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Tuesday, January 27, 2004I'm sorry sir, but we like our teachers to be dumb as shit
File this under "You can't possibly be for real". From the Atlanta Journal-Constitution: "Brains Can Hurt Job Applicants" link via darmon
This is scary to me because I am a smart woman and I have realized that my true calling is in helping young people that are just like I was in high school - bored, unchallenged and disillusioned.
"Though your qualifications are quite impressive, I regret to inform you that we have selected another candidate. It was felt that your demeanor and therefore presence in the classroom would serve as an unrealistic expectation as to what high school students could strive to achieve or become. However, it is highly recommended that you seek employment at the collegiate level; there your intellectual comportment would be greatly appreciated. Good luck."
Could anyone imagine the day when an aspiring educator would be told that he is, in essence, overqualified?Perhaps my story is merely an exception to the rule. In either circumstance, the outcome is appalling.
I am a 22-year-old African-American male and recent graduate of a respectable liberal arts college in Kentucky. I acquired a 3.75 grade-point average with a double major in Social Studies Secondary Education and sociology.
I was a Rhodes Scholar nominee, inducted into the Mensa society in May 2001, named to the National Dean's List for three consecutive years, successfully competed in intercollegiate forensics and served as student body president.
While in college I was also privileged to serve on mission trips to Mexico, Guatemala and Jamaica. In the summer of 2002 I was granted the opportunity to intern with Saxby Chambliss, who was then a U.S. representative running for the U.S. Senate. I served for two years as a court-appointed special advocate for the state of Kentucky.
These experiences have proved to be beyond memorable and life changing. I did not become another faceless statistic of a failed minority or foster care youth. I chose to take charge of my future rather than allow myself to fall prey to the alluring, though deceiving, clutches of victimhood.
As a young black male, I am often perceived as dumb, lazy, promiscuous and criminally inclined. If I sound at all pretentious for wanting to prove that I am anything but the above, then please accept my sincere apologies. In any event, lately it appears that my achievements have proved to be a liability rather than an asset.
Anyone who meets me will attest to the fact that I am an extremely passionate individual. My passion is for people, which explains my choice of studies. Originally I planned to attend law school after college, though I wasn't entirely sure this was the right path for me.
Over the summer, I came to realize that my true calling lay in inspiring, motivating, challenging and educating other young adults. After investigating, I assumed that Atlanta would perhaps be a viable market for teaching jobs. I applied to metro Atlanta counties including Fulton, DeKalb, Clayton, Cobb, Gwinnett, plus the Atlanta public schools, all to no avail.
Certification was not the issue. I am certified to teach in Kentucky and have applied for certification in Georgia. My application is still being processed.
Recently, I interviewed with a school in one of the metro Atlanta counties, only to receive an e-mail from the principal stating, "Though your qualifications are quite impressive, I regret to inform you that we have selected another candidate. It was felt that your demeanor and therefore presence in the classroom would serve as an unrealistic expectation as to what high school students could strive to achieve or become. However, it is highly recommended that you seek employment at the collegiate level; there your intellectual comportment would be greatly appreciated. Good luck."
After reading the e-mail several times over, I felt as if I had been slapped in the face. It is truly a sad day in the world of education when a 22-year-old aspiring educator is informed that he is too intellectual to teach high school.
I am neither looking for a handout nor a free ride. I would simply like some insight as to some possible answers to a seemingly unsolvable conundrum.
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Comments
Sounds nice, but realistically...
First, I don't believe it. There are holes in that story the size of the rims on the average rapper's car. Even if it is true, I grew up "in one of the Metro Atlanta Counties" and I had a teacher with similar qualifications albeit probably 20 years older than this cat. The teacher, whose name escapes me, was a science teacher and when he spoke his voice sounded like he'd just walked off stage in an Elizabethian theatre production. We're a classroom full of fresh from the inner city moved to the suburbs for a better life Black kids. Even the nerds couldn't relate to this cat. He was frustrated two weeks in. I would be too if kids were beat boxing and rapping while I'm trying to teach about particles and shit.
I remember gaining respect for him when he got shot outside a Patti LaBelle concert. He was disgusted because he saw that the kids started to gravitate towards him a little more because he was now kinda "hood."
He left. We graduated.
The subject of the article probably would be better served starting higher up in academia unless he can somehow relate to the kids. If you don't relate then they simply aren't going to listen to you. If they aren't going to listen to you they aren't going to learn from you. Who's that helping?
If he's thinking he can relate just 'cause he's Black:
exhibit "A": http://robots.cnn.com/ALLPOLITICS/1998/06/26/scotus.harassment/thomas.jpg
exhibit "B": http://www.voanews.com/english/images/ap_us_vilnius_Condoleeza_Rice_21apr05_eng_210_1.jpg
exhibit "c": http://www.naomijudd.com/Media/waynebrady.jpg
In hindsight old Elizabethian probably was a good teacher. We just weren't good learners. When I hit college I matured (eventually) and was able to appreciate knowledge. As a 10th grader I only appreciated beats, jettas, woofers, polos, tretorns, booties, boobies, and chicken wings.
Homie needs to pack his bags and teach at either a private school or a college.
Posted by: me at Feb 21, 2006 8:19:15 AM
