Our daughter was an exchange student in a small village in Holland for her senior year and it was a huge change for her. She had just inherited her grandmother's car, but upon arrival in Holland was given a bicycle to ride the 16 km each way to her school in a neighboring town, rain, sleet etc. She sent a picture she drew of her riding with her braids frozen solid behind her head. That was further than her high school in CA, to which she was driven everyday prior to getting her license. She could go out with kids and order a legal beer, but no one was doing other drugs, getting drunk etc. as her friends back home did on a regular basis if the amount of keys we collected at the end of parties at our home was any indication. (Never mind we were home to chaperone!) Overall, she thinks it's one of the best experiences of her life even though there were a lot of tears in the beginning. And, yes, teachers in Europe are paid extremely well compared to their American counterparts, and do not have to buy supplies for their classrooms or help with meals for kids who aren't eating, all of which American teachers do on a daily basis. Says a lot doesn't it?
One of my American exchange students was at our sister university in England. She and her mother had a joint Skype call with me, both in tears, because her classroom was a mile from her residence hall. She could either walk, bike, or take a bus. A bus! They could not believe this level of abuse.
Exchange host Mom here (and a middle school math teacher!), 2004-2005. We just visited our "German daughter" Melissa - now a mom herself - in Frankfurt, and hung out with her/our extended German family.
Melissa used to come to the US every year; we'd go to Germany every few years. She, like us, hates the US gun culture, but it alone wasn't a reason for her to stay away. This visit, she sadly told us that if Trump were to win, she'd continue traveling, but not again to the US.
Unfortunately, some of us may have to undertake the reverse journey. I am quite prepared to stay here and fight with what weapons I have, but if the federal government under DJ succeeds in eliminating the identity of transgender people, I will have left before my passport is not longer valid. :(
My Mom was an English teacher; began teaching in her 50's. As a first year teacher, she was assigned "Package Nine English". "Package Nine" was adminspeak for "last chance". Her class was full of seniors who needed at least a D to graduate (some needed a higher grade.) She taught them how to read Middle English and had them read Chaucer in the original.
She soon realized teaching was not for her, and left the public school system. She finished out as an adjunct writing instructor at our local State College (now a lofty University). I wish she were alive to read this. It is a chilling indictment of our school system (s).
My mother-in-law taught English at the middle school level. Beloved by her students and staff cohort and hated by the administration.
Both of them had dozens of former students show up at their memorial services and were remembered as "wonderful teachers in spite of the system".
Nice, Jess! When I went to Europe, I was amazed that few people tried to impress by their address or their vehicle! But they seemed to focus on enjoying life, which involved more vacation, earlier retirement etc!! Money produces freedom, not anchors around our necks!!
A possible "alternative view" -- I had a young Russian kid in my high school history class shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union. He remarked at how easy the tests are in our American school. Another student asked him how kids in Russia do so well on these hard exams. He replied, "Oh, everyone cheats." Thanks for another thoughtful article Jess.
I must admit, it made me happy that you were able to laugh. Right now, so many people I know are finding that difficult to manage. Please keep laughing. It somehow helps.
I learned that when I taught a research workshop for international students at my college. I was a librarian and taught the class with the head of the Writing Center. We were asked to teach the course because of episodes of cheating. One student in an economics class was asked to write a paper ona certain topic. He found a great article in one of our databases, printed it out (with the database name on it an everything) and gave it to the professor! He felt he had done what was required of him--gave her the paper on XYZ topic!
Anyway, we got an earful, especially from students in Russia and some Latin American countries. The Russian students said the professors would leave the classroom during an exam and anyone who did not take the opportunity to cheat would be considered stupid.
Yes, in the former USSR (and most likely in today's Russia) cheating was prevalent. Prompting in class, cheating on tests and exams. As Nicolai told me in 1986, "Of course we prompt each other [whispering answers to a student being questioned]. It is an important part of our schooling. Without it, our class would not be able to get our work done. Teachers give us a mark every day, so we must be ready for every class. But there is too much homework. We have to help each other. It is important to help my friends, more important than helping myself!” And the cheating rampant, but always to help a classmate, not for the self! Thanks, Jess for your wise sharing.
