is
different.

What I would hope for, if it were a perfect
world, are children who are clean, fed, and
rested before they come into my class.
This would give me a fighting chance to do
my job well.

But what can you do when Susie slept on the
bench of a booth in a bar because Mom had
to work till 2:30, or Johnny couldn't sleep
because Mom and/or Dad came in drunk and
kept him awake all night agruing (or worse).

Accountability? The playing field isn't
anywhere near even. Even my accountability
as a teacher is threatened by how these
children spend their time out of class.
All that can be done is to take each child
where you find them, and take them as far
as they can go. We have to make school a
positive time for them, possibly the only
positive thing in their lives.

Little John
1/06/02