Human Potential: In this chapter, the author writes about observations made and issues raised during his visit to schools in 7 states. Choose one of these 7 states and share your thoughts about the observations made or your position on the issues raised.
Human Potential: In this chapter, the author writes about observations made and issues raised during his visit to schools in 7 states. Choose one of these 7 states and share your thoughts about the observations made or your position on the issues raised.
ReplyDeleteBoys Town, Nebraska. This read was very inspiring that Shaquil went to Boys Town and he completed in the Super Bowl and with his difficult childhood, this program shaped him into a successful person. The Boys Town is a great program that in 2005 has twelve facilities supporting thirty-two thousand boys. It’s amazing to read about how this program has impacted girls and boys in such positive ways.
I found the Tallahassee Florida story crazy. I cant believe someone would think that a high ranking teacher would make them a good teacher. Just because they understand the material and 'get it' does not mean they can teach it. Actually myself, as an elementary teacher, who understands math, I find it hardest to teach that subject. The subjects that I struggled in and had to figure out different ways and strategies are the ones I actually do better at teaching. I believe this goes back to the saying, "real learning happens when mistakes are made".
ReplyDeleteI also think the mo ey spent on standardized testing could be much more beneficial spent where it would actually help the kids learn rather than seeing if they are a good test taker. I personally relate to the test taker part, I am a terrible test taker. I can tell you material and show you how things work, etc but give me a test where I have to choose and answer of a,b, or c I do very poor.
I remember reading about Dr. Darryl Adams, superintendent of Coachella Valley Unified School District, and how he put routers on his school buses in an article in the paper back when it actually happened and I thought how innovative and what a problem solver. I told everyone I knew about that story and that idea. Now, here's a person that belongs in education. With his "Full STEAM Ahead" initiative, to match careers with students -- well, it just seems practical and real-world. That's how he can best help his district of 100% poverty stricken children. Get them jobs -- point them in the best direction. Help them with real ways out of generational poverty, not just doing well on tests.
ReplyDeleteHuman Potential: In this chapter, the author writes about observations made and issues raised during his visit to schools in 7 states. Choose one of these 7 states and share your thoughts about the observations made or your position on the issues raised.
ReplyDeleteBoys Town, Nebraska. The idea to have a play for boys, initially, to have a better place to go and escape difficult situations is incredible. This is the poster child, in my opinion, for students just needing a helping hand to be able to do bigger and better things. So many times, students are written off because of difficult situations they are facing. These kids are just as capable as the next, they just need to be given a "fair" shake. I think it was also amazing to stay true to what Boys Town meant. There were options that would have taken that away. They chose to stay true to what it meant as a whole, even in the face of shut down.
Human Potential: In this chapter, the author writes about observations made and issues raised during his visit to schools in 7 states. Choose one of these 7 states and share your thoughts about the observations made or your position on the issues raised.
ReplyDeleteSalt Lake City Utah. I appreciate Utah's Shelly Burrow's advocacy for kids with learning challenges. We need more institutions that focus on individual learning needs. We need to stop expecting every child to learn conventionally and push them along until they fail. This sends them the message that they are not smart and they will never be as successful as the students who score well on traditional multiple choice bubble tests, or who learn easily with conventioanl learning methods.
Shelly Burrow talked about some of the stories that people shared with her after her public speaking event. They were heartbreaking as they shared their personal experiences of struggles in school. One carried shame over not having a high school degree. One talked about how her struggles lead her to drug addiction. If schools focused more on thinking "outside the box" for individual learners, many of these negative life situations might be avoided.
I was completely floored when I read about Milwaukee, Wisconsin and the commute of many students and the reasoning behind the commute being to drive some schools out of business and so that parents would not have to worry about daycare due to the amount of time the child spent in school and on the school bus to and from school. I was also amazed that parents were choosing schools that were just as bad as the local schools that their child could be attending and which would allow the children to attend and take part in extra-curricular after school activities. When the author challenged community education leaders to brainstorm ways of making the schools better, sadly they concluded that it could not be done-- seemingly giving up rather quickly and accepting things to stay as they were.
