Tuesday, April 6, 2010

American Government 4/6/10

In Class - Discuss current events. Discuss issue of bullying in the classroom: several young kids have taken their own lives over the previous months due to excessive bullying that has taken place at school. Who is responsible? Parents? Teachers? Administrators? Students? Short video clips concerning this issue. Hand out article "School bullying activist: I know the terror Phoebe felt" by Jodee Blanco.

Homework - Read article and write a short reaction to this article. What can you (students) do to help eliminate this problem in an environment where students are supposed to feel safe? Also, introduce yourself to five people you do not know. Who knows, there may be a friendship in the making.

QOW - Since I am a softy regarding truly inspiring stories,read the following articles about Jaime Escalante. Write a reaction to these articles about the man and his mission to educate his students. Be sure to proofread your responses before submitting. This is due on Friday, April 9.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/OPINION/04/02/navarrette.escalante.lessons/index.html
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=125398451&ft=1&f=1001

41 comments:

Chelsea said...

My thoughts of Jaime Escalante is how strong and wise he was for pushing students to be more successful in school and to graduate. For a new teacher coming into a disruptive school that was far below average and to change his students to pass the test and to graduate is a miracle. This is not an everyday thing for a school to be saved by just one teacher. He should be so proud and recognized for his work and accomplishments he had done for garfield high school. For example look at Norta Vista High school, they are being taken over by the government for the scores and lack of students trying to make it in the future, but they barely can graduate. I think that if teachers there put a little more effort and students participate more then the school would be in a better situation and wouldn't be in a hole like they are now. We can't blame any teacher or student for doing wrong when we don't really know what is going on, but I do know that both of them need to put effort and work into themselves. Jaime had done a lot to make sure his students were being taken care of so they could succeed in the future.

Chelsea Chavez period 4

Connor57 said...

Jaimie Escalante should be a role model for all teachers. He inspired his students and never gave up on his students, unlike some teachers. Teachers now a days just pass kids along even though they do not understand the cirriculum. The teachers that do this are setting the kids up for failure and disappointment. The truth is that our school systems are failing our generation. But it is not all on the teachers the students need to be held just as responsible. If they need tutoring they need to seek it out, although it really isn't offered due to the fact that if the teachers are not getting paid for it they will not tutor kids. There are a select few of teachers that are compassionate enough to do it for free and those are also the select few of teachers that are passionate and very intense in the classroom. Every teacher needs to be passionate but most have now become lazy over the years and there students grades reflect it. Jaimie Escalante was passionate and it showed through his students grades. If every teacher was like this man our school system would not need an overhaul. In closing we need more teachers like this man, if we dont our school systems will continue to fail.

eliziel said...

I think that jaime escalante was a very good person because he did all of these things just to help out a couple of kids that other teachers didnt want to teach and he believed in them he also pushed them to try harder. when he told the other teachers that he wanted to teach calculus they that the he was crazy because the kids were at a very low grade level in mathematics and he didnt care and actually suceeded in teaching them. Because of him these students learned calculus and even put garfield high on the map because they aced the placement test or something liked that. I also think that those teachers who dont care about the students should be more like jaime and should push their kids to do good so they can graduate from high school and head on to college.

KiMbErLyFaRiAs said...

I think all teachers should have the same mentality as Jaime Escalante. They should want to help students that need help. Teachers should inspire students that do want to work hard and not give up on them. Jaime Escalante is an inspiration to all teachers and students. I think everyone has potential but it’s up to them to use it. If failing schools had more teachers like Jaime Escalante then they wouldn’t be failing. Teachers didn’t believe in him and in his students. But with all the obstacles his students turned out to have one of the highest score on a placement test in Southern California.

Kimberly Becerra said...

