Everything we need to achieve, we already have. Just feed it (Learn) and put it to work!
Maurice Guest Jr., is an education administrator in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Category: Education
Should Children be Forced to Learn?
In certain parts of the world, formal education is as serious as life and death. Impoverished families in Senegal and other countries in Africa, send their boys to Daaras (very regimented boarding schools). Within these prison like schools, the students are forced to learn. The students are forced to work. Quite often, the students are forced to beg in the streets for money in order to pay their school fees.
Practices within Daaras are controversial, but in communities where education is the only escape from extreme poverty, these prison schools are the only option.
The students within these Daaras often feel trapped. The young boys often feel mentally and emotionally tortured because the boys feel as if learning to read, write and do math bears no relevance in their lives.
Some of the boys escape.
Some of the boys commit suicide.
Some of the boys go to college.
Some of the boys become doctors.
Some of the boys become teachers/wardens within the Daaras in which they were held captive when they were younger.
Is it worth it?
Do these boys stand a better chance within these scholastic cells than the boys who run free within the neighboring ghettos?
Should children be forced to learn?
Maurice Guest Jr., is an education administrator in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Malik Must Read.
This message is for Educators. Mothers. Fathers.
We have to encourage our children to read- especially our males! We have to put our sons in the car, on the bus, or walk with them to the library and check out a book. Then, we must sit him down, and make him read the book to us – aloud.
We can no longer accept his excuse that he does not like to read. We can no longer accept the excuse that he is not a good reader. Pick a book on his grade level, even if he has to start with a picture book and can only describe what he sees in the illustrations.
Next, our sons have to see us reading!
We have to lead by example. How dare we tell him to sit down and read, and then we take out our cell phone and get on Instagram. How dare we ask him to do anything we are not willing to do ourselves! How dare we tell him to FOLLOW our instructions when we are not LEADING by example.
Why must our sons read?
Our sons must start reading because the sons and daughters of China, can read very well and want to take our son’s place.
The sons and daughters of Singapore, can read very well and want to take our son’s place.
The sons and daughters of Finland, can read very well and want to take our son’s place.
The sons and daughters of Japan, Canada, South Korea, Ireland, Taiwan, Poland, Estonia, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Australia, Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Vietnam, Germany, France, Norway, and the United Kingdom are all reading better than our sons, and in a global economy – they are lining up to take our son’s place!
We have to encourage our children to read, read, read, read, read, read, if we want them the be the leaders we know they are capable of becoming.
Maurice Guest Jr., is an education administrator in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Blend Out.
True Story.
A freshman student. Female. Very unpopular. Walks by a group of upperclassmen who by all appearances were within the “in crowd.” As she walked by, one of the popular students said something, and the rest of the group began to laugh and snicker.
The disfavored student stopped. Turned. And spoke up for herself.
I didn’t hear the entire conversation but I saw everything – almost in slow motion. By the time I made it to the scene to end this drama, I heard the freshman conclude – “Stop trying to blend in, blend out!”
Unknown to the young student, her wise words inspired me and totally changed the trajectory of my life.
Inside a Great School, everyone learns. Everyone.
Maurice Guest Jr., is an education administrator in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Don’t Waste Your Time
Student- any person who studies, investigates, or examines coursework thoughtfully. (Dictionary.com)
The Teacher’s Duties:
The teacher is responsible for exposing you to new information.
She shares information.
She asks questions.
She answers questions.
She may spark a conversation with you to talk about the information.
She will test you over the information one day soon.
At this point, her job is complete.
The Student’s Duties:
The student’s job is to listen, take notes, ask questions, and learn.
Second, the student should take his butt home and study.
He should study everything the teacher talked about.
He should study everything he wrote down in class.
He should study everything that was discussed.
He should make sure he is ready for the upcoming test.
Bottom Line:
If the student does not study – the teacher wasted her time.
If the student does not study – the student wasted his time.
If the student does not study – it all was a waste of time.
If the student does not study, he really isn’t a student at all (See definition above) but, a child looking to be spoon fed by his babysitter. Yet, he left daycare a long time ago.
It’s time to grow up.
It’s time to be a student.
Please don’t waste your time. Study!
Maurice Guest Jr., is an education administrator in Little Rock, Arkansas.
An Educational Pitfall
I have been an educator for twelve years. I am dedicated to my craft, my school, and my city. I study my craft relentlessly, day in and day out.
I have observed everything around me – looking for details and fine points that will allow me to take students to another level.
I have observed everything around me – looking for potential pitfalls that prohibit students from advancing and fulfilling their potential.
I have found a pitfall.
In the decade I have been inside schools, I have never witnessed a pitfall as deep and dangerous as the cell phone. I am not alone. Steve Gardiner, a National Board Certified Educator and columnist for Education Week, states:
“In a career that spans thirty-eight years, I have not seen any single diversion that so distracts students from reading, writing, and working – as the cell phone.” (Education Week, May 2016)
“…We provide help to people who can’t control their behavior related to gambling, sex, drugs, and alcohol. But, we have no programs to help teenagers who can’t live two minutes without seeing their phones.” (Education Week, May 2016)
“…Students are using their cellphones 24/7. They sleep with them by their beds and text each other throughout the night. My students are addicts.” (Education Week, May 2016)
“…Yes, addict is a strong word, but physically, mentally, and emotionally, a high percentage of teenagers are addicted to their cell phones. We have incentives to promote attendance and graduation, but many teenagers need help, because their bodies are in the classroom, but their minds are inside their cellphones.” (Education Week, May 2016)
I have found a pitfall.
Maurice Guest Jr., is an education administrator in Little Rock, Arkansas.
The True Reasons Teens Skip School
The Three Main Reasons Teenagers Skip School:
- Sex
- Drugs
- Alcohol
When students skip school, it’s probably not to play video games or go to the library. Moreover, your child probably didn’t skip school because they are victims of bullying.
If your child’s reason is not sex, drugs, or alcohol, be VERY skeptical of their excuse.
Brutal Truth.
Maurice Guest Jr., is an education administrator in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Respect the Student
“The secret in education lies in respecting the student.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson
Respect the student by showing up totally prepared. Respect the student by welcoming questions you can’t answer.
Respect the student by expecting their very best. Respect the student by demanding their very best.
Respect the student by NOT honoring their excuses.
Respect the student with your language and your tone.
Respect the student by dressing like your craft matters.
Respect the student and most of the time, the student will respect you. Sometimes they won’t, but that’s why they are students.
Maurice Guest Jr., is an education administrator in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Teach them…
“Teaching is the greatest act of optimism.” -Colleen Wilcox
If you believe in someone, teach them something. Teach them something truly valuable.
Teach them something that will make them successful.
Teach them something that will liberate them from any cage – figuratively, literally, or self imposed.
Teach them something that will keep them out of prison and protect their children from poverty.
Teach them something that will give them full control over the wolf that sleeps within them.
If you believe in someone, teach them something that is timeless.
That “something” is DISCIPLINE.
Maurice Guest Jr., is an education administrator in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Maurice Guest Jr. 