State Taking Over The School System
Amendment 1
(Because so many schools are failing)

My intake on the state taking over the school system is a poor judgment call. The students are not failing or dropping out of school because they want to be involved in criminal activities or not participate. Nathal Deal's concept of this situation is way off.

I have two nieces going to school in Atlanta, GA. One was skipping school because she was so bored, till it wasn't interesting. I had a talk with her. Finally convinced her to complete her schooling. She did. Went to a college in Atlanta, GA recently. Now she at a university. My other niece says she is struggling to keep her focus at school because the teachers are so boring. But she is determined to graduate and go to the Air Force. My son, who is a teenager, also in a school in northwest Georgia. Got behind in his schooling because some days he wouldn't go to school because he said it was so boring it made him so sleepy. I had to convince him that he needed his education. So he caught up on his credits. Now he will be graduating with his class next year. Going off to business school.

These are three teenagers who said this. That they was bored with school. None of them had criminal intent. Just like many other children really don't have criminal intent. I have another son who quit school and has gotten into trouble with the law. He has a family. But I still encourage him to get his education and take up a vocational trade.

I encourage everyone who is supporting this Amendment 1: watch the movie Freedom Writers. It's about a teacher who stepped into a innercity school that the district gave up on the children. They was failing and didn't care. Majority of them couldn't stand each other because of gang activity. In spite of their bad behavior patterns, this teacher saw their potential. She sought out what they liked and became interested in their rapping, song, etc. She earned their trust and respect. This teacher found a common ground with them in writing. It was a way for them to express themselves through journaling. She was totally devoted to making an impact in these children's lives. Till she invested her own time and money in these students' lives.

Read the book Taught by American. Google the author name. Someone recommended this book to me but couldn't remember the author's name. This book is about a lady going into inner city schools in the Compton area to teach. She describes the children as being from broken homes, around a lot of gang activity, and not even having enough food to eat. She said she spent a good amount of her own money and time to create a fun and colorful way to teach the children. This teacher talks about how the wealthy would bless the children with toys for a Christmas. But she felt that some of the money should have been invested in their education and supplies that they needed.

When I was growing up, we had what we called PTA meetings. They discuss fundraisers, communication, openness to ideas, and creative thinking. Invites for children to learn, it has to be a parent and teacher effort.

Let's just take it back when I was in school. There was never a dull moment in class. My teachers was stern but fun and very creative. When it came to our school lessons, they fonded with us. History class, we played Jeopardy. We looked for word to winning pencils that smelled good. In different holidays, we had parties. We brought food and our teacher brought food. Valentine's we exchanged cards and gifts. We pulled names for who was going to get a gift for who. Teachers and students were involved in this. Our teachers would talk to us one on one. Sometimes, our teachers would bless the whole class with cupcakes just because we all did an awesome job. We watched National Geographic movies that were extraordinary. We laughed and cried together. Anything that was needed in the school, our teachers would come up with ideas like cake walks, fall festivals, etc. In English class, we journaled. We got to write down our feelings every day. We read a lot of books. Then did a book report on them.

Our teacher would pick good stuff to read like Langston James Hughes, Agatha Christi, Gone With The Wind, just to name a few. She would give us a topic. We would do a creative writing on it. It was fun to express yourself. Then your teacher gets to read how you feel. I can remember at the time because our teacher was so understanding.

I had been molested from 9 to 13 years old. I felt comfortable going to my teacher, asking her to help me. When a child cannot get through to their parents, they should feel comfortable going to a teacher not worrying about a teacher taking advantage of their vulnerability.

It's my opinion we have included children into too much technology. I understand that our world operates mainly by technology in this era. I feel children need to get back to more hands-on coordination quickies. There needs to be more creativity in our schools. You can teach and have fun at the same time. Who would have even thought of history Jeopardy and winning prizes like school supplies that some of us can't afford? For children, it's about how you interact with them and reward them.

When I was growing up, PE wasn't just exercising. We did square dancing, talent shows ,plays, sports activities. My most favorite act was the Miller dance we did as a tribute to Michael Jackson because he was an icon to all American people. Our teacher got involved with us for this activity. It was fun. We had pageants. Everyone looked forward to who was going to have the prettiest dress. We had a lot to look forward to when we went to school. Marching band, music class, I played the flute, choir, cheer leading, dance team, etc. Different sports. We knew we had to keep our grades up in order to participate. I didn't like math ever, but I had to make myself like it at a certain point if I wanted to participate in any activities.

Why are we taking things out of the schools like bands? Do you all realize music speaks volumes when you can't get a message across to an individual? Put it in a song. The right type of music for a child, I bet, will get your message across quickly. Music is like medicine to some people. They can be going through a song like Kendrick Lamar. Be alright, come on the radio, or they play it on the iPod. After they listen to it, it gives them hope.

Some children like poetry. I was one of those children who loved music and poetry. A lot of times when I felt hopeless, I could read something from Maya Angelou in class. Or my teacher would show us a movie, Ann of Green Gables, Grapes of Wrath, or Raisin in the Sun. This would cheer me up for the day.

From day to day, you don't know what these children are going through. These children are not failing because of criminal activity or dropping out because they don't want their education. What if they are dropping out because they feel that they have to take care of their family because there's no mother or father? Or just one mother in a house struggling? We have to know all the facts before we assume this is why this is happening.

The truth of the matter is that the people working in the school systems need to stop stealing the money. Going to the school to meet a lover and misleading the children down the wrong path. Go in there and really teach the children. Make a positive impact in the students' lives.

Could this be why children are failing and aren't interested? Could it be because we have children that are bullying by other students? Nothing is to be done about it? Could this be why children and failing, not because they are scared for their lives? Could it be that the teachers are not to be trusted because they mistreated a student by singling them out all the time but another student does the same thing and gets away with it? Could it be that this kid reminds you of yourself till you don't like them?

Local leaders, whatever activities have you taking out of your schools need to come back. The rules are too overbearing in the school system that the children can't cough or squat. Immediately, they penalize. Who do I fault? Teachers, local leaders, and parents. Because everyone has to be involved in these children too.

I have dealt with children. Yes, some of them are followers of the wrong crowd. You have then something to work with. Show them a better way to go about handling things. Some children are standoffish because they fear people will reject them. Because they are not confident in themselves. Because people pick on them so they have lower self-esteem. They need someone to grab them by the hand. Say, "Hey, you can do this." These type of children need more hands-on coordination. I love working with children or just being there for them.

Everybody works as a team. Parents, teachers, and local leaders can turn this negative situation around into a positive one. You all do not need no Amendment 1 state taking over the school system.

Written by
Jennifer Johnson