My thoughts to Jaime Escalante is that he was positive and prudent for pushing students to be more thriving in school and get them graduate. He fought a battle to make kids learn something they thought they didn’t have the potential to learn. Jaime did the best to overcome the low expectations of students and get them to pass. He was willing to make the best of his teachings for the students to understand, he had a passion to teach his students. Escalante was an educator who made a huge impact to Garfield High School with many deeds. He believed “a teacher should never let a student give up.” I agree because there are students who take the help and there are those who don’t want it. Escalante inspired his students to do better in school and look forward to college. I liked the fact that Escalante’s students lived mathematics by arriving and staying in school a longer time. He really helped his students pass. Example the AP Exams, all 18 of his students passed the calculus test that gave them college credit. He helped a school that was below average and encouraged his students to like calculus take the AP Exam and helped them graduate. Escalante believed in his students more than the school and made it possible for them to become successful. He put a lot of effort into serving them and caused the students to participate and make an attempt to school.

Fidencio Romero said...

Jaime Escalante is a very inspirational teacher because he accomplished an object that none of the teachers at Garfield high school could do. I believe that all the teachers in the nation should recognize Jaime Escalante as an idol. He had lots of potential towards his students and he put lots of his time to the students. Jaime is one of the few teachers that actually love what they are doing. Unlike some other teachers he put his time and his desire to teach them. Jaime pushed the students to the limits, Which some teachers don’t do because they don’t care about their students they have. What I think is really outstanding is the fact that he taught students that didn’t know any algebra, and brought them up to Calculus. If every teacher in the nation would have these characteristics that Jaime Escalante had, we would all have very successful schools. Jaime’s motto was “ganas" which means desire, this motivated the students at Garfield high school to push themselves to learn Calculus. In conclusion teachers should realize its not about teaching a certain subject, its all about pushing the students to learn a subject and willing to help every student, without anything in return.

-Fidencio Romero Per.4

ALEJANDRA(: said...

Jamie Escalane was probably the best teacher who cared that much about helping his students, and pushing them to be there best and be all they can be. Teachers should see him as a role model and follow in his footsteps. Now a days teachers just ignore their students and don't care if they succeed in life. They only care about getting paid. Jaime Escalante was a unique teacher. Not many teachers are recognized for thier work, but he was. That makes him something special. He inspired his students to do better, even when they thought they were too "dumb" Jaime helped them see that they weren't, and with help he showed them that they can do anything as long as the had "ganas". He was very passionate about what he did, and teachers everywhere should be that passionate about helping their students.

-Alejandra Justo Per.4

Anonymous said...

Jaime Escalante is a role model and a hero. He's basically what it means to be a teacher in my opinion. He took maybe one of the hardest subjects to learn. Went into the ghettos of his community and strived to teach underprivileged kids his craft. In today's world when teachers can't get a kid to pay attention in class. The first thing they do is ignore them or send them out of the room, then blame the school system for giving them to many students to handle. That's not a real teacher, that's someone who took a job to give kids book work. A real teacher in my opinion, is somebody who tries to make the classroom exciting. Someone who won't always go by the book and assign busy work every night. Yet, is still able to apply the knowledge to their students. I've had very few teachers in my life who I can say did this and Jaime seems like he was one of those types of special teachers. Giving each student the attention they need and inspiring them to try harder. Now that's someone you can look up to.

Katie T. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

I honestly think what he is doing is Magnificiant.. He saw the school have a bad role on what they are teaching their students. The school gave up on the students just because there poor background. They didn't think they were smart enough. Jamie thought they did. He gave them his attention to them and gave them his hope that they could succed. He stood by them until they finished what he had planned. Even on rough patches he had a heart attack and he still wanted to teach them. I think what he did was magnifcant and amazing. Breath taking and what he did changed people life for the better. The people in high education thought they were cheating and he still stood by them and made them pass.

Nabeel haffar

Katie T. said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Katie T. said...