Our family was blessed to have a student from the Philippines share our home during my youngest son’s senior year. He was amazing! Kind, smart and hard working. When my son gave his address as Salutatorian, his first words to the gathering were: “If there was any justice, Jer*** would be standing here rather than me.” My son had earned that honor but that comment was a reflection of the respect so many had for our exchange student son.
Great piece Jess! Of course it wasn't always like this, the deterioration of public education is fairly recent and of course, centered in red states, where religious-right elected legislators are hell-bent in using my tax money to fund private education (church schools) with little or no oversight. Last year funding homeschoolers $6,000 per child, annually with taxpayer funds lacked one vote getting in front of full legislature in our state where it would have probably passed.
Jess, you make me laugh ... "there is something insane going on in the brains of middle schoolers." Oddly, this I know to be true and I am not a teacher. I took AP Bio my senior year in HS and as part of my curriculum I was responsible for monitoring a 7th grade Chem Lab one day a week for a semester. It was a complete eye opener, as they sprayed water, ignited gas burners and smashed beakers with glee! I gained complete respect for middle school teachers after that experience and hold them in high regard to this day. Thanks for sharing this illuminating story as it’s in evaluating life that we determine what works and what doesn't. #KeepGoing ❤️
Teaching middle schoolers takes a special person. I taught sophomores and juniors and they were my favorites for the reasons you stated. Thank you for a great essay. They say that RFK will start attacking the big food companies because of the chemicals in food. I guess we will sit back and watch.
If he works on our food systems, I think that would be a great start. I am scared he will ban vaccines or create such a paranoia around them that children will be dying of preventable childhood illnesses.
We had an German exchange student in our class when I was in high school. She had a flash of pink in her blonde hair. She knitted in class. When everyone asked her about the legal drinking, she also said that young people weren't drinking to get drunk. She was not impressed with our classes. This was in 1984, and it sounds like not a lot has changed. (I suspect she was also just way ahead of her time, both here and at home.)
I was an exchange student in Germany in 1984. Many of the girls would knit during class. I couldn't understand (and still don't) the split attention spans and the lack of note taking.
Actually, the knitting thing makes a lot of sense if you have an issue like ADHD. Knitting something simple doesn't require a lot of attention. It just keeps your hands busy. It also can help ground you to where you are and make it easier to listen to a lecture if (like me) you have a visual memory and learning style rather than an auditory memory and learning style. I wish I'd learned this sooner, because I might have done better in boring all-lecture classes.
It's hard to explain, but for some of us it's really helpful.
Absolutely, my two children (now adults) and I all doodled in class. Drew lots of pictures, diagrams, etc. My youngest was the only one diagnosed with ADHD, but I suspect I had a degree of it too. The doodling helped us to focus our minds and to be able to pay attention to the class. The teacher complained about and I said, "You had better let her do it." Knitting does the same thing. I can't watch a movie or documentary without knitting.
As a retired 8th grade social studies teacher (25 years in the grade!) I laughed out loud at your description of 13/14 yo. Puppies with big paws❤️but I loved the age. We’re a special breed with a generous sense of humor 🤣
I have a friend who was one of the first women to graduate from West Point. She was then an Army officer for 7 years or so. When she left the Army, she earned her teaching license and taught middle-school English. She said it was more frightening and harder than anything she did at West Point or in the Army. She wrote a novel inspired by her experience ("Miss?" by Laurel McHargue).
Our daughter was an exchange student in a small village in Holland for her senior year and it was a huge change for her. She had just inherited her grandmother's car, but upon arrival in Holland was given a bicycle to ride the 16 km each way to her school in a neighboring town, rain, sleet etc. She sent a picture she drew of her riding with her braids frozen solid behind her head. That was further than her high school in CA, to which she was driven everyday prior to getting her license. She could go out with kids and order a legal beer, but no one was doing other drugs, getting drunk etc. as her friends back home did on a regular basis if the amount of keys we collected at the end of parties at our home was any indication. (Never mind we were home to chaperone!) Overall, she thinks it's one of the best experiences of her life even though there were a lot of tears in the beginning. And, yes, teachers in Europe are paid extremely well compared to their American counterparts, and do not have to buy supplies for their classrooms or help with meals for kids who aren't eating, all of which American teachers do on a daily basis. Says a lot doesn't it?