ReplyDeleteI chose Nashville, and I found the observations in this chapter heartbreaking. It was difficult to read how the school system failed to see the potential in these women and instead focused on what they were not good at. When students repeatedly hear what they lack, it can shape their identity and limit their vision for their own future.
ReplyDeleteThe quote, “Her ‘Breaking Good’ story shows the fine line between a criminal and a world-class chemist,” deeply resonated with me. It highlights how human potential can either be nurtured or neglected depending on the opportunities and encouragement students receive. This reinforces my belief that educators must look beyond deficits and actively cultivate strengths, interests, and possibilities. When schools recognize and invest in students’ potential rather than labeling their shortcomings, they can completely change the trajectory of a life.
In Chapter 7 of What Schools Could Be, Ted Dintersmith highlights programs and schools that are rethinking what it means to educate the whole child. One place that stood out to me was Boys Town in Nebraska. Boys Town is well known for its work with students who have faced significant challenges, and I’ve heard positive things about it before. What really struck me in the book was how the program balances structure and support with opportunities for students to grow, learn, and take responsibility for themselves. In addition to that, what stood out was the program’s commitment to the Boys Town model when challenged or threatened.
ReplyDeleteThe fact that Boys Town operates in multiple locations and can support a large number of students is phenomenal. It shows that innovative approaches to education don’t have to be isolated examples and they can scale and serve diverse communities. I appreciate hearing about the positive impact the program has had on students’ lives, not just in terms of academic achievement, but in helping young people develop confidence, resilience, and purpose.
What this raises for me is how important it is to create environments where students feel safe, supported, and challenged in meaningful ways. Boys Town demonstrates that when schools and programs commit and invest in relationships and real world experiences, students who might otherwise be overlooked can thrive. It’s a reminder that human potential is not something to be measured only by test scores, but something to be nurtured through trust, opportunity, and authentic engagement. I think more schools could benefit from studying what programs like Boys Town have done well, especially in how they combine care with high expectations for their students.
In What School Could Be, Ted Dintersmith discusses human potential by sharing observations from innovative schools across the United States. One of the places he highlights is Boys Town in Nebraska.
ReplyDeleteDuring his visit, Dintersmith observes how Boys Town focuses on helping students reach their full potential by addressing not only academic needs but also social, emotional, and behavioral development. Many of the students who attend school at Boys Town have experienced significant challenges in their lives. Instead of simply focusing on test scores or traditional measures of success, the school emphasizes teaching life skills such as responsibility, communication, decision-making, and problem-solving. Staff members work closely with students to create a supportive environment where they feel valued and capable of improving.
Dintersmith’s observations raise an important issue about how schools support students who face difficult circumstances. Traditional education systems often expect all students to succeed under the same conditions, even though many students deal with personal or family challenges that affect their ability to learn. The approach used at Boys Town shows that when schools provide strong relationships, structure, and support, students who might otherwise struggle can begin to grow academically and personally.
My position on the issues raised is that schools should place greater emphasis on supporting the whole child. Academic success is important, but students also need guidance in developing confidence, resilience, and social skills. When educators invest time in building relationships and teaching life skills, students are more likely to believe in themselves and stay engaged in their learning.
Overall, the example of Boys Town in Nebraska demonstrates that developing human potential means recognizing that every student has strengths and abilities that can grow when they are given the right support, encouragement, and opportunities to succeed.
In Chapter 7 Ted Dintersmith talks about his visit to Boys Town in Nebraska. What really stood out to me was how much they focus on the whole child—not just academics, but social-emotional learning and life skills too. Teachers and staff build strong relationships, help students develop self-discipline, and guide them to take responsibility for their choices and help be positive influences in their lives that they are missing.
