However, in some ways the start to this particular school year may be different for many kids, or so I'm learning. I've heard a handful of eye-opening stories on NPR giving a whole different character to the start of this particular academic year. I can always count on NPR's 'Tell Me More' to make me think about something in a whole different way, a fact which was only reaffirmed when I heard "Is College Education Worth the Investment?" (click here to listen). It's not that this is a question that has never been asked before... I myself have pondered this question at length. Just 6 months of job-searching in an economic recession left me feeling nearly desperate and utterly confused from hearing time after time that I was a great candidate though lacking the experience for which they were looking. And even though I wish that I too was starting back to school, I wonder if the average employer values my education as much as I do. In listening to this story, you'll hear that each guest comment that while education is a worthwhile investment, it requires preliminary research in order that the student direct her effort and valuable resources in a direction that best ensures a return on said investment in the form of economic capital, not just emotional and social capital.
So, how early is too early to start planning your future? And though the 'American Dream' is already somewhat fabled as it is, does the risk of investing in advanced education take it even further into the land of nod?
(This picture depicts 1 of many exciting first days of school (circa 1992) for the Welsh girls)
I don't know that I'm prepared to comment on the complexities of the so-called 'American Dream' but what I can say for certain is that many children are all to happy to look toward the future. Probably the most common question I was asked from 1st through 12th grade was "Who do you want to be?" and "What do you want to do?" If you don't believe me, take Damon Weaver as an example. Though only a sixth grader he has done a story for ABC about violence in his Florida hometown, been featured as a guest on top cable networks, interviewed Vice President Biden and President Obama, and most recently was interviewed for 'Tell Me More' on NPR. Though his past experiences make up an impressive resume for a career as a journalist, Mr. Weaver's goals are to pursue varied & numerous careers. In fact, click here because you should really witness Damon for yourself.
So like I said, kids have nothing but hopes & plans for the future. So maybe the difference is that kids even as young as Damon should have assistance from adults not just in considering who they want to be or what they want to do, but also in making the concrete, reality-tested plans that can help them to achieve it. Quite a tall order for educators though it is, Damon and kids like him are certainly worth the effort.
The other of today's lessons is that the recession really is effecting how we look and react to everything (whether the Real Housewives of Orange County, New York, New Jersey, and Atlanta admit it or not). But that's not to say that we still can't be optimistic about the future, especially because optimism is a key value in education. So who better to encourage our optimism than Mr. Optimism himself, Elmo of Sesame Street?! Have a listen by clicking here as he comments on the recession for NPR and let his youthful energy wash over you. Just be sure to take his simple yet profound advice with you: "...talk to each other about how you feel about it, you know, because that's how you can learn."