One of my American exchange students was at our sister university in England. She and her mother had a joint Skype call with me, both in tears, because her classroom was a mile from her residence hall. She could either walk, bike, or take a bus. A bus! They could not believe this level of abuse.
100% to everything, Jess.
Exchange host Mom here (and a middle school math teacher!), 2004-2005. We just visited our "German daughter" Melissa - now a mom herself - in Frankfurt, and hung out with her/our extended German family.
Melissa used to come to the US every year; we'd go to Germany every few years. She, like us, hates the US gun culture, but it alone wasn't a reason for her to stay away. This visit, she sadly told us that if Trump were to win, she'd continue traveling, but not again to the US.
Sadly, we agree.
Unfortunately, some of us may have to undertake the reverse journey. I am quite prepared to stay here and fight with what weapons I have, but if the federal government under DJ succeeds in eliminating the identity of transgender people, I will have left before my passport is not longer valid. :(
Just secured my renewed passport. Will fight, but happy to have a back up
Identity? What does that even mean? It's a mental disorder. You can't change biological sex.
Sure, you can pretend to be whatever made-up *style* that you want, but don't act like it isn't made up!
The current state of Germany: arresting a pensioner for calling a politician an idiot.
You'll forgive me if I don't care what they have to say about our ever-improving republic.
My Mom was an English teacher; began teaching in her 50's. As a first year teacher, she was assigned "Package Nine English". "Package Nine" was adminspeak for "last chance". Her class was full of seniors who needed at least a D to graduate (some needed a higher grade.) She taught them how to read Middle English and had them read Chaucer in the original.
She soon realized teaching was not for her, and left the public school system. She finished out as an adjunct writing instructor at our local State College (now a lofty University). I wish she were alive to read this. It is a chilling indictment of our school system (s).
My mother-in-law taught English at the middle school level. Beloved by her students and staff cohort and hated by the administration.
Both of them had dozens of former students show up at their memorial services and were remembered as "wonderful teachers in spite of the system".
Sounds like you're in that category as well.
Nice, Jess! When I went to Europe, I was amazed that few people tried to impress by their address or their vehicle! But they seemed to focus on enjoying life, which involved more vacation, earlier retirement etc!! Money produces freedom, not anchors around our necks!!
A possible "alternative view" -- I had a young Russian kid in my high school history class shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union. He remarked at how easy the tests are in our American school. Another student asked him how kids in Russia do so well on these hard exams. He replied, "Oh, everyone cheats." Thanks for another thoughtful article Jess.
I laughed when I read your story🤣
I must admit, it made me happy that you were able to laugh. Right now, so many people I know are finding that difficult to manage. Please keep laughing. It somehow helps.
I learned that when I taught a research workshop for international students at my college. I was a librarian and taught the class with the head of the Writing Center. We were asked to teach the course because of episodes of cheating. One student in an economics class was asked to write a paper ona certain topic. He found a great article in one of our databases, printed it out (with the database name on it an everything) and gave it to the professor! He felt he had done what was required of him--gave her the paper on XYZ topic!
Anyway, we got an earful, especially from students in Russia and some Latin American countries. The Russian students said the professors would leave the classroom during an exam and anyone who did not take the opportunity to cheat would be considered stupid.
Yes, in the former USSR (and most likely in today's Russia) cheating was prevalent. Prompting in class, cheating on tests and exams. As Nicolai told me in 1986, "Of course we prompt each other [whispering answers to a student being questioned]. It is an important part of our schooling. Without it, our class would not be able to get our work done. Teachers give us a mark every day, so we must be ready for every class. But there is too much homework. We have to help each other. It is important to help my friends, more important than helping myself!” And the cheating rampant, but always to help a classmate, not for the self! Thanks, Jess for your wise sharing.
You show how much we can learn from others by being curious and asking questions, rather than assuming we know. Fascinating.
