Willie graduates! Not the end.

Julie turned in Willie's final assignments yesterday, a week after formal graduation ceremonies and  his teachers already gone. "The teacher's not even going to look at his work?" the school administrative assistant asked, puzzled.   "Apparently not," Julie replied. "It's just busywork."

We won't tell Willie all his hard work over the last 3 weeks may not even get a glance from his teachers. So that's how Willie's story ends.  Graduation ceremonies last week were a big bang and Willie had a great time and we were so proud.  In contrast, turning in his last homework this week was a whimper.

PS #1. Of course, this true life story (drama for us) was not just about Willie, but about millions of students and thousands of schools, about an obsolete school system and negative pedagogy. So the story does not end.  You, we, and thousands of others will continue our common work of bringing schools and colleges into the 21st century, for our kids' sake, for our grandkids' sakes.

PS #2. Thanks to Terry in Los Angeles, Daniel in Kansas City, Michael in Amsterdam and others whom we have met face-to-face in the last month and asked "Will Willie graduate?"  We appreciate all your interest and support.

((Willie with his school chum Sultan at graduation))

Comments

[Diana Hunter]

My own son is extremely bright and creative and just barely squeaked through high school. He didn't get to graduate with his class--was listed on the program, but they didn't read his name. He finally completed all his classwork right on the deadline--the day before the Labor Day weekend and I went to the school office myself to get his diploma. Of course one of the counselors didn't want to let him graduate at all, until she read the principal's note on the computer records that all his work must be completed by Labor Day weekend to get his diploma. Our schools need to be fixed--they need to be more flexible and interesting to keep the smart kids interested and reduce some of the social problems. This year, my step-grandson led all the family in high drama, too, about whether he would graduate or not. He surprised everyone and did it,too!

[Judy Gombita]

Lekshe, the book is The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time, by UK author Mark Haddon. It is a phenomenal novel. Last winter I cracked it open early one Saturday evening--planning on reading only a couple of chapters--but ended up reading it straight through (regretfully reading the last page around 12 midnight). I literally could not put it down.

Then the next day at the gym (in the women's change room) I had this prolonged and animated discussion with a child psychologist (who hadn't read it) and a teacher of children with learning challenges (who had) about how brilliant, moving and educational was the "experience" of entering the mind (and heart) of an autistic teenager. I understand that Mr. Haddon taught autistic children for several years. His understanding and sensitivity regarding autism definitely shines through. Highly recommended reading!

[Bill & Julie]

Well, this is cool. Click on the picture for an enlarged version. "Thank you Typepad...."

[Harold Jarche]

Our family has been following this story - so our congratulations to Willie. We wish you all the best, no matter what obstacles the world throws your way.

Willie's story has reminded me of what Geary Rummler said:
Forty years ago I made the observation, “Put a good performer in a bad system, and the system will win every time.” The result of this reality is that individuals are frequently falsely accused of being the cause of the “problem,” and organizations spend tons of money subjecting the falsely accused to hours of useless, time-consuming, no"n-value-added “interventions.”

http://store.astd.org/product_content.asp?prodid=2643&type=218

[lekshe]

Did you hear the program on the book the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Dark (did I get that right?) today on NPR? It was an interview with the author.