Jaime Escalante was a very motivated and positive person. He first came to a school that was one of the lowest performing schools and made big changes. The students went from being lazy, distrusting, and uneducated to being confident and smart. I think it is so amazing that Escalante was able to change these students attitudes towards school and learning. He got the students to realize they needed to work hard in order to better themselves. Through his teachings the students learned a higher math than anyone had ever thought them capable of. He also made them realize that anything is possible if you really try and keep focused. Escalante saw the potential on the inside of each student rather on focusing on the problems they had on the outside. I feel that it takes a true inspiring teacher to make the changes that were made at Garfield High School. Not only was Jaime Escalante a wonderful teacher, he was also a great motivator.

Kaitlyn Timmermans Period 4

LizzieG4 said...

I believe Jaime Escalante is a very patient man. He had the patients to prepare all of the Hispanic students for the AP exams and was successful. No one believed in these students because they were from a Latino race, but these kids proved all of them wrong with the help of their teacher. Even after these 14 students passed the challenging exam people had the suspicion that they cheated. This didn’t bother them too much since they know that they did not and so did Jaime Escalante. Jaime taught his students to never give up and have motivation to be successful and to finish what they stated. I think every teacher should have the same teaching style and encouragement that Mr. Escalante provided to his students. If we had more teachers like this we can have the motivation to be very successful in school.

Davion B. said...

Jaime Escalante was not only an amazing person but also a great teacher. He had confidence in the students he taught, which gave the students confidence in themselves to succeed. In the movie "Stand and Deliver", Jaime showed his greatness by teaching 18 Mexican Americans calculus while having fun in the class room. He was always cracking jokes on the kids in class which sometimes helped them relax and have fun while learning. If teachers around the world followed the way Jaime Escalante taught to students I personally think kids would actually learn something in class.

brenda g 106 said...

Jaime Escalante is one of the most determined and aspiring teachers I've ever heard of. He dared to push the bar even when a fellow teacher like him thought his kids cheated. He believed in the students he was given ignoring their social situation.
If I had a teacher like that for math myself I would've been pushed to higher maths. If the schools raised the bar on grades his teaching style would live on. Kids in todays schools are better set off in school and if the can come to school everyday they should try. Mr. Escalante was given a class with very litte knowledge in math and he brought them up to one of the highest math level. If they could do I could too and so could others.
If he were still alive he would continue to dedicate his time to help students and schools even. Norta Vista is now a pickle and he would've been more then ahppy to help. Jaime Escalante inspired many and they grew out of their poor situations and found an escape in learning.

*julie* said...

The first time a saw the movie STAND AND DELIVER, I was hooked on learning more about the man who made a difference in these students’ lives. Jaime Escalante inspired me to challenge myself in subjects in school I don't like to learn. I wish that I could have had the opportunity to have been taught my Jaime. I think it would have been the greatest honor to be taught by someone who made a difference in so many lives. I may not have gotten the opportunity to meet him but I did get the opportunity this year to be taught by a very great teacher Mr. Palo. You may not make a difference in my math scores Mr. Palo but you defiantly make a difference in the way I view the world and politics. And because of you I watch the news now. I love the way Jaime Escalante showed passion in the way he taught. I wish every teacher could be like that.

julie monroy per. 4

cory909 said...

The way I see Jaime Escalante is how strong and wise he was for pushing his students to become more successful in school and life. To teach a group of students who were barley learning basic math and show them higher levels of math proves the Jaime Escalante was an excelent teacher. This showed the he had patients and believed in his students.I believe all teachers should be like Jaime Escalante. Teachers should push students to their limits and show them that they care. Like Escalante formed a connection with his students. Teachers should inspire their students not do the oppisite.Jaime Escalante gave his students confidence in themselves which helped a lot in learning and achieving.

Corina C.
Per.4

SLacy222 said...

Jaime Escalante was an inspiration to all people in the educational system. He made students, who thought they didn't have any place in education,unleash their fullest potential and also boosted their confidence and self-esteem because he knew that they had those characteristics in them ,but they didn't know how to use that potential they had. Most of the students he taught came from rough backgrounds ,which I think gave most of the students motivation to achieve something that they never thought they would and will to prove people wrong. Jaime Escalante is the ideal teacher. Teachers should be able to do anything in their power to teach students. They should make their students motivated to learn and making learning fun and enjoyable as he did. Jaime Escalante will go down history for being such an incomprehensible teacher and a remarkable person.

