Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Superman Comeback and Teach Me Something





I can't speak for everyone, but for me, my educational experience has shaped my views and opinions of the fantastically complicated world that we humans seem to dominate. Books not only save lives, they spark the dreams that have fueled the creative rocket ship called "The United States of America".  


Our educational system is what created a level of prosperity that mankind never fathomed until the last two hundred and thirty-five years of recent history.  So accordingly, it was heartbreaking for me to see the documentary, "Waiting for Superman". This is a powerful movie that slaps our nation to attention and makes it's citizens wake up to the reality that the "American dream" is slowly turning into a nightmare.  


 With the statement of , "No child left behind", the reality is that many children are being left behind. How can a nation of so many free, industrious and "out-of-the-box" thinkers have an educational system that promotes failure for the next generation's minds?  I was shocked and outraged at what I saw. What is most disturbing about the documentary, is that our system has been flawed for almost three decades now!! OMG!! That means I am included in the "mentally lost" new America!! Luckily for me, I had great parents that taught me the value of a good education.  Therefore, my educational experience was not only in a school building, it was in our home.  Although this was good for me, what happens to the children who do not have an extension of the school day into their homes? What about the children whose parents are tired from working two jobs to put food on the table and can't help their children with their homework? Our youth need a "superhero" of education. 


 Luckily for our nation, the documentary showcases two brilliant educators that fit this description: Michelle Rhee and Geoffrey Canada.  These "game changers" are challenging the status quo and are coming up with alternatives to our currently broken educational system.  Metaphorically, they are the "Superman" that the American Educational System needs to save this nation's youth. I will not ruin the movie for you by giving up further details of this movie, so go out , rent it and watch it.  This movie will change your view of our current American educational system reality.  In closing, live free, be positive and support free speech. God bless!!