Rejuvenation

Pgs 247-308

The story of the boy named Manie was very intense I thought. I think that was because I did not expect any of what happened. It went from just one of her students winning a drawing contest to an important change of thought/heart for Manie for the rest of his life. I know that some families still harbor racist feelings and thoughts and pass them down to their children but it’s a back of the mind kind of knowledge. Not the kind anyone wants to be confronted with. Without this experience Manie might have continued to grow up and hold onto the beliefs of his parents. He would perpetuate that misinformed line of thinking to his own children. This was a powerful piece and I’m sure an experience the teacher and Manie will not forget.

The ‘rock star’ teacher excerpt was quite interesting to me. Sometimes when a teacher does well he or she starts to believe it has all been figured out. Perhaps at times the goal is to ‘figure it out.’ Figure out how to discipline the students effectively, keep them engaged, and aid the strugglers. Everyone once in a while these teachers need a wake up call that reminds them they aren’t the best. My dad once told me that there will always be someone better than me but on the other side there will always be someone worse too. I think he meant for me to keep my head up but never get too cocky. At least this teacher realized that she did have something to learn at the conference instead of continuing to sulk the entirety of the trip.