Jonathan Ah Kit

July 3, 2011

"…We can tell our children that school is important until we’re blue in the face, they’re not stupid. They see the loudest applause is for the kids on the field. They know teachers are paid poorly and don’t drive fancy cars. They know people plan Super Bowl parties but mock the National Spelling Bee. In other words, they see the hypocrisy, and we can’t expect society to correct itself. If we want to have any lasting influence on the way our kids approach education — the way future generations approach education — then we have to grab our pom-poms and paint our faces and celebrate intellectual curiosity with the same vigor we do their athletic achievements."

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Why I’m raising my son to be a nerd - CNN.com (via lavvocato)

At my high school, the year-end academic awards ceremony happened at night and was optional, but the sports awards were an event that took place during the school day, in the auditorium, with everyone required to attend.

My freshman year, I brought a book and read during the sports awards. I was scolded by a teacher for not clapping, and when I said, “But this is a school. So we’re encouraged to read, right?” she gave me the nastiest look.

The next year, the principal pulled me aside after the ceremony and tried to guilt trip me for not applauding for the “hard-working athletes.” I told her, “They don’t have to clap for me at academic awards night. They don’t even have to go. So why should I be required to clap for them?” She left me alone.

The next year no one said a word to me about reading.

(via silverqueen)

(Source: CNN, via pensivepblossom)

6:00am | URL: https://tmblr.co/ZrWHYy6iQ556

(Notes: 41,009)