I Just Wanna be Average

"I Just Wanna be Average" by Mike Rose was an interesting read about his adventure through school. At a time when vocational education was accepted, he struggled through his classes that encouraged mediocrity. Finally, he was able to reconnect with his potential with the help of Jack MacFarland.
I think we can all relate to what he is saying in some ways. There are those classes that make you want to bang your head against the wall and make you really good at appearing to pay attention. I am just grateful that the age of vocational education has passed. I don't think that I would have been one to be put on that track, but who knows!
I think it is great when you encounter one of those teachers that have passion and want you to succeed, beyond that, they want you to excel! MacFarland defies what Gatto implied about teachers being bored. I hope that everyone has had an experience with a teacher similar to MacFarland. I know I had a few, the first being my French teacher in Jr High. She never settled for average students and would not give up until we were all doing well.
I think I have slipped up a little more in college, I am in my program and well on my way. I have caught myself saying "All I need is a C, I just have to stay in the program." That attitude is disappointing to me, this essay really made me think about that. I am certainly going to try a little harder.