7th grade moustache

Yes, I saw a 7th grader with a moustache this week. Faint, but visible. Little wispy hairs, not enough to shave, but enough to make him seem cool to the other boys. Plus, he was like 5'7" tall...which, if you've been around middle school kids much, you know that is really quite tall. The average 7th grade boy is maybe five feet tall, with arms and wrists like spring branches reaching out to touch anything kinesthetically interesting. I subbed for a science class where the student-teacher did everything. I was just the legal certified adult in the room, a back-up (which, there was a fight, initiated by an unwanted wet-willy, during one period--but it was like over in 20 seconds). It was a very fascinating three hours of human observation. There is an amazing amount of variety in a random sampling of twelve-year-olds. Body shape, size, work ethic, classroom behavior. Which makes the fact that someone found my blog from this search string even more humorous: "how to help students realize value of education". Hmmm, not sure I have the answer for that one.

Eight of the last ten substitute teaching days have been at a middle school...4 of which were consecutive days for the same teacher. I met a future comedian who, everyday, had a funny story to tell about his iguana and poop. Now the next three days, I have another extended assignment. The crazy thing about this week is that the weather is blazing hot here...like 90 degrees, if you can believe that. So these old schools have no AC, poor insulation, horrible ventilation, and it's a sweaty, smelly, sleep-inducing, irritating school day experience for the kids by the end of the day (and their teachers!). Somehow we all make it, but is it uncomfortable! Try putting a business CEO in that kind of work environment for 7 hours and see how he/she feels! These Spokane kids do unbelievably well, actually. They bring water bottles, wear sleeveless shirts. I told one class of 8th graders today, "Everytime you talk, you release 98.6 degree air into the room. It'll get cooler if you don't talk." They believed me, which I'm not sure that statement is false--I just don't have proof. One girl even said to me, "You should be a science teacher." I think they thought I was super-smart for knowing the body's core temperature was 98.6.

But back to the million dollar question, how do you help students realize the value of education? Show them the money! Or at least tell them about the money. Education = choices = money.

With education (and the corresponding knowledge and skills), they have more opportunities and a greater array of choices. Choices for college. Choices for jobs, careers. The choice to not live with their parents until they're thirty! And with choices for higher education and jobs, comes money (i.e., fast food server vs. engineer--as one extreme example). And with money comes more choices--where to live, what to drive, how to dress, what to eat, how one lives, etc.

If kids can see that connection, the long-term benefits of education, then maybe there's a chance.