Shawn Lacy, P.2

gabby. said...

I have actually been very interested in what Jaime Escalante did for a while now, So when I heard that he passed away I actually felt like the community lost someone really special. I believe that Mr. Escalante was truly inspiring to me as a student, even if he was not my teacher watching the movie and seeing how much he truly cared about his students was not something you see everyday. I believe that he should be an inspiration to many teachers as well. Mr. Escalante truly cared about his students and what he did for them is not very common, the fact that he even took the time to help his students without even getting paid shows what a good many he truly was. The death of Mr. Escalante was tragic but I believe that his legacy will move on.

Gabby Cervantes
Period.2

Fidencio Romero said...

Garfield High School was a below average school. Until Jamie Escalante came and change it around. He was an inspirational teacher that accomplish and obstacles that no other teacher at Garfield high could do. Escalante started off teaching algebra, then he went from algebra to AP calculus. He was a man that didn’t just helped the school but he also help students improve, and made them think differently about their live. He was a passionate teacher that had the desire to help his students. He was a dedicated man, that spent most of his free time helping then out, and pushing them to there limits. Escalante never gave up on them. He always tried to do his best to teach them without nothing in return. Nothing stopped him from helping them improve academically. He is one of those few teachers that love what they do. Unlike teachers that we have now. Who don’t even care about there students, as long as they get paid they are good to go. Although one of Escalante’s famous motto is “ganas” meaning desire. He told his students that if they had the desire to do something then they will achieve it, which at the end they did. He inspired students and made them think beyond their abilities. He never let his students give up, he always gave them reason to keep going. He believed in his students even when the school staff didn’t. He knew that all he needed was “ganas” and patience. Jamie Escalante should be a role model .He was a passionate man that his only intentions was to help which he did. He made a big difference in those students life. So now we should take it in consideration and learn from it. So teachers should realize that is not about just standing up there in teach, but to teach them until they know the answer. To never give up on them and for the students to never give up. Also always to have “ganas” because without the “ganas” then no one will want to succeed. Its all about wanting.

-Bridget Fuentes

Period 2

P.S i used fidencio account because i forgot my password for my account. sorry:)

J_OVI said...

What a legacy this man will leave behind, especially now, in a time where our teachers are being cut loose. This man's story is just one example of the effect that just one teacher can have when it comes to changing and shaping the lives of our young ones. To find teachers who are genuinely in love with the profession they have chosen and who continually strive to find new ways to ensure the success of their students is sometimes more difficult to find than one would think. It's teachers like Jaime Escalante and all of the others who love their jobs and their students enough fight for their success in life that make me proud to support teachers all over the state of California and all over this country. My condolences to Mr. Escalante's wife, sons and family. May he rest in peace and may his family find solace in knowing that his work has shaped part of our history.


juan oviedo
p.2

OrionPax said...

I think more teachers should take lessons from Mr.Escalante’s teaching style. Just because you think a type of student cannot be taught a higher academic level of mentality, does not mean they have no reason to try. A school has no materials to teach such a high level of learning, you say? Take a look on hot Jaime taught his students and then whine about it when it gets ‘too hard’. If a student is in such a high class, it really shows that they want to learn. Impoverished students like that should have an equal chance to get a higher education.

Katie S. Per.2

justinee.grace. said...