ReplyDeleteOne story that really stuck with me was about Shaquil Barrett, who struggled early on but, with the support and guidance at Boys Town, was able to turn things around and eventually make it to the NFL. It’s such a powerful example of how giving students structure, support, and belief in their potential can lead to amazing outcomes. It’s a great reminder that school success isn’t just about test scores, it’s about helping students feel capable, supported, and motivated to grow in all areas of their lives (not just academics).
Human Potential: In this chapter, the author writes about observations made and issues raised during his visit to schools in 7 states. Choose one of these 7 states and share your thoughts about the observations made or your position on the issues raised. In Chapter 7 Ted Dintersmith talks about going to Salt Lake City, Utah to the Academy Solutions for Advanced individualized Learning (SAIL). This school helps students who learn differently. They help struggling students who are failing before it is too late. Standard schools wait until kids are failing to help them. Those students are the students who act out in class, have low self esteem. I see this everyday in the students I work with. I don't want the students to feel like the system failed them. Many students who have a hard time in school are able to graduate and lead successful lives. Many students who do well in school have a hard time outside of school. I have seen this first hand. Once a struggling students finds something that they enjoy they excel in that area. The way that schools use standardized tests is unfair for those students who struggle in school. They feel as if they are dumb if they don't do well on the test. Students should not be tested on being able to memorize or answer questions that don't make any impact on their lives. Students should be tested on what they know and how to use those skills in the real world.
ReplyDeleteThe Boys Town, Nebraska observation/story really stuck with me because the main focus is not on mastering academic skills. It shows the importance of not only focusing on academics but also on life skills, character, communication, and other important social/emotional skills. This was shown to be particularly successful with homeless children, children of various races and that live in poverty. It made a positive impact in their lives. The success story of Barrett shows that all kids can benefit from a secure environment, being shown a good example, and changing their way of thinking.
ReplyDeleteHuman Potential: In this chapter, the author writes about observations made and issues raised during his visit to schools in 7 states. Choose one of these 7 states and share your thoughts about the observations made or your position on the issues raised.
ReplyDeleteI'm choosing Salt Lake City, Utah. Right off the bat they started to talk about how dyslexics struggle in the classroom. My neice is dyslexic and her parents have had to be her advocate and get her help outside of the school. Our state doesn't need to test and give this medical diagnosis so it's up to the parents to do this which I don't agree. We test/label all other learning disabilities except this one. I love the idea of the SAIL program. Kids all learn differntly and it's important that teachers remember this! I also agree that too often that kids with learning disabilities start to fail before action is taken.
Bethel and Tuntutuliak, Alaska: graduation requirements didn't consider the students being instructed. German as a foreign language for Alaska natives is not even considering the students' needs. Bethel schools were doing a better job of teaching their language program, helping young children become proficient in Yupik. Their school was providing tools for them to be successful in their own communities. The Tuntutuliak schools were providing the formal high school education required for all Alaskan residents, without taking into consideration the actual needs of these students. These students needed a curriculum that aligned with their tribal life and their heritage. We need to take into consideration the students being instructed, as well as their heritage, culture, location, and language. One set of standards does not meet the needs of all students.
ReplyDeleteThe Boys Town in Nebraska really struck a nerve with me. I just wonder how many schools give up on kids and don’t realize the potential that they are turning away. Education is so much more than academics and test scores. We don’t know what some kids go through and their resiliency to be successful. We have to incorporate other skills in these kids, like social emotional skills and life skills because they will be a part of a community that needs them and wants to be successful. From Boys town to the NFL. Wow!
ReplyDeleteI chose Nashville and the section about Thistle Farms. I absoultely love this section! Why? Because they gave woman, who have struggled in the past, a chance and it's been a success. It's a true story of how anyone can turn their life around if given a chance. We, Americans, are so quick to judge that we truly do not know someone's full potential and it's sad! Being in education has really opened my eyes to this. I struggled with the concept of not judging others when I first started teaching, but over the years, you quickly learn that there are so many kids that come from a troubled background; they just need someone to believe in them! They need someone to help them see their true potential and that is what I strive for each and every day I step foot into my classroom.
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