Ladt Thursday, I gave 12 students a note to meet with me and type up a plan as to how they are going to be successful in my class.  For those of you who missed it, go back to my previous posts regarding D-Day.  Anyway, short of the long is teachers have to write up a remediation plan when there are failures in their classes.  Anyway, of the 12 students, five sumbitted a plan and four showed up to the meeting.  I gave them composition books and an ink pen.  I told them to write down some for real goals that they can accomplish in my class (and in life). 

I asked them did any of their parents attend college.  They all replied no.  I explained to them that mine didn't either so we all had something in common.  I also told them how I didn't really know what I was going to be after high school, but I knew college was in there somewhere.  I also asked them what they planned on doing after high school.  Two of them knew whereas the other two didn't have a clue.  As we continued to talk, one student began to tell me how he used to be interested in basketball and football (especially football).  He would always ask his parents to put him in a basketball camp or other programs, but they didn't. (As he was talking about this, I thought about how his parents may not realize the destiny they may be aborting by not nurturing his passions.) 

I explained to them that they need to tap into whatever it is they want to do in the future and find a class to help them hone those dreams.  When  this child had so much pain in his eyes.  He is trying to hang out with the gang bangers and he did mention how he got in trouble when he was in the 8th grade and he got locked up.  As he was sharing this (I did explain to them that our conversations were confidential) I thought to myself, this child is crying out for help and no one in his family is listening. 

I explained to them how my parents didn't put me or my sisters in extra curricula programs because my mom thought the park district was not safe enough for us.  I don't really understand why because all of our neighbors were going.  I also told them to go to the public library or local grocery store and look for program books from the City Colleges or other centers that offer programs and petition their parents to sign them up for them.  Many of these programs are low cost to no cost.  Sometimes if you pay for a class or session and can't afford to pay for additional, you may qualify for a scholarship or tution assistance.

I don't know if what I said made much sense to them, but I wanted them to know that I didn't have the 'luxuries' in life.  I have struggled and continue to struggle and I wonder and question God about this struggle.  I know I this isn't as good as it gets for me and my life.  I am in this game (called life) to win and I'm not going to stop until I do win. 

I know the economy may not always allow you to spend additional money, but this is your child and their destiny.  Try to find a way to nurture their passions.  I wouldn't want to abort my child's destiny because I didn't or wouldn't seek out programs for my child. 

I am hopeful that these four students will be successful in my class and in life.  I don't know if I am the first person to really ask them about them and what they want to do in life and tell them how to get it.  I also admonished them to get off the sidelines and jump into this game we called life and don't quit until they win.

(Sorry if there are typos, I tried to catch them as I typed.)