Jaime Escalente is such a big inspiration to me. Firstly, because he believed in his students and took time out of his life to help them succeed. I’ve never had a teacher quite like him where they do what ever they can to make sure that all their students understand completely. And secondly, I myself want to become a teacher, so it’s a big inspiration to see what he was able to achieve. Just like him, I don’t want to be just like every other teacher. I want to let my students know I am there for them, and I believe they will achieve anything they put their mind to, and I’ll be there for them helping them every step of the way. I want my students to know that they can do it, just like Escalente had encouraged his students to believe they can do it.
"You have to love the subject you teach and you have to love the kids and make them see that they have a chance, opportunity in this country to become whatever they want to.” (Claudio Sanchez, 1) I highly agree with that, and a lot of teachers I have don’t show that. Many teachers show that they have no interest being at school teaching us. And in my opinion that affects us students. I believe those teachers with positive attitudes are better teachers than those with negative attitudes.
I loved how he interacted with his students in a fun and friendly way. He made class/school seem like a place worth being at. He made learning fun for his students, and in my opinion that’s how it should be. If we have no interest in what is being taught then most likely we won’t remember it, therefore we are not learning anything. But by making a lesson fun, students would enjoy learning more and it helps us remember things too.

-Justine Aguilo
period 2(:

Anna Gonzalez ;) said...

Jaime Escalante, was not only a teacher, he was an inspiration. He was everything a student would want in a teacher: funny, entertaining, driven, encouraging, caring, and most importantly a role model. For instance, he always told his students, "To make it, you need ganas, Spanish for desire and drive" (Sanchez). This was the most important lesson he ever taught his students, without it, they could have never learned calculus quite the same. His students learned to never give up and to always believe in themselves, and with hard work they could conquer anything. I wish every teacher could be as passionate about teaching his students as he was. Unfortunately, most teachers lack this in their profession which was probably the reason why Garfield High School was the way it was before Escalante came. Teachers did not care about giving students what they needed in order to learn.
However, Escalante's mission to teach students calculus succeeded by pushing his students to do the best to their ability. He made sure that every student was aware that he cared about them and was passionate about teaching them effectively. How often does one see a teacher who uses weekends and summers just to make sure their students are on the way to a successful education? Not many. I myself am in hopes of becoming a high school teacher and watching Escalante inspired me to want to be a role model for my students as well. I want every single one of my students to know that I care for them and truly want what's best for them. Furthermore, I learned I must make learning fun with whatever subject I choose to teach and "notice the potential in every student." If not, how will students ever enjoy their academic career and keep their interest in their education. Escalante is definitely someone everyone could look up to and become inspired by.

Anonymous said...

Jaime Escalante, even though I don't have any words to describe him, I am still responding about his image. He is a perfect teacher, and perfect human being. Even though I don't need to say this, but still, He was a Smart person, the way in which I consider the actual "Smartness." He was inspiring, but in a different way. "Smartly," he didn't ask sstudents to work hard directly, but got them in a different way. It is indeed almost impossible to convince a person to do something if he doesn't want to do it. So a different way was required to carry out this task. He is a perfect example of a teacher, and I seriously think that every teacher should be inspired by him. And I would also like to add that I haven't seen any teacher like that here. Teachers here are not even half of what he was. He completely changed the scenario of his class, stopped students from Mis-Behaving to responsible. Those students, and every student today find it "Cool" to be mischievous, rude, and not studying; they actually think they are being "Cool" and by not studying, but that's not true. Escalante changed that, and setted an example and reproved that, "Nothing is impossible." Today's students need that kind of teacher, infact I need such a teacher right now; but I've had such a teacher before. I hear people saying,"School system is failing our generation." True, but I think you yourself are failing yourself. It's good that those students got Escalante, but today it's next to impossible to get such a teacher. So take your own responsibility. Jaime Escalante was great, a real role model.

EoPMaio said...

Jaimie Escalante did something that most others would have never attempted. He saw a problem and sought to correct it. The problem being that teachers were unmotivated to teach students because they had given up on the possiblity that the students could learn. Thereby resulting in the students not carring about school, slacking off, and going nowhere in life with no education. Escalante sought to correct this problem by providing what he called "ganas" or a disire to learn and to do good in school with the hopes of going to college. As well as providing his students with a future. I feel that Escalante is a very couragous and noble man to have done such a thing. I am saddened by his death, but I am sure that he will live on in the hearts of thoses he helped. Plus having a movie made after you isnt a bad way to be remember. Do someting great and maybe I'll make a movie about you Palo <3

-Love,
Zach Maio
per.4

HorH@y said...