Our family was blessed to have a student from the Philippines share our home during my youngest son’s senior year. He was amazing! Kind, smart and hard working. When my son gave his address as Salutatorian, his first words to the gathering were: “If there was any justice, Jer*** would be standing here rather than me.” My son had earned that honor but that comment was a reflection of the respect so many had for our exchange student son.
No surprise - now a successful man!
Great piece Jess! Of course it wasn't always like this, the deterioration of public education is fairly recent and of course, centered in red states, where religious-right elected legislators are hell-bent in using my tax money to fund private education (church schools) with little or no oversight. Last year funding homeschoolers $6,000 per child, annually with taxpayer funds lacked one vote getting in front of full legislature in our state where it would have probably passed.
Missouri is on its way to ruin our schools in the same way
Jess, you make me laugh ... "there is something insane going on in the brains of middle schoolers." Oddly, this I know to be true and I am not a teacher. I took AP Bio my senior year in HS and as part of my curriculum I was responsible for monitoring a 7th grade Chem Lab one day a week for a semester. It was a complete eye opener, as they sprayed water, ignited gas burners and smashed beakers with glee! I gained complete respect for middle school teachers after that experience and hold them in high regard to this day. Thanks for sharing this illuminating story as it’s in evaluating life that we determine what works and what doesn't. #KeepGoing ❤️
Teachers are heroes.
Teaching middle schoolers takes a special person. I taught sophomores and juniors and they were my favorites for the reasons you stated. Thank you for a great essay. They say that RFK will start attacking the big food companies because of the chemicals in food. I guess we will sit back and watch.
If he works on our food systems, I think that would be a great start. I am scared he will ban vaccines or create such a paranoia around them that children will be dying of preventable childhood illnesses.
We had an German exchange student in our class when I was in high school. She had a flash of pink in her blonde hair. She knitted in class. When everyone asked her about the legal drinking, she also said that young people weren't drinking to get drunk. She was not impressed with our classes. This was in 1984, and it sounds like not a lot has changed. (I suspect she was also just way ahead of her time, both here and at home.)
I was an exchange student in Germany in 1984. Many of the girls would knit during class. I couldn't understand (and still don't) the split attention spans and the lack of note taking.
Actually, the knitting thing makes a lot of sense if you have an issue like ADHD. Knitting something simple doesn't require a lot of attention. It just keeps your hands busy. It also can help ground you to where you are and make it easier to listen to a lecture if (like me) you have a visual memory and learning style rather than an auditory memory and learning style. I wish I'd learned this sooner, because I might have done better in boring all-lecture classes.
It's hard to explain, but for some of us it's really helpful.
Absolutely, my two children (now adults) and I all doodled in class. Drew lots of pictures, diagrams, etc. My youngest was the only one diagnosed with ADHD, but I suspect I had a degree of it too. The doodling helped us to focus our minds and to be able to pay attention to the class. The teacher complained about and I said, "You had better let her do it." Knitting does the same thing. I can't watch a movie or documentary without knitting.
Exactly.... counting stitches, marking rows, achievement, seeing progress.
So calming - an aid to concentration.
I often knit and listen to a podcast, the radio or an audiobook.
Knitting is a great and productive focussing tool.
Love this. So do I.
Great post! So glad my daughter was an exchange student to Brazil when she was 16. Good for her to get a taste of reality in other countries.
As a retired 8th grade social studies teacher (25 years in the grade!) I laughed out loud at your description of 13/14 yo. Puppies with big paws❤️but I loved the age. We’re a special breed with a generous sense of humor 🤣
I really did enjoy being around middle school teachers. A wild bunch. So fun.
I have a friend who was one of the first women to graduate from West Point. She was then an Army officer for 7 years or so. When she left the Army, she earned her teaching license and taught middle-school English. She said it was more frightening and harder than anything she did at West Point or in the Army. She wrote a novel inspired by her experience ("Miss?" by Laurel McHargue).
Breaks my heart that we don’t do well by our teachers and our schools. Massive shame on us.
You make me want to host an exchange student & send my two abroad! Thanks for lightening the mood & bringing perspective 😊