Tag: teenagers

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.

 

Our Children Are Watching

The best advice we can give our children, is our example.

We are their first role model.

And we have this responsibility and honor until we screw it up. We only lose their faith and often their obedience when our words begin to contradict our actions. As parents, our actions, our habits, and how we interact in our world – impact our children more than the words we preach.

If we want our children to be honest – they can’t hear us lie.

If we want our children to work hard – they must see us grind.

If we want our children to read more – they must see us reading.

If we want our children to be punctual and on time – we must always be on time, too.

If we want our children to communicate without anger, hostility, and horrible body language – we must model this behavior when we speak to them, and everyone else in our life.

In all aspects, we must model the behavior we want to see in our children. There is an old saying, “The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.” This saying often rings true because children model their behavior after their parents. Behavior is not genetic – it is learned.

Our children are always watching us… How we work, how we speak, how we deal. With this in mind, we must practice what we preach.

 

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.