I have not really heard of Jamie Escalante before but after watching the movie “Stand and Deliver” I became very interested in him and wanted to learn more about him. It seems that his intentions of teaching are what Real teachers should be, not just cause they have to but because they love and will spend every minute with his students to get them to become the best that they are. I truly believe if every teacher was like Jaime Escalante our education would top China, Japan, and Europe. [Sorry Mr. Palo I am not saying that you are a bad teacher, I honestly think you’re a good teacher.] If all teachers had “Ganas” like him and his students I guarantee we wouldn’t have to be worrying about students failing or kids causing trouble in the real world. Watching and reading about Jaime Escalante has really inspired me to push myself in education knowing that some kids that grown up with all these troubles and problems can learn AP calculus in a couple weeks why can’t I? I believe Jaime Escalante is a hero and should be a role model for every teacher.
George Gallardo
Period 2

Anonymous said...

Jaime Escalante was an inspirational mentor to all. Fighting for Hispanic rights before race regulations were even called for in public schooling. He raised the bar like no other teachers of his time would, daring to try to achieve the seemingly impossible. He succeeded in making his students believe in a school system that was continuously failing them. He wasn't a house hold famous name, but he was able to succeed in getting all his students to pass the AP calculus exam, which was a first for Garfield High school. Jaime Escalante is what all teachers should aspire to be, not only just doing his job but also caring about his student’s future and general welfare. That's what makes him great and that's why he should be honored.

Dawn McNulty
per.4

Anonymous said...

Jaime Escalante is an example to all teachers and students, he showed what can be accomplished if you really try. If you look around do all teachers give it there all and do all students? I think what Jaime Escalante pursued and taught was the ability to believe in oneself. It's my opinion, but if people wouldn't give up so easily then they'd do better. This guy gave up everything to teach and was remarkable at it. For success it takes a joint effort to succeed. We all need more ambition and parents and teachers need to realize that. The only thing that keeps people living is what they think there future holds.

kenton goodburn
p. 4

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
janefurdui said...

Jaime Escalante proves to be the ideal teacher in our education system today. In our past topic about education reform we argued that the blame did not only fall on the teachers, but the students as well because not everyone was motivated. Even though these students may not have the eager to learn, with a good teacher behind them, they could boost up their confidence so that they can actually succeed in life. Garfield High School was doing very poorly even before Jaime got there, and he knew this. Unlike the other staff members at that school, he believed in his students. He motivated them every single day. Yes, there may have been many struggles with the students, but he never gave up, even through the hard times. If every teacher aimed to do this, I don't think we'd be having such a big problem with our education system right now.

janefurdui said...

Jane Furdui(:
period 2

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

Jaime Escalante brings a great meaning to learning. His ways of teaching his students really motivates the students to try harder. I think if all teachers really believed in their students they wouldn't let them slack off on their work. i know that some students don't care and even if you try to make him learn they will reject it. There are students like me who didn't know about college and after they hear about it are very interested. Those students need the help of someone in leading them in the correct pathway and not let them continue to get lost in this world. Escalante showed that it is possible for anyone to become what they really want to be in this world no matter where you live or come from.
Tony Chavez
Period 2

Giggles82 said...

I love the story of Jaime Escalante! His story can show teachers and students that anything is possible. He is such a role model to teachers, showing them to not give up on students and to not take the easy way out. He pushed his students, until they almost broke. But it paid off. Jaime definitely had a lot of patients to deal with kids that were used to misbehaving and not caring about school. He proved everybody wrong by having these students take the AP calculus, and getting the best scores on them. If one teacher can change student that could barely do basic math, to have them do calculus…that amazing! This is the kind of story that makes people realize why teachers are important, make teachers realize that they shouldn’t give up on students, and make student know that can learn something if they try really hard.

Shari per. 2

ramon castaneda said...

Jaime Escalante has to be one of the best teachers ever in history that i have heard of. I think more teachers need to be like he was. If teachers would push their students to do what they know they can everyone would a better future. It is not easy for a new teacher to only teacher for a few months with the students he was given to ask to teach them ap calculus. He would not have done it if he thought those kids did not have the ganas to pass the ap calculus exam. this proves that even if you live in poverty you can still make the best for yourself in the future. I really think he inspired so many people to want to teach and become really good teachers. I think if more teachers were to be like him many more kids would be doing better> Teachers need to get interested in the students and try to help them out when they are not doing good.

Per. 4

Kaitlyn_Morales said...

Jamie Escalante is simply an inspirational man, and it is sad that he has now passed away due to his cancer. But he impacted the lives of many students who were believed to never accomplish anything in their lives. His dedication to his students reveals how much he cared for them and their future, being that he worked over summer, before, and after school to tutor these students. Escalante led his students with his desire as well as theirs, he showed everyone that although these students were raised in poor communities, they are just as smart as any other kids. If i had a teacher that dedicated I would do more in my classes, and he even inspired those students who didn't even care. I always thought that it was more the students drive than the teachers if they wanted good grades, but this shows that if the teachers have a drive, it can light a longing for knowledge in the students as well.

Kaitlyn Morales
period 4

Chocolate_thunder_shari92 said...

Mr.Escalante was a hero in my eyes. he did things that most teachers would not attempt, but best of all he made it happen.For years he changed the lives of teenagers who were destined for failure. He gave the rest of his life to the success of this country because he formed students who will be leaders.I admire everything he has done. Mr.Escalante should be a(n) example to what a teacher is supposed to be like. So all I have to say is that his teachings will live on and also his legacy.

a said...

Jaime Escalante is a very interesting person. I have a lot of respect towards him and I’m sure than many other people do as well. He knew what he was getting himself into before working at that highschool, I consider him a hero, and a very brave man for doing the things he did. If every teacher had the same mind set, and motivation that Mr.Escalante had then I believe that no school could ever go wrong. I loved how motivated he was, he worked really hard for all of his students, and he truly cared for them, too. Not only was he a great teacher, but he was a great person as well. He didn’t only teach his students math but he taught them about life, and he changed their lives for the better. He showed me and other people that things can work when you have patience. Not many people in the world are patient and I really look up to Jaime Escalante for his patience along with many other reasons too. It is horrible news that he has left us, and may he rest in peace. I think that not only teachers but people in general should follow his brave examples.

Amy On
Period 4

fatema marvi said...

As I read the article about Jaime Escalante, I saw myself in the students he taught and his beliefs about hard work and not letting your back ground be your excuse. My family and I are immigrants, and I’ve used this excuse many times whenever there are obstacles in my way. However, his story is truly motivational and inspires me to be a better, successful person. He believed in his students that everyone, including the students themselves, had no hope for. He knew that a person’s economic status and ethnicity has nothing to do with their intellectual abilities and taught students who became extremely successful despite all odds. Because of him, teachers and students no longer have an excuse for poor performances. I believe that every single person has something to learn from Escalante. He gave the message that anything is achievable through hard work and it is actually believable since he created many living proofs through his students.

Mukuria15 said...

I think the story of Mr. Escalante is very inspirational. To take the excuses out of kids and make them realize their “ganas” for something better in life is something that is still needed today. I wish that he could of came to our school and spread some of his words. The people here are school, some not all, I see them wasting their lives and just coming t school for a reason I don’t know or just to see their friends. I remember in summer school because I passed English 2 Honors with a “D”, there was this kid who never did anything. I mean he literally just came because there was nothing else to do. I also remember him reading out loud because the class was reading a story, he really couldn’t read. He didn’t know how to sound out letters and it made me kind of annoyed. I believed that if that kid had someone, a teacher perhaps, to give him some inspiration then he would truly be someone great in the future. I wish Mr. Escalante could spread his teachings and inspirations to not only the people of La Sierra High School but to students everywhere.